Queen Margaret’s: Now we can focus on what really matters

Sue Baillie, head of independent girls school Queen Margaret’s at Escrick, said the U-turn on grading meant: “Now we can focus on what really matters, which is supporting our tremendous QM girls in developing their academic confidence and personal skills to prepare them for their lives beyond QM.”

The all-girls School near York is looking to the future with optimism following the turmoil surrounding this year’s results.

Despite the cancellation of their examinations, the QM girls worked diligently throughout their GCSE courses, right up until the end of term.

The school said: “The excellent results they’ve been awarded today are reflective of their commitment to learning and will provide a springboard for their further studies.

“The school is proud it has been able to support this generation of QM girls through such a challenging experience; Mrs Baillie commended her students for the resilience and self-belief they have shown, and the way they have responded to the ever-changing situation.

“The vast majority of girls receiving their GCSE results today will remain a part of the close-knit QM community and go on to study A Levels at the School.”

She said Queen Margaret’s is well prepared for the start of the new academic year when the school reopens. It will offer a ‘blended’ timetable of both physical lessons and remote learning via a digital platform – should students find themselves having to isolate or in another lockdown scenario.

Although it will be a little different to the QM life they know and love, everyone at the School is eagerly looking ahead to the start of the new term in September when the QM Family can safely reunite.