Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

It seems incredible that we are now half way through the academic year, even though January seemed to go on forever and the constant rain this term has been pretty miserable! Despite this we have managed to have a successful and busy Term 3.

As you will see from this newsletter, students from across the school have been involved in a whole range of different enrichment and enhancement activities. Particular highlights were the QE Dance showcase - where our students demonstrated really impressive talent and our Sixth Form Open Evening which was an extremely well-attended event. At this latter event, our sixth form students were excellent ambassadors for our school and spoke with great passion and enthusiasm about their A-Level subjects - as did the Heads of Faculty, Lead Practitioners and teachers.

We are delighted to announce that once again we have been awarded the prestigious International School Award - testament to the huge amount that the school does to develop and share our international profile - this includes working with other schools, the many trips we run and our extensive range of language-related opportunities. We are one of only a handful of secondary schools to receive this accolade and particular thanks go to Mr Larter, Mrs Chandler and all members of the Modern Foreign Languages Faculty.

Last week, a visiting speaker to our school commented upon how warm and welcoming the school felt and complimented the happy, purposeful atmosphere. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful staff team who work so hard to support all of our students and to ensure that the school is such a positive working environment. I would also like to thank all of our parents and carers, your continued support is very much appreciated and also enables this to happen.

Kind regards

Mrs A J McIlroy

KS4 Maths Challenge Success

Students in Year 9 and Year 11 who participated in the UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge this term received their results and certificates in Assemblies this week. Across the two year groups there were 11 Golds, 10 Silvers and 14 Bronze awards. A special congratulations to Sebastian for being best in Year 9, and Daisy who was best in Year 11 and best in school, and the 7 students who were invited to compete in a follow on round. Year 10 will be getting their results after half term.

Drama Workshop with Frantic Assembly

The year 9 and 10 Drama students participated in a professional workshop with international renowned company Frantic Assembly on the 19th January. Working with each other through different and challenging movement, the students embraced all of the work excellently and devised a wide range of physical sequences.

UCL Sociolology Conference

Sixth Form Sociology students participated in the UCL Sociology Conference at the Institute for Education, experiencing mini lectures and question and answer sessions with some of the biggest names in Sociology!

Professor Stephen Ball spoke about the climate emergency and how we can engage in education for the future; Professor Ashraf Hoque shared his cross cultural research on 'Being Young, Male and Muslim in Luton'; Professor Jessica Ringrose spoke about her wide ranging research into smart technology in schools, including smartphone moral panics and the use of AI; Professor Louise Archer shared her research on the reproduction of inequality through teacher expectations and intersections of gender, race and class linked to Bourdieu's theory of cultural capital; Professor Yang Hu on how mothers matter for intergenerational social mobility; and Professor Ann Phoenix on why hope is sociological.

Students also had a chance to explore the BSc Sociology degree and wider paedological links. Some of the Professors are now multi-disciplinary, for example Professor Hoque is a social anthropologist and Professor Ringrose started in Psychology.

Many of our students asked questions, using the microphone in a very large lecture theatre in front of hundreds of other students, showing great confidence as well as asking insightful, sociological, questions that demonstrate how well our students have developed their sociological imaginations and ways of independently looking at the world.

For the students, the biggest win of the day was meeting Professors' Archer and Ball, both who feature in their A Level Education course, with some students staying to meet Louise Archer. Year 13 students were also fully involved throughout the day and grabbed a photo opportunity with the guest speakers.

This is the second year we have attended this conference and we hope to make this an annual event.

THE GREAT HISTORY DEBATE

This Term has seen the continuation of Round One of this year's competition. Issues ranging from the 'Blitz Spirit', Churchill, the Treaty of Versailles, the Suffragettes and the origins of the Cold War to King Arthur, the causes of WW1, Henry V, Oliver Cromwell and appeasement have gripped audiences each Wednesday and Thursday lunch time in H2. Heading into the second Round, victorious from this segment of debates, will therefore be Eva, Thomas, Gemma, Elijah, Ryan, Liam, Sophia, Freya, Eliza, Pippa, Barnaby, Sansa, Millie, Jack and Fred. They join the other Round One winners from Terms One and Two and will soon be accompanied by the victors that we have yet to hear from.

As always, I would like to thank the sixth formers who have volunteered their time to assist in the judging, Mr Piotrowski for his interrogations in the robes of Chief Judge and all of the pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 who have come along to cheer and commiserate with the competitors.

THE GREAT HISTORY ART COMPETITION

All budding artists out there (in any year group!) ... you are invited to submit a piece of art to this year's contest. The theme is 'Propaganda Fit For A Queen' and any form of artistry is welcomed. For more details please check what has been posted on a Google Classroom. We intend to set up a 'pop up gallery' next term to showcase everything that has been crafted and, of course, winners will be chosen and Lion Awards and merits gifted. Entries need to be handed in to Mr Buckland (H2) by March 2nd 2026. Please feel free to email pwb@queenelizabeths.kent.sch.uk should you need the Google Classroom code or any further clarification.

Year 12 Linguists attend Language Conference at UKC

A group of Year 12 linguists attended a Language Conference at the University of Kent in January. We were welcomed by representatives of the University of Kent, Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School, L’Institut Français, Consejería de Educación and the Goethe Institut. It was a great opportunity to meet other A level linguists and to attend lectures and workshops at the University.

Seminars included:

German Heritage & Culture
Why French is (a bit) like cockney
Gabriel Chanel c’est qui?
Why do Austrians speak German – or do they?
An Austrian Entrepreneur and his product
La Marsellaise

We also experienced taster sessions in Ukrainian and Japanese. Meeting the student ambassadors and talking to them about their experiences of student life and a possible year abroad as part of a degree was also an interesting aspect of the day.

MFL Culture Club celebrates La Chandeleur

On 2nd February, exactly 40 days after Christmas, the MFL department banished the winter blues and brought a taste of France to QE. With the help of Year 7 and 8, MFL Culture Club celebrated La Chandeleur, the traditional French festival where the humble crêpe takes centre stage.

Students discovered that the round, golden crêpe actually represents the sun. It’s a symbol of the days finally getting longer and Spring being just around the corner.

Things got really exciting when the students attempted the ultimate superstition challenge. To secure good luck for the rest of 2026, you have to:

Hold a coin in your left hand.
Flip a crêpe in the pan with your right hand.
Catch it perfectly

…….to represent the sun rising and to bring good luck for the harvest.

While the students decorated and ate the remaining crepes, we all sang the traditional Chandeleur song.

British Council International School Award success

Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School has been awarded the British Council’s prestigious International School Award in recognition of its work to bring the world into the classroom.

The award celebrates the achievements of schools that do exceptional work in global education. Bringing an international dimension into the curriculum is at the heart of the British Council’s work with schools, so that young people gain the cultural understanding and skills they need for life and work in today’s world. Mrs Chandler attended the 2026 award ceremony in Westminster, which was also attended by Members of Parliament and representatives from schools around the UK.

Scott McDonald, Chief Executive of the British Council, said "The school has earned this prestigious award through its inspirational international work and links with schools abroad. The International School Award is a chance for schools to be recognised for their important work bringing the world into their classrooms. The desire to build on their international work shines through and it is with upmost pride that we celebrate their achievements. By embedding an international dimension in children’s education, these schools are preparing their students for successful lives in the UK or further afield, empowering them to be global citizens, and are creating vital opportunities in an increasingly global economy."

Badminton Club

The KS3 Badminton and Table Tennis Club has been a booming success, over 55 students have attended each week - loads of fun and a great way to finish a hard day at school. Well done to all that have attended!

U15 Girls Football (Kent Cup)

As reported last term, our U15 Girls’ Football team were through to the semi-final of the Kent Schools Football Cup. The weather was not helping us out with a home draw here as our grass pitches have rapidly become unplayable due to the amount of rain we have had. Luckily, The Whitstable School stepped in to help us out and our cup clash was played there against a very well drilled and physical Highworth School side, from Ashford. Their teacher was an energetic presence on the sideline and Mrs French quickly knew she had to up her coaching game!

We even played in the driving rain, but this did not dampen the spirits of our girls. They went out all guns blazing, from the very first whistle and proved the dominant force throughout the game. Highworth School had some speed and strength up front who, at times, looked dangerous on the break. But our back 4 stayed steady and Isla Si put in some dominance between the posts. With relentless running and hard work through the midfield, we were able to pull together as a team. The second half was going all our way, with lots of shots on target from both strikers, Emma S & Maddie M working hard up front. The Highworth School goalkeeper was a force and did really well in keeping us out. But our persistence paid off when Maddie M found the back of the net with only 5 minutes to go.

And so… CONGRATULATIONS to the whole squad for reaching the Kent Cup final. We are still waiting for a confirmed date and venue from the KSFA, but hoping that lots of students and parents will be able to join us on the day and cheer on the girls.

Year 7 Boys Football (Kent Cup)

The Year 7 football team continued to play some very entertaining football in yet more dramatic Kent Cup games this term. Their first challenge came against local rivals Simon Langton in the quarter-final. Louis J slotted home from close range to take the lead after an electric start from QE who were unfortunate not to be 2 3 ahead in the first 10 minutes. Ed O’s pace and skill created persistent threats down both wings all game and Will S led the line exceptionally well against a very strong Langton back three. Langton regrouped and equalised 10 minutes later and the score remained 1-1 for the rest of normal time. Will’s resilience and tenacity was rewarded with a very smart finish from a corner with 5 minutes remaining of extra-time. Chaos ensued! QE hit the post, before Arthur B cleared off our line and some last ditch defending meant that QE progressed to the semi-final against Wilmington Grammar School.

Wilmington Grammar School were very impressive and dominated the first half with Luke S, as he has done all season, making some key challenges to restrict the Dartford team to a 1-0 advantage going into half-time. A defensive error immediately after kick-off gave QE a monumental hill to climb for the next 25 minutes, but this QE team responded in typical fighting fashion! George P and Theo F started to move the ball quickly in midfield and QE started to find their rhythm causing Wilmington real problems in the later stage of the game. Orson P was also rock solid against one of the most skilful players we have come across yet and deserves a huge amount of credit for keeping him quiet when they broke on the counter. George P’s quick feet won a late penalty, which was saved but once again, Will S was in the right place at the right time to slot home. Unfortunately, it was too little too late as the Year 7s cup run ended here, but the squad should be incredibly proud of their achievements this season. Every single one of them played their part and this is why they progressed further than anyone else in their district - very impressive considering the quality of the local teams. We are very excited to see what the future holds for such a fun, talented team!

Trampolining club

It has been great to see so many KS4 students attend trampolining club each week, perfecting skills, learning routines and working on their GCSE assessment work. There has been a selection of students picked to represent the school in the East Kent Trampolining championships in March - we look forward to seeing their hard work come together.

Some of the Year 7 runners at the Kent Schools Cross Country Champs.

County cross-country

On a very cold, but bright Saturday in January, we had a number of students attend the Kent Schools Cross Country Championship at Central Park, Dartford. All of these students were representing Canterbury and St Augustine’s district of schools, having qualified through the district event last term. Our Year 7 contingent proved very strong in the field with both Archie and William being selected to represent Kent at the next level event - the inter-counties. This is a very tough event with over 100 competitors in each and every race. A very well done to all those that attended and competed.

Next term

The PE department is braced for Term 4 to be one of the busiest for extracurricular sports - 4 x Boys Rugby teams Years 7-10, 2 x Girls District Football and 4 x Boys Football District Cup competitions means that we will be flying the QE flag in multiple different disciplines over the 6 week term. For this reason participation clubs will be limited but they will return in Terms 5 and 6 with Tennis, Pickleball, Softball, Rounders and Athletics to look forward to.

The QE Dance Showcase 2026

The Dance Showcase celebrated the incredible talent, creativity and dedication of all the dancers who brought the theme of musicals to life through dynamic and engaging performances. Every student involved demonstrated commitment, confidence and artistry, with a special shoutout to Penny. E and Gracie. S for their outstanding solos, as well as the GCSE students for successfully completing their choreographies as part of their coursework.

The P.E. department extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed behind the scenes, including teams from music, lighting, film and production, finance, and of course the supportive audience.

Thanks to this collective effort, an amazing £734.58 was raised for the Faversham Umbrella Centre!

Cambridge Chemistry Race

Queen Elizabeth's were lucky enough to get a spot on this year’s Cambridge Chemistry Race, and so a team of five Year 12s travelled with Mr Bish and Dr Lissenden down to Jesus College, Cambridge on the 7th February. This team competed against other schools from across the country in a chemistry based relay - answering lots of interesting and challenging questions.

Well done to all those who participated, as they managed to achieve 15th place in a competition of 25 teams! Thanks also to the teachers who gave up some of their weekend to accompany them, it’s greatly appreciated!

What’s been happening in QuEST?

This term we hosted the annual QuEST dinner, a great opportunity for current QuEST students to meet alumni, most of whom are now studying or working in some incredible fields! We also had the opportunity to hear from some of the alumni about their experiences; for example, Oli Newcombe who talked about his experiences studying statistics at Oxford. Additionally, during the dinner the new committee was chosen, marking the start of the new year for QuEST!

I would also like to give a massive thank you to Alexis, Millie, and the rest of the previous committee, who have done an amazing job at organising lots of really successful talks and projects, as well as supporting the current Year 12s as they step up into their new roles.

The new QuEST committee for 2026 is made of a group of incredible people who I’m sure are going to do a great job moving forwards into the new year, so thanks once more to the following people for giving up their time to help make QuEST such a great opportunity:

QuEST President - Zeno. B

Vice President - Jake. P

Head of MotorQuEST - Tom. W

Head of SpaceQuEST - Josh. H

Head of MedQuEST - Grace. K

Head of PollutionQuEST - Beatrice. W

Head of BrewQuEST - Jacob. T

Head of EcoQuEST - Lottie. O

Head of Junior Stem - Joe. M and Molly. W

This term we were also lucky to have a visit from Mark Fromhold of Nottingham University, who gave a fascinating talk about quantum technologies - ranging from brain scanners to devices which detect the makeup of the ground below you. This was a great opportunity for students to learn more about applications of the physics we learn in school, some of which can sometimes seem quite abstract!

I am also happy to announce the return of EcoQuEST, who are investigating how bioplastics are made and BrewQuEST who are looking at how yeast morphology affects the brewing process.

Zeno B. QuEST President

This term in SpaceQuEST we are excited to announce that we have been successful in our ASGARD application, and this April we will be travelling to the Royal Observatory in Belgium! Our project will be flown to the edge of space on a weather balloon, where we will investigate the effect that changing altitude has on the speed of sound.

Behind the scenes, our software development is progressing steadily. We’re actively coding and experimenting with the equipment we currently have on hand, and we are also designing a printed circuit board (PCB) for our primary mission. On this we will solder on a microcontroller, SD card reader, an ultrasonic sensor, a pressure sensor and a CO2 sensor, which will record the data needed for us to consider which variables might be affecting the speed of sound.

At the same time, we have designed and ordered our first PCB for our micro experiment, (which has just arrived!) this purple arduino (featuring the Space Quest logo) will be used to compare its data to that of the primary mission, and to try to optimise space travel by minimising weight. Moving forward we will be looking to solder the components to our PCB, using a stencil to precisely add solder to the right areas.

As we prepare for launch day, we’re reaching out to a variety of potential funding sources to support our continuing development process. We have contacted local charities and businesses, some of which supported last year’s SpaceQuEST mission, along with grants under the advice of the Royal Astronomical Society.

There have also been some changes within our team, and as such we are excited to have the newest Quesident on our team.

Dani A. SpaceQuEST Member

This term everyone in the team has put countless hours into developing the car. We got the car running, and tested the car's handling, acceleration and braking. Our drivers have been spending lots of time getting a feel for the car ready for March.

We began developing the bodywork, made a mould out of cardboard, and ordered the kit side panels to allow our car to be within regulation.

We are proud to announce our current sponsors, MotivOcean and Papa Bianco! Having this partnership with these companies has allowed us to progress with ordering and fitting the side panels, telemetry kits and other miscellaneous things. We also recently entered the testing session at Mallory Park on the 25th March.

Myself, Jake, Hugo S, Scarlett and Lucy attended the annual QuEST Dinner, where I was appointed head of MotorQuEST, and Jake vice QuESident. It was really nice to speak to ex pupils and hear their stories through their post school lives. We had the car on display in the canteen and a few people even drove it during the evening.

This term has been a busy one for us and the team, and we are inching closer and closer to having a finished, race ready racecar.

Instagram: @a.p.e.engineering

Email: a.p.e.engineering1@gmail.com

Tom W. Head of MotorQuEST

This term in MedQuEST, we began analysing the results of our experiment on deducing the minimum effective dose of tetracycline on e-coli bacteria. We are currently working on finding ways which we can best present our data, which means looking into methods such as the Spearman’s rank. We have also been creating an A0 poster and a presentation, in preparation for a conference in March where we will talk about our project.

Moving forward, we have deduced an area of significant difference in the effectiveness of two of our tested concentrations of tetracycline, and aim to test smaller increments between these doses to come closer to finding the most suitable dose of the antibiotic.

Grace K. Head of MedQuEST

This term in PollutionQuEST we have finally finished our pollution monitor, measuring carbon dioxide and PM2.5 levels to see how polluted our local area is. We were also planning on going on a trip to Newington, where we would place our monitor next to a similar Kent County Council unit; however, due to train cancellations this was unable to go ahead, and so we will be trying again in a few weeks.

We have also designed, and 3D printed a box to hold our electronics for when we are out in Newington for an extended period of time, in order to protect them from potential damage caused by the conditions outside.

Zeno B. PollutionQuEST Member

This term we have restarted EcoQuEST with a new project, looking at how we can make biodegradable plastics in order to help create a more sustainable planet. The group is made up of myself, Grace K and Jasper B.

Lottie O. Head of EcoQuEST

In BrewQuEST we have started researching how to brew different types of beer, and beginning to think about what research question we want to answer. So far, we are thinking about a couple of different ideas, for example investigating how yeast morphology is affected by the brewing process, or looking at sediment constitution and its radioactivity. We have also started taking inventory to see what equipment we already have in school, and what we still need to buy. It’s looking pretty good so far, as it seems like we still have most of the equipment from the previous BrewQuEST.

Jacob T. Head of BrewQuEST

Sixth Form Taster Sessions

On February 2nd and 3rd, all Year 11 students were off timetable to take part in Sixth Form Taster Sessions. From Physics to Music, Mathematics to German and everything in between, there was lots to learn about the subjects on offer for students to choose for their A Levels at QE. There was also a Next Steps session to hear about what lies in store between now and results day in August, although we encourage everyone to speak to us if they have any questions. Teaching staff were very impressed at the levels of interaction and enthusiasm shown by Year 11 and we hope that this helps everyone get closer to making their final decisions on choices

Sixth Form Open Evening

On the evening of February 5th we welcomed internal and external students to the school to find out more information about life at Queen Elizabeth's for Sixth Form. Over 200 people attended which is wonderful as it shows we are a very popular choice for Year 11 students thinking about their next step. The Main Talk and Subject Talks were all well received with some very nice feedback from those in attendance.

Applications to Sixth Form and other providers

Year 11 students must submit their A Level choices, and therefore their application to the Sixth Form, by 3pm on Friday 27th February. From this point until about April, changes to course choices will not be accepted. Once the Option Blocks have been created, students will then receive a window to make any desired changes that fit within the blocks.

Applying to other providers e.g. colleges and other Sixth Forms must be made via Kent Choices unless otherwise specified by the provider. If students need any support with their applications they must speak to their Form Tutor, Mrs Gossling, or the Sixth Form Office.

Amy Winehouse Foundation talk on Addiction

Students in Years 10, 12, and 13 recently attended a powerful presentation by The Amy Winehouse Foundation focused on addiction and recovery. The session was incredibly well-received, earning high praise from both students and parents for its honesty and impact, read just a few of the quotes below. We are already looking forward to welcoming the Foundation back to the school next year.

“It was really impactful hearing from someone first hand how easily drug use can get out of hand and seeing the real life effects that addiction has on people. I think it would make you think twice before getting involved in that sort of behaviour.”

“An enlightening and refreshing perspective from someone with lived experiences instead of teachers.”

“The story was really inspiring”

“It was really nice to hear about how positive outreach community groups can be when you’re struggling, also it was nice to have someone talk to us about addiction after struggling with it personally and being honest.”

“It was very inspirational to see how someone has gone through all that and still comes out on the other side, and had the courage to rebuild all of the things broken from their addiction.”

“It effectively explained the chain of events that often leads to addiction and the reality of relapsing, which is often not touched upon.”

“It was very inspiring to watch the speaker be so upfront with her experiences and it encouraged me to feel more comfortable talking about my feelings/experiences.”

“Having somebody who's actually struggled with addiction come and speak to people is perhaps more effective than a powerpoint / slideshow. It helps people better relate to and contextualize addiction.”

“I think the talk was very moving which made me tell many people about the foundation and the story of the talk and the message.”

“I have had family members who have struggled with addiction and were unable to get help, it is very impactful to know first hand how addiction ruins lives, and it is inspirational to hear that it can get manageable, and it was amazing to see how strong someone can be.”

“It was very motivational and a powerful story for us as a community of individuals. Not to insult any other assemblies, but it was by far the best one in the past year.”

“She was really kind and it just felt way more authentic to hear someone's story than the people we usually get coming in”

“I think it was actually really refreshing to have someone who has lived it and was completely honest about their experiences and feelings.”

“It taught me more about long-term effects of drug taking and alcohol.”

“It made me realise how stereotypical everyone is about people who take drugs and how we are so quick to judge. Lives can be turned around.”

“It was good to hear a lived experience and understand how hard it can be and the struggles you are faced with when dealing with an addiction.”

“My daughter spoke about the talk on the entire car drive home, proving what an impact and impression the speaker had left on her. She mentioned the lady was particularly nervous at speaking to such a large group, so it would be nice to let her know that she did an excellent job.”

Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA)

This term’s SEND focus is on Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA).

EBSA is a broad umbrella term used to describe a group of children/young people who experience significant difficulties and challenges in attending school due to emotional factors, mainly feelings of anxiety and fear.

Due to this emotional distress that they experience in relation to school, this could eventually impact their friendships, their social interactions, their academic studies and their attendance. On the whole, this could result in a long prolonged absence from school.

EBSA is more than a perceived dislike of school, it can be rooted and cause genuine physical anguish to the point where it escalates to such an extent that the child or young person feels no longer able to attend school.

How can I support my child - I think they have EBSA?

Firstly, speak to your child’s Head of Year as soon as possible. It is really important to try to identify the issues and causes of the anxiety.

There are a number of fantastic resources that you can access to help you to understand more about EBSA.

Here is a link to KCC’s EBSA Resource Pack: LINK

There is a great website called, Not Fine in School: LINK. The NFIS team provides a safe space where people can feel part of a community and they understand and acknowledge the issue that you and your child are facing. NFIS offers peer support and advice that is designed specifically for parents and family members.

Additionally, please speak to Mrs Percy, the school's SENCo. There are a number of support mechanisms available to support you and your child - more tailored individual interventions might be needed to help with strategies and tools to enable your child to feel more positive and less anxious about attending school.

Finally, KCC has a Parent Consultation helpline, where you can access a free 30 minute telephone or video consultation with an Educational Psychologist. If you feel you would benefit from this service then contact: kepscommunity@kent.gov.uk. You will need to provide them with the following information:

Name
Phone Number
Convenient time to call
Your child’s education phase - Secondary
Brief description of the issue

Please see below for details of an upcoming talk delivered by Face Family Advice, which you may find of interest:

National Apprenticeship Week - 9th to 15th February

Students in Years 9, 10 and 11 have had assemblies over the past two weeks about the apprenticeship pathway.

Students in Years 12-13 have also been given a range of resources to explore via Google Classroom.

If any student wishes to discuss the apprenticeship pathway, please come along to see Miss Butterly in the Sixth Form Office, or email to pop in at break or lunch: hsb@queenelizabeths.kent.sch.uk

Additional resources you can support your young person with:

Amazing Apprenticships
https://www.amazingapprenticeships.com/

UK Apprenticeships
https://www.e4s.co.uk/jobs/apprenticeships.htm

Explore Apprenticeships
https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/courses/exploreapprenticeships/

Army Apprenticeships
https://jobs.army.mod.uk/meet-your-army/100032/?cid=mail5499639107

An introductory video about apprenticeships:

https://www.amazingapprenticeships.com/resources/the-apprenticeship-assembly-film/

Year 12 Work Experience

Our Year 12s embarked on work experience on 2nd - 3rd February. Placements ranged from attending primary schools, healthcare settings, finance, universities, publishing, construction, architecture, web building and many more!

We have had some fantastic feedback from employers, parents and students about their placements, with students having gained really invaluable experiences that have helped to either consolidate, or eliminate, future pathways.

From the feedback, students also revealed how much their taste of working life was somtimes very different to what they expected.

Some quotes from the students:

"It was very useful for me...and allowed me to improve my skills within a working environment."

"I am still uncertain of what I want to do."

"It was a bit useful as it made me realise it was something I'm not keen on."

"My placement was useful for me as I got to experience what working in an office / financial department was like and I got to use the skills I have learnt in maths."

"It eliminated the idea of working [in this industry]."

"I'm consolidated I want to do engineering."

"I am still uncertain on a career but it is a definite possibility."

"The placement was very useful to me as it provided me with a better insight into architecture."

"It was incedibly helpful to travel to London..."

If any student in the Sixth Form would like to discuss work experience opportunities, Miss Butterly is available in the Sixth Form office or via hsb@queenelizabeths.kent.sch.uk

Post-18 Options Talk

On Wednesday 14th January, Year 12 students had an assembly from Isobel Emery, former QE student, about her individual pathway and options after Year 13. She then explored her own career in offshore wind energy and the assembly prompted interest for students wishing to find out more about this particular pathway, including any future work experience opportunities.

Ideaworks Schools' Academy

A small number of Year 12 students attended a talk on Wednesday 11th February from the Ideaworks organisation in Faversham: https://ideaworks.co.uk/

Interested students are invited to attend the organisation on Wednesday afternoons as part of the Year 12 enrichment programme.

For further information, please see Miss Butterly in the Sixth Form office.

Coming up in Term 4...

National Careers Week

This runs from 2nd - 8th March. Students in Years 9, 10 and 11 will receive assemblies from external speakers about career pathways.

Students in Years 12 will receive a talk from a representative from the University of Sheffield regarding Russell Group and competitive degree courses. Those interested in medicine and dentistry will have an additional talk from the same representative to talk about the application process.

Students in all years will receive a link to a Virtual Careers Fair to explore throughout the week and in their own time.

Post 18 Options Evening

This event will take place on the evening of Thursday 12th March, from 6-7pm.

We have external speakers coming in to discuss post-18 pathways and their own journey.

We are holding the event in the school theatre - therefore due a maximum capacity in the theatre, we are limiting the number of attendees to two per family.

Year 8 Careers Carousel

Last week, our students took a break from the traditional classroom setup to dive headfirst into the Careers Carousel with the following sectors coming into school to discuss different career pathways:

Law
Environmental Science & Business
Joinery
Sports
The Healthcare sector
Kent Association for the Blind

Students rotated through rooms, spending time with experts who offered more than just job descriptions, they offered a glimpse into their daily lives. Events like these are vital for 'unsticking' the idea that a career path must be a straight line. By speaking with professionals from the Kent Association for the Blind alongside joiners and scientists, students learned that the most important skills, communication, problem-solving and resilience, are universal across every sector.

Thanks to all that were involved in organising the day.

Library Mural

Huge shout-out to Greg from Dare to Differ for creating a stunning piece of artwork for the Library. This modern representation of Faversham landmarks brings creativity and warmth to our space, making it even more welcoming for you all. Thanks, Greg, for sharing your talent with us.
Come check out the artwork and get inspired!

Unleash your Story - Creative Writing Competition

Massive thanks to everyone who entered our creative writing competition! We were blown away by your talent and imagination.

A special congratulations to Rosie, whose story "The Assessment" really hit home. It’s a relatable tale of assessments, nerves, and triumph – we’re publishing it in this newsletter!

Thanks again to all participants for sharing your creativity with us. Keep writing!

The Assessment by Rosie. W

Your time…starts…now. Front pages were turned over in scattered unison around the hall. The scrawling started, little etches, filling in gaps between lines. From his desk position, in the centre of the room, he found a pleasant comfort in being surrounded by this flurry of movement, the reassurance of motivation blanketing him. He looked down at the first question, smiling inwardly - he could do this.
At about thirty minutes in, something was wrong. A slow, unsettling haze had gradually surrounded him, permeating his focus . He felt a slight chill as icicles of unease pierced, melted and spread throughout his shoulders, seeping down to his chest. His thoughts, no longer a steady stream, started to trickle out, replaced by waves of foreboding that slammed around his skull. His hand, with its even rhythm, now faltered slightly, freezing and cracking with disquiet. He furrowed his brow, a faint grimace corrupting his peaceful expression. He breathed out…in again…out. The next broken exhale caused his chest to tremble with such force that he dropped his pen, stunned. He watched as it rolled painfully slowly towards the edge of his desk, and part of him willed it to go over, perhaps the sound of its landing being able to shatter this torment.
Rising up for air, he looked desperately left and right of him for any form of rescue. The sea of heads - bent down, intently focused on their scribbling - was no longer one of tranquility, bringing him reassurance. Instead, he was now a tiny boat of doubt, struggling, amongst a vast ocean of indifference. Isolated. Vulnerable. He could feel the surrounding desks closing in from all directions, suffocating him further. His trepidation slowly turned into desperate frustration. What was this smothering fog that had obscured his focus?
A sudden movement behind. Just out the corner of his eye, something stirred. Barely audible, but a rustle. A presence, abruptly detected and instantly detested. To the right, he pivoted his body ever so slightly, paused, and assessed. He still couldn't quite see the culprit of his unsettlement. His neck craned a further 35 degrees. Stopped.
A looming figure towered over him. His eyes scanned over a peeling nametag on a bobbling grey marl jumper, reading INVIGILATOR. He blinked up, meeting eyes full of dissatisfaction yet lack of interest. A faint smirk flitted across the characterless features, smug about the lack of ties to academic shackles and assessments, or the success of interrupting his, it was impossible to decipher.
This continued for a few more moments, a stare down that neither side seemed to know how to end. He could hear the clock ticking somewhere in the distance, make out the drowsy movement of someone closing their paper nearby, feel every time his heart nudged steadily against his rib cage. A final lasting glance, a concluding sniff, and from himself a shiver of relief as the vigil continued on past his desk to the next examinee.
He gave himself a moment, picked up his pen, and resumed.

Wedding Bells!

Huge congratulations to the new Mrs Lester and her husband, who got married over Christmas at The Old Kent Barn surrounded by family, friends and colleagues. It looks like a truly beautiful day!

Welcome Mrs Proudfoot

We are thrilled to welcome Mrs Proudfoot to the English department where her wealth of experience will be a fantastic asset to our students.

Welfare Team Award for Mrs Jones and Strike force Football Club

Well done to Mrs Jones and the Strike Force Football Club who collected an award at the Swale Community Leisure Awards for their Welfare Team. See what Mrs Jones has to say about the award and the volunteer work she does for Strike Force:

"It was a proud moment for the Strike Force Football Club as Liz and I stepped up to collect an award recognising our dedicated Welfare Team as part of the Swale Community Leisure Awards. As a volunteer of three years and with Liz hitting her one-year milestone, we represented our six-person welfare unit - a small but vital part of the club’s massive community. Strike Force is a true labor of love, powered entirely by 186 volunteers who manage 53 teams and support over 800 members. Even as we continue to grow, our commitment to player well-being remains at the heart of everything we do. This award is a testament to the fact that while we have hundreds of members, we still operate as one cohesive, volunteer-led family."

Ruby Raising Money and Volunteering with The Nasio Trust

Thank you all for your donations towards our non-uniform day on 6th February in aid of The Nasio Trust. We raised the amazing sum of £939!

Ruby. R, in Year 11, is travelling to Kenya to volunteer with The Nasio Trust, which supports over 300 orphaned children in two rural western-Kenyan communities. Ruby will be visiting the schools that the Nasio Trust fund, taking a lesson and helping with lunches. The trust also has community empowerment programmes with adult education, a medical centre and sustainable livelihoods like Spirulina greenhouses where the community are taught skills to produce and sell Spirulina supplements which Ruby will help with, as well as spending a day in the life of one of the beneficiaries.

The funds raised from the non-uniform day will be used by the charity to buy food parcels for supported families, which Ruby may be able to help deliver some whilst she is there.

If you would like to read more about the work of the Nasio Trust, or become a sponsor, please visit their website here.

Track Success for Matthew

Matthew. L, in Year 7, has been go karting since the age of 6 and currently competes in the 'Rotax Inter' class for 10-13 year olds. The engines run on a petrol/oil mix and on a fast flowing track, can reach speeds of up to 65mph!

In 2023 Matthew competed at Forest Edge Kart Track in Hampshire, in the Rotax Micro class (8-10 year olds), winning the championship. Last year he returned and stepped up into the faster Rotax Inter class, competing against a field of much older drivers and finished 2nd place in the championship. At the weekend he attended their annual presentation evening, where the top three championship place finishers are awarded their trophies and everyone celebrates the drivers’ achievements.

Well done Matthew, this is amazing!

Canterbury U16S Rugby Victory for Axel!

Congratulations to Axel. I, in Year 11, and the Canterbury U16s rugby team who were crowned Kent County Champions after a staggering 38-5 victory against Tunbridge Wells at the weekend! A truly fantastic achievement for their hard work, discipline and commitment after months of hard training. Well done to Axel and his team!

One of the greatest joys of our school community is seeing the long-term impact of an education at Queen Elizabeth’s.

Therefore we have introduced a new feature where we catch up with several alumni who are making their mark in a variety of fascinating fields and celebrate the impressive and varied careers they’ve built.

It is clear that the skills and values fostered within our classrooms continue to resonate long after graduation. By sharing these journeys, we want to show our current students that no matter where their interests lie, the path from Queen Elizabeth’s can lead to extraordinary places.

Zoë Hatton

We are delighted to feature Zoë Hatton in our first spotlight. Now a Manufacturing Engineer, Zoë is part of a company whose mission is to transform the industrial landscape, using a software-first approach and the MasonOS platform to strengthen critical industries. Zoë shares her fondest memories of life at Queen Elizabeth's and offers fantastic insights into a career path that combines precision engineering with cutting-edge technology.

Can you give us a brief overview of your current role and what a typical day looks like?

After QE I completed a Master Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College. Now I work for a start-up setting up factories to support production for the UK’s critical industries. A typical day is pretty varied for me as I wear a few hats due to the nature of being part of a small start-up team. I work on optimising the processes in our factories, monitor the quality of the parts we produce, review the financial performance of our factories and work with the factory owners to ensure they are operating efficiently. I like that in our factories we turn a lump of metal into parts that go to space or into an MRI machine - it’s great having hands on tasks as well as logistical problems to solve.

Which teacher or subject had the biggest impact on you, and why?

From Years 9 to 13, I spent a lot of time in the Design and Technology Department for the F1 in Schools competition. The likes of Mr Harvey and Mrs Butterworth gave up much of their Wednesday evenings and weekends to help myself and the F1 in Schools team prepare for the competition. It was during this time that I first learnt about technical management - managing our team and the competition deadlines as well as coping with stress when inevitably things didn’t follow my perfect schedule! It’s also where I first experienced the pride of achieving success in something we worked really hard for.

Were there any extracurricular activities or clubs at school that helped build your confidence or skills?

At QE I engaged in a range of extracurricular activities such as the school plays, the rounders team, Dungeons & Dragons club, Debating Society and F1 in Schools. Other than F1 in Schools, I was not particularly great at any of these, but I believe that taking part in a range of activities provided me with a wide skillset. In my career, being a well rounded individual has proven more fruitful than having a couple of stand out skills.

If you could go back and tell your ‘Year 7 self’ one thing, what would it be?

It takes some people a long time to realise that what you think of yourself matters more than what others think of you. It can feel easiest at school to try to fit a mould of what is ‘cool’ or what could make you more popular - after school, in my experience, it’s neither of these things that makes you excel in life or brings you real happiness. Being your authentic self is what matters most, your uniqueness is what makes you interesting. Don’t stop doing the things you enjoy to fit in with the crowd, it’s boring everyone being the same.

What was the ‘lightbulb moment’ when you realised you wanted to pursue this career path?

I never really had this moment - and I think lots of people don’t. I took the approach of trying to keep as many doors open as possible. I tried to do well in a range of subjects and at A-levels did maths, physics and economics - leaving doors open to the sciences and social sciences. At uni I was diagnosed with dyslexia so it now makes sense why I choose numbers over words! There are loads of jobs out there that you don’t know about at school - I didn’t know what a Supply Chain Manager or Business Consultant was and now they’re both careers that I’ve considered. My advice is to keep as many doors open as possible and remain curious.

What is the one achievement you are most proud of so far?

At university I co-founded a Women in Mechanical Engineering Society. At uni there were only a handful of women in my degree, the society focused on creating a community for these women and supporting the new students when they joined. We also did outreach in schools and raised money for female education around the world.

What advice would you give to current QE pupils who are unsure about their future career path?

Don’t just think about subject matter, think about what kind of environment you will excel in. Do you prefer working in teams or independently? Do you like the idea of being a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond? Do you want to have a lot of responsibility or is that stressful? Do you prefer being in a high or slow paced environment? I know that I enjoy working in smaller companies where I have a lot of ownership over my work (even if stressful at times!). If I was doing the exact same technical work at a larger, slower moving company I know I wouldn’t enjoy my work as much.

What do you think is the most important skill for a young person to develop in 2026?

It sounds so easy, but the ability to identify a problem, say you’re going to fix it and actually fix it - no distractions or excuses. I guess this can be broken down into being proactive, having perseverance and a strong work ethic.

PTFA Updates and Upcoming Events

A Successful Start to the Academic Year

This academic year has begun on a positive note with three new members joining the Parent, Teacher, and Friends Association (PTFA). Their involvement has contributed to supporting funding that benefits a range of initiatives, including the installation of dynamic learning spaces within the school, the purchase of additional equipment for the science block, and further resources for the music department. In addition, the PTFA has provided substantial support that is spread across all subjects at Queen Elizabeth’s by adding £7,000 to the Curriculum Fund.

Supporting the Curriculum

The PTFA is delighted to offer agility in supporting the school, particularly with funding for the Art Award exam entries and activities related to this new addition to the curriculum. Arts Award is a national scheme that inspires young people to grow their arts and leadership talents in a creative and applicable framework. This support is being implemented with immediate effect, ensuring that students benefit from enhanced opportunities in the arts in this academic year.

Fundraising Efforts and Employer Fund Matching

Following last year’s record-breaking fundraising total of over £12,000, the PTFA extends its gratitude to new parents who have reached out to set up fund matching schemes through their employers. This initiative is an excellent way to secure additional funds to support students, without any direct cost to individuals. Parents interested in learning more about how their employer could assist Queen Elizabeth’s are encouraged to contact the PTFA at qegsptfa@gmail.com.

Preloved Uniform Shop

The preloved uniform shop continues to thrive, providing essential support to students throughout the school. All uniform items - apart from trousers - are available at just a third of the standard retail price, making this an affordable solution for families. This initiative is also environmentally friendly, as it gives uniforms a longer life and helps to reduce the amount sent to landfill.
If you have any school uniform in good condition that your children no longer need, please consider donating these items to our shop via the school office. Your contributions help other families and further the sustainable aims of the PTFA.
For further information, including details on how to place an order, the latest price list, and contact details, please visit the PTFA page on the school website.

Annual Queen Elizabeth’s Quiz Night

As the days gradually lengthen, it is the perfect time to gather friends and family to form a team for the annual Queen Elizabeth’s Quiz. The 2026 quiz is being held on Saturday, 28 March 2026, in the school hall. Each team may consist of up to eight people, with entry prices set at a modest £10 for adults and £5 for children. The event will start at 7pm and promises to be ideal for trivia enthusiasts as well as those seeking a fun, local evening out in support of a good cause. Participants are welcome to bring their own food and drink, and the PTFA will provide the general knowledge questions. Payments, along with the team’s name, can be submitted via School Gateway after half term, and card payments will also be accepted on the night.

Term 3 Newsletter 2025/2026