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.

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#QE450

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

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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.” (Alastair McCall, Editor of 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, 2020)

Fine vintage: Year 13 continues QE’s sparkling Oxbridge run, winning 49 offers

13.02.2025

Alumni | School performance

Fine vintage: Year 13 continues QE’s sparkling Oxbridge run, winning 49 offers

Queen Elizabeth’s School pupils have secured 49 offers from Oxford and Cambridge this year – a figure only surpassed by last year’s all-time record. This year’s tally, comprising 34 offers...

Halfway to tomorrow: QE’s economists reflect on the tumultuous COVID era and look ahead to an “exciting, unnerving” future

12.02.2025

Academic enrichment | Economics

Halfway to tomorrow: QE’s economists reflect on the tumultuous COVID era and look ahead to an “exciting, unnerving” future

This month’s edition of the Econobethan, entitled Halfway to Tomorrow, looks both backwards and forwards. QE’s student-run Economics journal reflects in its first section on the profound changes of the...

On the big stage: competition-winner Paarth shares his passion for AI at major technology event

31.01.2025

Academic enrichment | Technology

On the big stage: competition-winner Paarth shares his passion for AI at major technology event

Following his success in an international artificial intelligence competition, Year 11’s Paarth Aggarwal has now spoken at a globally acclaimed education technology exhibition and show. Technology giant Intel asked Paarth...

Record year for university mock interviews, as QE helps Elizabethans find their path

27.01.2025

Alumni | QE Futures

Record year for university mock interviews, as QE helps Elizabethans find their path

A record 90 old boys and other friends of the School this year conducted more than 150 individual university mock interviews for pupils as part of the QE Futures programme....

Champions again! QE repeats Mathematics competition victory

22.01.2025

Academic enrichment | STEM

Champions again! QE repeats Mathematics competition victory

A Sixth Form team from QE fought off entrants from other top schools to win the international Ritangle Mathematics competition for the second consecutive year. The eight-strong winning team from...

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.

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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.