Steeped in over 430 years of history, yet recognised as a school at the forefront of educational thinking, QEGS is continually refreshing its facilities and resources, to enable students to excel in every area of academic and co-curricular achievement, in line with its School Values: Care, Contribute, Aspire.
Facilities. The Junior Section is housed in its own building and enjoys specialist facilities, including a purpose-built STEM block, a swimming pool and the school’s very own Forest School, "Owl's Den".
Across the drive in its inspiring Senior Section building, boys enjoy access to specialist areas for 25 academic departments. Students also have access to an indoor gym, fitness suite, sports pavilion and sports fields.
Curriculum. At QEGS boys follow a wide-ranging curriculum, tailor-made to each student’s specific needs.
In the Junior Section boys enjoy active, well-paced practical learning with frequent brain breaks and opportunities for movement. Every lesson in and out of the classroom is buzzing with curiosity and enthusiasm.
In the Senior Section, there’s a palpable sense of discovery and exploration as boys from 11-18 enjoy a broad range of unique learning experiences. The school’s unique enrichment and development programme provides no fewer than 80 enrichment activities, enabling boys to customise a corner of their timetable and add that vital edge to an already high-octane academic diet.
Pastoral Care/Wellbeing. QEGS creates a secure environment where students gain a true sense of their own worth and feel a real sense of belonging, fostered through small form groups, affiliation to a house, twice-weekly assemblies and dependable peer and staff support.
In addition to its in-school counsellor and matron, boys enjoy a number of wellbeing initiatives, including a weekly enrichment afternoon and a dedicated wellbeing day complete with lessons, online resources and mindfulness practices.
Physical Education and Games. Countless opportunities exist at every level of sport at QEGS. All boys can get involved either individually or as part of a team in Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Climbing, Cricket, Cross-Country, Cross-Fit, Fitness Training, Football, Hockey, Judo, Mountain Biking, Rugby, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis and Volleyball.
The school’s excellent sports facilities include a sports hall with fitness suite, games fields, swimming pool, athletics track, sports pavilion and all-weather Astroturf, providing the perfect environment for sporting achievement.
Athletics, Cricket, Hockey and Rugby teams regularly reach regional finals and latter stages of national competitions, and boys compete at international level.
Music and Drama. The school has a full programme of musical and dramatic activities. Throughout the year, all age groups in the Junior Section take part in a stage production, and the Senior Section stages major productions with its sister school, Wakefield Girls’ High School.
Students can also access individual instrument or singing lessons, with a team of over 30 visiting instrumental musicians working with the school’s music department.
There are numerous choirs in the Junior Section and a highly talented barbershop group in the Senior Section. The school’s ensembles take part in local festivals and National Competitions.
The school’s orchestras and swing band involve boys from Year 3 upwards and give performances of the highest standard at musical events throughout the year within school and in the local community.
Clubs and Societies. Over 100 clubs and societies are held during the school week, encouraging involvement, firing passions and igniting new interests. The various music groups include brass, woodwind, string ensembles and choirs. The school also participates in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and is now officially recognised as an official DofE Centre. There is also a significant programme of charity collections and related activities.
Admissions. Entry into the Junior Section is usually at 7, although places are retained for entry at 8, 9 and 10 years.
Entry into the Senior Section is normally:
•at 11 based on each boy’s performance in his entrance exam and how he presents himself in his personal interview. Or as a result of good academic performance in the Junior Section
•at 16 after a satisfactory performance in the GCSE examinations and personal interview.
Fees per annum (2024-2025). Junior Section: Years 3 & 4 £14,088.80, Years 5 & 6 £14,887.80. Senior Section (Years 7+): £18,805.
Scholarships and Bursaries. The school is committed to helping students from all backgrounds to explore their full capabilities and enjoy the best educational start in life. Each year, the Governors award a limited number of academic scholarships to boys entering the Senior Section at 11.
Means tested awards are also available to students joining at Year 7 or Year 12, covering up to 75% of their school fees under the Wakefield Grammar School Foundation Awards Scheme. Enquiries about awards should be made to the Admissions Manager (qegsadmissions@wgsf.net). The Old Savilians’ Club. President: Mr R Ackroyd
Charitable status. Wakefield Grammar School Foundation is a Registered Charity, number 1088415.