Horncastle, Lincolnshire
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What is special about our school?

We are a co-educational grammar school dating back to 1571, which, as a foundation school, enjoys a degree of independence from the Local Education Authority. In September 2003 we became Specialist Science School, on a joint basis with our partner secondary school in Horncastle, Banovallum.

  • Our last OFSTED report is available to download from www.ofsted.gov.uk
  • The school prospectus is also available in a downloadable format prospectus.pdf prospectus.pdf (1.46 MB)

We aim to maintain high academic standards and to offer a wide range of educational opportunities, which will prepare students for adult life and help them develop their full potential.

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We pay particular attention to personal relationships and to fostering a sense of community, developing close co-operation between school and parents. Our school is large enough to offer good facilities and to offer a wide range of cultural, sporting and creative activities to complement the academic curriculum. It is not so large, however, that pupils pass unnoticed or feel anonymous.

We expect students to develop organisational skills and a positive attitude to study in an environment conducive to hard work and high achievement. We expect them to maintain high standards of behaviour and believe that a disciplined and harmonious school is a happy one, and that freedom is only meaningful in the context of responsibility.

An important part of our role, therefore, is to provide support and guidance whilst still stimulating initiative. We aim to lead our students towards the mature self-discipline that is essential if they are to make the most of their abilities and talents.

What do our pupils learn about?Queen Elizabeth's prides itself on offering a broad and balanced curriculum within which we make every effort to meet our students' needs. At Key Stage 4 we offer no less than 23 GCSE courses and our Sixth Form provision is even broader. We provide for important areas like personal development, careers and work-related learning, citizienship and health education. In addition to daily assemblies, all our students follow a programme of religious education in accordance with the Lincolnshire Agreed Syllabus. Many aspects of the curriculum are supported by educational visits, and we provide a wide range of opportunities for sport, music, drama, outdoor pursuits and community service.


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How do we teach our pupils?As a grammar school, we try to combine the best of modern practice with a traditional academic education. Lessons can involve formal instruction by the teacher, but at other times students are involved in debate, role-play, small-group discussion or practical work. Lessons can involve students working on their own or in pairs or groups. Increasingly, we make use of interactive whiteboards and  digital displays, often for students to present material as well as the teacher. Variety is the key to success.

How do we care for our pupils?Induction arrangements for new students in Year 7 begin with a introductory visit by the Head of Year to each feeder primary school, followed-up by an Induction Day in July and a Parents’ Evening on the same day. Early in September, all new pupils are encouraged to attend the famous Year 7 Camp which takes place over a weekend and is aimed at making everyone feel at home.

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The pastoral system is based on tutor groups which, from Year 8, stay together throughout the main school. Heads of Year work with tutors to provide routine care and this includes monitoring behaviour and tracking pupil progress. In the early years, especially, sixth formers assigned to tutor groups play an important mentoring role.

A Deputy Head has overall responsibility for pastoral care and is able to support students with special difficulties, as well as overseeing the management of the Special Educational Needs department and providing access to LEA Support Services where necessary.

What are our plans for the future?The school produces Action Plans for each year based on a three year development cycle which is regularly updated. Current priorities include:

  • to extend the process of pupil target setting to incorporate Key Stage 3
  • to carry out staff development on teaching and learning styles
  • to continue to develop the use of ICT to promote learning
  • to strengthen processes for school self-evaluation
  • to introduce new Sixth Form courses in Engineering and ICT
  • to re-launch the School Community Council
  • to continue the in-house development of the school website

How do we work with parents and the community?All parents receive termly assessments of their children's work and effort and a full written report which is usually at the end of the year. There is a consultation evening for each year group and, at the end of each Key Stage, parents are invited to information evenings at which curriculum choices are explained. Attendance on these occasions is high. Form tutors and Heads of Year are always available by appointment; we like to deal with problems at an early stage, if at all possible.

Regular newsletters distributed by pupil post keep families in touch with what is going on in school, and are posted on the school website. There is an active Parents’ Association which organises fund raising and social events. Community links are strong and include schemes like the Talking Newspaper, taking music into the community and providing service through the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Local employers support the Science College, Young Enterprise and provide work placements.