Queen Ethelburga's Announces An Exciting Change To The Senior School Structure
Over the last year, the evolving political landscape in the UK has brought about many discussions and developments within the independent school sector. At Queen Ethelburga’s, we see change not as a challenge, but as an opportunity, one that allows us to review, adapt and further strengthen the outstanding educational experience we offer.
Our commitment to remaining at the forefront of academic excellence has led us to take a bold and exciting step forward.
From September 2025, we will begin the process of merging our two senior schools into one unified Senior School, bringing together the ISA Independent School of the Year and the top-performing academic school in the North.
This change enables us to offer a greater choice of subjects to every student, more flexible timetabling, and wider opportunities — all while continuing to support every student as an individual.
What This Means for Our Students
The new one-school model will launch with our incoming Year 10 and Year 12 students in September 2025, with the full transition completed by September 2026.
Our Year 11 and Year 13 students will continue in their existing schools until they complete their GCSEs or A Levels, with additional opportunities introduced wherever possible to enhance their experience. This evolution means more choice, more opportunity, and more flexibility for all students.
Here’s what to expect:
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We are excited about this development and confident that it will further enhance the unique, high-quality educational journey we provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand families may have questions about how this new model will work. Please find more details below, split into Key Stage Five (Sixth Form) and Key Stage Four (GCSE) sections.
Key Stage Five (Years 12-13)
| What courses will be available? |
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| All students will now have access to the full range of A Level and BTEC courses, with a combined total of 35 subject options - more than previously available. Most students will select four subjects, with support from staff to create the best individual pathway. |
| Can students choose any combination of subjects? |
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While there is more choice than ever, students will still be guided to select a suitable programme based on their GCSE results:
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| Will specialist programmes like Performance Sport and Drama continue? |
| Yes, and they’ll now be open to all students, based on talent and commitment. These take place during curriculum time (5 hours per week in Year 12; 6 hours per week in Year 13), with an optional extra hour during super-curricular time. |
| What Super-Curricular opportunities are available? |
| The Super-Curricular options will include the Performance Sport and Drama programmes and courses for aspiring medics, strong mathematicians, and those interested in computing or art and design. |
| What support will students receive? |
| All Sixth Form students will continue to receive strong academic and pastoral support, with a dedicated tutor, Head of Year/Key Stage, and now, one unified Head of School supported by senior leaders. |
| What if my child has Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support? |
| SEND support remains a priority, including specialist lessons and Teaching Assistant (TA) support in regular lessons if needed. |
| What support will be available for students with English as an Additional Language (EAL)? |
| EAL students will receive IELTS lessons (3 hours per week) and further individualised support where needed. |
Key Stage Four (Years 10-11)
| What happens to core subjects like English, Maths and Science? |
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These subjects remain unchanged in structure; average set sizes will be the same to ensure students are effectively challenged and supported across all subjects. The qualifications available will be as follows:
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| Will there be any changes to the range of option subjects and qualifications available? |
| Students will be able to follow either the one-year or two-year academic pathway. As of now, those on the two-year pathway will complete three GCSE or BTEC qualifications, with the one-year students completing three or four GCSE qualifications. |
| How will my child know whether they are more suited to the one-year or two-year pathway? |
| Most students will be more suited to the more traditional two-year option pathway. This pathway provides a well-paced and comprehensive learning experience. Some students may benefit from an accelerated learning pace and choose to follow the one-year fast-track options pathway. |
| Will there still be a Performance Sports Programme? |
| Yes - it will remain a key part of PE and enrichment lessons and will now be open to all Key Stage Four students, depending on ability and potential. |
| What enrichment opportunities will be available? |
| From sport and creative arts to academic stretch sessions, our enrichment programme remains broad, inclusive and accessible to all. |
| What support will be available? |
| All students will continue to benefit from a dedicated tutor to support studies, as well as a Head of Year and Head of Key Stage Four, to oversee their academic progress and act as a point of contact with home. All students will now be under one Head of School, supported by a range of senior leaders in specialist areas. |
| What if my child struggles with their GCSE options? |
| We continue to offer tailored support, including clinics, 1:1 help, and flexibility to adjust timetables, if necessary. This support will always be in consultation with parents and guardians. |
| Will SEND and EAL support continue? |
| Yes. SEND students will receive tailored support, including TAs in lessons and extra help when needed. EAL learners can take the Second Language IGCSE and benefit from additional support in place of an option subject, if required. |
A Confident Step Forward For QE College
We are so pleased to be able to share this information with you as QE moves into the next stage of its development. As always, our goal remains the same: to deliver an outstanding, personalised education for every student in our care.
Our Admissions Team are always on hand to answer any questions you may have about the merger. You can contact the team by filling out the form here.
