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Queen Ethelburga's College

ISS Summer 2025, ISS Autumn 2025
Scotland North & Midlands
School Type:
Boarding, Day
Gender:
Boys & Girls
Age Range:
Nursery & Pre-Prep, Preparatory, Senior, Sixth

Set in 220 acres of beautiful countryside between Harrogate and York, Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate (QE) is a multi-award‑winning day and boarding school (BSA Innovation, 2022) that welcomes girls and boys aged from three months to 19 years and boarders from Year 3. A through school, many students begin their QE journey in Chapter House Prep, King's Magna Middle School or at the start of GCSE or A level study in the senior school. QE College is an ambitious and traditional academic school recently named the Sunday Times Top School in the North for Academic Performance for the fourth year in a row. QE’s senior school also offers modern BTEC qualifications as well as performance sport and performing art pathways. QE Faculty has recently been awarded the prestigious title of Independent Schools Association - Senior School of the Year 2024.

Across all age groups, the Collegiate places its emphasis on growing students into resilient, caring, compassionate and confident adults with an ethos of ‘To be the best that I can with the gifts that I have’ underpinning everything. QE takes pride in offering over 150 clubs onsite, making full use of its exceptional facilities with over 30 acres of elite grass and 3G artificial pitches, a 25-metre swimming pool, a 312‑seat professional theatre, a new cricket pavilion and brand-new gym. Health and fitness is central to student life. All abilities are catered for, and students are encouraged to make the most of the fantastic opportunities on offer. QE has physical education teachers working alongside specialist sports coaches, many of whom are ex-professional sportspeople, which means there is no limit to the level students can train to. Pupils can join the King’s Academy for Performing Arts, Queen’s Academy for Creative Arts, Performance Sport Pathway or Performing Arts (ADA) programme. They can partake in academically focused clubs such as medicine, law, enterprise, politics, and psychology, and represent the Collegiate nationally in a variety of disciplines. QE strive to offer the most enriching activities for students, with large uptakes for QE Motorsports and QE‑sports teams.

QE’s excellent pastoral team run a programme of activities and support to ensure student mental and physical health is a priority. The team are Muddy Stilettos Outstanding Pastoral Care Finalists and make sure they are available 24/7 to students. The 2023 ISI inspection says that “Pupils feel that their opinions matter and that leaders are alert to their welfare needs, which promotes their self‑esteem.”

In addition to the pastoral team, the Collegiate has student buddies and peer leaders who show new students around, explain the school systems, introduce students to new people and help them to settle in. Trained peer mentors also offer one-to-one mentoring on academic progress, cultural understanding and day to day routines. A dedicated team of International Liaison Officers provide a specialist support role for students joining QE from across the globe.

A CEA‑accredited school, the Collegiate has a longstanding relationship with the Forces Community and offers discounts to CEA, non‑CEA and ex‑military families. QE has its own Forces Club and Combined Cadet Force, and specialist Forces Liaison Officers are trained in how to best support the 300 military children onsite.

QE has a boarding community unlike any other, a unique blend of cultures and nationalities, where friendships are formed that last a lifetime. QE prides itself on its quality accommodation. Students in Years 6 to 13 have ensuite bedrooms with TVs, desks and storage and every boarding house includes a modern, well-equipped common room for socialising. Younger students have specialised dorms and common rooms designed for little people. There are chill-out spaces, a wellness room and study pods in addition to a communal open plan kitchen dining space. Children are cared for by specialist staff who are separate to academic teachers and who promote independence.

In addition to term‑time provisions, during every half‑term and Easter holiday a dedicated and experienced team provides a comprehensive activity programme for day and boarding students who choose to stay with us.

The aim for the whole student community is that QE feels like home. For more information, to book on the next open day or book a private tour, contact our friendly admissions team: admissions@qe.org.

Event: ISS Summer 2025, ISS Autumn 2025
Location: Scotland North & Midlands
Year Established: 1912
Head: Dan Machin
School Type: Boarding,Day
Religion: Non-denominational
School Setting: Rural
Number of Pupils: 1300
Fee Range (Termly): Day: £4,485 - £7,595 Boarding: £12,600 - £14,240
Exit Exams: 11+, A level, GCSE
Famous Alumni: Tom York, Actor
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01423 33 33 30
Website
Thorpe Underwood Estate
York
YO26 9SS
United Kingdom
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