Confident, able & responsible

Our mission is to produce young men who are confident, able and responsible; prepared to lead happy and fulfilled adult lives and to make a positive contribution to others.

Thriving from ancient roots

In 1573 Queen Elizabeth I granted the charter, for "...the establishment of the Free Grammar School of Queen Elizabeth in Barnet, for the education, bringing up and instruction of boys”. The School therefore celebrated its 450th anniversary in 2023.

View video

#QE450

2023 was the School's 450th anniversary - a year of reflection and celebration.

View video

Sunday Times State School of the Year for A-levels 2025

“Success in examinations comes as a by-product of a wider school ethos centred on fully developing the boys’ considerable talents. Boys leave the school confident young men capable of taking their place in the world, nurtured by a school with outstanding facilities and exceptional teaching.” (The Sunday Times Parent Power)

'Pupils flourish at QE'

Ofsted has judged the School to be 'Outstanding' in all areas, following an inspection carried out in May 2022 - the sixth consecutive time QE has been awarded the highest grading.

Building on distinction

In our School plan, for 2021-2025, we take inspiration from our Tudor tenets and our long history of success, whilst ensuring that our mission is tailored for the 2020s.

Free-thinking scholarship

At QE, we seek to engender a spirit of scholarship. We ensure that pupils acquire a thorough mastery of their subjects; from this foundation, we cultivate intellectual curiosity, with each boy encouraged to pursue his own academic interests.

A world beyond the classroom

At QE we offer a wealth of opportunities beyond our academic curriculum, to enrich the experiences of our boys and to help them become fully rounded young men.

Bespoke support

Boys benefit from a wide-ranging programme of bespoke support and guidance, forging strong relationships with staff and their peers to ensure their all-round wellbeing.

'An exceptional and rounded education'

'One of the most inspiring learning environments we've ever come across.' (The Good Schools Guide)

Rising to the challenge: young actors triumph with performance of ancient play in QE’s newest facility

17.07.2025

Drama

Rising to the challenge: young actors triumph with performance of ancient play in QE’s newest facility

The 2025 School Play is the first ever to have been staged in The Robert Dudley Studio – QE’s new facility for drama and the spoken word. The production of...

U15s are county champions following ‘extraordinary’ QE cricket season

08.07.2025

Sport

U15s are county champions following ‘extraordinary’ QE cricket season

The U15 cricket team have been crowned county champions after beating Harrow School in the thrilling final of the Middlesex cup competition. The squad also made QE history with a...

Reach for the stars – and remember to be kind

03.07.2025

Alumni

Reach for the stars – and remember to be kind

Britain’s favourite character actress sent the class of 2025 on their way with this challenge: that they should try to follow their dreams, make an impact in the world, but...

QE is simply outstanding for Oxbridge offers: survey confirms huge success

30.06.2025

Uncategorized

QE is simply outstanding for Oxbridge offers: survey confirms huge success

New figures show that no other state school secured more offers from Oxford and Cambridge last year than Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet. Sixty-two QE pupils received offers from the two...

All the fun of the fete – and some serious fundraising, too

25.06.2025

Alumni | House system | Service

All the fun of the fete – and some serious fundraising, too

Founder’s Day 2025 drew large numbers of visitors for the afternoon fete, who helped smash a £25,000 fundraising target. The day, a traditional highlight of QE’s calendar, began with a...

A state school experience like no other

Our ancient heritage, meritocratic ethos, highly skilled staff and state of the art facilities together make Queen Elizabeth's a truly unique school, in which our very capable boys flourish.

Building on Distinction

Our ambitious plan for 2021-25, which includes our 450th anniversary year, draws upon the best of our long heritage, whilst re-shaping our mission to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 2020s.

View the plan

Transforming our campus

Through our new estates strategy, QE seeks to establish the best possible learning environment for pupils, emulating past successes, such as our acclaimed Martin Pool, as we progressively enhance our campus. Our immediate sights are now set on building a sports hall and on creating a new dining space, the Fern Café.

Investing in top performers!

Queen Elizabeth’s School has invested heavily in the performing arts in recent years. The first fruits of the £5 million spent were our Friends’ Recital Hall & Music Rooms. Then, in 2024, we opened The Robert Dudley Studio – a 200-seat drama and spoken word facility.

QE goes global

In a first for a UK state school, Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, is working with business partner Global Education (GEDU) to establish new schools overseas that will carry the QE name. Initial plans are for schools in India and UAE.

Thriving from ancient roots: Queen Elizabeth's School, 1573–2023

In 1573, at the request of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, Queen Elizabeth I granted a charter ‘for the establishment of the Free Grammar School of Queen Elizabeth in Barnet’. With 2023 thus marking the 450th anniversary of our School, a number of special celebrations took place.

Don't take our word for it

"A unique and unashamed meritocracy in which clever, hard-working boys who like a challenge will thrive." Following a visit from the trusted and influential Good Schools Guide, read their impartial review of QE in full.

Read the review