The Queen's School is an independent day school for girls aged 4–18.
Number of pupils. Senior School 300; Lower School 90.
Founded in 1878, The Queen’s School has been educating young women in the heart of Chester for almost 150 years. As Cheshire’s leading independent girls’ school, we are proud of our excellent academic results, award-winning careers provision, outstanding pastoral care, and extensive co-curricular programme that caters for everyone. Girls aged 4 to 18 enjoy a journey of growth, learning, and boundless opportunities in a nurturing environment where they can truly thrive and flourish. We are passionate and firmly believe in the benefits of an all-girls education, and how it empowers our pupils to embrace their passions, shatter stereotypes, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning.
Our vision is clear: ‘To educate and empower more young women to lead and shape the world in which they live’. We firmly believe that every young woman has the potential to make a profound impact on society, and we are dedicated to nurturing and cultivating this potential within each pupil. With a deep sense of purpose, we strive to equip our girls with the tools they need to become confident, compassionate, and visionary leaders. Our aspiration is to create an educational environment that not only fosters academic excellence but also empowers young women to be agents of positive change in their communities and beyond.
Queen’s is a happy and harmonious school, where pupils are celebrated as individuals and their welfare is our number one priority. Our warm and friendly environment and small class sizes ensure every girl is known, has a voice, feels seen and heard, and is given the personalised care and support she needs to thrive. Our dedicated and passionate staff build lasting relationships that will empower your daughter to explore her passions and ignite her curiosity. These strong relationships foster a sense of belonging and support.
A clear system of rewards is in place to encourage excellent behaviour towards both teachers and other classmates. Visitors often comment on the friendly, can-do attitude of Queen’s girls, and the real spirit of camaraderie that exists within year groups, Houses, sports teams, and indeed across the entire school.
As a school, we truly believe in the positive power a strong relationship with parents and families can bring. Parents know that we see the wellbeing of our pupils as a fundamental part of their daughter’s all-round development and success. That is why our pupils are confident that their voice will always be heard, and that great interest is always being taken in their learning and their welfare. The parental survey carried out during the ISI inspection reinforced the confidence parents have in our pastoral care and highlighted the warm atmosphere created by the entire community. Strong communication between parents and School means concerns are addressed, and responded to, quickly. Our commitment to our pupils was reflected when we were named ‘Most Supportive Independent School - North West England’ in the Lux Life Private Education Awards.
Lower School. At the Lower School, our curriculum is designed not just to meet, but to exceed the National Curriculum standards, offering a rich and diverse educational experience that goes well beyond statutory requirements. Our approach encourages pupils to actively engage in their learning, fostering an environment where they feel confident to express their opinions, ask questions, and develop a positive attitude towards learning. Our curriculum is engaging, making learning an exciting and enriching experience and motivating our pupils to delve deeper into their research, encouraging a genuine passion for each topic. While we dedicate substantial time to English and Maths, recognising their critical role in all learning, we also place significant emphasis on other key areas. Our girls acquire historical and geographical knowledge, develop scientific investigative skills, and explore the creative realms of Art, Drama, Music, and Design and Technology.
One of the unique aspects of The Queen’s School is our use of specialist teachers at the primary level. Our pupils benefit from expert instruction in Swimming, French, Computing, PE, and Music. This specialist teaching not only enhances their learning experience but also helps to build a strong foundation in these subjects from an early age. We believe in nurturing well-rounded individuals and our curriculum promotes opportunities for exploration, inquiry, and reflection, alongside life skills such as resilience, teamwork, and leadership. Outdoor education is a key part of this, with our Beach School and Forest School provision offering unique and enriching learning experiences. In addition to significantly boosting mental wellbeing, these programmes provide our pupils with the freedom and space to explore and engage with their environment, with hands-on activities allowing them to learn experientially, enhancing their problem-solving skills and promoting a lifelong appreciation for nature. As they navigate various challenges, the girls develop a sense of independence and resilience, working together to solve problems and complete tasks, learning to communicate effectively and build strong social skills. These collaborative efforts not only improve their ability to work in teams but also develop a sense of community and shared responsibility.
By fostering these skills, we prepare our girls to face future challenges with confidence and enthusiasm. The Queen’s School learning environment is a place where your daughter will thrive, inspired by dedicated teachers and a curriculum designed to ignite her passion for knowledge.
Senior School. In Years 7-9 the aim is to provide pupils with a broad and comprehensive secondary school curriculum. Pupils have the opportunity to follow all three separate sciences and to establish a firm foundation in mathematical and linguistic skills. The curriculum includes a programme of PSHE and provides experience in the humanities, technologies and in physical, aesthetic and creative education. Spanish is taught throughout Years 7-9, Mandarin is taught to all Year 7 pupils and becomes optional in Year 8, while French and Latin are available as options from Year 8. In the GCSE years, the core curriculum comprises of English Language and English Literature, mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology, with PE and PSHE also part of the timetable. Girls then have three or four further option choices from a range of languages, humanities and creative practical subjects. Pupils normally study nine GCSE subjects, and our size means we have the flexibility to tailor timetables to suit individuals.
Sixth Form. Alongside studying 3-4 A-levels, students are able to tailor their own Sixth Form experience to best prepare them for the future they wish to forge with our Q-Elevate programme. Exclusively tailored for our Sixth Form students, Q-Elevate is an academic enrichment and bespoke future skills programme carefully curated to ensure that our students are prepared to meet challenges and lead confidently in the future. The programme encompasses four areas of focus: Q-Lead, Q-Global, Q-Enrich, and Q-Scholar; with each contributing to the holistic development of a “world-ready” young adult. Students select a range of Q-Elevate modules, all of which focus on adding breadth to their repertoire to complement the depth of their academic studies. Supported by a Personal Tutor, students will build their own unique Progression Portfolio to demonstrate the courses completed and skills gained throughout their time at Sixth Form. As a relatively small Sixth Form, we can tailor our timetable to suit everyone. Tutors have the flexibility to personalise learning, playing to students’ strengths and talents, all the while supporting them to tackle any challenges. Our tutorial-style learning in Sixth Form is very much like university, with students debating and discussing topics in small groups led by a tutor. Here students learn to listen and to present their ideas coherently while growing in confidence over the two-year course. Our award-winning careers department also ensures that every student is given one-to-one support and guidance to achieve her aspirations.
Sport. Our pupils enjoy taking part in a variety of team and individual sports. Whether it be for fun with friends or as part of our competitive teams, girls can choose from a range of activities such as hockey, netball, tennis, rounders, football, badminton, and athletics, to name but a few. We are extremely proud of the successes we regularly achieve across all sports with many teams competing at a regional and national level.
Co-Curricular. Both the Lower and Senior School offer a wide variety of clubs, societies, competitions, and trips to enrich curriculum-learning and expand horizons. Music options include orchestras, choirs, jazz band and ensembles, with plenty of opportunity for performance at concerts, school events and The Queen’s School Festival of Music. Drama groups perform regularly and girls can take part in large or small school productions. Those not wanting to take centre stage can learn about set design, lighting, and crewing. Of course, academic clubs play a large part in our co-curricular offering, and many girls enjoy taking part in debating club, Model United Nations, Holdich Society, astronomy, and other such clubs. Fun and culture also feature in our co-curricular provision, and this is where things such as pet club, animation, politics society, and gardening club all feature. If we do not offer something a pupil is interested in or likes, then they can opt to run a club themselves, encouraging them to develop their leadership skills, try new things and stand out from the crowd. Many of our pupils embrace the challenge of the Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and take the opportunity in Year 8 to join the Combined Cadet Force and be part of camps on military bases, as well as lots of adventurous trips.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Senior School: £5,480; Juniors (Y3-6): £4,065; Infants (Rec-Y2): £3,630.
Bursaries. The school has a number of means-tested bursaries which are awarded on a combination of academic merit and financial need.
Scholarships. There are several academic scholarships available to girls at Queen’s, both at Year 7 entry and in the Sixth Form. Each scholarship signifies excellence in the area to which it relates and should be a source of great pride to the holder. Each scholarship is essentially an honorary award but does also carry a small financial award, which is credited to the pupil’s fees account in the term in which it is awarded.
Visiting. Annual Open Days are held in the autumn term for Senior School and Lower School, as well as an Open Evening for prospective Sixth Formers. Taster days are also arranged to suit pupils of all ages throughout the year. Visit our website for more information: https://www.thequeensschool.co.uk/open-events Alumni. The Queen’s School Network is a vibrant and active community of former pupils. Reunions and events are held at regular intervals throughout the year and alumni regularly return to the school to share their knowledge and experience with our current pupils and take part in our mentor programme. Visit our website for more information: https://www.thequeensschool.co.uk/alumni Charitable status. The Queen's School is a Registered Charity, number 1198230, for the advancement and provision of education for girls aged 4 to 18.
Governors & Staff:
Governing Body:
Chair: Mrs K J Whiteley, BA Hons, PGCE, NPQH
Vice Chairs:
Rev Dr L E Cooke, PhD MA BEd Hons Cantab, Dip Theo, AFBcPsS, FHEA, Professor Emerita
Mrs F Roochove, MA Cantab
Other Governors:
Ms J Benton, BEd Hons, NPQSL
Mrs C Brooks, BA Hons
Mrs S C Danby, BSc Hons, FRICS, MAPM
Mr A J Dandy, Dip, Honorary Freeman of Cheshire West and Chester
Lord Mayor Cllr R Daniels, FGA, DGA
Mrs L Fearnall, BA Hons
Dr Q Jaffri
Mrs E Johnson, JP
Mrs H McKelvey, BA Hons, FCA ICAEW, CTA CIOT
Mrs A L Unett, MA Cantab, TEP
Mr P Wildes, ACMA
Clerk to the Governors: Mrs R Scott
Headmistress: Mrs Joanne Keville, BSc Hons Queen’s University Belfast, PGCE
Deputy Head: Mr D Penney, BSocSc Hons The University of Manchester, PGCE
Director of Finance and Operations: Mrs K Petre-Hoyle, BSc Hons Birmingham, CIMA
Associate Assistant Headteacher: Mrs L Garton, BA Hons Queen Mary, London, PGCE Manchester, MEd London
Associate Assistant Headteacher: Mrs E Simpson, BSc Hons Manchester, PGCE, CIPD, NPQH
Head of Pastoral: Miss L Jones, BA/Ed Hons Liverpool, PGCE
Head of Sixth Form: Mr R Wilson, BA Hons Oxford, PGCE
Director of External Relations: Ms J Archibald, BSc Hons Bradford, PGDip London Guildhall, MA London Metropolitan
Lower School, 55-57 Liverpool Road, Chester, CH2 1AW:
Head of Lower School: Miss I J Carmody, MSc Southampton, BA Hons South Africa, H Dip Education
Assistant Head: Mrs G L Taylor, BA Hons Sheffield Hallam, PGCE Manchester Met
Associate Assistant Headteacher: Mrs A Bartram, BA Hons London, PGCE Early Years Chester
Associate Assistant Headteacher: Miss R Oxton, BA Hons York St John University