Lower School Prospectus

LOWER SCHOOL

​
Welcome
Dear Parents,
I’m delighted that you are considering The Queen’s
School for your daughter.
Step through the door and you will instantly feel the
warm embrace of certainty that every Queen’s girl
is loved and cherished for exactly who she is. Our
passionate staff ensure that learning experiences
are inspiring, dynamic and personalised, because
we are ultimately endeavouring to ignite a life-long
love of learning.
We recognise that the world needs creative problem
solvers, and so we provide a broad curriculum which
encourages our girls to be collaborative, as well as
autonomous critical thinkers.
We appreciate the contribution that each girl brings to
her time at Queen’s, and your daughter will be valued as a
unique individual. It is the character and substance of a
person that really counts, and so our exceptional pastoral
care provides the compass for each girl in their journey
towards becoming global citizens of the future – we help
them to develop the courage, resilience and social skills
which will enable them to blaze their own personal
success stories.
The halcyon days of childhood should be the most
memorable times of your daughter’s life, and here at
Queen’s we strive to make the memories that matter. Whilst
this prospectus gives an overview on how we approach this,
to really understand what makes Queen’s such a special
place I invite you to experience this for yourself by visiting
the school. I very much look forward to welcoming you and
your daughter to discover for yourselves the benefits of a
Queen’s education.
Miss Iona Carmody
Head of Lower School

“
A wonderfully empowering environment
in which girls flourish academically but
also personally.
THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE

THINK INDEPENDENTLY
Curious
and creative
Learning at Queen’s will very often start with a
question: How do fish breathe? Where does rain
go? What does brave mean?
Using subject specialist teachers, we use these big
questions to extend knowledge and really stretch and
challenge all pupils. Your daughter will be encouraged
to be an independent thinker from the very start.
Girls are encouraged to use their imagination, creativity
and personal endeavour through our Learning
Challenge Curriculum. Teaching takes place as a class
and in groups, both in the classroom and outside using
the school’s outdoor learning environment.
An exciting programme of events, school trips, visiting
speakers and whole school projects accelerate learning
and genuinely inspire pupils; your daughter will thrive
on discovering new things, researching new ideas and
proudly sharing her findings with her classmates.

“
CURRENT PARENT
The pupils’ progress is very impressive.

THINK INDEPENDENTLY

Flexible and
resourceful
The wealth of learning opportunities multiplies
when visiting a beach, because experiences are
never predictable, and taking the curriculum to
the coast is one of the best ways for our girls to
problem solve in a uniquely creative way.
Using only the resources we are able to find on
location (with the help of a few buckets and spades),
we pose challenges that require children to step out
of their comfort zones, adopt a flexible approach,
work collaboratively and persevere to achieve a novel
solution; all whilst enjoying the benefits of fresh air
and exercise.
Taking a risk, trying something different, and
persevering when it doesn’t go quite according
to plan, makes our Beach School experience
the best possible conduit for memorable
learning opportunities!
“
The best classroom and the richest
cupboard are roofed only by the sky.
MARGARET MCMILLAN, EDUCATIONAL PIONEER

COLLABORATE CONFIDENTLY
Thriving and
empowered
All of the girls learn from a young age that they
have something to contribute. Opportunities
to further develop pupils’ confidence through
responsibility and leadership are an integral
part of school life.
Girls may showcase their performance capabilities on
stage or they may be best suited to leading one of our
successful school sports teams. They may find that
their diplomatic skills would be valuable on the School
Council or they may have the potential to inspire as a
House Captain. They may want to lead a group of girls
to take on a specific challenge for charity.
Whatever their strengths, girls will be able to find a
position of responsibility that suits them and learn
and grow from the experience.

“
Empowerment reverberates as the golden thread through these
crucial education years, from teachers, pupils and parents.
THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE

COLLABORATE CONFIDENTLY
Respectful
and supportive
Your daughter will have the opportunity to try
many new activities – from sailing, hill walking
and bushcraft to Spanish, Mandarin, violin,
choral singing and a whole variety of team
sports. Some of these activities she may find
easy, and others she may not.
Our ethos of positive encouragement means she will
feel comfortable taking risks with new activities and
ways to learn, and will be happy to push herself in
activities in which she excels.
It is only when we work together that we truly
understand that there is strength in community.
To foster this spirit, within the breadth of our extracurricular
provision, she will participate in activities that
encourage teamwork. Learning to value what each
member of the team contributes, and the role she has
to play, encourages girls to do their best not only for
themselves but for those around them.
“
The kind of school every child should
get the opportunity to go to.
CURRENT PARENT

ASPIRE GLOBALLY
Adventurous
and empathetic
Our extended curriculum enables girls to challenge
themselves in new areas. Teamwork and cooperation
are vital components in many activities; new skills are
learnt and information absorbed in fun situations.
Queen’s is the only independent school in the north of
England to have the coveted accolade of being designated a
Confucius Classroom, and the girls study Mandarin as part of
the curriculum.
There’s an extensive calendar of trips and visits for pupils from
Reception upwards, supplemented with year-round visits
from professionals, experts, authors and educators.
From the very start of their life at Queen’s, girls are
encouraged to give something back to society through
charity fundraising, links with other schools abroad and
activities including beach cleans and carol singing at local
care homes. The sense of achievement that comes with
reaching a fundraising goal, or simply making someone smile,
helps girls with their understanding of effort and reward.

“
Absolutely excellent and balanced across
the curriculum in terms of interests. A good
balance between play and learning.
CURRENT PARENT

Admissions
process
It is important to be sure you are making the
right decision in sending your daughter to
Queen’s. We know from experience that girls
and their families find it beneficial to visit the
school to experience it for themselves.
With this in mind we provide a number of
opportunities throughout the year to visit and meet
the Head of Lower School, teachers and current
pupils. We make these opportunities as interactive
and informal as possible and they include our annual
open events plus visits and tours which can be
arranged at your convenience. Our aim is to make
your daughter’s transition into Queen’s as easy as
possible. We also hold regular activity days to give
girls a taste of life at the school and the opportunity
to meet other candidates.
The entrance assessments are held in January of the
year of school entry. This may sound daunting, but our
applicants tell us they actually enjoyed the day and
leave us buzzing with excitement!
Please contact our Admissions Manager who is
happy to discuss admissions procedures with families
at any time. Telephone 01244 312078 or email
admissions@thequeensschool.co.uk

ADMISSIONS TIMELINE FOR
ENTRY SEPTEMBER 2020
1
VISIT THE SCHOOL
2
TASTER DAY
3
REGISTER
4
ENTRANCE ASSESSMENTS
Monday 13 January 2020
5
OFFER LETTERS SENT
Thursday 23 January 2020
6
ACCEPTANCE OF PLACE
Monday 2 March 2020
Applications may be made to join mid-year –
where special arrangements can be made if
a place is available.

We look forward to welcoming you
to one of our open events to find
out ​ about life at Queen’s.
For full details of our open events or to arrange a
private tour, please visit our website:
www.thequeensschool.co.uk/admissions
or call our Admissions Manager on 01244 312078
Discover for yourself what makes
The Queen’s School unique.
Igniting her potential
The Queen’s School
55–57 Liverpool Road, Chester,
Cheshire CH2 1AW
T 01244 382843
E lssecretary@thequeensschool.co.uk
www.thequeensschool.co.uk
The Queen’s School is a registered charity: 525935