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Former QE pupil Alex Halliday made his first forays into online business while still at the School – and now he has become, at 25, the youngest CEO of a company listed on London’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM).

Alex, who left QE after his A-levels in 2003, has created SocialGO.com, which allows groups and organisations to create their own social networks and even makes it possible for them to make money from these networks.

He set up the company in 2007 with Dominic Wheatley, the founder of Eidos, a company well known for games such as Football Manager and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. SocialGO launched its premium services in 2009 and has recently raised $2.2million to fund version 2 of its platform.

Writing on his own blog, Alex recalls that when he was only 13 he began building ‘fan sites’ for TV shows, pop stars and other people with a fan base. “It started as a hobby, but once the traffic started to flow, I became involved in selling ads and monetising these networks. The business grew and by 2000, we where serving nearly 30m page views a month and selling ads through agencies like Valueclick, Engage and Doubleclick and we were building an interesting business… This came to an abrupt halt in 2000 when ad rates went from a ridiculous $12 CPM [cost per mille, or per thousand, views] to (a rather more justifiable) $0.60. Suffice to say that business was no longer viable…boo hoo, back to school work!”

Notwithstanding this setback, Alex’s interest in the internet continued unabated and after completing his A-levels at QE, he spent six months in Dubai developing a news website. At the same time he started to develop the prototype of the social networking technology that became version 1 of SocialGO’s product.

The Shoreditch-based company now provides software as a service which allows groups to create, manage and control their own private social networks and provides the members of these networks with the ability to communicate with like-minded people in a controlled and secure environment. SocialGO derives its revenues from subscription premiums paid by network owners and from selling value-added services. If they choose, SocialGO’s customers – the network owners – can, in turn, make money from their networks in a variety of ways: by charging members for access to the entire network; by creating premium areas of the network that are restricted to paying members, and by hosting advertisements.

In a recent article published on Proactiveinvestors.co.uk, former Daily Mail City Editor Ian Lyall noted that in the course of his interview with Dominic Wheatley, the SocialGO chairman repeatedly likened Alex Halliday to Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg – the billionaire subject of the recent blockbuster film, The Social Network.

John Marincowitz, Headmaster at QE since 1999, retires at the end of this academic year. Under Dr Marincowitz’s tenure, QE has further strengthened its reputation, achieving a fifth successive ‘outstanding’ rating from Ofsted and often topping national league tables for academic achievement.

The following tribute was written for the Summer Term issue of the School’s printed termly newsletter.

Towards the end of the School Chronicle, which is read annually on Founder’s Day, it is recorded that “in the year 1999, John Marincowitz, Doctor of Philosophy of London University, succeeded as the 39th Headmaster”. It is a statement which is entirely accurate, yet does nothing to convey the contribution of a man who has served the School with such distinction, not least because it picks up the story some fourteen years into John’s career at Queen Elizabeth’s.

Arriving in 1985, John was given a temporary contract as a teacher of History. His love of his subject is apparent to all who know him, and he set about instilling that same passion into his pupils, engaging them in historical and political debate, encouraging them to read widely and evaluate the differing views of prominent historians, teaching them to question rather than accept, and equipping them with the ability to construct their own argument and present it with conviction. His knowledge and enthusiasm earned him respect and affection in equal measure from his pupils, many of whom were inspired to continue their study of History at university and beyond.

John’s qualities of leadership and management were also quickly recognised in his appointment as Head of Year in the middle school, where pupils in need of support found a sympathetic listener with a genuine concern for their welfare and progress. Pupils in need of correction found a clear and uncompromising response which ensured that a second dose was rarely, if ever, necessary. This appointment gave John membership of “Cabinet”, the senior management team of the School, and an opportunity to influence direction and development. The strong desire to see ever-increasing levels of achievement, confidence and responsibility amongst the pupils made John the obvious choice when the post of Head of Sixth Form became vacant. Under his leadership the sixth form grew in numbers and in quality, with John taking a personal interest in the development of each and every pupil. The development of the teaching staff was also, of course, central to the progress of the School, and John led the first successful bid to gain Investors in People status in 1996.

Appointed as Headmaster in 1999, John set about taking the School “from excellence to eminence”, recognising the quality of the establishment he had inherited from Eamonn Harris, but recognising also the potential to take the School to new heights. At the start of his headship, and at the start of each academic year which followed, John placed before the staff a quotation which perhaps gives the best insight into the philosophy which has underpinned the progress of the School throughout the years of his leadership: “No matter how much you systemise it, education is terribly personal. It is to do with elusive and very important human qualities.” Boys at the School achieve spectacular results, but their personal development, the opportunities for them to indulge their interests, the word of praise in a corridor from a member of staff who has noted their achievement, the careful guidance which sets them on the appropriate path as they move on from Queen Elizabeth’s, all of these rank equally in the School which John has led. Staff have benefited from this approach to the same extent, each given the sense of a genuine and personal interest in their development and huge appreciation for the contributions they have made. It is a testament to John’s remarkable leadership skills that such a convivial atmosphere pervades the School, whilst demands and expectations remain at the highest possible level and improvements continue year on year. In addition to a determination to create the best possible educational experience, John has been tireless in pursuing the objective of translating the generous donations of parents and supporters into the finest facilities for boys and staff to work in; the Martin swimming pool and the Shearly Hall stand as fitting tributes to his success. It is, though, the successes of the generations of pupils who have passed through the School during John’s 26 years at Queen Elizabeth’s and who return regularly to thank him for all that he and the School have done for them, in which John himself takes the most pride and the most pleasure.

The School Chronicle concludes thus: “And so the efforts and generosity of many: the Governors, Trustees, parents, teachers, boys and old boys, all have made the School renowned and all have made the School to flourish – may it always flourish.” Amongst the illustrious predecessors who have made the School renowned and made the School to flourish, John Marincowitz has most surely earned his place – and in so doing he has earned our profound gratitude.

The Governors of Queen Elizabeth’s School have appointed Neil Enright, currently Deputy Headmaster at QE, to succeed John Marincowitz on his retirement at the end of this academic year. Mr Enright will therefore become the 40th Headmaster of the School in September 2011.

“When the Chairman announced Mr Enright’s appointment to the staff their spontaneous applause spoke volumes,” says Dr Marincowitz. “I too felt enormously relieved by this welcome news, secure in the knowledge that the School will be in very capable hands. Having overseen key strategic developments here during recent years, Mr Enright is well known and ideally placed to lead the School from strength to strength in the next stage of its development.”

Having grown up locally, Mr Enright attended The John Lyon School in Harrow, where he was Deputy Head Boy. After leaving in 1996, he went on to St John’s College, Oxford, to read Geography and subsequently took his Post Graduate Certificate of Education teaching qualification at the University of London’s Institute of Education.

His first teaching post, in 2000, was at St Gregory’s RC Science College, Kenton, where he not only taught Geography but was also Gifted & Talented Co-ordinator and the college’s Co-ordinator for the Government’s Excellence in Cities programme.

Then, in September 2002, Mr Enright came to QE. Before his most recent position as Deputy Head, he has been Head of Geography, Head of Year and Assistant Head. His roles and duties have included deputising for the Headmaster in his absence and being responsible for teaching & learning, for assessment and for staffing (recruitment, development & retention). In addition, he has overseen the School’s marketing and contributed to the strategic development of IT systems.

Mr Enright was awarded his National Professional Qualification for Headship in 2007 and an MBA, from the Institute of Education, in November last year, with a dissertation on ‘Growing your own’ leadership in a context of change.

He is an interview panel member for undergraduate geography applicants to St Hilda’s College and St Edmund Hall, Oxford, and undertakes various roles for the University of Hertfordshire’s Faculty of Education. His other current voluntary roles include being a local authority-nominated governor at Longfield Junior School, Harrow.

A higher proportion of pupils from QE go to Oxford or Cambridge than from any other state school in the country, a leading education foundation has reported.

The Sutton Trust, in its recent report entitled Degrees of Success, also named QE as the country’s top state school for sending pupils to the UK’s 30 leading universities.

Nearly a quarter (22%) of QE boys who went on to higher education over the three years during which the research was carried out gained places at Oxford or Cambridge – a total of 88 boys. In the list of Top 100 Schools whose pupils progress to a ‘highly selective’ (top 30) university, QE was ranked 13th – the only state school in the top 37.

In terms of total numbers sent to Oxbridge, QE was ranked behind only two state schools, including Hills Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge. However, both have more Sixth-Formers than QE and they performed less strongly in percentage terms, both for pupils progressing to Oxbridge and for those going to the top 30 universities.

“I am delighted that the recent Sutton Trust research into top university placements ranks Queen Elizabeth’s so highly,” said Headmaster John Marincowitz. “The School’s position as top state school and 13th in the country including Independent Schools, is best appreciated in the context of QE’s socio-economic profile. Ofsted ranks Queen Elizabeth’s as average for England in terms of social deprivation, yet the Sutton Trust found that 87% of the School’s boys go on to the most selective universities. This is a truly resounding confirmation of Queen Elizabeth’s contribution to social mobility.”

The Sutton Trust was founded in 1997 by Sir Peter Lampl with the aim of promoting social mobility through education. It has funded a wide range of access projects in early years, school and university settings, with a focus on research, policy and innovative practical projects with a system-wide relevance.

Jay Foreman (1996-2003), a comedian and musician, is now enjoying a busy 2011 after winning Best Newcomer at the Tuborg Musical Comedy Awards 2009, taking third prize at the Musical Comedy Awards 2010 and being named Bedford New Comedian of the Year 2010.

Jay has gained enormous popularity both through his live performances and through the internet. He has his own following at the School: a number of boys recently went to see him perform in Putney. His song, Moon Chavs, has, for example, become a viral hit on youtube, with more than 200 different fan videos uploaded to date. Among his other online hits are his student-orientated Ask a Rabbi videos, in which he dresses as an orthodox rabbi and gives spoof Agony Aunt-style answers to students’ questions.

In a review of his show, Pretend You’re Happy, at the 2010 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Steve Bennett, of the UK comedy guide, Chortle, wrote: “Generally, the writing is sharp and sophisticated and the musicianship strong, making him a sort of Victoria Wood for the Spotify generation.”

“My show is hard to describe and I’ve got enormous trouble trying to decide whether it is comedy or music,” says Jay. His songs often have provocative titles such as I’m glad John Lennon Died or Stealing Food. “I love to make people laugh at something they shouldn’t find funny, like if they know it’s bad-taste or if it’s quite sad.”

Jay began performing comedy songs on acoustic guitar in 2005 at York University. Many of his live performances there were filmed by York Student Television and made available online.

Jay has made appearances on Nuts TV and Lunch with the Hamiltons. In 2009 he contributed jingles to the weekly comedy podcast, Answer Me This.

Jay is the brother of the award-winning beatboxer, Beardyman (Darren Foreman), also featured in this newsletter. They have collaborated on stage several times.

The School would like to thank the following old boys, who assisted with the recent careers day for Year 9:

• Kane Evans (2003-2010)
• Stuart Hinds (1989-1996)
• Marios Kyprianou (2003-2010)
• Laurent Lemberger (1996-2003)
• Joe Liang (2001-2008)
• Ashu Mahedeshwar (1995-2002)
• Ajay Patel (2001-2008)
• Tony Qin (2001-2008)
• Adam Selwyn (1986-1993)
• Priyan Shah (1991-1998)
• Harry Vekeria (1980-1987)
• Matteo Yoon (2003-2010)

If you would like to get involved in similar events, or if you have news to share about yourself or other former pupils, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact alumni@qebarnet.co.uk

Pupils from the School have won two prestigious national business competitions.

For the second consecutive year, a QE team took first prize in the Tune into Business competition run by the The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) in partnership with The b-Live Foundation, a careers and community site aimed at pupils at secondary schools.

And Year 12 student Adeel Haque came first in the ifs Young Business Writer of the Year competition, with another QE pupil, Abhijai Shah of Year 13, short-listed to the final five.

Contestants had to write a 1,000-word article derived from the headline Does the UK economy need rebalancing away from financial services?

Competition judge David Budworth, Deputy Financial Editor at The Times, said the standard of all five finalists was extremely high. “One essay stood out. Adeel Haque’s entry was well-written, well-argued and powerful, without resorting to hyperbole or cliché – exactly the approach adopted by The Times’ leader writers,” he said.

“Adeel is to be congratulated, particularly as there were a record number of entries this year,” said QE’s Head of Economics and Business, Liane Ryan. “Adeel was commended for his excellent reporting style and analysis, together with his good research.”

Adeel’s prize was a cheque for £500 which was presented at a lunch at the ifs London office. Adeel has also been offered work experience this summer at The Times.

Tune into Business was won by four Year 11 Economists: Bennie Jaderberg, John Otugade, Marco Saccardi and Nigethan Sathiyalingam. They were required to step into the shoes of a high-powered music executive and decide on the most viable artist to invest in out of a choice of three. They had to justify their decision using market data, financial information and other social variables.

“We are very proud of the boys’ achievement,” said Headmaster John Marincowitz. “To win such a prestigious competition in two consecutive years speaks of a consistently high level of performance.”

Alumnus and former QE teacher Tim Adnitt (OE 1988-1995) is creating new standards in Music Technology.

Tim is a Senior Product Designer/Product Owner at Native Instruments, a leading manufacturer of software and hardware for computer-based audio production.

Working in both London and Berlin, he leads the design of the Komplete Kontrol keyboard software, as well as contributing to the Maschine groove production system. Throughout 2015 he drove the design and development of Native Kontrol Standard. This extended plug-in format represents a new standard for integrating music software with hardware, enabling software instrument manufacturers to take advantage of the features of Komplete Kontrol and Maschine hardware. Native Instruments’ latest accolades include an Editor’s Choice award from Electronic Musician magazine for the Komplete Kontrol S Series keyboards.

Tim is supported at Native Instruments by one of his former Music Technology students at QE, Adil Ghanty (OE 2003-2010) who joined the company as a Product Designer in summer 2015. Adil’s appointment is testament, says Tim, to the strong tradition of Music and Music Technology at the School.

Alongside his work at Native instruments, Tim continues to work internationally as a sound designer and audio engineer.

He co-produced and mixed Dancing on Frith Street, an album by the critically acclaimed and popular British jazz big band Loose Tubes, which won Jazzwise magazine’s Archive Album of the Year 2010 (Critics’ Choice).

More recent credits include co-production and mixing of Loose Tubes' new album, Arriving, voted number-three Jazz Album of 2015 by both Jazzwise and The Guardian.

The traditional Founder’s day celebrations take place at the School on the third Saturday of June.

Queen Elizabeth’s School has received another national accolade, with the Sunday Times’ 21st annual Parent Power guide naming it as the country’s top boys’ state school.

QE this year maintained its position in the maintained schools league table, again taking second place overall behind The Henrietta Barnett School, a girls’ school in Hampstead.

The primary measure used in compiling the tables was the proportion of A-level grades at A*-B. HBS, on 98.4%, was closely followed by QE on 97.7%, with third-placed Wilson’s School in Wallington further behind on 93.0%. The table also recorded the percentage of A* and A grades at GCSE. Here, QE’s 90.1% was marginally ahead of HBS (90.0%).

Headmaster Neil Enright said: “This summer’s examination results at both A-level and GCSE were very strong indeed and represent a tribute to the sustained hard work of our students and also to the dedication and expertise of our staff. It is gratifying to see those efforts recognised nationally.”

QE’s success in the Parent Power table is the latest in a number of recent national endorsements. In March this year, it was ranked as the top state school in the Financial Times‘ top 1,000 schools table. The FT’s is the most demanding of all league tables as it measures the schools’ performance in difficult “core” academic subjects.

During the summer, research published by the Sutton Trust revealed that Queen Elizabeth’s sends a greater proportion of its students to Oxford or Cambridge than any other state school in England. The research also found that, in terms of placing students at the country’s leading 30 universities, QE is the top state school. In fact, it is the only state school among the top 37 schools nationwide, sending 87% of its pupils to the most selective universities.