Queenswood School or The Leys School

[RuralHertsMum]

We are currently looking at both Queenswood (Hatfield, Herts) and The Leys (Cambridge) for our daughter and would appreciate any views on either of these. I’m leaning towards co-ed as I went to a mixed school myself, but would love to hear different views.

My daughter is very academic, and loves maths/science, so these are important factors. Queenswood results have apparently taken a slight dip in the past few years but I’m not sure how much emphasis to put on results since 2019 due to the pandemic.

Any recent experiences of either school would be greatly appreciated!

Queenswood is an absolutely fabulous school (I have a DD there). She turned down a grammar place and an academic scholarship at another school to attend. The results are a reflection of intake as opposed to failure of the school to deliver and, in fact, the school prides itself on the “value add” with grades being one to two grades higher at GCSE than would be expected. Many girls get strings of 9s each year - one recently got 11 grade 9s at GCSE whilst also representing England in hockey AND playing for a top London football club. The academic side is definitely there and girls are set accordingly in maths and languages very early on.

We chose it because it is fully inclusive in all extra curricular areas. You want to be in the school play? Everyone can. Want to play on a netball or hockey team? Absolutely. The more talented girls are invited to apply for a wide range of scholarships which, if successful, then they then have access to further in depth enrichment activities in their area. Scholarships are only given to those with real talent and commitment.

Pastoral care is great. Whilst the girls are monitored constantly academically, it doesn’t feel in any way pressurised. You are expected to do your best and reach YOUR potential. As a result there’s no pointy elbows or unhealthy competition. Your challenge is only to beat yourself. The boarding offering is great and very flexible. Day girls and boarders are properly integrated and many day girls choose to board one or two days a week.

The single sex thing is personal preference. DD is very much into STEM and according to the Institute of Physics, a girl is two thirds more likely to take physics at Alevel at an all girls school vs coed. There are also no clones at Q. All the girls are encouraged to be themselves. You’ll come across a wide range of personalities, likes and dislikes and different hair styles (you’d be surprised by the identikit “look” we saw at some other schools).

Any more specific questions, please DM.

There is also no Saturday school at Queenswood, although matches do take place in some sports. My DD boards four nights a week, Mon to Thu and the balance between family and school life feels good.

This is incredibly helpful, thank you! Can I ask how long your daughter has been there? Has she maintained the same academic standards she had previously? My daughter has been offered an academic scholarship to Queenswood, I’m not sure in reality what that means on a daily basis.

Have sent you a PM

please provide some comments on The Leys school, how is the school life in the Leys? My son has offer in Year 9. Would like to know some comments from the parents who have kids studying in the Leys. Thanks!