Sixth Form Prospectus

SIXTH FORM

Welcome
I’m delighted that you are considering joining
the Sixth Form at The Queen’s School.
As a relatively small Sixth Form, we are able to
get to know you well. Teachers have the
flexibility to personalise learning, which means
you will be taught in a way that benefits you
the most and plays to your strengths, while
supporting you to tackle any challenges.
Our tutorial-style learning is much like university itself,
where you debate and discuss topics in small groups
led by a teacher. Extra academic support is there
when needed, and our teachers really do go above
and beyond, ensuring you fully understand their
subject and are well prepared for examinations. We’re
a Times Top 100 school for A-level results, and we
regularly top local league tables. However, the most
important thing to everyone at Queen’s is that you are
happy and confidently working in partnership with
your teachers in order to achieve your goals.
Sixth Form is not just about classes, and you will be
able to participate in extra-curricular trips as well as
enjoy the benefits of our location in the heart of
Chester. At Queen’s we make a difference, and our
pupils make excellent progress, leaving us
exceptionally well qualified, self-assured, articulate
and ready to seize all that life has to offer.
Whilst this prospectus gives you an overview, to really
understand what makes Queen’s such a special place I
warmly invite you to experience this for yourself by
visiting the school.
I look forward to welcoming you soon.
​
Robin Wilson
Head of Sixth Form

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

THINK INDEPENDENTLY

Creative and
considered
In Sixth Form you’ll be treated as a young
adult, and offered both freedom and
responsibility. You will be challenged to reach
your full potential but we strive to make sure
that the right support is always available in our
uniquely nurturing atmosphere.
The Queen’s School Baccalaureate introduces a
university-style learning experience that is tailored to your
career and higher education ambitions. It encompasses
your A-levels together with extended academic research
through the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), a
broader study of two complementary online courses
chosen by you with guidance from your tutor, critical
thinking and interview practice as well as our QUEST
enrichment programme designed to develop softer skills.
This programme has been introduced because top
universities and employers have told us how much they
value the deeper understanding and personal skills
developed from learning in this way, and Queen’s girls
are valued for thinking creatively and innovatively, no
matter which subjects they choose to study.
“
The Queen’s School Baccalaureate has been introduced
because top universities and employers have told us how
much they value the deeper understanding and personal
skills developed from learning this way.
ROBIN WILSON, HEAD OF SIXTH FORM

THINK INDEPENDENTLY
Ambitious
and motivated
Queen’s is an outward looking Sixth Form
that constantly seeks to prepare girls for the
world beyond.
We have excellent links with prestigious universities
and every year invite some of the UK’s leading
academics to deliver talks for our Academic Lecture
Programme. Our aim is to give our students a flavour
of the latest university research and take them to the
frontiers of knowledge in a vast range of subject areas.
Whilst all options are kept open when discussing your
future, we will encourage you to aim high and the vast
majority of girls do choose to go to university.

“
The support I’ve had has made the difference.
I’m not sure I would be where I am if I hadn’t
taken their advice.
CHARLOTTE (STUDIED GEOGRAPHY AND ECONOMICS
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM)

COLLABORATE CONFIDENTLY

Responsible
and positive
Sixth Form can be a superb place to discover
your wider skills such as working with
others and making a difference to benefit
those around you, and there is wealth of
opportunities on offer to you.
It is this focus on developing the whole student that
will make you stand out from the crowd on your UCAS
personal statement, at university interview, when you
come to apply for your first job and even once you
start your career.
We offer a leadership role to every Sixth Former
through our Head Girl’s Team, Prefect system and
house system. Years 12 and 13 girls are involved in
mentoring and supporting younger pupils.
“
As the academic environment at Queen’s is a given
– (the school) is especially keen for the girls to have
fun, throw themselves into their extra-curricular and
develop skills they will need in the workplace.
THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE

COLLABORATE CONFIDENTLY
Confident
and articulate
Team sports continue right through the Sixth
Form and are another important avenue for
developing your leadership skills and building
strong relationships with others.
It could be that you will want to run a lunchtime club
of your own, organise a fancy-dress charity event, go
on manoeuvres with the Combined Cadet Force or
climb Snowdon as part of your Duke of Edinburgh
Award. Or perhaps you will choose to captain or
coach one of the sports teams, join one of our many
ensembles, orchestras or choirs, or possibly take a
lead role in our Sixth Form pantomime or one of our
Epic Theatre Company productions.

“
We hadn’t been looking for a girls’ school,
but the school was right.
PARENT

ASPIRE GLOBALLY

Inquisitive
and brave
Sixth Form girls are encouraged to take a
genuinely global outlook and this takes shape
in many ways.
Queen’s has a vast network of alumnae – former
pupils who now occupy important positions in
prestigious companies and organisations all over
the world. What they have in common is their belief
that Queen’s made the difference. We regard such
individuals as one of our most important resources –
able to inspire, guide and support you through your
Sixth Form career and beyond.
Our recently developed Virtual Boardroom equips
girls with experiences of business projects with
industry mentors and our Virtual Classroom links to
classes across the world, offering a global perspective
on learning. Our Environmental Warrior initiative
offers opportunities to participate in charitable work
and partnerships in other countries.
“
The school has high academic standards,
is caring and has outstandingly brilliant staff.
CURRENT PARENT

ASPIRE GLOBALLY
Flexible and
connected
The school is perfectly positioned for access to
the many professionals and businesses nearby.
Students are regularly invited to city centre
networking events and can access a host of work
experience opportunities on the doorstep.
Every year Queen’s pupils achieve some of the best
A-level results in the country. The school’s A* rate is
excellent and our students go on to study at prestigious
universities and on very competitive courses both in the
UK and abroad. We encourage these wider horizons with
talks on how to make international university applications
and we support students applying to institutions in the
USA and Europe every year.
Wherever your passions or interests lie, Queen’s Sixth
Form will enable you to grow and develop as an
individual to take the next step in life with complete
confidence, wherever that may be.

“
I feel very lucky. As well as gorgeous buildings and grounds,
we can walk to a theatre or see live music performances. We
are surrounded by art galleries and are minutes from the river.
ISOBEL (YEAR 13 STUDENT)

RESULTS AND DESTINATIONS
Our A-level and GCSE results are regularly among the best in Cheshire.
A-LEVEL RESULTS
% A* % A % B % C % A*/A % A*–B
2015 18.5 35 25.5 16 53.5 79
2016* 15.4 37.3 29.6 13.6 52.7 82.2
2017* 20.2 38.5 30.3 10.1 58.7 89
2018* 25.12 35.02 23.91 12.08 60.14 84.06
2019* 20.47 36.91 28.19 11.07 57.38 85.57
* Since the introduction of the Queen’s Baccalaureate to our Sixth Form curriculum,
EPQ results (which are an integral part of the baccalaureate) are included in the data
with a weighting of half an A-level, as per UCAS guidelines.
MOST POPULAR UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS (2010–2019)
1 Leeds
= 2 Oxbridge, Birmingham
3 Durham
= 4 Newcastle, Nottingham,
Liverpool
= 5 Manchester, Edinburgh
6 Sheffield
7 King’s College London
= 8 Bath, Bristol
9 St Andrews
= 10 Bangor, Cardiff, Exeter, Lancaster,
Reading, Warwick
MOST POPULAR UNIVERSITY COURSES (2010–2019)
1 Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
2 Economics, International Business
Management, Business Studies
3 Biomedical and Natural Sciences,
Biology, Biological Science,
Biomedical Science
4 Art
5 English and History
6 Modern Foreign
Languages
7 Geography
8 Psychology,
Philosophy and Politics
9 Classics and Law
10 Dentistry

Admissions
process
Each year we welcome a number of applicants
from others schools who choose to join us for
Sixth Form.
Entry to the Sixth Form for all pupils is dependent
upon achieving good GCSE results – normally 7 GCSEs
at grade 6 or above with at least a 7 in your chosen
subjects. We ask prospective pupils who wish to join
us from other schools to provide a report from your
current school confirming that you are a suitable
candidate to sit A-levels, and we invite you to come
in for a short interview.
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
1
VISIT THE SCHOOL
2
TASTER DAY
3
REGISTER
4
ASSESSMENT INTERVIEW
5
OFFER MADE
6
ACCEPTANCE OF PLACE

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
City Walls Road, Chester,
Cheshire CH1 2NN
T 01244 312078
E secretary@thequeensschool.co.uk
www.thequeensschool.co.uk
The Queen’s School is a registered charity: 525935