This globally-recognised award is given to schools that are deeply committed to helping every student achieve their best – not just in the classroom, but in life beyond school. It marks the culmination of a two-year journey for Queen’s, during which the whole community has worked together to embed the High Performance Learning philosophy into everyday life.
At the heart of HPL is a simple but powerful belief: great learning and high performance should be for everyone. The approach challenges the idea that ability is fixed, and instead focuses on the idea that with the right support, encouragement, and opportunities, all young people can thrive.
At Queen’s, dedicated student and staff drive teams have played key roles in shaping this journey. Together, they’ve helped ensure that HPL is woven through the fabric of school life, from lessons and tutor time to assemblies, clubs and enrichment activities. The result is a learning environment that supports not just academic success, but the development of flexible thinking, resilience, creativity, and confidence.
Steve Green, Head of Senior School, who has led the HPL journey at Queen’s, said:
“This award is something the whole school can be really proud of. It’s been a real team effort and I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been part of it, especially our drive teams who have worked so hard behind the scenes. I’m excited about what’s next as we continue to build on this strong foundation and keep HPL at the heart of what we do here at Queen’s.”
High Performance Learning also encourages schools to prepare students for a world that is changing rapidly. With technology such as AI reshaping how we live and work, the ability to think critically, learn independently and adapt to new challenges has never been more important.
The College received outstanding feedback from its external assessor, Mr Stephen Gray, Headteacher at Calday Grange Grammar School, who said:
“It really was a pleasure to spend time in such a vibrant and nurturing school. The positive atmosphere and strong sense of community were evident throughout the day. I was genuinely impressed by the quality of practice I saw. There’s clearly so much to be proud of at Queen’s. The thoughtful planning, attention to detail and clear commitment to excellence didn’t go unnoticed and made the whole process run so smoothly.”
Within the HPL report, Queen’s College was complimented for their clear vision, strong leadership and excellent implementation of HPL principles. What stood out was how HPL has been implemented in an ‘organic’ way, driving whole-school improvement.
This recognition marks a significant milestone for Queen’s College and an exciting step forward in its continued commitment to delivering a high-quality, inclusive and future-focused education.
To find out more about what High Performance Learning looks like at Queen’s, visitors are encouraged to explore the HPL section of the website