Few schools in the UK deliver such consistently high academic outcomes, combined with a thoroughly modern campus experience as Queen Ethelburga’s. Year after year, this North Yorkshire boarding school ranks among the top ten schools in the country for A-level results.
Set in beautiful countryside, the school has welcomed pupils since 1912 into what is today a thriving, supportive and impressively well-equipped learning community. During our most recent visit, it was clear that the school lives and breathes its motto: „To be the best I can with the gifts that I have.”
Akademis makes history – A Triple Award-Winning Consultancy (2023, 2024 & 2025) 🏆
Akademis has been recognised three years in a row by StudyTravel for excellence in the education sector:
2025 & 2024: Winners of the StudyTravel Secondary School Award (Best Western European Agency)
2023: Winner of the StudyTravel Star Award
(Best Western European Agency)
The StudyTravel Awards are among the most prestigious honours in international education, recognising outstanding quality, client focus and trusted partnerships. Being the first consultancy ever to win for three consecutive years is something we are deeply proud of. For us, these awards highlight our commitment to offering the very best guidance, personal service and long-term support for families embarking on this exciting journey.
Quick Overview
Number of pupils: 1,189
International pupils: 490
Maximum Sixth Form class size: 16
Sixth Form boarding fees per term: £23,645 – £24,125
Main sports offered in addition to traditional team sports: swimming, basketball, cricket, hockey, netball, rugby, football
Nearest airports: Newcastle Airport (1 hour 45 minutes), Manchester Airport (2 hours), helipad on campus
https://www.qe.org/
Key Strengths at a Glance
modern boarding houses
human and veterinary medicine as elective options
multiple awards for outstanding food
over 100 enrichment activities
Queen Ethelburga’s – Photo Highlights
Queen Ethelburga’s in Detail
Academic Excellence
In 2021, a staggering 85% of A-level grades were A* or A. Alongside the standard A-level curriculum, pupils choose from a unique “Super Curriculum” including courses in medicine, law, astronomy, debating, and more. Spanish, Chinese, Business Studies, Art, Design Technology and even Criminology are among the wide variety of subjects available. The school also offers BTEC and WJEC courses, giving flexibility to match students‘ strengths and future goals.
Sports and Sports Science
With over 12 hectares of pitches and facilities, Queen Ethelburga’s is a dream for sporty pupils. The indoor provision is exceptional: a vast sports hall, a 25-metre swimming pool, high-tech fitness suite, a dedicated sports science and rehabilitation centre, and cryotherapy baths. There are also studios for boxing, martial arts, dance, fencing and table tennis. Whether your child plays competitively or simply enjoys keeping active, the options are hard to beat.
State-of-the-Art Campus Life
Queen Ethelburga’s is famous for its futuristic facilities: a full-size go-kart track, a climbing wall, its own cinema, and student lounges that feel more like university flats than traditional boarding houses. Pupils in the Sixth Form share stylish apartments, complete with private bathrooms and spacious communal kitchens and lounges, fostering a relaxed, grown-up atmosphere. Meals are taken in the school’s bright Atrium and have even won awards – the food here is widely praised, and we must admit, it looked fantastic when we visited!
Creative Arts and Co-Curricular Life
Creativity is also thriving here. The arts are woven into daily life – music, theatre, visual arts, fashion and textiles, photography, and even 3D design are all popular. Beyond the classroom, pupils get stuck into a wide range of Enrichment Activities, from astronomy and baking to ‘BBC Young Reporter’ and environmental groups. There’s even a Zambia community service project.
This is Queen Ethelburga’s
Our Impressions
Queen Ethelburga’s isn’t just modern – it’s futuristic. When you’re greeted in the lounge by an 8-metre robot, you know this school is pushing boundaries. But it isn’t just the tech and facilities that impress: the students are courteous, mature, and clearly focused on their goals. It’s a school that delivers excellence without pretension.
Photos From Our Visit
What our clients say about us
Get a free consultation and find out more about Queen Ethelburga’s
Final Thoughts Queen Ethelburga’s College
Queen Ethelburga’s stands as one of the strongest academic schools in the UK, matched by facilities that many universities would envy. That said, it is just one of many fantastic boarding schools in the UK. We would be delighted to help you explore further options and find the best fit for your child.
With decades of experience, close relationships with admissions departments, and regular visits to partner schools, we offer genuine insight and honest advice.
Explore our full list of UK boarding schools and contact us for a tailored consultation.
Why families choose us:
- Personal insights from first-hand school visits
- Strong, direct links to Admissions Offices
- Many years of successful placements
- Visa and application support included
What Makes Akademis Stand Out?
- We remain your trusted contact throughout your child’s stay, well beyond the placement process.
- We provide support with guardianship, visa applications and recognition of qualifications within the German school system.
- We offer fully tailored advice. Our school recommendations are unique to each child and can run to 40 pages in length.
- Families receive our 30+ page boarding school guide, packed with practical tips and insights.
- We prepare your child thoroughly for entrance exams and interviews to maximise their chances of success.
- We arrange school visits, ensuring you have the opportunity to experience each school first-hand.
Every boarding school has its own character and ethos. Having personally visited more than 100 schools, we understand these nuances. We also work with schools that do not pay commission, ensuring that our advice remains independent and always in the best interest of your child.
Our roots lie in the UK. For years, we have placed 200–300 families annually into British boarding schools. While our portfolio now includes schools beyond Britain, the UK remains at the heart of what we do.
Our tailored approach results in exceptional acceptance rates. For example, in 2022/23, all seven students we placed at the highly selective Malvern College received offers – a 100% success rate.
We arrange for prospective families to speak with our current students to hear first-hand accounts of life at a UK boarding school.
