The College is part of Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, which also includes QE Faculty, another senior school that recently won the ISA Senior School of the Year award. The Faculty ranked 8th in the North and retained a spot in the top 200 schools nationally, further showcasing the school’s reputation for academic excellence.
At QE College, the focus is on nurturing academic talent through a traditional study route, while encouraging students to engage in activities that expand their skills beyond the classroom. The school promotes student leadership opportunities, such as peer mentoring, prefect roles, and subject ambassadorships. These roles help students develop valuable skills that complement their academic knowledge, preparing them for future success.
The QE Stretch and Challenge programme offers a range of opportunities, including lectures and workshops from alumni and professionals, as well as a focus on entrepreneurial thinking, financial management, and strategic planning. Students also have the chance to participate in internal and national competitions, such as the Student Essay Competition and Medical Conference.
In the 2023-24 academic year, students earned 452 awards and commendations in subjects like the arts, science, math, and business, as well as external qualifications in areas like lifeguarding and mental health. More than 300 students also contributed to the school community through community ambassador roles.
The Collegiate’s approach is innovative and highly personalised, offering students a dynamic curriculum with strong support systems to ensure academic success. QE is proud of its comprehensive educational model, which includes a prep and middle school leading to two distinct senior school pathways. The school’s modern campus, located near York, Harrogate, and Leeds, provides students with access to state-of-the-art facilities and opportunities for academic growth and extracurricular involvement.
Queen Ethelburga’s encourages students to aim high, whether that’s through attending prestigious universities, securing sports or arts scholarships, pursuing degree apprenticeships, or gaining work experience with top companies. All aspirations are equally valued and supported, ensuring that each student’s individual needs and ambitions are met.
Since 2023, QE has also introduced exciting extracurricular opportunities, including a participation in the BRSCC Nankang Tyre CityCar Cup Championship. As the first school ever to compete in this professional motorsport event, QE Motorsports earned the Team Development Award for its growth and success during its first season.
In addition, the school’s E-Sports teams are ranked among the best in the UK, competing against professional adult teams and achieving top results, with some students ranked in the top 0.1% globally.
Daniel Machin, Head of Queen Ethelburga’s, expressed pride in retaining the Parent Power accolade for four years. He credited the school’s commitment to providing the best education and support for students’ diverse aspirations, highlighting the collective efforts of staff, parents, and the school community. The recognition, alongside The Faculty’s ISA Senior School of the Year win, underscores the success of Queen Ethelburga’s unique four-school model and its ability to meet the needs of every student.