Queen Elizabeth School, Lancaster: Review 2026

Founded in 1591, Queen Elizabeth School (QES) occupies a unique position in the educational landscape of the North West. Located in the picturesque market town of Kirkby Lonsdale, it sits physically in Cumbria but serves a catchment that straddles the borders of Lancashire and North Yorkshire. While it is a non-selective state academy, its heritage, house system, and boarding-style breadth often draw comparisons to independent schools.

The school serves approximately 1,200 students, including a large Sixth Form, and operates as the lead school in the Lunesdale Learning Trust. It shares its campus with the Queen Elizabeth Studio School (QEStudio), offering a distinctive blend of academic and professional pathways. The school motto, Magna est Veritas (Great is Truth), is lived out through core values of Scholarship, Care, and Character.

Families are often drawn to QES for its "best of both worlds" appeal. It offers the pastoral warmth and extracurricular richness of a traditional grammar, yet it remains a comprehensive community school with no tuition fees. Competition for places is fierce, with the school regularly receiving far more applications than there are seats available.

The campus is a striking mix of the historic and the modern. The original 19th-century stone building provides a sense of gravity, while recent additions like the creative arts block and sports centre speak to the school's forward-looking ethos. The backdrop of the Cumbrian fells is not just scenery but a classroom, with outdoor education playing a central role in the curriculum.

Mr David Waugh serves as the Executive Headteacher, overseeing both QES and the Studio School. The leadership maintains a distinct "QES Way," a code of conduct that emphasises mutual respect and personal responsibility. There is a palpable sense of belonging here. Students take pride in their uniform and the history of the institution.

The House system is the heartbeat of the school's pastoral life. Students are allocated to houses that compete in everything from sport to the performing arts. This structure ensures that in a large school, every student has a smaller "family" unit where they are known and valued.

Academic outcomes at QES are consistently strong. In the 2024 GCSE cycle, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 58.5, significantly above the England average of 45.9. This indicates that students across the ability range achieve grades well above national norms.

The school ranks 847th in England for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking). While this places it in the national strong band (top 20% in England), the local context is even more impressive. QES ranks 3rd among secondary schools in the Lancaster area, outperforming many local competitors.

Progress measures are equally positive. The Progress 8 score of +0.37 indicates that students make above-average progress from their primary school starting points. Practically, this means students achieve more than a third of a grade higher in every subject compared to peers with similar prior attainment nationally.

In the Sixth Form, the school maintains a solid academic standard. The 2024 A-level cohort achieved an England rank of 1,184. Nearly half of all entries (47%) achieved grades A*-B, with 18.7% securing an A and 6.3% achieving the top A* grade.

The curriculum is broad and balanced, resisting the trend to narrow subject choices early. In Key Stage 3, students follow a full suite of subjects including Art, Drama, Music, and Design Technology alongside core disciplines. Modern foreign languages are highly valued, with French, German, and Spanish all featured.

Teaching staff are often subject specialists with deep passion for their fields. Lessons encourage inquiry and critical thinking rather than rote learning. Parents report that teachers are approachable and willing to offer additional support, particularly during exam periods.

In Key Stage 4, the strong uptake of English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects reflects the school’s academic ambition. However, arts and technical subjects remain popular and well-resourced. The Sixth Form fosters independent study skills, with seminar-style lessons that prepare students well for university.

The school has a strong track record of supporting students into higher education and employment. In 2024, 51% of leavers progressed to university, while 25% moved directly into employment and 3% started apprenticeships.

For those aiming for elite institutions, the support is robust. In the 2024 cycle, seven students applied to Oxbridge, with three receiving offers and one securing a place. This acceptance rate aligns with the national average for state schools.

Popular university destinations include Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, and Lancaster. The careers advice service is comprehensive, ensuring students are aware of all opportunities, from medicine degrees to degree apprenticeships in engineering.

Admission to Queen Elizabeth School is competitive. The admissions authority is Westmorland and Furness Council, and the school follows their coordinated admissions process.

In 2024, the school received 490 applications for roughly 250 places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 1.98. There are essentially two applicants for every place.

Priority is given to looked-after children, those living within the catchment area (Kirkby Lonsdale and surrounding parishes), and siblings. Distance is the final tie-breaker. Living in catchment does not strictly guarantee a place if the number of siblings and catchment applicants exceeds the limit, though historically most catchment children are accommodated.

The pastoral system is built on the value of "Care." The Form Tutor is the primary contact, seeing students daily. Heads of Year and non-teaching pastoral staff provide additional layers of support, ensuring someone is always available to help students in distress.

Safeguarding is rigorous. The 2022 Ofsted inspection noted that pupils feel safe and know who to talk to if they have concerns. The school promotes a culture of kindness, and student-led initiatives often focus on mental health awareness.

Extracurricular life is a major draw. Sport is a pillar of school life, with competitive teams in rugby, netball, hockey, football, and cricket. The Lunesdale Sports Centre provides excellent facilities.

The Creative Arts are equally strong, with a school orchestra, jazz band, and several choirs. Drama productions are ambitious and involve large casts. Outdoor education leverages the local landscape, offering hill walking, climbing, and canoeing. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme sees high participation rates at all levels.

This is a state school with no tuition fees

As a state-funded academy, Queen Elizabeth School is free to attend for all students. There are no fees for tuition.

Families should be aware of potential additional costs for:

• School Transport: Many students travel from outside the immediate walking distance. Bus passes are a paid service arranged through the local authority or private providers.
• Uniform: The school has a strict uniform policy which may incur initial costs.
• Trips and Visits: Optional residential trips and outdoor education experiences are charged separately.

The school day typically runs from 8:50 am to 3:20 pm. Given the rural catchment, a significant proportion of students travel by bus. An extensive network serves surrounding villages and towns.

There is no formal wraparound care, but the library is open for private study. The uniform is traditional and strictly enforced.

Rural Transport: For many families, transport is a necessity. Students may face significant travel times. Bus passes are an additional cost.

Oversubscription: With nearly two applicants per place, QES is not a safe backup option for families living at a distance. Those outside the immediate catchment face uncertainty.

Traditional Ethos: The focus on tradition and formal values suits many, but families seeking a highly relaxed atmosphere might find the environment quite structured.

Queen Elizabeth School offers the heritage and breadth of a traditional grammar school with the inclusivity of a comprehensive. Academic results are strong, and the commitment to character education is genuine. Best suited to families who value a rounded education where sport, arts, and values sit alongside exam grades, and who are willing to navigate the competitive admissions landscape. The main challenge is securing a place.