By his will dated 10 April 1586, John Carr, a Bristol merchant, founded Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital, a bluecoat school in Bristol on the lines of Christ’s Hospital which was already flourishing in London. The Charter was granted to the School by Queen Elizabeth I in 1590. Originally composed entirely of boarders, the School continued so until 1920 when foundation day boys were admitted. Direct Grant status was accorded in 1945. The School is now independent and day only and, as of September 2017, has a thriving co-educational Sixth Form.
Admission. There are 667 pupils in the Senior School, ranging in age from 11 to 18. Entrance examinations for both Year 7 and Year 9 applicants are held in January each year; Sixth Form and other Years by arrangement. Girls are able to join the co-ed QEH Sixth Form.
Term of entry. Usually September.
Entrance scholarships. Scholarships run alongside the means-tested financial assistance programme and are available for entry into Years 7, 9 and 12. Pupils awarded a music, sport or academic scholarship receive an annual grant for their development.
Financial Assistance. Since our foundation in 1590, we have supported many pupils through financial assistance as it is important to our school that we are an inclusive and diverse community, accessible to children who would benefit from a QEH education regardless of socio-economic background. All pupils (including those awarded a scholarship) are eligible to apply for financial assistance based on an assessment of the family's means which takes parents' income and the value of capital assets into consideration.
Buildings. The school was originally located near the city centre but moved to new premises on Brandon Hill in 1847. A major building and improvement programme has included the building of the QEH Theatre (1990), refurbishment of the Art School (2000), new Mathematics rooms and heavy investment in ICT (2004). An 80-strong Junior School opened in 2007 (increasing to an average of over 100 per year), along with a new Sixth Form Centre. In 2008, a multi-million pound development programme, in conjunction with Bristol City Football Club, saw new football pitches on 23 acres at the Sports Ground at Failand. A further £2.7 million has been invested at the Failand for a 3G artificial surface for rugby and football, sand-dressed artificial surfaces for hockey and tennis as well as tarmac surfaces for netball and tennis. A £3 million Science and Art Building was opened in October 2016. An expanded Sixth Form Centre opened in September 2017.
Curriculum. Students are prepared for the GCSE and GCE A level, and for university entrance. The usual school subjects are offered at GCSE level, and the A level subjects are: English Literature, English Language, Drama, Economics, Classical Greek, Classical Civilisation, History, Geography, French, German, Spanish, Art, Photography, Film Studies, Latin, Product Design, Music, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Music Technology, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physical Education, Business Studies, Computer Science, Religion and Philosophy, Government & Politics and Psychology.
Music and Drama. There is a School Orchestra, Choir, Jazz Band, Brass Group, and Wind Band among the 20 or so ensembles. Music is included in the timetable for all the junior forms. GCSE and A level music are part of the School curriculum, and tuition is arranged for a wide range of instruments. The Choir and instrumentalists perform regularly and also undertake joint ventures with other schools in Bristol. Drama flourishes and the school has its own high-tech. purpose-built theatre which seats 220.
Art. The Department is well equipped and offers ceramics, screen printing, photography and computer imaging.
Religious Studies. The School is a Christian one which welcomes students of all faiths, or none. Religious Studies is part of the curriculum and students attend two services a year in Bristol Cathedral.
Games. Rugby, hockey, football, netball, athletics, golf, cricket, swimming, tennis, badminton, squash, judo, climbing and mountain biking. A large number of students also participate in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Ten Tors.
Dress. Boys wear grey trousers and a blazer. Sixth Form students wear smart business dress. Traditional bluecoat uniform is worn by some for special occasions.
General. All parents are encouraged to join the Friends of QEH, a society whose aim is to promote a close relationship between parents and staff and to further the welfare of the School. There is a flourishing Elizabethan Society for alumni, which holds regular events and circulates a newsletter. A panel of former pupils, formed from all professions, and working with the Head of Futures, is available to give advice on careers to students.
The School has long been known in Bristol as ‘The City School’ and its links with the Lord Mayor and Corporation are strong. Students read the lessons and sing in the Lord Mayor’s Chapel, and groups are in attendance for such occasions as Mayor-making and Council Prayers.
The central position of the School, close to the University, Art Gallery and Museum, Central Library, Bristol Old Vic and the Bristol Beacon, affords ready access to a wide range of cultural facilities which students are encouraged to use.
Junior School. 110 Boys aged 7–11. (For further details see QEH Junior School entry in IAPS section.) Fees per term (2025-2026). Senior School: £6,965, Junior School: £4,765. Fees include text and exercise books, and essential educational trips but do not include public examination fees or lunches. Fees include VAT.
Charitable status. Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital was established in 1590 by Royal Charter. Registered Charity, number 1104871, Company Limited by Guarantee, number 5164477. VAT reg. no: 443181511.
Governors & Staff:
Governing Body:
Mr K Riley, BA Hons, MA (Chairman)
Mr P Allan
Mrs A Angus, BA Hons
Mrs C Bateson, MA, BA Hons
Mr E Corrigan, BA, FCS, MAE
Mr T Davis, BSc, MRICS
Mrs H England, BA Hons, MBA
Mr I Filby
Mr J Hollingdale, MA Oxon, FCA, MCIArb
Mr M Jones, BSc
Mrs D McMillan
Mr J Milne, MA, MBA
Mrs J Sadler
Mr M Wagstaffe, BA Hons
Miss P Yianni, BSc, MSc, MRICS
Director of Finance & Operations: Mr R Hutchings, BA, FCA
Head: Mr R D Heathcote, BSc
Deputy Head (Academic): Mr J Martin, MA
Deputy Head (Pastoral): Mr N Pursall, BA
Assistant Head (Staff Development): Mr C Brotherton, MA
Assistant Head (Sixth Form): Mr R Porter, MA
Assistant Head (Logistics and Co-curricular): Mr T J Dunn, BSc
Assistant Head (Equity and Pupil Wellbeing): Mrs L Mantle, BA, MSc
Director of Marketing & Admissions: Mr J Breeze, DipMkt MCIM
Mr S Albon, BSc
Mr P M Amor, BA
Ms C R Bernstein, MA
Mr S Bevan, Mphys
Ms H Bosson, BSc
Miss J Bowkett, BSc
Mr C M Brotherton, MA
Mrs I Calvert, MA
Mr R D Carr, BA
Ms L Carter, BA
Mr D J Chalmers, BSc
Mr A C Clements, BSc
Mr R Cope (Bristol Old Vic)
Miss A Cottingham, BA
Mr J Cox, BSc
Mr J Davies, MA
Mr A Donald, BA
Mr T Dunbavin, BSc
Mr TJ Dunn, BSC
Mrs J Edwards, BA
Mrs K Ellis, BA
Ms A Feledziak, BA
Miss L Fenner, BA
Mrs C Gardner, BA
Mr E M Gent, BA
Mrs D Guthrie, BSc
Mr R J Harris, BA
Mr T Harrison, BA
Dr B Hewitt, PHD
Mrs P Hockenhull, BA
Mrs N Holcombe, BA
Mr K M Holmes, BA
Miss E Hunter, BSc
Mrs K Izzard-Clark, BSc
Mr B Jarman
Dr J Jönsson, MSc, PhD
Mr P E Joslin, BEd
Mr H Keeling, BA
Ms T R Kibblewhite, BSc
Dr H L Kyle, BSc, PhD
Mrs J Lawrence
Ms S K Liddle, BSc
Mrs H Mann, MA
Miss L Mantle, BA, MA
Mrs J Marsden, BA
Mrs M McGowan, BA
Miss C McQuaid, BA
Mr S Mitchell, BSc
Mr P C Moore, BEd
Mrs S Moritz, BSc
Mr W Munro, BA
Dr V Neild, BA
Mr J Parsonage, MA
Mrs A Pegg, BA
Mrs I Porter, BA
Mr R Porter, MA
Mr N Pursall, BA
Mr C Ryan, BSc
Ms K E Ryan, BA
Mrs H Shields, BA
Ms E Small, Mlitt
Mr K Swanson, BA
Mr A W H Swithinbank, BA
Mr J G Sykes, BSc
Mrs N Taylor, BA
Miss G Tyler, MSc
Mr Z Verry, BA
Mrs F Waite-Taylor, BA
Mr R J Waldron, BA
Mr M Wood, MA, BSc
Mr J Woof, BA
Junior School:
Head: Mr R Wolverson, BA, PGCE. RAF VR, FRSA
Visiting Music Teachers:
Mr J Bacon, MMus
Mr P Barrett, BA, PG Dip
Miss C Lindley, BA
Mr N Malcolm
Mr B Mullan, BMus
Mrs O Parfitt
Mr A Purnell, BMus Hons RWCMD
Mr G Sterland
Mr N Shipman, BMus LGSMD
Mr A Stewart, BMus
Mr R Webb
Mr J Whitfield, BMus
Chaplain: The Revd C M Pilgrim
Head’s EA: Mrs E Wilson
Librarian: Mrs H Macleod