Viewing archives for

Almost two-thirds of all GCSEs taken at QE were awarded the highest-possible grade, with pupils today celebrating across-the-board successes.

The 65.8% for grade 9s was one of three records set at the School: the proportion of GCSEs given grades 8-9 (both equivalent to the former A* grade) hit an all-time high of 86.2 %, as did the figure for grades 9-7, reaching 96.3%.

All 188 boys in Year 11 achieved the benchmark of at least five passes at grades 9-7, with high achievement on display across all subjects.

Headmaster Neil Enright said: “These are brilliant results from an impressive cohort who exemplify the School’s mission to produce ‘confident, able and responsible’ young men.

“They were in Year 7 when we had the first Covid-19 lockdown. Today’s results demonstrate their focus and determination during that difficult period and since, as well as the quality of provision they received. They have embraced all the opportunities that the QE experience offers and balanced a broad range of co-curricular involvements with the highest levels of academic accomplishment.”

Highlights of today’s results include:

• 26 boys achieving straight 9s across all their GCSEs
• A 6.4% increase over last year in grade 9s to 65.8%, which was also a 9.4% increase over 2019 (different marking regimes applied during the pandemic-affected years of 2020–2022)
• A 3.2% increase over 2023 and 6.8% increase on 2019 for grades 8-9
• For grades 9-7, a 2.9% increase over last year and 5.5% increase since 2019.

Drilling down into the figures reveals strong performances across the curriculum. Results for the Sciences and for Mathematics were as impressive as ever, with the average grade for Maths (taken by all boys) hitting 8.9. Humanities subjects, foreign languages and Product Design were also exceptionally strong.

The Headmaster added: “These grades set the boys up well for the transition to their A-level studies and should be a source of great pride and confidence.

“We aim to support them to reach the best universities, to thrive there, and to become leaders in their respective fields in their adult lives. They have shown that there should be no ceiling on that aspiration.

“I must also recognise the support they have received from parents and family members, from their teachers and from other members of staff at the School. The spirit of friendship, collaboration and healthy competition among peers is also of great benefit. Together this helps to create and sustain an inspiring learning environment in which boys can be swept along in a collective will to succeed.”

The record GCSE results follow a very strong set of A-level outcomes last week, with Queen Elizabeth’s ranking as the top-performing state secondary school nationally according to The Times’ results day league table.

Click on any of the images below to access a gallery of photos from results day.

The biggest-ever Year 13 at Queen Elizabeth’s School are today celebrating a strong set of A-level results, maintaining an unbroken record of top-level academic performance stretching back almost two decades.

The benchmark figure for the proportion of grades at A*–B remains above 95% for the 19th consecutive year. In addition, more than half the grades awarded to QE’s 173 final-year pupils were again at the highest-possible grade, A*, with almost a quarter of the year group achieving straight A*s.

The results cap a year that has seen QE pupils amass a formidable collection of university offers: 62 of them came from Oxford and Cambridge, a new School record; no fewer than 55% of boys secured offers to a university in the World Top 5 QS rankings; and 22 of the UK’s 24 Russell Group made offers to QE applicants.

The Year 13 students sat a grand total of 582 A-levels – an increase of 40 over last year. While Economics, Mathematics and the Sciences remained as popular as ever, there was a surge in take-up of other subjects offered under the School’s wide curriculum, ranging from English and Music to Philosophy, Government & Politics and Product Design.

Headmaster Neil Enright said: “There are many, many happy QE students today who now look forward to taking up places on the best courses at the best universities in the world. My congratulations go to them both on their results and on the hard work and determination that led to them.

“After emerging from the pandemic, this year group really threw themselves into the huge range of extra-curricular opportunities delivered through our QE Flourish programme, and that was no doubt a factor in their success in gaining such stellar university offers.

“Moreover, they have benefitted from the expert guidance provided through our new QE Futures programme, preparing them not only academically, but also helping them find their path in life as they identify and develop interests and broader skills. We’ve always said that outstanding results are an outcome of an education at QE, not the sole purpose of one!”

Notwithstanding QE’s position among the UK’s educational élite handful of leading schools across both the independent and state sectors, there is no question of it resting on its laurels, Mr Enright added. “We are continually looking forward with advances in our digital strategy and pastoral curriculum, while seeking to enhance our estate to deliver further opportunities for participation and excellence.

“This year sees the opening of a new studio for drama and oracy; there has been much focus on helping students communicate orally, alongside being able to communicate in writing in projects and exams. We also have ambitious plans for future investments into sports facilities, following on from new facilities for music and robotics in recent years.”

The year group have excelled in a wide range of extra-curricular activities throughout their time in the Sixth Form. For example:

• Two robotics teams flying the flag for Britain at the Battle for Vegas – the only teams from outside North America to attend the VEX event in the desert resort;
• Arjun Patel, Nathan Woodcock and Tharun Dhamodharan reaching the national final of the Pro Corda chamber music festival for schools as part of an U19 Saxophone Quintet; and
• Shivam Singh, Yash Patel and Om Patel winning a design competition run by Homerton College, Cambridge, with their project which aimed to protect construction workers’ hearing.

“We hope that students and parents can be proud of their efforts and achievements,” Mr Enright said. “School staff are on hand to work with anyone who needs support on results day and beyond.”

“Wherever our leavers are heading next, they should be equipped with the confidence, ability and responsibility to thrive. They have formed close friendships, and we have enjoyed seeing them grow as young adults. We are delighted to be welcoming them into our fast-developing alumni community, QE Connect, which provides them with opportunities to support one another in their future endeavours and to continue to help those following in their footsteps. They are Elizabethans for life!”

Click on any of the images below to see a selection of photos from results day.

The Association is sad to announce the passing, on July 3^rd of Old Elizabethan Paul Douglas at the age of 90.  A pupil at the School from 1943 to 1953, Paul regularly turned out for the Old Elizabethans’ First XV throughout the 1960s, and remained a committed OE to the end.

The Association was saddened to receive the news, on the eve of Founders’ Day, of the passing of Hywel Glynne Thomas on 13th June.

Glynne was a pupil at the School from 1944 to 1953, rising to the position of School Captain.  After university he returned to the School in 1959, as a teacher of English until 1995. He served as Head of English and Head of Stapylton House.  He lived in Barnet all that time, only recently returning to his native Wales.

He served the school with distinction and will be sorely missed.

The Association is sad to report the passing of John Hume MRICS.  John achieved a remarkable sporting record at Queen Elizabeth’s, being awarded colours in rugby, cricket and athletics, and he was also a prefect.  A member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors he also served the Old Elizabethans as Chairman of the Association, and later as a Vice President.

The Association was saddened to hear of the passing on January 4th of Richard Dilley, a much loved Geography Master who served the School from 1957 to 1963.  Richard lived to be 91 and tried to attend the Old Elizabethans’ Annual Dinner whenever he could despite failing eyesight.  He will be much missed, and we extend our condolences to his family.

The Association is saddened to hear of the recent passing of Clifford Shirley, a pupil at the School from 1955 to 1962.

The Association is sad to announce the passing on December 17^th 2023, of James Bradford, whose funeral was held on January 12^th at St Stephen’s Church, St Albans.  James attended Queen Elizabeth’s from 1955 to 1961, where he represented the School at cricket; his career was in accountancy, specialising in tax, and he returned to the School to guide the next generation of accountants at the Careers Convention. 

The Association regrets to announce the passing on December 13^th 2023 of Alan Townend.  Alan attended the School from 1947 to 1954.

The Association is saddened to hear only recently of the passing of Professor John Salter, FRSA FRHistS FRGS on October 1^st 2023, at the age of 91.  John was a pupil at Queen Elizabeth’s from 1941 to 1959.