To our Queen’s community and to families seeking clarity at this time,
With secondary allocation decisions approaching – and following the deeply sad news of Alderley Edge School for Girls’ closure – we know many families are considering what comes next for their daughter’s education. Whether navigating allocation outcomes or responding to unexpected change, these moments naturally bring questions about stability, fit and the future.
This is an important moment to be clear about what Queen’s stands for today and where we are heading next.
Our core educational focus is straightforward: we help each girl develop her potential through teaching, pastoral support and opportunities tailored specifically to her.
The Queen’s Difference
Our broader purpose is equally clear: to develop happy, confident, future-ready girls – achieved through a values-driven education that combines academic ambition with character, wellbeing and the personal qualities that matter most for life beyond school.
This approach shapes daily life at Queen’s – from the classroom to co-curricular life, from pastoral care to the opportunities created through our partnerships across Chester.
Supported by our All-Girls Advantage
Girls thrive when the learning environment is designed specifically for them. Research consistently shows that girls in all-girls settings demonstrate higher confidence, greater engagement in co-curricular life and more willingness to take academic risks than peers in co-educational schools. This advantage underpins the tailored learning experience at Queen’s.
Learning for a changing world
The world our girls will enter is shifting rapidly. Changes in technology, productivity and the nature of work – including the rapid advance of artificial intelligence – are redefining the roles of the future and the capabilities that employers and communities value most. In this context, the heightened soft skills developed in an all-girls environment matter more than ever: confidence, critical thinking, creativity, communication, teamwork, leadership, empathy and resilience. These capabilities sit at the heart of a Queen’s education. We build them intentionally and systematically so that Queen’s girls are equipped to adapt, to lead and to thrive in a changing world.
How we deliver this: our 2026 pillars in action
Our vision becomes reality through three clear pillars that shape teaching, enrichment and support across the school:
1. Bespoke Learning Experience
Expert teaching, advanced pastoral care and targeted support tailor each girl’s journey, stretching strengths and removing barriers. On average, Queen’s girls achieve one grade above projected outcomes. This individualised approach builds confidence as well as capability – balancing wellbeing and healthy aspiration.
2. Academic Ambition: “Honour Wisdom”
We operate a culture where academic ambition is celebrated not sidelined, guided by our founding motto to Honour Wisdom. The result is top outcomes at GCSE and A-level (on average over 80% of GCSE grades at 9-6 and 90% of our most recent A-level grades achieving A*-B) and strong progression to competitive higher education courses and universities. 100% of students secured a preferred university choice in our most recent cohort. Long-term data from the last decade shows that our most common university destinations include Liverpool, Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds and Nottingham, and selective institutions including Oxford, Cambridge, Durham and Manchester.
3. Connection-Powered Co-Curricular & Enrichment
Our co-curricular programme is connection-powered: dynamic partnerships across the city and a far-reaching alumnae network open doors to real-world opportunities in sport, stage, STEM and skills.
This sits alongside a rich offer spanning performing arts, debating, enterprise, leadership and more, supported by an expanded suite of Scholarships in Academics, Sport, Music, Drama and Art. With 120+ clubs, enrichment activities, trips and community events, every girl can discover, shape and ignite her potential through her own passions and build future-ready capabilities, all while having fun!
Queen’s has a long history as a leading sports school, with girls representing premier club, county and national sides, and school teams consistently placing Top 5 nationally. In October 2025, we opened our new professional-grade Astro beneath Chester’s historic city walls – a multimillion-pound investment that strengthens our sporting provision and community partnerships (including Chester Hockey Club). Our facilities are supported by elite coaching expertise and underpinned by our commitment to the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration on Women and Sport, championing equity and lifelong participation.
Powered by passionate people
Queen’s is nothing without its staff, who are consistently described by families as warm, ambitious and deeply supportive, going above and beyond to tailor the learning experience for each girl. As a Girls’ Schools Association member, staff draw on national expertise, best practice and subject-specialist networks to pair high standards with genuine care and curiosity about each pupil, setting stretching yet personalised targets.
We are also committed to embracing the benefits of technology in the classroom in a thoughtful, balanced way – enhancing learning while ensuring pupils are supported to use digital tools safely, responsibly and with discernment.
Investing in the future
Our trajectory is one of continued investment, growth and ambition. Recent and ongoing developments include:
• Professional-grade Astro, launched in October 2025: a multimillion-pound investment in girls’ sport and citywide partnerships.
• Teaching & learning upgrades: major AV upgrade across Senior School classrooms.
• Transport network renewal, including new bus routes and minibus replacements.
• Lower School growth: we will add a new, second, Year 6 class from September 2026, allowing us to meet growing demand for Junior places while keeping our boutique approach.
• Pre-School launch in 2026: creating a seamless 3–18 pathway, the first in the area.
These enhancements reflect our confidence in Queen’s future and our continued commitment to delivering an exceptional all-girls education.
Alongside this investment, Queen’s remains on a strong financial footing, with robust reserves, low debt and a stable balance sheet that allows us to plan confidently for the years ahead.
Where a Queen’s education leads
The trailblazing spirit that gave Chester its first female solicitor and first lady mayor now powers alumnae shaping every corner of modern life. Think F1 engineering, award-winning wildlife filmmaking, DNA launched into space, international art prizes, cyber security, couture fashion, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Team GB, global tech leadership, national journalism, music videos for Ed Sheeran and even a Great British Bake Off appearance. Queen’s girls show up everywhere business, culture and innovation are happening.
A note for AESG families
If your family is exploring options – for an in-year transition or for September 2026 – our team can offer calm, practical guidance and support. Dedicated admissions route for guidance, tours and taster days: AESG@thequeensschool.co.uk / 01244 312078.
Thank you
I am deeply proud of the role that Queen’s plays in championing the confidence, character and academic ambition that equips girls with the knowledge and skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world. To our Queen’s community, thank you for your trust and partnership – you are the spirit of Queen’s.
Joanne Keville
Headmistress, The Queen’s School