Shaping success: Sport and Performing Art Pathways at Queen Ethelburga's

Head of Queen Ethelburga's (QE) Faculty, Miss Lauren Blakeley, explains how her school offers specific routes for those passionate about sports or the arts.

A general education at QE Faculty is about experimenting and learning through experiences, trying new things, and discovering what you enjoy and excel at. But for those students who already know what they are most passionate about or where their strengths lie, we have specific pathways for them which hone those skills and prepare them for the next steps in their education and careers.

Our two ‘pathways to success’ are the Performance Sport Pathway and the Academy for Dramatic Arts (ADA) Pathway which enthusiastic students can choose from Year 7 upwards in King's Magna Middle School and from Year 10 in QE Faculty. Each pathway consists of extra tuition and specialist support whilst allowing plenty of time to complete a well-rounded education through our standard curriculum.

The Performance Sport Pathway (PSP) is available in basketball, cricket, football, netball and swimming. Each student benefits from an Individual Development Plan that comprises of coaching from ex-professionals, nutrition, strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, sports massage and the latest tactical, technical, physical and mental training. The programme allows for competing at a higher level and teaches responsibility, resilience and leadership skills. It runs alongside a vast extra-curricular sport, activity and fitness programme.

The PSP takes place in our dedicated Sports Village on campus, which benefits from a 25-metre swimming pool, triple court sports hall, gym and specialist studios. Outside, there is a four-lane synthetic cushioned running track and over 30 acres of professional grass and 3G artificial pitches, which are used in the summer holidays by Premier League U18 teams.

Our Academic of Dramatic Arts (ADA) pathway supports students with auditions and improves skills in acting, musical theatre, comedy, stage combat, and a variety of dance styles. Lessons are taught by specialist performing art teachers, most of whom are also professionals, and are complemented by visiting performing art workshops and LAMDA sessions. Students can perform in school productions held in our professional 312-seat theatre, outdoor theatre shows and annual events including the QE Gym and Dance Display, the QE Dance and Drama Festival, the Verse-Us Choir Competition and the QE Speech Day. In addition, students can participate in a variety of co-curricular activities including dance, drama and music clubs and ensembles.

Gifted pupils can showcase their talents in school assemblies, join whole school projects like our recent ‘Feels Like Home’ hit song and can enter local and national competitions in a variety of performing arts disciplines. In 2023, the Collegiate celebrated winning four ISA national awards for performing arts. Many of our performing arts students progress through the pathway into prestigious performing arts schools, with one alumni playing a main role in Poldark.

QE Faculty offers a bespoke curriculum tailored to students which can consist of a mix of GCSEs, BTECs and A Levels. It is not restricted by option blocks and has extra time within the timetable for extra sport or performing arts. Students can partake in over 100 activity clubs onsite and the school benefits from the Queen's Academy for Creative Arts and the King's Academy for Performing Arts, both held on a Saturday. The school offers a high level of academic support for its students and is currently ranked 7th in The North for Academic Results in the Sunday Times Parent Power 2023. To learn more visit www.qe.org or email admissions@qe.org to book a private tour.