Harrogate Private School Named The North's Independent Secondary School Of The Year For Academic Excellence
The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2025 has named Queen Ethelburga's College, a leading Harrogate private school, the Independent School of the Year for Academic Excellence in the North. This marks the fourth consecutive year the College has achieved this accolade, reinforcing its reputation for exceptional academic performance. Parent Power ranks the top 330 independent schools in the UK based on A Level and GCSE results from Summer 2024
The Faculty of Queen Ethelburga’s, another senior school within the Collegiate, is also flying high after its recent win as the ISA (Independent Schools Association) Senior School of the Year. The Faculty ranked as the 8th best school in the North and retained its position among the top 200 schools nationally.
Academic Excellence at Queen Ethelburga's College
As part of this exceptional Harrogate private school, Queen Ethelburga’s College offers a traditional academic pathway, where students are encouraged to challenge themselves beyond the curriculum. Through initiatives like the QE Stretch and Challenge Programme, students gain access to lectures and workshops by alumni and professionals, leadership opportunities, and competitions that inspire them to excel. The College also provides activities to build skills essential for future employability and success, such as entrepreneurial thinking, financial management, and strategic planning.
In 2023-24, Queen Ethelburga’s College students achieved 452 awards and commendations across diverse fields, ranging from creative and performing arts to science, maths, and business. Additionally, 127 students earned external qualifications, and 300 contributed to the school community through ambassador roles.
Personalised Education at Harrogate Private School
Today’s hybrid and flexible world of employment and further education requires an equally innovative approach in schools. QE is at the forefront of offering a highly personalised and dynamic curriculum through its model of four schools within one Collegiate. Located on a modern, well-equipped campus near York, Harrogate, and Leeds, QE comprises a prep school, a middle school, and two senior school pathways. Whether students aim for G5 and Russell Group universities, international scholarships in sports and arts, degree apprenticeships, or bespoke career opportunities, Queen Ethelburga’s supports all aspirations equally.
Award-Winning Holistic Education
The Harrogate private school has also gained recognition for its innovative extracurricular programmes. It became the first (and to date, only!) school to participate in the BRSCC Nankang Tyre CityCar Cup Championship, earning the Team Development Award for measurable growth and the Team Professionalism Award. Additionally, its Esports teams rank among the best in the UK, achieving top-tier results against both school and professional teams globally.
Principal Daniel Machin remarked,
“To retain this Parent Power accolade for the fourth year running is demonstrative of the unwavering commitment at Queen Ethelburga’s to enable our students not only to achieve the best they can with the gifts they have but also to innovate and provide support for all of their aspirations. This, alongside The Faculty of Queen Ethelburga’s winning ISA Senior School of the Year in November, gives recognition and reward to the unique success of our four-school model and our two distinct senior school pathways. It is heartwarming that accolades like those from the Sunday Times Parent Power and the ISA Awards can recognise the value of meeting the diverse needs of all students, alongside the essential parental support and, crucially, the unfailing efforts of staff to provide the best care and education possible.”
Discover more about this outstanding Harrogate private school by booking a private tour or visiting the school on an Open Day.
