Founded and endowed in the 16th century by Thomas Horsley, it became the Free Grammar School of Queen Elizabeth in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1600. It enjoys close links with the city and the region and pupils are drawn from a wide area. The school became fully co-educational in 2008, having admitted girls into the sixth form since 2003. It is well sited near the civic and city centres and the two universities. The oldest of the buildings date from 1907 and there have been numerous extensions, including a junior school, sports centre and, most recently, a performing arts centre. Academic standards are high and examination results very good. Music, drama and art are also very strong; up to 30 concerts are given each year and seven or eight main productions in the theatre. A wide range of sports and games is available; high standards are achieved and there have been many representatives at county, regional and national level. Chess and debating are especially notable activities. There is a flourishing Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme and a voluntary CCF. The school has vigorous support in the city and locality and there is a lively programme of voluntary service.
Pupils: Total age range 7-18, 1260 day pupils (997 boys, 263 girls). Senior department 11-18, 1030 pupils (825 boys, 205 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 7, 9, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam. For sixth form entry, sound GCSE performance including grades A and B (particularly in sixth-form subjects).
Some means-tested bursaries, including for sixth-form entry and Ogden Trust bursaries (can be up to full fees).
Headmaster: Dr Bernard Trafford, appointed 2008. Educated at Downside and at universities of Oxford (music) and Birmingham (education). Previously Headmaster at Wolverhampton Grammar School, Assistant Director of Music at Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe. Also former Chairman of HMC and of YoungChoirs.net. Regularly speaks and writes about education, particularly on leadership, creativity, personal development, democracy, school/student councils and children’s rights. Teaching staff: 100 full time, including junior school, 6 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 40.
GCSE: On average, 140 in Year 11, almost all gain at least grade C in 10 subjects. A-levels: 180 in upper sixth, passing an average of 3+ subjects with final point score of 333.
97% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course or art foundation course (7% after a gap year), 15% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 25% in science and engineering, 52% in humanities and social sciences.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 GCSE subjects, 24 AS-level, 22 A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4-5 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level. Usual for pupils to mix arts and sciences AS and A-levels. Key skills integrated into sixth-form curriculum; no formal structure. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level; also Arabic as non-examined subject. ICT: Taught across the curriculum. 180 computers for pupil use (for whole school day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Over 35% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 30 musical groups including orchestras, choirs, wind and jazz bands. Some in National Children's Orchestra. Drama: Drama offered. Pupils are involved in school and other productions. Art and design: On average, over 50 take GCSE, 30 A-level. Photography also offered.
Sport: Rugby, cricket, football, athletics, swimming, netball, hockey compulsory (junior years). Optional: badminton, basketball, climbing, fencing, football, gymnastics, judo, karate, cross-country, squash, tennis, table tennis, volleyball. AS-level sports studies may be taken. Nationally very successful in football, swimming, athletics, gymnastics, fencing; one of best rugby schools in North of England. Activities: CCF and community service both optional. Some 25 clubs, including debating, chess, model railway.
Uniform: School uniform worn; suits in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head prefect, heads of house and senior prefects - appointed by a committee of staff with pupil representation. Religion: Non-denominational. Attendance at religious worship not compulsory. Social: 2 neighbouring girls' schools involved in CCF and Christian Union. Annual ski trips, sports tours, study visits abroad. Pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service.
Action taken in the case of pupils failing to produce homework once is at the discretion of the subject teacher. It is made clear that any trafficking in illegal drugs is an expellable offence.
Brian Redhead (journalist and broadcaster); Lord Chief Justice Taylor; Sir George Alberti (President Royal College of Physicians).
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