History
Our School History
An illustrious heritage and an ambitious future. Queen’s – where academic excellence, innovation and tradition unite.
Nestled in the heart of Chester’s city centre, The Queen’s School, originally founded as The Chester School for Girls in 1878, has a rich legacy of serving young women from Chester and the surrounding areas. Just four years after its founding, Queen Victoria issued a royal decree, renaming the institution to The Queen’s School, making it the only school in the UK to bear this prestigious name. It has grown in size and reputation and is now ranked amongst the leading girls schools in the United Kingdom, educating pupils aged 4-18 years. It is still a source of great pride that The Queen’s School remains the only school in the UK to be granted the privilege of bearing this name.
Our Senior School is situated on the historic site of the Chester City Gaol and House of Correction. The school buildings, erected with the financial assistance of several leading Chester families, stand on land generously provided by the Duke of Westminster.
From its inception, The Queen’s School has been a beacon of academic excellence. On our opening day in 1878, sixteen pioneering girls enrolled, with two going on to win places at Cambridge—a tradition of distinction that continues to this day.
Throughout its history, The Queen’s School has produced trailblazing women who have made significant contributions to society. We are proud to have provided Chester with its first female solicitor, first lady mayor, first woman to receive the Freedom of the City, first woman president of the Freemen and Guilds in over 800 years, and the first female cathedral provost in Church of England history.
Today, The Queen’s School stands as one of the country’s top independent girls’ schools. Our founders’ vision has not only been realised but has far exceeded its promise, creating a legacy of excellence that continues to inspire future generations.