Originally founded in 1509, it was re-founded in 1567 under royal charter by Elizabeth I and moved to its present site in 1884. The solid, well-designed and well-equipped buildings make a compact campus of about 16 acres in the north-west outskirts of Blackburn. Its junior school is on the same site, with an early years section. There have been considerable developments over the years, including a sixth form centre, ICT suites, new science laboratories, a maths block and a digital modern languages laboratory. Girls were first admitted to the sixth form in 1976 and the school became fully co-educational in 2001. The school has high standards of teaching and very good examination results. Christian in emphasis, the school is inter-denominational in practice. There are close links with the cathedral. Sportsmark Gold Award with Distinction shows strength in sport and games; also strong in music and in art. Active commitment to community service.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 656 day pupils (550 boys, 106 girls). Junior department 108 pupils (89 boys, 19 girls). Senior department 11-18, 548 pupils (461 boys, 87 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3-6, 7-11 and 16. Own exam used; for sixth form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade B (including sixth form subjects). Baseline testing on entry (NFER CATS). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 65% intake at 11 plus 60% to sixth form.
3 pa scholarships: 1 at 11 for top entrant (value 33% of fees); 1 Ogden Trust science scholarship for state school entrant to the sixth form, 1 Blakey languages scholarship for entrant to sixth form (both up to 100% of fees). Also means-tested bursaries at 11 and 16, value up to 40% of fees. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; maximum £500 extras.
Headmaster: Simon Corns, in post since 2007. Educated at Merchant Taylors', Crosby, and at Cambridge University. Previously Second Master at St Alban's School and Head of Languages at Arnold School. Teaching staff: 68 full time, 5 part time. Annual turnover 8%. Average age 42.
GCSE: 108 pupils in fifth year: 97% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 71 in upper sixth: 46% passed in 4+ subjects; 52% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 327.
95+% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (5% after a gap year). 18% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 23% in science and engineering, 3% in law, 44% in humanities and social sciences, 12% in other vocational subjects. Others typically go on to arts courses or directly into employment.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 24 subjects offered. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; some take a further AS-level in upper sixth. General studies taught to all, as an additional A-level option. 18% take science A-levels; 15% arts/humanities; 67% both (all sixth formers take a mix of arts and science AS-levels). Complementary studies unit compulsory in lower sixth, and integrated into sixth form courses and activities. Vocational: Work experience available, in fifth year for all, in sixth form for many. Languages: French, German, Spanish, Latin and Greek offered to GCSE and A-level. ICT: Taught across the curriculum. 200+ computers for pupil use (7 hours a day), networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Up to 25% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include choral groups, orchestra, string quartet, wind band. Pupils involved in county students' orchestras and in cathedral choir. Drama: Drama within curriculum; AS and A-level may be taken. Around 50 pupils involved in school productions; at least 2 major school drama/musical productions a year. Art and design: On average, 30-40 take GCSE, 10-15 A-level. Graphic design also offered.
Sport: PE, choice of seasonal games eg swimming, basketball, netball, soccer, rugby, tennis, golf, cricket. Fifth and sixth form only: sailing, skiing, ice skating, climbing. GCSE and A-level PE offered. Former pupils include international junior athletes, international junior ice hockey player, world croquet champion, professional golfers, cricketers and footballers; regular representatives in county teams at various sports; 3 times recent ISFA cup winners. Activities: Community service encouraged. Up to 50 clubs and activities, eg art, Christian Union, conjuring, dance, debating and public-speaking, drama, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, electronics, geography, jewellery, Mandarin Chinese, maths, model railway, modern languages, outdoor activities, running, sailing, squash, table tennis.
Uniform: School uniform worn; business suits in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects, appointed by the Headmaster and school. Religion: Christian, inter-denominational. Religious worship actively encouraged. Social: Trips overseas include educational visits (Berlin, Normandy, Pompeii, Spain), skiing (Italy) and community help expeditions (eg South Africa). Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike to school. Meals self-service.
Pupils expected to adhere to school code. House points accumulated through a credit system for good effort, fine work and positive contributions to school life. Sanctions revolve around a weekly detention for serious misbehaviour.
Old Blackburnians' Association, run by Neil Chamberlain, Secretary, c/o the school; or via Joanna Lavelle, Foundation Director (01254 686333, jlavelle@qegs.blackburn.sch.uk)
Sir Kenneth Durham (Unilever); Brian Mercer (inventor); Russell Harty; Sir Netar Mallick (renal surgeon); Professor Stuart Ferguson (Oxford University); Stephen Cox (Chief Executive, Royal Society); Ivor Bolton (conductor, Glyndebourne); James Johnson (former Chairman, BMA); Gary Smith (film producer); Michael Winterbottom (film director); Wayne Hemingway (designer); Yvette Livesey (music promoter, designer); Krishnan Guru-Murthy (TV presenter); James Beattie, Chris Porter (footballers); Nick Dougherty (professional golfer).
|
