Streaming classes in certain subjects, according to general ability, enhances the effectiveness of lessons, and, in our experience, is welcomed by the pupils.

We are very keen that parents do not feel excluded from the very effective working relationships which develop between teachers and pupils in a school of high academic quality such as Queen Ethelburga’s. In our view, parents are a vital force if every pupil is to reach their full academic potential and we involve them fully. Each pupil’s progress is assessed on a regular basis by their teachers, a series of mark readings being taken periodically. These are given to pupils and their parents, to keep them well informed.

Throughout the year there are year group meetings, which give parents the opportunity to meet and discuss any topics they wish with the academic staff. At the end of most terms, parents receive a full and detailed report on general progress through school and on their child’s development in each specific subject.

The move towards GCSE is smoothly accomplished, the average target for each pupil being about eight good grades. The choice of study courses is refined, in the Lower Fifth Form, to the selected GCSE subjects. Religious Studies, Information & Communications Technology, Physical Education and Games are added, to maintain the breadth of education we provide for every pupil. These are also available as GCSE subjects.

Personal and social education (PSE) is also included, to cover such topics as smoking, drugs, relationships, self-esteem, values and problems of discrimination. Careers lessons enhance this. In all areas the approach is designed to produce sensitive and positive responses to the issues raised.

Being a modern school, we have abolished Saturday morning lessons to align class work with a more usual Monday to Friday working week.

Queen Ethelburga’s College has a strong commitment to providing an education relevant to today’s world, and we have made a substantial investment in the provision of high quality language facilities.

We have multi-satellite reception, which allows many different classrooms, at the same time, to receive television broadcasts from the relevant countries concerned.

We also possess a newly commissioned language laboratory.