Ages 
The only selective grammar school in Cumbria, it is small but growing and increasingly popular. Inclusive ethos, good outcomes, and education in its widest sense is taken seriously without undue pressure, resulting in happy and engaged students. The school’s principles ‘freedom to grow, freedom to learn, freedom to choose’ are definitely hardwired into students and staff.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,040 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 230 ·
- Religion
- None
- Local authority
- Westmorland and Furness
Headteacher
Headteacher
Mr David Marchant
Since 2022, David Marchant.
Entrance
All applications for year 7 should be made though the local authority, but as the only grammar school in Cumbria, QEGS has changed the entrance test in order to give less advantage to those who have been tutored and to reach out to more disadvantaged
- Admissions policy
- Academically selective state school
- Open days
- Check website
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Some 20 per cent leaves after GCSEs. About 90 per cent of sixth formers to university, some 40 per cent to Russell Group, including five to Oxbridge in 2018. Northern universities are always popular, particularly Newcastle, Northumbria, Dundee,
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 49 per cent 9/7 at GCSE; 30 per cent A*/A at A level (55 per cent A*/B).
GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
QEGS is an unapologetically academic school, with a traditional grammar school ethos where aiming high is taken for granted. However the ethos is also one where education is valued for its own sake. They say that exam outcomes are not the be all and
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
The SENCo was described by a parent and a governor as outstanding and is credited with turning numerous pupils around. The school has its fair share of students with additional needs, including an increasing number of autistic students. Parents feel
Arts & extracurricular
Parents were very positive about the the large range of clubs and activities and the staff commitment to going above and beyond. There is a French film club to which students bring their own films (carefully vetted!). Staff say that a lot of
Sport
There are good playing fields, although not always accessible in wet and windy Cumbrian winters. Traditional sports of rugby, football, hockey, tennis, netball and basketball, with athletics and cricket in the summer, all popular. There is lovely
Ethos & heritage
The school was established in 1564. It moved to its current site in 1917, adding a warren of well-maintained buildings and extensions over time. While much of the fabric continues to be dated, further recent extension work has added two impressive
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Pastoral care is via a form tutor system and heads of year, however the students said that they would feel confident to go to several different staff if they had an issue they needed help with. They were certain that the staff were there for them and
Pupils & parents
Students come from all over the sparsely populated Eden area. Now takes 150 (five forms) into year 7. The wider catchment is extremely broad, with students travelling from as far as Dumfries and Carlisle. Much of the transport is shared with another
Money matters
Voluntary school fund payment of £15 per year helps buy additional resources.
The last word
The only selective grammar school in Cumbria, it is small but growing and increasingly popular. Inclusive ethos, good outcomes, and education in its widest sense is taken seriously without undue pressure, resulting in happy and engaged students. The
