Queen Ethelburga’s Hosts CBBC Filming for a Second Time
If you're searching for a top independent school with outstanding facilities and a vibrant community spirit, Queen Ethelburga’s (QE) in York stands out. Last month, this prestigious school became the host of the CBBC cast and crew for Jamie Johnson FC for a second time, a series featuring aspiring young footballers pursuing their dreams. For five days, QE’s expansive 220-acre site became a set for this popular show, showcasing its impressive grounds and professional-level football pitches.
With the Jamie Johnson FC series spotlighting a fictional academy where young players develop their football skills, QE’s professional facilities became the perfect backdrop. The show's production team used QE’s 30-acre sports pitches, complete with meticulously maintained football pitches regularly hired by top clubs, including York City and Leeds United Academy over the summer. Beyond the pitches, QE’s historic Armorial Hall, the horse fountain, Woodlands Coffee Shop, cricket pavilion and world-class gym became memorable filming spots.
Bringing Film Production to Life
A major coordination task for the site, the school hosted over 100 crew members and provided areas across the campus for dressing rooms, a production office, and ample truck parking for the storage of costumes and props.
In addition to the film cast and crew, the top independent school's site was hosting various summer schools and holiday camps, all of which were coordinated by the school’s Commercial and Leisure Team and catered for by QE’s catering team, who supplied meals on-site for all cast and crew.
Jamie Johnson FC Series 5 is coming soon to CBBC and BBC iPlayer. Staff and students across the whole school can’t wait to see the grounds, especially with QE’s own football and cricket camps being here in the summer.
Queen Ethelburga's: A Top Independent School with Premier Facilities for Hire
Beyond serving its students, Queen Ethelburga’s opens its world-class facilities to the public year-round, making it one of the top independent school choices for sports clubs, and summer programmes. QE’s sports and leisure offerings include:
- 30 acres of elite sports pitches
- A fully equipped sports hall
- Outdoor courts and a cricket pavilion
- A 25-metre swimming pool
- A 312-seat theatre
- Boarding accommodation and facilities
- QE Training Academy
These spaces are particularly popular during school holidays when Queen Ethelburga's offers additional availability for clubs, camps, and filming. For those interested in hiring, QE’s facilities and accommodations offer a rare opportunity to experience the luxurious amenities of a top-tier independent school.
To explore commercial bookings at Queen Ethelburga’s, including sports, events, or film production rentals, visit www.qe.org/venue-hire.
See Queen Ethelburga's famous facilities at an Open Day or contact Admissions to book a private tour.
