Queen Margaret’s: Exploring Reviews, Rankings, Fees, And More
Embarking on the journey of finding the perfect educational institution can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. In the realm of options stands Queen Margaret’s School for Girls, a fine institution. Join us as we delve into the heart of this esteemed institution, discovering not just facts and figures, but the essence that sets it apart in the educational landscape.
Table of Contents
Key Features of Queen Margaret's School for Girls
- Local authority: North Yorkshire
- Pupils: 211; sixth formers: 80
- Religion: Church of England
- Fees: Day £23,271 pa; Boarding £34,695 – £40,236 pa
- Open days: Open Days: January, February, March, April, May and June. Personal visits available all year round.
Queen Margaret's School Results
GCSE Results:
- 2023: 50% achieved grades 9-7.
- 2019: Pre-pandemic results revealed an impressive 58% with grades 9-7.
A Level Results:
- 2023: 27% attained A*/A grades, with 53% achieving A*-B.
- 2019: Showcased 42% achieving A*/A grades, with a remarkable 71% attaining A*-B.
Boarding Experience in Queen Margaret's School
Queen Margaret’s offers a boarding experience that balances comfort, flexibility, and a sense of community. With approximately a third of its boarders coming from international backgrounds, including a significant number from China, alongside military families and an increasing number of local flexi-boarders, the boarding community is diverse and inclusive.
The boarding houses, while not the most modern or luxurious, exude a homely atmosphere and adaptability. Each house caters to specific year groups, fostering a sense of camaraderie without hierarchical structures. Day girls are fully integrated into the boarding houses, ensuring inclusivity for all. The accommodation varies, from the charming Arts and Crafts style of Red House to the modern amenities of Winnies, offering a genuine progression of experience as students move through the years.
One distinctive aspect of Queen Margaret’s boarding is its commitment to providing a bed for every student, reflecting their ethos of “bespoke boarding.” This flexibility allows day girls to access boarding facilities on a pay-as-you-go basis, accommodating individual preferences and schedules.
While the school organises in-school activities on Saturday evenings, Sundays are dedicated to chapel and longer day trips, providing a balance of relaxation and exploration. Regular events and collaborations with local boys’ boarding schools enhance the social experience, ensuring a well-rounded boarding experience for all students.
Extra Curricular Activities in Queen Margaret's
Queen Margaret’s School offers a vibrant array of extracurricular activities catering to diverse interests and talents, enriching the student experience beyond the classroom.
Artistic Endeavours:
- Art is celebrated and nurtured within the school’s beautiful, modern studios, where students explore various mediums including textiles and graphics. Notably, the school takes pride in the achievements of its A level textile students who have pursued further studies in architecture.
Theatrical Excellence:
- The Chapman Theatre stands as a testament to the school’s commitment to drama, providing a state-of-the-art venue for performances and teaching. The adjacent dance studio adds to the creative atmosphere, offering a unique space for movement exploration and learning.
Musical Tradition:
- Music thrives at Queen Margaret’s, with a significant portion of students taking instrumental lessons. The dedicated music building houses practice rooms and classrooms equipped with modern technology. From chamber choirs performing in prestigious venues to student bands showcasing diverse genres, the musical scene is dynamic and inclusive.
Diverse Co-curricular Offerings:
- Beyond the arts, students can engage in a plethora of co-curricular activities, from book clubs to international councils, fostering a sense of community and promoting diversity and inclusion. Initiatives like the QM Princes Trust challenge students to undertake entrepreneurial projects, while societies like the Queen’s Society provide platforms for scholarly discussions.
Sporting Excellence:
- The school boasts excellent sports facilities, including extensive playing fields, a floodlit all-weather pitch, and a swimming pool. While traditional team sports like hockey, lacrosse, and netball thrive, there’s also enthusiasm for football and tag rugby. Successes in various sports competitions highlight the school’s commitment to holistic development and wellbeing.
Admissions Process: Entering Queen Margaret's School
Queen Margaret’s School operates a non-selective admissions process, prioritising inclusivity and ensuring a supportive learning environment for all students. Upon registration, girls are invited to undertake assessments in mathematics and English in January of the entry year, with automatic screening for dyslexia to tailor support accordingly.
Following assessments, applicants undergo an interview with the head or a senior leader, offering an opportunity for both parties to assess suitability and discuss aspirations. Prospective students also have the chance to experience a taster day, immersing themselves in school life and getting a feel for the community.
While the school maintains relatively low entrance requirements for sixth form admission, considering the strength of A level results, places are offered based on GCSE (or equivalent) predictions. Typically, applicants are expected to have attained five GCSE passes at grade 5, including mathematics and English, with at least a grade 6 in proposed A level subjects.
SEN Support in Queen Margaret's
Here is a list of educational needs that the academic team here is able to support:
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder
- Aspergers
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders
- Dyscalculia
- Dysgraphia
- Dyslexia
- Dyspraxia
- Hearing Impairment
- Mental health
Queen Margaret's School Testimonials and Reviews
I have nothing but good things to say about QM. My two daughters spent 7 years at QM and they both exceeded their academic expectations. They were happy, played loads of sport and music, had lots of friends and at the end they were expertly guided through the UCAS process by dedicated QM staff. I can’t recommend this school more highly and the staff couldn’t have done more to support, nurture and guide my children through their teenage years.
Queen Margarets is a great school offering an excellent all round education for girls. It is a very happy and friendly environment with very good pastoral care.
QM creates life long friendships. This is a great school!
Frequently Asked Questions about Queen Margaret's
Queen Margaret’s School, York Ltd is the legal entity that owns the land, buildings and other assets of the School and by which staff are employed and the girls’ education carried on. That company is limited by guarantee and is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
The current Head, Sue Baillie, has served the school admirably, successfully seeing QM through some of the most challenging times in living memory.
Queen Margaret’s has been named as a top performer in The Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide 2022.
Boarding schools prioritise the safety and well-being of their students. They have trained staff, supervision protocols, health services, and designated staff members to address students’ emotional and social needs.
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