Learn about sporting success – and more – at school open day

Students at Queen Margaret’s historic girls’ boarding school in Escrick, just outside York, consistently achieve top exam results and they may soon have a national hockey triumph to celebrate too.

Queen Margaret’s under-14 hockey team has made its mark in the school’s heritage by securing a place in the tier 2 national hockey finals in March; one of only two Yorkshire schools to reach the finals, they will compete against eight schools for the title next year.

Prospective new students can take a guided tour of the school, set in 70 acres of parkland, and see the impressive sporting and educational facilities first-hand at an open event in February.

“Our girls take full advantage of all the many opportunities available to them – whether that be inside or outside of the classroom,” says head Sue Baillie.

“We are immensely proud of how well the girls have done in this tournament, which demonstrates great teamwork and is credit to their sheer grit and determination to succeed.”

Queen Margaret’s employs 185 staff to provide education and pastoral care for 300 girls, and the notable teaching and support on offer has been praised in the latest edition of The Good Schools Guide.

“A supporting and enabling atmosphere where girls thrive and their talents developed, whether they are academic, sporting or arts-based,” reads the review, highlighting pastoral care and preparation for life beyond school.

The school puts a strong emphasis on compassion and kindness, and takes its duty of care to students seriously; each girl has a personal tutor and any concerns at all are raised with the senior leadership team quickly.

Older girls have a personal mentor to help them thrive in sixth form.

The only all-girls full boarding school in the North of England which welcomes day pupils, the 17th century Grade II-listed main school building at Queen Margaret’s is surrounded by inspiring facilities including a floodlit Astroturf pitch, an outdoor pool and a 25m six-lane indoor swimming pool, athletics track, six outdoor tennis courts, hockey and lacrosse pitches, a sports hall, cardio suite and squash courts.

Added to this are fully equipped drama and dance studios, a professional theatre, chapel and riding school in the grounds of the estate, which all help to provide an all-round education.

“We are a small school with big ambitions,” adds Mrs Baillie. “Built upon a firm foundation of tradition, Queen Margaret’s has a long, established background of nurturing girls into independent, confident young ladies equipped with the mindset that they can achieve anything.”

Meet the head, as well as the senior leadership team, house staff and teachers, at the open morning on Saturday, 1 February, at 10am to find out more about the opportunities an education at Queen Margaret’s offers and get a glimpse of what life is like at this award-winning school.

To have an informal chat about the event, call 01904 727633 or email [email protected].

See queenmargarets.com for more.