Setting classes in certain subjects, according to 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 schools 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 monitored on a regular basis by their teachers, a series of assessments being awarded periodically. These are given to pupils and their parents, to keep them well informed.

Throughout the year there are year academic consultations, which give parents the opportunity to meet and discuss any topics they wish with the staff. At the end of each half term, parents receive a full and detailed report or assessment on 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 ten good grades. The choice of study courses is refined, in Year 10, to the selected GCSE subjects. PSHCE, Information & Communications Technology, Physical Education and Games are added, to maintain the breadth of education we provide for every pupil. IT and PE are also available as GCSE subjects.

Personal and social education (PSHCE) covers 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 modern schools, we have abolished Saturday morning lessons to align class work with a more usual Monday to Friday working week.

Queen Ethelburga’s 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 have a language laboratory.