Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (Wakefield)

Since 2021, Dr Richard Brookes. Originally from Halesowen he attended King Edward’s School, Birmingham on the assisted places scheme. Read chemistry at Worcester College, Oxford where he also completed a DPhil in computer simulation of materials.

For external entrants to the senior school there is an 11 plus test run by GL Assessment as well as the school’s own creative writing test. Interviews with a senior member of staff also take place. Currently the ability bar for entrance to both the

Usually all pupils from pre-prep move on to either the boys’ or girls’ junior schools; head says they only tend to leave if fees are an issue. In 2023, 72 per cent of year 11 moved into the sixth form, the remainder mostly went to high-performing

In 2024, 40 per cent 7-9 at GCSE; at A level, 38 per cent A*/A (66 per cent A-B). In 2023, 58 per cent 7-9 at GCSE; 47 per cent A*/A at A level (70 per cent A*-B).

The QEGS motto is 'Turpe nescire' (despise ignorance) and the boys we met certainly seemed to live up to this. School provides chrome books for all year 7 and then a new one in year 10. Computing is in the curriculum from year 8, a generous three

We thought that QEGS underplays its SEN strengths. In our conversations very little specific mention was made of SEN by staff, most likely because there is a strong and integrated approach, which means they don't realise how much they are doing,

Music is as important as sport here. Wakefield is at the heart of Yorkshire’s brass band tradition and QEGS brass plays an important part in this, ‘Where there’s QEGs there’s brass,’ one parent quipped. The Roche recording studio, provided by an old

Sport is a major attraction of QEGS. There is a great sports hall and cricket pitch on the main campus and extensive playing fields, shared with the girls school, are a four-minute walk away. These have acrylic, Macadam and Astro tennis courts and a

Pastoral care is based on form teachers and heads of year, school also has a matron and a counsellor. Parents say, ‘Pastorally they are on it, it’s not just an academic machine.’ A good long lunch (75 minutes) ensures plenty of time for boys to take

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

Head says, ‘QEGS attracts the range and diversity of the area from professionals to farmers and taxi drivers - down-to-earth Yorkshire folk. There is a huge amount of loyalty to the school.’ We found this to be the case in our conversations. Parents

With some of the lowest fees in the area the school was reviewing its scholarship scheme at the time of our visit, possibly in favour of more bursaries. About 15 per cent of boys will get some form of assistance.

QEGS offers a good holistic education. We met charming and engaged young men who obviously enjoy the breadth of the offer here, some fantastic sport and music and a sensible level of academic challenge. Very traditional in many ways but clear signs