Five years on from the pandemic, QE celebrates progress and plans for the future

The date of 19th March 2025 marked the fifth anniversary of UK schools being asked to close to pupils because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We thus abruptly began an unprecedented period of remote teaching – with various other mitigation measures then subsequently required, as the pandemic ebbed and flowed. It was a tumultuous time for us here at Queen’s Road, throughout the UK and, indeed, across the whole world.

Our ambitious development plan, Building on Distinction, covering the years 2021–2025, was our roadmap to navigate the aftermath – and how wonderfully that has turned out! The period has seen our pupils enjoy continuing academic success at the very highest levels. We have had the launch of our QE Flourish co-curricular programme. Superb new facilities have been added to our campus – first the Friends’ Recital Hall and Music Rooms and, most recently, The Robert Dudley Studio. And, building on that experience of remote education gained during the pandemic, our digital strategy, with our 1:1 programme at its heart, is ensuring that that our pupils can benefit fully from the enormous potential offered by technology, while also building the digital literacy skills they will need whatever their future aspirations.

Throughout those last five years, we have continued to develop the School’s relationships with alumni and to encourage links between our old boys for friendship and networking. Old Elizabethans are now supporting the current generation of pupils in countless different ways. I am immensely grateful to the many OEs who support our QE Futures programme, which is now well established, helping pupils successfully find their path to the very best university courses or to other destinations also leading into world-class careers. This term, it was good to welcome back some of last year’s leavers as they came in to talk to Year 13 in our USP classes about all aspects of life at university. Those returnees included Krish Agarwal, Dai (Abhi) Kannan, Yash Narain, Laksh Sharma, Ranvir Sinha, and Aarush Verma. I am grateful to Maanan Gordhandas (OE 2003–2010) who stepped in to participate in a Year 12 academic symposium as an expert in economics and finance. He had visited the School for a look round the week before, while on paternity leave, so, happily, we got him back helping very soon after he had reconnected! Within the past few days, the 2022 School Captain, Theo Mama-Kahn, has been in to speak to our pupils. Mechanical engineers and QE contemporaries Daniel Rodrigues (OE 2015–2022) and Yanakan Sivakumar, who are both completing a placement year at BAE Systems, gave a real-world perspective on the day-to-day life of an engineer in a Year 12 Technology workshop. Daniel and Yanakan also outlined their university experiences so far, at Bath and Warwick respectively. Sandeep Mazumder (OE 1993–2000) Dean of the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University, delivered one of his stimulating online Economics talks from the USA, while another stalwart supporter of the School, Sam Colman (OE 1998–2005) drew on his experience as a global key account manager for maltings business Boortmalt in a talk to the Economics Society.

Whilst reflecting on that five-year anniversary and on all the progress made here at QE, we are now very much thinking ahead to the next five years and to our goals for 2030. Both parents and pupils have taken part in separate surveys, so that we can take into account their views as we determine our priorities for the next five years. I can certainly say, too, that effective engagement with our alumni will remain a high priority in our new development plan.

In the meantime, there continues to be real momentum with our Estates Strategy. The specialist theatrical lighting has been installed in The Robert Dudley Studio by OE Chris Newton’s company – the final element in that project, on which building work started just over a year ago. It was exciting to see our young actors putting on our 2024–2025 Shakespeare Schools Festival entry, Richard III, as the first-ever School production there.

Highlights of this term undoubtedly included the news that Year 13 had secured 49 offers from Oxford and Cambridge – a figure exceeded only by last year’s all-time QE record. It was thus very fitting that our Guest of Honour at Senior Awards was Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford. This year’s total of 15 Oxford offers was very high – only one shy, in fact, of our previous record.

As well as reading QE Connect, I invite you to check out this term’s Sports Bulletin. Look out for: our OE Spotlight feature on Aaron Liffchak (OE 1996–2003); a report on the Rugby Dinner, where Nabil Haque (OE 2020–2017) was guest speaker; and a brief piece on a trip to support Alex Norcliffe (OE 2009–2016) and Ben Rock (OE 2016–2023) playing water polo for Cambridge in the Varsity Match. 

My best wishes go to all our alumni.

Neil Enright

Headmaster

New QE Futures talks give boys a taste for success

Thanks to the richly varied careers being pursued by our alumni, the School was able to serve up an inspiring new series of talks as part of our QE Futures programme. The speakers were drawn from people who attended QE during each of the previous four decades who have distinguished themselves in fields including sports entertainment, design & architecture, music and finance. The line-up even included an illustrious former QE mum, who serves on the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee.

OEs out in force at QE Careers Convention

Asif Shamsad loved the “sharp and thought-provoking questions on the future of banking and AI” that he fielded from Year 11 boys when he sat on a banking & finance panel at this year’s Careers Convention. Asif (OE 2012–2019), a Commercial Banking Degree Apprentice at HSBC, was among some 60 volunteers – including large numbers of alumni – who turned out in support. Following a welcome and plenary sessions on Keeping an open mind (from Kam Taj, OE 2004–2011) and Appropriate alternatives to university, Asif’s session was one of seven morning panels: these sessions covered careers from engineering to entrepreneurship. The afternoon saw three workshops, as well as the Careers Fair in the Shearly Hall, where boys could receive informal one-to-one advice.

Levelling the playing field

Jake Schogger (OE 1999–2006) has both supported his School financially by becoming a member of the 450 Club and given back to the wider world through establishing the Commercial Law Academy – billed as the most comprehensive e-learning platform for aspiring commercial lawyers. “QE had a huge part to play in developing my work ethic, determination and resilience, whilst providing so many opportunities – both academic and extra-curricular (in my case, often music-related!) – that have had a long-lasting impact on my confidence. I was the first generation in my family to go to university, and the first lawyer in my family. I didn’t have family members that worked in City careers or a relevant network, so needed to figure this stuff out for myself. As a result, I have always been passionate about democratising access to the legal profession. I have worked hard to give aspiring lawyers the opportunity to access the same high-quality technical knowledge, insider insights, and employability guidance. If everyone has access, this levels the playing field.”

Supporting QE by giving

An increasing number of our alumni are supporting the School through financial giving: whether the gifts are large or small, we are deeply grateful for each and every one. As a state school, we need such support in order to continue offering life-changing opportunities to bright boys, regardless of background. To make a one-off or regular gift, click the button below. If you would like to sponsor an extra-curricular activity for current pupils, are interested in remembering QE in your will, or have any other questions about giving, our Development Office will be glad to help.

Farewell to one of our own

The School paid warm tribute last month to QE teacher and Old Elizabethan James Clarke, who died suddenly in January. A memorial service in Barnet parish church drew dozens of OEs and former staff, while there was a very good attendance for a School concert given in his honour on the same day, where the audience included James’ mother and other family members.

Old Elizabethans’ triumphant return to Dinner Debate

It is just two years since Sudhamshu Gummadavelly and Ashwin Sridhar won the Elizabethan Union Dinner Debate as sixth-formers in the School’s 450th anniversary year. Now the young alumni, who both left the School in 2023, have repeated the feat, successfully opposing the motion – This House believes social media is harming our democracy – which was proposed by Year 13’s Saim Khan and Zaki Mustafa.

Great to see you. Next time, please don’t leave it so long…

The last time Andrew Fear stood in this corridor, the Beatles were still together and the Americans were years away from getting out of Vietnam. Andrew (OE 1952–1958), who excelled as an athlete while a pupil, had previously returned to QE as a young alumnus for an athletics meet. Pictured left, he returned again this term for the first time in well over half a century, accompanied by Old Elizabethans Association committee member Alan Solomon (OE 1951–1957). We are especially happy to welcome alumni, by appointment, during term-time, when they will, of course, be able to see normal School life in full swing.

So, tell us what it’s like!

The Class of 2024 returned in numbers this week for the University Convention, giving the current Year 12 up-to-the minute information from their universities and courses. Assistant Head (Pupil Destinations) James Kane said: “The main point was that they share their experiences and pass on advice to current students who will be making choices as to where to apply. But it was also a wonderful opportunity to catch up with them and hear how they are getting on in 'the real world'. They seemed to enjoy the opportunity to see each other and to catch up with their 'old' teachers over lunch. We’re keen that they stay connected with us and each other.”

Last orders! Captain Armon leaves after 30 years

Mev Armon left QE’s CCF fighting fit as he started a new role with Hertfordshire constabulary after half-term. The Headmaster says: “For more than a generation, Mev has been an inspiring, supportive and charismatic teacher and colleague. His service to our cadets has been immense, and he has been something of a legend as a form tutor.”

Political allies: OEs team up to launch online education business

In another great example of OEs working together, Ross McKenzie (1995–2002) and Jerome Singh (OE 2004–2011) have jointly founded a digital A-level platform called Politics Online. “Since June 2024, we have effectively written a full course textbook from scratch, with integrated and regularly updated current affairs examples, but we didn't actually make the QE connection until we were having lunch during the winter!” says Jerome. They are now looking forward to putting the MS Teams app to the test at their Easter revision session, which has some 2,000 students booked in.

Volunteer of the Year!

Husain Alaswad (OE 2017–2024) has been named VEX robotics’ national Volunteer of the Year, having assisted at no fewer than 20 VIQRC (junior) and V5RC (senior) competitions this season. He rounded it off by helping at the national championships at Telford International Centre (where QE teams picked up a string of awards, securing several places in this summer’s global finals in the US). Husain, who is studying Engineering at The Engineering & Design Institute London, is by no means the only alumnus to continue his passion for competitive robotics after leaving here. His contemporaries, Dipesh Dhavala and Yash Narain, together with Jinal Shah (OE 2012–2019), have all stepped up, in roles ranging from judge (Jinal) to AV technician (Yash).

Reporting on the earthquake

Nick Marsh (OE 2002–2009), who is the BBC’s Asia Business Correspondent, has been on our screens extensively in the past few days, reporting on the major earthquake that shook Myanmar and Thailand. He is seen here covering the fate of 100 construction workers missing after the collapse of a Bangkok skyscraper.

Helping start-up expand with £12m investment

Venture capital investor Jonathan Kruger has led a Series B* funding round that raised around £12m for pet insurance firm Napo. Jonathan (OE 2000–2007) is an Investment Associate with Mercia Ventures, a £2bn fund that is one of the one of the UK’s most active VC capital investors.

And finally…

We trust you have enjoyed reading this edition of the QE Connect e-magazine produced by QE for all our old boys. What next? Well, if you haven’t already discovered QE Connect, our online social and business network, why not take a look.