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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 victory over Ipswich School in the regional knockout stage of the national championship.

Their successes came as two other QE sides reached their respective Middlesex finals – the first time in many years that the School has enjoyed such a level of success in the county.

Headmaster Neil Enright said: “Huge congratulations to the U15 boys on becoming champions. I was particularly proud to watch them playing so well on the sunny Philathletic in Harrow against the backdrop of my alma mater, The John Lyon School.”

Led by captain Krish Deebak and coached by the PE department’s Richard Scally, the U15s first defeated Merchant Taylors’ in a tense semi-final, before overcoming Harrow in a match that went down to the last over. QE’s 130 for 9 gave them victory by one wicket over Harrow, on 129 for 6.

After victory by four wickets over Ipswich in round 1 of the national cup, they faced another East Anglian independent school – Norwich – in the quarter-final. They lost by a single run following a somewhat controversial umpiring decision.

The U15s also enjoyed a successful West Country tour, beating The King’s School, Worcester; Sir Thomas Rich’s School, Gloucester; and Pate’s Grammar School, Cheltenham, on successive days.

Having swept aside all opposition in the earlier rounds, the U13s and U12s were beaten by St Benedict’s and Hampton School in their respective finals.

Head of Cricket Guy Ashby said: “The 2025 cricket season has been nothing short of extraordinary.”

There was a boost for the cricketers at the start of the season, when a donation from The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s charity enabled the purchase of new cricket covers for the top square. The benefits of this investment were almost immediately realised: the new covers enabled more matches to be played and ensured the pitches remained in top condition throughout the term.

Against the background of a growing culture of excellence among the School’s players, there have been a record-breaking number of matches – more than 100, across 21 teams drawn from all age groups.

“Those statistics reflect the great enthusiasm for the game that exists here, and the strength in depth that we enjoy as a cricketing school,” said Mr Ashby.

The cup finals came near the end of a term which had, in fact, been punctuated by a string of exciting victories, he added.

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 also be kind to others.

Alison Steadman, a multiple award-winning actress familiar to several generations for roles on TV, stage and film, was guest of honour at the Valediction for Year 13.

The final-year students gathered in the Shearly Hall with their families for an afternoon ceremony that combined a formal farewell with some lighter moments, followed by afternoon tea outside.

In his welcome, Headmaster Neil Enright took up a theatrical theme, quoting from the famous Shakespearean monologue in As You Like It: “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts…”

Mr Enright told the assembled leavers: “Today marks your curtain call as pupils; but whether you exit stage left, or stage right, we sincerely hope that you will soon re-enter in your new role as Old Elizabethans. In your time you still have many parts to play here, as active members of our alumni community.”

He added that they were “a year group full of individual character and good humour: you have consistently been free-thinking in your scholarship and, just occasionally, in your interpretation of School rules. You have helped us develop the QE experience still further and served as great role models to those following you – excelling in so many different aspects of School life.”

Before reminding them that they would always be welcome at QE, he, too, alluded to the importance of being kind: “I hope that many of you will choose to take forward values of service to others and society, of kindness and empathy, alongside your desire to perform professionally and personally at the highest level.”

The afternoon then continued with a ceremony involving all Year 13 graduands and the presentation of prizes to award-winners. Last year’s School Captain, Chanakya Seetharam, who is among the leavers, gave a vote of thanks. These elements were punctuated with music: the Barbershop group singing The Lion Sleeps Tonight and the Jazz Band performing I Want You Back, made famous by The Jackson 5.

The String Quartet’s playing of the theme from Pride and Prejudice was particularly apt: not only did Alison Steadman play an unforgettable Mrs Bennet in the 1995 television adaptation of the novel, but the role of Mr Bingley was played by Crispin Bonham-Carter – now QE’s Assistant Head (Pupil Involvement).

In her address, the guest of honour said she knew how daunting it can be to step into the post-school world: having grown up and attended a state grammar school in Liverpool in the 1960s, she then applied to the East 15 drama school in Essex, and she recounted the story of how bewildering that process was. Yet her audition was successful, and this set her on her way.

She is now forever associated with that county through her role as Pam Shipman in the record-breaking comedy Gavin and Stacey – the finale of which was watched by over 19 million people last Christmas.

Her talent for mimicry – first practised at school when she impersonated her teachers – was put to use in radio shows such as Week Ending.

The recipient of numerous awards and several honorary degrees, Alison Steadman was awarded an Order of the British Empire in the Millennium Honours List for ‘services to British drama’.

In her address at QE, she encouraged the leavers to reach for the stars – to try to follow their dreams. Life has its challenges, but is precious, she told them, saying they should try to look to the positives, and urging on them the importance of kindness. “We all come into the world the same way and all exit it the same way, so for the bit in the middle be kind to others.”

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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 universities in 2024 – the same figure as for Hills Road Sixth Form College (a state college in Cambridge with a student roll many times larger than that of QE’s Sixth Form). The only school in the whole country to exceed this figure was the private-sector Westminster School.

In addition, a higher proportion of QE Oxbridge applicants received offers from Cambridge and Oxford than those from any other state school securing 20 or more offers – while QE also had a better application-to-offer conversion rate than any independent boys’ school nationally.

The figures are revealed in a Sunday Times survey of the 90 schools that secured most offers in 2024. The article is headlined How to get into Oxbridge – by the state schools that do it best.

Headmaster Neil Enright said: “It is heartening to receive independent corroboration of how brilliantly our pupils are doing. Over the past three years, a remarkable total of 157 of our leavers have won offers from Oxford and Cambridge. Our success in gaining such high numbers, and in turning applications into offers, results from a consistent focus on fulfilling our mission to ‘produce young men who are confident, able and responsible’.

“We work hard to nurture habits of free-thinking scholarship – that is, encouraging boys to go well beyond the requirements of GCSE and A-level syllabuses so that they pursue their own areas of academic interest.

“Our QE Futures programme provides senior pupils with detailed, specific help with university applications and is supported by the wider Elizabethan community, including our alumni, who provide specialised support, such as tailored mock interviews.

“In addition, the very extensive range of co-curricular activities delivered through our QE Flourish programme ensures that the QE experience is broad and rounded: our leavers are therefore highly credible candidates for admissions tutors at Oxford and Cambridge.”

The Sunday Times survey revealed that QE had a 49% success rate in converting Oxford and Cambridge applications into offers (127 applications; 62 offers). This was  the highest percentage out of the six state schools  gaining the most Oxbridge offers nationally. In fact, in the top ten, it was beaten only by first-placed Westminster, with 96 offers, and by another independent school, St Paul’s Girls’, which secured 48 offers, against QE’s 62.

The Sunday Times spoke to QE’s James Kane, Assistant Head (Pupil Destinations), who pointed to the help provided by Old Elizabethans in assisting those applying to Oxford and Cambridge. He said: “We draw upon the expertise of parents and former pupils and teachers – doctors who may help us with practice admission tests for medicine, or teachers who themselves studied a particular subject at Oxford or Cambridge, who can work with those applicants.”

• Pictured are the group referred to by the Sunday Times survey – the pupils who received Oxbridge offers last year.

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 service at St John the Baptist Church. That was followed by the formal Roll Call and Reading of the School Chronicle in front of QE’s Main Building.

Then it was time for the Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s Fete to begin on Stapylton Field, where visitors could enjoy dozens of attractions, ranging from a plants stall and coconut shy through to barbecues and tents offering cuisine from around the world.

Headmaster Neil Enright: “Founder’s Day 2025 was a tremendous day from start to finish. The fete was very enjoyable, with great food and diverse cultural entertainment on the stage. Even the weather seemed to be on our side: although it was a hot day, we were blessed with a little cloud and even some (unforecast) light rain – it all helped keep everyone cool.”

“I am extremely pleased to be able to report that we have raised £40,904.50 – and still rising! That is a magnificent sum significantly exceeding both this year’s £25,000 target and the amount raised last year. My thanks to everyone who gave generously.”

“I congratulate and thank all those involved in making Founder’s Day 2025 such a terrific success – especially the FQE Fete Committee, who have spent countless hours organising the fete over many months, and their small army of parent volunteers who turned out on the day. I should also mention our prefect team, who also worked tirelessly throughout the day.”

The service at the parish church featured a selection of hymns and readings, as well as music from the School Choir, Junior Barbershop Group and three young organists – Arthur Wang, Year 7; Gabriel Ward, Year 8; and Zach Fernandes, of Year 9.

The guest speaker was 2015 School Captain Norbert Sobolak. He spoke powerfully to the Year 7 boys in the congregation, reminding them of the achievements of Old Elizabethans Demis Hassabis (1988–1990) and Mustafa Suleyman (1995–2002). The pair were among the three co-founders of leading AI company, DeepMind, while last year, Sir Demis won a Nobel prize for Chemistry.

“Dream so big it scares you,” Norbert said. “Build your own path, even when the world says no. Never, ever give up. And I promise you: you will not just change your life; you will change the world.”

After the service, the staff, dressed in academicals, made their way to the School with the rest of the congregation for the lunchtime Roll Call and Reading of the School Chronicle (a history of notable events in the School’s history) in front of Main Building.

The fete was well attended. The programme includes more details about the event, as well as articles and advertisements from the fete’s supporters.

Among the most popular attractions was the bowl-at-a-teacher stall, making use of the cricket cage. As well as music from QE ensembles, there were colourful displays of dancing on the stage, while the Main School Hall housed an archival display that included QE’s founding charter of 1573.

Among those who enjoyed the chance to examine the charter were representatives of the QE Global Schools programme, from Global Education (GEDU), who attended the celebrations and supported the day.

As well as takings on the day, the fundraising total was boosted by the sale of advertising, by giving online, and by sponsored House competitions held by both the Music and PE departments.

Funds raised will be put towards the complete refurbishment of two Biology laboratories, helping QE to respond effectively to the growing demand for subject-specific science laboratories as the numbers taking A-level sciences has risen in recent years. There is still time to donate: the dedicated Founder’s Day JustGiving page remains open.

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Having stormed through their regional round earlier this year, four QE pupils went on to take overall second place in the national final of the prestigious UK Maths Trust’s Team Maths Challenge.

The four, who were competing against 71 other teams, took second place overall in the final, held at the Royal Horticultural Halls in central London.

They performed strongly throughout the five rounds and were even shortlisted for a special, separate prize awarded for the poster round.

Head of Mathematics Jessica Steer said: “We are thrilled and immensely proud at the achievement of our four talented mathematicians who represented the School with such distinction on the national stage.

“Their calm and focused approach under pressure paid off brilliantly, securing our School second place in the country — an incredible achievement that reflects their hard work and passion for Mathematics.”

Representing QE were: Year 8’s Arya Hombal and Noble Laturia, along with Liam Chen and Advik Gupta, both of Year 9. They are pictured, top, with UK Maths Trust Vice Chair Steve Mulligan.

The national final followed 47 Team Maths Challenge events throughout the UK earlier this year.

It was the first post-pandemic national final: the last was held in 2019. Teams travelled from as far as the Scottish Highlands, Channel Islands and Northern Ireland. There were also seven guest teams from China.

The event consisted of five demanding rounds: the Group Circus, Shuttle, Crossnumber, Relay, and Poster rounds. The rounds are designed to test mathematical thinking, teamwork and resilience.

Overall first place went to The Perse School, Cambridge, while behind QE in third place were another independent school, Haberdashers’ Boys’.

Although QE has achieved success in the main Team Maths Challenge competition before, according to Head of Academic Administration, Wendy Fung, who was involved with Mathematics competitions for many years, the shortlisting for the poster competition is a QE first.