A Brief History
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School (QEGS) was founded in 1585. The original “Old School” is in the centre of the town but from 1909 teaching has been based on The Green Road Site where the school developed as a mixed Grammar School.
In 1973, the Ashbourne County Secondary School on Old Derby Road closed and amalgamated with QEGS to form a single comprehensive school operating on split sites, serving children of all abilities from Ashbourne and the surrounding area between the ages of 11 and 18.
The school remained a ‘split site’ school until February 2003 when completion of new buildings saw the transfer of all Lower Site students to the ‘New’ school on The Green Road. In 2007 a new Technology Block was added to this site and The Green Road site now accommodates over 1100 Year 7 to Year 11 students.
The Sixth Form continues to be based in separate buildings which have also been extended to provide a superb environment for post 16 education although some practical lessons are still taken on The Green Road Site. In 2010 an extension consisting of mainly classrooms, was opened at the Sixth Form Centre and the private study area was upgraded.
QEGS has a long history of academic success and has consistently been one of the highest achieving schools in England. In 2011 we were placed fifth in the performance tables published by the Independent newspaper and have been in the top 5% of schools for A level achievements for many years. However we cater for all students of all abilities and providing education for students with Special Educational Needs has long been a feature of the school.
In 2011, to continue to provide the very best education for our students, QEGS converted to become a Phase 2 Academy School (this means we have no sponsor company). The school takes full responsibility for its own financial matters and educational provision.
Our overall aim remains: ‘In Good Spirit; Excellence for All’
