Sunday Times State Secondary School of the Year 2026

QE has been announced as the Sunday Times Parent Power State Secondary School of the Year, also winning the national awards for Academic Excellence and A-levels. The School places first in the national state school rankings, which combine GCSEs and A-level performance.

Confident, able & responsible

Our mission is to produce young men who are confident, able and responsible; prepared to lead happy and fulfilled adult lives and to make a positive contribution to others.

Free-thinking scholarship

At QE, we seek to engender a spirit of scholarship. We ensure that pupils acquire a thorough mastery of their subjects; from this foundation, we cultivate intellectual curiosity, with each boy encouraged to pursue his own academic interests.

A world beyond the classroom

At QE we offer a wealth of opportunities beyond our academic curriculum, to enrich the experiences of our boys and to help them become fully rounded young men.

Bespoke support

Boys benefit from a wide-ranging programme of bespoke support and guidance, forging strong relationships with staff and their peers to ensure their all-round wellbeing.

Thriving from ancient roots

In 1573 Queen Elizabeth I granted the charter, for "...the establishment of the Free Grammar School of Queen Elizabeth in Barnet, for the education, bringing up and instruction of boys”. The School therefore celebrated its 450th anniversary in 2023.

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'Pupils flourish at QE'

Ofsted has judged the School to be 'Outstanding' in all areas, following an inspection carried out in May 2022 - the sixth consecutive time QE has been awarded the highest grading.

'An exceptional and rounded education'

'One of the most inspiring learning environments we've ever come across.' (The Good Schools Guide)

QE wins string of prestigious awards, including national State Secondary School of the Year

05.12.2025

School performance

QE wins string of prestigious awards, including national State Secondary School of the Year

Queen Elizabeth’s School has won no fewer than five different Sunday Times awards, including the highly coveted national State Secondary School of the Year title, it was announced today. The...

“A game we will never forget”: QE beat Habs in a memorable night at StoneX

04.12.2025

Sport

“A game we will never forget”: QE beat Habs in a memorable night at StoneX

QE’s First XV last night beat friends and traditional rivals, Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, in a thrilling encounter under the lights at Saracens’ StoneX stadium. With a gritty, disciplined performance, the QE team secured a hard-fought 12-5 victory. Congratulating them, Headmaster Neil...

Sir Alastair Cook with Headmaster, OEs and local VIPs at event to champion launch of QE School in Dubai

01.12.2025

Alumni | QE Global Schools

Sir Alastair Cook with Headmaster, OEs and local VIPs at event to champion launch of QE School in Dubai

England cricket legend Sir Alastair Cook joined QE Headmaster Neil Enright as well as more than a dozen Old Elizabethans and former members of staff at a special event in...

Twelfth Night: humanity and humour served up with comic relish in “outstanding” production

28.11.2025

Drama | QE Flourish

Twelfth Night: humanity and humour served up with comic relish in “outstanding” production

The festive season came early at QE this year, with the production of Twelfth Night for the Shakespeare Schools Festival bringing mirth, merriment and a strong measure of tenderness to...

Award presented to Old Elizabethan working for the Premier League at football summit in Turin

24.11.2025

Alumni | Careers

Award presented to Old Elizabethan working for the Premier League at football summit in Turin

Old Elizabethan Samuel Akpan, who works for the Premier League, has received a special award at an international football conference in Italy. Sam (OE 2011–2018) was representing the league at...

A state school experience like no other

Our ancient heritage, meritocratic ethos, highly skilled staff and state of the art facilities together make Queen Elizabeth's a truly unique school, in which our very capable boys flourish.

Boundless potential

Our clever, multi-talented pupils have boundless potential. In our five-year plan, we consider how that potential can be realised by nurturing and then harnessing all the confidence, ability and responsibility they will need to thrive in an exciting but unpredictable world.

View the plan

School Brochure

Each year the School publishes a brochure for prospective boys and their families. Here you will be able to read about topics including academic matters, pastoral care, our history, facilities, extra-curricular activities and the opportunities that await our pupils after their School careers.

Read our brochure

Transforming our campus

Through our new estates strategy, QE seeks to establish the best possible learning environment for pupils, emulating past successes, such as our acclaimed Martin Pool, as we progressively enhance our campus. Our immediate sights are now set on building a sports hall and on creating a new dining space, the Fern Café.

Investing in top performers!

Queen Elizabeth’s School has invested heavily in the performing arts in recent years. The first fruits of the £5 million spent were our Friends’ Recital Hall & Music Rooms. Then, in 2024, we opened The Robert Dudley Studio – a 200-seat drama and spoken word facility.

QE goes global

In a first for a UK state school, Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, is working with business partner Global Education (GEDU) to establish new schools overseas that will carry the QE name. Initial plans are for schools in India and UAE.

Thriving from ancient roots: Queen Elizabeth's School, 1573–2023

In 1573, at the request of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, Queen Elizabeth I granted a charter ‘for the establishment of the Free Grammar School of Queen Elizabeth in Barnet’. With 2023 thus marking the 450th anniversary of our School, a number of special celebrations took place.

Don't take our word for it

"A unique and unashamed meritocracy in which clever, hard-working boys who like a challenge will thrive." Following a visit from the trusted and influential Good Schools Guide, read their impartial review of QE in full.

Read the review