I trust that you are now ready for the return to School, eager to get stuck in and enjoy the benefits of ‘a state school like no other’. Speaking for myself and my colleagues, we are certainly looking forward to the term and to seeing boys in numbers around the site and in the classroom once again.

While this summer’s A-level and GCSEs results season was undeniably somewhat strange, firstly because of the decision to cancel the examinations and secondly because of the last-minute changes in determining the nationally moderated results, we should not let that detract from the remarkable achievements of our pupils. For amid all the controversy, one thing is clear: boys at QE excelled themselves at both A-level and GCSE; they did the School proud.

We understand, of course, that the last few months have been difficult for many families and that, alongside all the excitement and anticipation, there may be some anxiety about next week’s return to classes. Our new Back to School Guide, published today, details both the huge level of planning and preparation that has taken place ahead of the start of term and the steps that we can and should all take to keep ourselves safe. I do urge you to read it carefully and familiarise yourself especially with our key messages. Each and every person has a vital role in this: Play your part; help control the virus, as our new anti-Covid-19 slogan puts it.

There is clearly still a long way to go nationally and internationally in the battle against the pandemic, and there may well be further challenges for us here at QE, but we can do a great deal to mitigate the risks. The measures that we take as a School will continue to evolve in line with expert advice. Similarly, we will continue to be agile in adapting to changing circumstances in maintaining high-quality education for the boys, using all the tools, digital and otherwise, that we have at our disposal.

I hope you have all had the opportunity to relax a little over the summer holidays. (Please make sure you adhere to all relevant quarantine rules if you have travelled abroad to countries affected by these.)

This term will certainly be different from anything any of us have experienced before. By taking pride in what we have already achieved during this pandemic and, above all, by working together as a community, we can step forward into a new academic year with confidence for the future of Queen Elizabeth’s School.

My warmest wishes to you all

Mr Neil Enright
Headmaster