Queen Elizabeth’s School is the highest-ranked state school in the country in the Financial Times 2009 Top 1000 schools.
QE came in fifth place behind four independent schools in the influential league table, which is based on 2008 A Level results. It is also among the highest risers in the upper reaches of the listing, climbing from 19th place last year.
The School’s ranking reflects the excellent academic performance of the Upper Sixth last year, when 84% of all A Levels taken at QE were graded A and 96% were graded either A or B. 2008 also saw the number of A Levels taken at the School rise by 22%. A total of 37 boys – a QE record – were offered places at Oxford or Cambridge.
There was also strong achievement lower down the School, with 96% of all GCSE examinations taken by boys at Queen Elizabeth’s School in 2008 graded A*, A or B.
The School has achieved widespread national recognition for its achievements in recent years. It was named the Sunday Times State School of the Year 2007. And in January 2008, QE was awarded Ofsted’s highest grading of ‘outstanding’, thereby achieving the extremely rare distinction of four consecutive inspection gradings at the highest level.
The Financial Times school league tables differ from others in that they focus solely on academic achievement as defined by ‘core’ subject A Level results. Subjects such as drama and media studies are not included in the FT’s analysis. Its ranking combines two measurements: the points per candidate (to measure the quantity of work), and the points per entry (to measure the quality).
Download the Financial Times school league table here.