Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn
Encyclopedia
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School (QEGS) is a co-educational independent school
in Blackburn, Lancashire
, founded in 1509 as a boys' school. The term "school" is usually used to collectively refer to the following:
The school is attended by approximately 630 boys and girls, who come from Blackburn and the many towns surrounding it. The school has a strong track record of academic success, with nearly all pupils achieving the nationally recognised benchmark of at least 5 passes at GCSE grades A*-C, including English and mathematics. Over 70% of A level candidates typically obtain a place on their first-choice course at their first-choice university.
In February 2005, the School was commended (amongst other things) for the high standard of pastoral care offered to its pupils, by an ISI inspection, details of which are accessible through the school's website. QEGS has also received a Sportsmark Gold award with Distinction for the school's outstanding commitment to sport and its links with local sports clubs. The QEGS 1st XI football team has won the Independent Schools Football Association Cup three times, more than any other team, the most recent victory coming in 2004.
The Headmaster is Mr Simon Corns, who joined the school in September 2007 following the retirement of previous Head, Dr. David Hempsall. Mr Corns was formerly Second Master at St. Albans School.
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar school is in the minority of schools that have Classics as a GCSE and A level option.
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
in Blackburn, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, founded in 1509 as a boys' school. The term "school" is usually used to collectively refer to the following:
- Main School: For pupils (age 11-16) up to their GCSE year.
- Sixth Form: For students in their A-level years (age 16-18).
- Junior School: (also known as Horncliffe) For pupils aged 7–11.
- Early Years: For pupils aged 3–6.
The school is attended by approximately 630 boys and girls, who come from Blackburn and the many towns surrounding it. The school has a strong track record of academic success, with nearly all pupils achieving the nationally recognised benchmark of at least 5 passes at GCSE grades A*-C, including English and mathematics. Over 70% of A level candidates typically obtain a place on their first-choice course at their first-choice university.
In February 2005, the School was commended (amongst other things) for the high standard of pastoral care offered to its pupils, by an ISI inspection, details of which are accessible through the school's website. QEGS has also received a Sportsmark Gold award with Distinction for the school's outstanding commitment to sport and its links with local sports clubs. The QEGS 1st XI football team has won the Independent Schools Football Association Cup three times, more than any other team, the most recent victory coming in 2004.
The Headmaster is Mr Simon Corns, who joined the school in September 2007 following the retirement of previous Head, Dr. David Hempsall. Mr Corns was formerly Second Master at St. Albans School.
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar school is in the minority of schools that have Classics as a GCSE and A level option.
Notable Old Blackburnians
- James BeattieJames Beattie (footballer)James Scott Beattie is an English footballer who currently plays for Sheffield United as a striker.Born in Lancaster, Lancashire he came through the ranks at Blackburn Rovers eventually signing professionally for them in 1995...
, footballer - Robert BoltonRobert BoltonRobert Bolton was an English clergyman and academic, noted as a preacher.-Life:He was born on Whit Sunday in Blackburn, Lancashire, the sixth son of Adam Bolton of Backhouse. He attended what is now Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn, where his father was a founding governor, and was...
, 17th century classical scholar & philosopher - Richard Bowker CBERichard Bowker (British businessman)Richard Bowker CBE is former Chief executive officer of National Express Group. He attended Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn, read Economics at Leicester University, and played as a professional session pianist for a year, after which he joined the London Underground as a Graduate...
, formerly CEO, National Express GroupNational Express GroupNational Express Group plc is a British transport group headquartered in Birmingham that operates bus, coach, rail and tram services in the UK, the US and Canada, Spain, Portugal and Morocco and long-distance coach routes across Europe... - Nick DoughertyNick DoughertyNicholas Dougherty is an English professional golfer.Dougherty was born in Bootle, Merseyside, and attended Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School near Blackburn, Lancashire. He is a protégé of former professional golfer, Nick Faldo, and had an exceptional amateur career...
, professional golfer - Frank FieldingFrank FieldingFrancis David "Frank" Fielding is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Derby County.-Club career:Born in Blackburn Lancashire, Fielding is a product of Blackburn Rovers Academy. He joined League Two side Wycombe Wanderers on 28 September 2007 on a three-month loan deal alongside...
, footballer - Christian FraserChristian FraserChristian Fraser is the BBC's Paris Correspondent, a role he has held since 2010. He appears on many BBC news programmes, including the BBC News at 6, BBC News at 10, Newsnight and on BBC Radio 4's Today and The World Tonight...
, BBC Middle East Correspondent (formerly BBC Rome Correspondent) - Krishnan Guru-MurthyKrishnan Guru-MurthyKrishnan Guru-Murthy , is a British television presenter and journalist employed by Channel 4. He presents the Channel 4 Evening News and the foreign affairs programme Unreported World.-Education:...
, former BBC journalist & senior newscaster of Britain's Channel 4 NewsChannel 4 NewsChannel 4 News is the news division of British television broadcaster Channel 4. It is produced by ITN, and has been in operation since the broadcaster's launch in 1982.-Channel 4 News:... - Russell HartyRussell HartyRussell Harty was an English television presenter of arts programmes and chat shows.-Early life:Born Frederick Russell Harty in Blackburn, Lancashire, he was the son of a fruit and vegetable stallholder on the local market...
, television presenter & chat show host - Wayne HemingwayWayne HemingwayWayne Andrew Hemingway, MBE is an English fashion designer and co-founder of Red or Dead. He is also chairman of the South Coast Design Forum, and chair of Building For Life .Hemingway is the son of Canadian Mohawk chief and former wrestler Billy Two Rivers...
, fashion designer - Mick JacksonMick Jackson (author)Mick Jackson is a British writer from England, best known for his novel The Underground Man . The book, based on the life of William Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck, 5th Duke of Portland, was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and for the 1997 Whitbread Award for best first novel.- Overview :Mick...
, author - Sir Netar Mallick, professor of renal medicine
- Gordon ManleyGordon ManleyGordon Valentine Manley, FRGS was an English climatologist who assembled the Central England temperature series of monthly mean temperatures stretching back to 1659. This is the longest standardised instrumental record available for anywhere in the world...
, climatologist. - Sir Ernest Marsden, MCErnest MarsdenSir Ernest Marsden was an English-New Zealand physicist. He was born in East Lancashire, living in Rishton and educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn, where an inter-house trophy rewarding academic excellence bears his name.He met Ernest Rutherford at the University of Manchester...
, nuclear physicist - Frank Brian MercerFrank Brian MercerFrank Brian Mercer OBE FRS was an English chemist and businessman.He was born into a Blackburn family, which for generations had been involved in the textile industry and which owned and controlled companies engaged in spinning, weaving, dyeing and finishing and educated at the Queen Elizabeth's...
, inventor, director of Netlon. - Chris PorterChris Porter (footballer born 1983)Christopher John "Chris" Porter is an English footballer, who currently plays for Sheffield United. Born in Wigan, England he has also played for Bury, Oldham Athletic, Motherwell and Derby County.-Early career:...
, footballer - Michael WinterbottomMichael WinterbottomMichael Winterbottom is a prolific English filmmaker who has directed seventeen feature films in the past fifteen years. He began his career working in British television before moving into features...
, film director - Ivor BoltonIvor BoltonIvor Bolton is an English conductor and harpsichordist. He studied at Clare College and at the Royal College of Music...
, conductor - John GarstangJohn GarstangJohn Garstang was a British archaeologist of the ancient Near East, especially Anatolia and the southern Levant....
, archaeologist, as well as author of A History of the Blackburn Grammar School published in 1897