About the OE

All Old Ethelburgians have played a part in the Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate history and are connected by their experiences, as a vital part of the QE community.

Queen Ethelburga’s School originally belonged to the Woodard Corporation, founded by Nathaniel  Woodard, and was in the high Anglican tradition. The School foundation stone was laid on 21 October 1910 by Viscountess Mountgarret; its inscription read ‘Pro deo et ecclesia’ - For God and the Church.

The school was opened on 27 September 1912 by the Duchess of Albany, with just 12 pupils. Until July 1990, Queen Ethelburga’s was an all girls’ school. In September 1990, ownership, management and control of Queen Ethelburga’s was passed to an International Trust under the patronage of the Martin family. The School was moved from Pennypot Lane, Harrogate to its current location of Thorpe Underwood Estate, York. There were just 179 pupils and Queen Ethelburga’s School became Queen Ethelburga ‘s College. 

Today, the Collegiate educates around 1,600 students of whom around half are British and half international from over 60 different countries worldwide. It provides an extensive curriculum, but also emphasises the importance of the wider skills offered by cocurricular activities.  

Throughout, QE's Hill Standard has remained "To be the best that I can with the gifts that I have".