The Arts - Without a vibrant artistic culture, life would be the poorer and, therefore, Queen Ethelburga’s pupils are encouraged to take a close interest, using facilities of the highest quality to nurture their individual creativity. Our Art and Design centre includes facilities for computer-aided graphic design and photography, as well as the Fine Arts studio. Many Art students progress to higher education courses at art colleges and universities. Every aspect of Music is catered for, both as a specific area of class and individual study and as an integral part of our Dramatic Arts programme. Highly qualified teachers provide tuition on a wide range of instruments. There are plenty of individual practice rooms, a keyboard laboratory and a Music studio to encourage all pupils, whatever their musical talent, from the beginner to the accomplished musician. Music, the visual arts and performance combine in a programme of cultural activities of which the Collegiate is justly proud. A new, air-conditioned drama studio is equipped with professional-standard lighting and stage equipment, complete with closed circuit TV. It can be quickly transformed into a 200-seat theatre to stage the school’s regular theatrical and musical productions. Studying the Performing Arts in sixth form is a popular option with Q.E.’s students, who have achieved excellent results.
The Humanities - The emphasis is on academic achievement as a means to successful and fulfilling career opportunities; all coursework is overlaid with a relevance to everyday life. We take a similarly broad view of the humanities, which we extend far beyond the subject- based contexts of History, Geography and Sociology although, as our schools are located close to some of the best geographical and historical fieldwork sites in the country, those important subjects are well catered for. Studies relating to the fabric of our daily lives are brought right up to date within the Business Suite. All pupils take courses in Computer Literacy and Information Technology and can gain experience of the world of work via the Young Enterprise Scheme at which Q.E. students have been extremely successful.