Queen Mary’s is an outstanding day and boarding school for girls aged 4 to 16 and boys aged 4 to 8. Academic excellence and exceptional extracurricular opportunities are on offer within in a nurturing environment, where education is truly tailored to the individual. The school has a unique family atmosphere with friendliness and concern for others being an important part of the school’s ethos. The country setting provides a safe haven for pupils to thrive and develop self-confidence.
Location. Queen Mary’s is situated at Baldersby Park in a beautiful Grade 1 Palladian mansion, with 40 acres of grounds, including formal gardens, playing fields, sports facilities and Queen Mary's Equestrian Centre. Despite its idyllic surroundings, it is only 2 miles from Junction 49 of the A1 and within ten minutes of Thirsk station. York and Harrogate are within easy reach and so are Leeds/Bradford and Teesside airports. Minibuses transport pupils to and from home on a daily basis with 32 drop-off points.
The curriculum. Pupils at Queen Mary’s are offered a great deal in terms of breadth and depth of learning. Generous time is given to core subjects, English, Mathematics, Science and Modern Languages. Strong emphasis is also placed on the supporting subjects – Geography, History, Religious Studies, Latin, Classics, Design Technology, Music, Art and a varied programme of Physical Education. Classes are kept deliberately small, which means that every girl can receive plenty of support from her teachers. The school has an excellent scholarship programme and a learning support department for those pupils who have specific learning difficulties. The two years leading up to GCSE are full and focused, with most girls taking ten subjects at GCSE. In 2024 more than 1 in 4 GCSE entries were awarded the most outstanding grades 8–9, the equivalent of an A* or A**.
Pastoral care. All girls in school have personal tutors who oversee the academic, social and emotional development of each of their tutees. Building self-confidence and developing the individual talents of each pupil is seen as a vital aspect of the education offered. Each girl is encouraged to be self-reliant from an early age and pupils are taught a real concern for the needs of others. Girls in their final year at Queen Mary’s undertake a number of important responsibilities to help the school community function smoothly.
Boarding. Queen Mary’s offers a number of boarding options to suit the needs of parents and their daughters. Those who choose to board may be flexi, weekly or full boarders. The boarding community is thriving. The full boarders, who stay at weekends, enjoy a broad range of activities and trips.
Co-curricular activities. An impressive range of extracurricular activities is available to all members of the school community. Choral and orchestral music are both huge strengths of the school, as is sport, with hockey, lacrosse, swimming, netball, gymnastics, football, dance, tennis, rounders and athletics all on offer. Facilities include an indoor swimming pool and full-sized Astroturf pitch and sports pavilion. Performing Arts, Drama, Debating and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award are highly popular choices and the all-weather outdoor riding facilities allow more than 90 girls to ride each week. Children enjoy the opportunity to tackle the climbing wall, canoe on the adjacent River Swale or participate in other Outdoor Adventure activities.
Religious affiliation. The school is part of the Woodard Corporation, an Anglican foundation which promotes Christian education and high academic and pastoral standards within all its schools. The school has its own Chapel. The school Chaplain prepares girls for confirmation. Girls of other denominations are welcome.
What happens after GCSE? Specialist careers advice is offered throughout the senior school and well-informed staff support the girls as they seek to make applications and progress on to some of the most prestigious sixth forms in the country. Every senior girl was awarded a place at her first choice of sixth form destination in 2021 and a healthy proportion of the girls each year join their new schools as scholars.
Scholarships. Scholarships are offered in the Senior School to those candidates who show particular academic flair or have special talent in Art, Music, Riding or Sport. Assessments are held during the Spring term.
Entrance. By interview with the Head. Entry can be at most stages, subject to availability. An up-to-date prospectus can be sent upon request. Visit www.queenmarys.org for more information.
Governors & Staff:
Chair of Governors: Mr T E Fielden, BA Hons, FCA
Head: Mrs Carole Cameron, MA, PGCE, NPQH, FRGS
Assistant Head: Safeguarding and Wellbeing: Mrs J Strawbridge, BEd Hons
Assistant Head: Mrs V Kemp, BA Hons, PCE SENCO CPT3A