Queen Ethelburga’s Clinches North’s Top Academic Honour for Fifth Year Straight
Queen Ethelburga’s College, part of Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, has been awarded the accolade of Independent School of the Year for Academic Excellence in the North by The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026, for the fifth-year running.
Widely acknowledged as the most authoritative survey of the country’s top schools, the guide is recognised as the definitive ranking of the UK’s top primary and secondary state and independent schools, and an essential resource for parents seeking the very best in education for their children. The associated league table puts Queen Ethelburga’s in 6th place in the UK amongst co-educational independent schools for its A*/A results at A Level, and first in the north for both A Level and GCSE results.
Queen Ethelburga’s College, from Year 10 to 13, offers an unparalleled breadth of academic, vocational, sporting, performance, creative, and co-curricular opportunities. This latest accolade comes hot on the heels of other schools in the Collegiate being named a finalist for Junior School of the Year at the ISA Awards 2025 and winning Senior School of the Year at the ISA Awards 2024.
The Times article (click here) quotes some of the school’s highlights:
“Dan Machin, the principal, says that each pupil can tailor a personalised learning programme to their own needs, mixing traditional A-levels with other skills. This year, 83 per cent of A-level grades attained A*-A and 90.3 per cent of GCSE grades were 9-7. Esports are available at Btec Level 2 and 3 and pupils have gone to study games design at university.
There’s a school motorsports team competing at national level. Pathways include the Dyson Institute master’s in engineering sponsored work/degree programme, a degree apprenticeship with IBM, motorsport engineering at Coventry University and pilot programmes with British Airways and Tui.
“We’re just really sensible and fun and down to earth and get on with things,” Machin adds. “If you want a very traditional school that’s right in the city centre, that’s not us. Parents know what we offer, good education, good care, great innovations.”
Within this academic year alone, QE has already curated some incredible opportunities for its students:
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In October, a group of QE Esports students went to the inaugural Daigon School Esports World Championships in Malta, which is the culmination of the esports season featuring hundreds of teams from dozens of countries around the globe – QE was the only school in the world to have two teams in this competition – and both ended up on the podiums in the final, making our students amongst the best in the world in their age groups.
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One of our most AI literate students, has been appointed to the AI Student Council of the Good Futures Foundation. This prestigious role recognises his passion for technology and commitment to shaping ethical and inclusive artificial intelligence. The Good Futures Foundation’s AI Student Council brings together innovators and thought leaders to guide programmes that promote responsible AI practices and digital inclusion. QE'sinvolvement ensures that the perspective of young learners is represented in conversations about the future of AI, an achievement that reflects both individual talent and our school’s dedication to innovation.
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A group of Sixth Form students in Years 12 and 13 have completed their Level 2 Award in Basic Life Support and the Management of Anaphylaxis Course – showing the breadth of opportunities, not only academically-focused but heavily supported by real life skills.
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One of our Year 12 footballers has represented Bermuda in the CONCACAF W Qualifiers – demonstrating how QE can help students to thrive academically and in their sporting pursuits, side by side.
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Our senior girls cricket team featured in Episode 3 of Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams, showcasing our commitment to girls in sport and raising the profile of the opportunities out there for female athletes.
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A full-scale three-night pantomime production delivered, around and amongst students’ academic studies, and one of three large-scale productions offered across the year for Performing Arts students at QE in our on-site professional theatre.
QE is also doubling down on elite sport development with the appointment of two additional UEFA A licensed lead football coaches: Matt Derbyshire – Former England U21 international and professional striker, bringing 20+ years of playing and coaching expertise and Sam Sharman – FA and para football specialist, driving engagement and partnerships. Shrikant Wagh is the Lead Cricket Coach at QE, he has over 250 pro matches under his belt, including 5 Indian Premier League seasons and a decade of coaching experience worldwide. He works alongside Dan Ranasinghe, Dan is a ECB Level 3 coach with over 15 years of experience. Most recently, he spent 3 years as a Performance Pathway Coach at Yorkshire County Cricket Club. All of these appointments underscore QE’s commitment to nurturing talent both on and off the pitch.
QE is also doubling down on elite sport development with the appointment of two additional UEFA A licensed lead football coaches: Matt Derbyshire – Former England U21 international and professional striker, bringing 20+ years of playing and coaching expertise and Sam Sharman – FA and para football specialist, driving engagement and partnerships. Shrikant Wagh is the Lead Cricket Coach at QE, he has over 250 pro matches under his belt, including 5 Indian Premier League seasons and a decade of coaching experience worldwide. He works alongside Dan Ranasinghe, Dan is an ECB Level 3 coach with over 15 years of experience. Most recently, he spent 3 years as a Performance Pathway Coach at Yorkshire County Cricket Club. All of these appointments underscore QE’s commitment to nurturing talent both on and off the pitch.
Dan Machin, Principal at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, said "Our goal is to consistently set the standard for independent education - combining academic rigour, sporting ambition, and creative opportunity in an environment designed to inspire.
From 150+ weekly activities and global trips to leadership programmes shaping tomorrow’s doctors, engineers, athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs— QE offers a scale of opportunity few can match. Our staff work incredibly hard to offer a student experience that is not only focussed on personal success for the individual, but also providing an education that equips them with the skills and resilience to reach their aspirations when they leave us. We’re delighted to win this award for the fifth year in a row, showcasing our commitment to achieving the very best for our students."
To see the full Parent Power guide - click here
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