Chapter House, the Early Years, Infants and Junior School at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate has been re-awarded the prestigious Primary Quality Mark Award for English and Mathematics by the national programme The Quality Mark.

This national accreditation is awarded to schools which meet the Quality Mark Standard and lasts for a period of three years, with Chapter House previously being awarded the Quality Mark in 2018.

The Quality Mark promotes, supports and celebrates progress and improvements made by a school in English and Mathematics. Without these ‘basic skills’ of good communication, English and mathematical skills, individuals are disadvantaged throughout their lives – as learners, in the workplace and as parents, consumers and citizens and so they form the ‘bedrock’ of good education.

York Press:

To achieve the Award, Chapter House went through a repeat of the assessment process carried out by an external assessor against the 10 ‘Elements’ of the Quality Mark framework. These cover key aspects of the school’s improvement approach, including the identification and analysis of the school’s needs; strategic planning; target setting for improvement; intervention and support for pupils under-achieving or under-attaining; provision of quality in both teaching and in resources; staff development; and active engagement with families. Renewal of the Award shows that effective monitoring and evaluation have been in place since the previous Award in 2018.

York Press:

This new Award follows swiftly on from Chapter House being awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark (PQSM) Gilt, earned in June 2021. This accolade is given to schools which can demonstrate how established effective science leadership is having a sustained impact on science teaching and learning within a school.   

Karen Kilkenny, Head of Chapter House, said ‘Thank you to Joanna Young, our Deputy Head, who has worked closely with staff to ensure that we have maintained our excellent standards since first being awarded the Primary Quality Mark in 2018. 

The award is a reflection of the high standards of teaching and the safe, happy, challenging environment we provide for the Chapter House children. 

Our children are eager to take risks and reflect on what they have learnt so they can be ready for any challenge they may face in the future.’