Monday 17.08.2026 Mon 17.08.2026

Senior Admissions

Senior School admissions Welcome to QEH Senior School. QEH offers boys in Years 7 to 11 an inclusive, dynamic, and encouraging environment where each pupil is recognised as an individual. We combine academic selectivity with a warm, down-to-earth culture, where boys are encouraged to develop confidence, and given opportunities to discover their interests in and [...]

Senior School admissions

Welcome to QEH Senior School. QEH offers boys in Years 7 to 11 an inclusive, dynamic, and encouraging environment where each pupil is recognised as an individual. We combine academic selectivity with a warm, down-to-earth culture, where boys are encouraged to develop confidence, and given opportunities to discover their interests in and beyond the classroom.

Through inspiring teaching and dedicated pastoral support, our students achieve remarkable academic success while growing into self-assured, well-rounded individuals. Following its autumn 2025 inspection, QEH received a rare ‘Significant Strength’ award from the Independent Schools Inspectorate for its outstanding support of pupils’ physical health, mental health, and emotional wellbeing.

Our friendly Senior School admissions team is available to assist your family at every stage, from initial enquiries and individual tours to applications, scholarships and financial assistance.

Entry to QEH Senior School

The main entry points into QEH Senior School are Years 7 and 9. Entry into other year groups, including in-year applications, may be available subject to availability. Our admissions team would be happy to discuss the options with you.

Visit QEH Senior School

A visit offers the best insight into the welcoming atmosphere of QEH, giving you the opportunity to meet our community and learn what we can offer your family. We host Senior School Open Mornings in October and March, alongside tailored individual visits throughout the academic term.

What your visit includes:

A guided tour of senior academic departments and facilities led by current students
Opportunities to view lessons and observe our teaching approach
Meetings with the Head, senior leadership, and admissions officers
Informal conversations with current pupils regarding daily routines and co-curricular options
Time to discuss subject choices, pastoral support systems, or entry requirements

How to apply for QEH Senior School

Once you have had a chance to visit QEH, we would welcome an application. Applications are completed using the QEH online application form.

1
Visit
Attend a Senior School Open Morning or arrange a personal visit to meet the Head and tour the school.

2
Apply
Complete the application form online with your son’s most recent school report and a passport-sized photograph, and pay the £75 registration fee.

3
Entrance assessment and interview
Your son attends a taster day, sits the online entrance assessment and has an interview with a member of staff.

4
Offer
Following the assessment process we contact families with the outcome and details of the next steps.

5
Accept
Successful applicants receive information about accepting the place and preparing to join QEH.

Payment is made by bank transfer using the details provided on the application form. Upon receiving your registration, our admissions team will confirm receipt and provide guidance regarding the assessment process and taster days.

Apply for QEH Senior School

What happens after you apply?

After registering, your son will be invited to QEH for a taster day and an interview. These sessions offer him the opportunity to experience daily life at QEH, speak with teachers and make friends with other boys applying and current pupils. Taster days are normally held in October, November and December each year.

The entrance assessment

All applicants sit our online entrance assessments. The assessment is composed of two parts:

Part 1: Mathematics, English, non-verbal reasoning and verbal reasoning
Part 2: Puzzles and problem-solving, together with creative comprehension

Computers are provided by QEH on the assessment day. Please see our entrance assessment FAQs for additional information. We also recommend viewing the short familiarisation exercises to get a feel for the online format.

How it's considered

The entrance assessment is considered alongside the interview and your son’s wider application. This helps us understand his academic potential, interests and suitability for life at QEH.

Outcome and next steps

Following the assessment process, families will be contacted with the outcome and details of the next steps. Successful applicants will receive information about accepting the place and preparing to join QEH.

Key dates

Autumn Term 2026
Senior School Sports Open Evening	Friday 18 September 2026
Senior School Open Morning	Saturday 3 October 2026
Taster Mornings	October 2026 - January 2027
Closing Date for Sport and Music Scholarship Applications	Friday 13 November 2026
Year 9 Sport Scholarship Assessments	Wednesday 25 November 2026
Year 7 Sport Scholarship Assessments	Thursday 26 November 2026
Spring Term 2027
Financial Assistance Application Deadline for Sept 2027 Entry	Tuesday 5 January 2027
Music Scholarship Assessments	Wednesday 6 January 2027
Entrance Examinations for Year 7 and Year 9	Saturday 9 and 16 January 2027
Closing Date for Year 7 Applications	Tuesday 12 January 2027
Offers of places made	Friday 29 January 2027
Senior School Open Morning	Friday 5 March 2027

Contact Senior School admissions

Our admissions team would be delighted to speak with you to learn more about your son, discuss entry options and availability, arrange a visit or answer questions about the application process.

Senior School admissions team

Apply for QEH Senior School

Autumn 2026 Open Events

Discover all that QEH has to offer at one of our upcoming open events in September and October. They cover Sport, Junior School, Senior School and our Sixth Form.

Book onto an Open Event Arrange a personal visit View our Prospectuses

QEH provides a safe, nurturing environment where each pupil is treated as an individual. The results are confident young men who truly believe in themselves. Freddie now has a passion for learning and the confidence to apply it which is due to the school, its understanding of boys and its fantastic staff.

Lisa, Parent

Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital,
Berkeley Place,
Clifton, Bristol BS8 1JX

QEH Junior School
9 Upper Berkeley Place
Clifton, Bristol BS8 1JS

QEH School Sports Ground
Clevedon Road
Failand
Bristol
BS8 3TN

West End Car Park
Jacob’s Wells Rd
Clifton
Bristol
BS8 1EH

Parking is available in the NCP West End car park across the road. Public bus services stop regularly at the nearby Triangle.

Head’s Welcome

‘‘The school gets boys. It’s the way the teachers talk to the boys. And if there is anything, it’s dealt with straight away.” Current Parent

“Children are stretched because the teaching can be individualised to suit the needs of every boy.” Year 6 Parent

“The nurturing environment that QEH provides has enabled him to settle in so much faster than we ever expected.” Year 5 parent

We believe in the importance of the Creative Arts

“Nothing’s uncool – at QEH, he’s involved in stuff he would never have done before, he always held back before saying something wasn’t cool.” Current Parent

QE Award

The Extended Day

Head’s Welcome

We believe that, in the earlier years of school, boys learn best this way.

We aim to produce young adults who are well-educated not just well-qualified. Small classes, a positive work ethic and teachers with a real passion for their subject create a learning environment where students are stretched, not stressed.

We’ll give you lots of freedom and independence but we also recognise there may be times when you need support. If you do, we’ll be there to help.

From the outside QEH may appear daunting, especially for new boys to the school. On the inside, however, it is a totally different story.

Year 9 is distinctly defined at QEH, being between the Lower and Middle School and offering boys unique challenges and opportunities.

The transition through the Middle School is a pivotal period between the early years of secondary school and university preparation in the Sixth Form.

Medical and Health

Our contract caterers, Holroyd Howe, provide first-class lunches for our pupils. These offer a healthy, balanced, nutritious diet each day for our pupils. Holroyd Howe also provide excellent breakfasts, which are available for pupils to purchase, and catering for special functions.

QEH cares about the way our students develop as human beings. All pupils in Years 7 to 10 take part in an exciting and meaningful programme that ensures our students are equipped to live a responsible and fulfilling life.

Sport

The Performing Arts flourish at QEH.

Music is at the heart of school life at QEH and plays a key role both socially and academically. Our aim is to offer everyone the opportunity to get involved in the many varied musical activities we provide.

With our dedicated music studio, we offer workshops for pupils to learn the basics of how to use a recording studio and also give them the opportunity to record their own ensembles or solo performances.

QEH Theatre is a striking modern building, with a comfortable three-sided auditorium seating 220, creating an intimate and dynamic atmosphere.

Sometimes students learn as much out of the classroom as in it.

In recent years the programme for Outdoor Pursuits has become a special strength of the school.

QEH prides itself on the range of activities it provides, reflecting the wide interests and talents of the pupils and the commitment of the staff.

QEH prides itself on offering a comprehensive range of trips and educational visits, designed both to enhance the pupils’ learning and stimulate their inquisitiveness.

We are delighted that our pupils have been successful in their efforts to gain top GCSE grades after 18 months of Covid-related disruption to learning. This year’s exam success is a result of the pupils’ commitment to learning, ably supported by both teachers and parents.

Welcome to Sixth Form

Your time in the Sixth Form provides the foundation for the rest of your life.

Whether you want to do some reading, focus on that all-important essay, or relax and catch up with your friends, the purpose-built Sixth Form centre ticks all the boxes.

Currently Sixth Form students are expected to study four A-level subjects in Year 12 and then complete full A-levels by continuing with at least three of these.

Your success in the wider world after school depends in part on your ability to take responsibility, be proactive, learn from your mistakes, and work alongside others to make things happen.

We’ll give you lots of freedom and independence but we also recognise there may be times when you need support. If you do, we’ll be there to help.

Sometimes students learn as much out of the classroom as in it.

Sport

In Sixth Form, there are many opportunities to be involved in Music and Drama.

Rupert Heathcote, Head at QEH, has today paid tribute to the students and staff at QEH for their hard work over the last two years.

One of the most important features of the Sixth Form at QEH is how it prepares its students for Higher Education and beyond.

Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital was founded in 1590 as a ‘hospital or place for the bringing up of poor children or orphans being men children as such shall be born in the city of Bristol…’

The Friends of QEH is an active group of teachers and parents who help to build the school community from Juniors right through to Sixth Form.

The Next Ten Years

Inspection Reports – Independent Schools Inspectorate

PDF versions of our policies and documents, which are available to parents of current and prospective pupils, can be downloaded below.

Our FAQ page addresses a variety of common questions about QEH and related topics.

The School is fortunate in having well-qualified and committed Staff and Governors.

Sustainability at QEH

Inspection Reports

QEH is located in Berkeley Place, Clifton. The Junior School can be found at 9 Upper Berkeley Place, in the terrace of Georgian houses behind the QEH Senior School building.

When there are vacancies at QEH, full details of the position and the application procedure will be available below.

There is a regular QEH podcast, the place to find out more about the school and to connect with staff, pupils and parents at a deeper level.

This event has now finished. If you would like information on future events at QEH, please contact the Marketing Office.

Why QEH

Beyond QEH

Parents & Students

Prospectus