North Yorkshire Independent School Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate (QE) is celebrating, as it was announced as the winner of the Boarding Innovation Award at the BSA Supporting Excellence Awards 2022
Held for the first time in 2018, these national awards are an opportunity to celebrate the achievements, hard work, and dedication in boarding schools. The Boarding Innovation Award celebrates an outstanding example of innovation to deliver better boarding.
The Houseparent Assistant App at QE has been designed and created by a Houseparent at QE to overcome the administrative demands of the role. It integrates school database system iSams with Microsoft Teams, and both the app and its House Monitoring data tracking system run through Microsoft Power Platform, so work on mobile, tablet or desktop. All data (including photos) used or generated by this application is stored exclusively on the school server and is fully compliant with the School’s Data Protection Policy. The different modules make every aspect of administration in a residential setting easier, paperless, and quicker.
Daniel Machin, Principal of Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, said ‘We are very proud that the BSA Supporting Excellence Awards recognised our fantastic QE boarding team for their outstanding boarding innovation. At QE, innovation has and always will be of crucial importance, as we continue to ensure that the quality of care we offer for our students meets their evolving needs. Our boarding students at QE benefit from exemplary facilities, exceptional care and invaluable opportunities which ensure they thrive in all aspects of their life.
Lauren Blakeley, Head of Boarding at QE, said ‘Our Houseparent App has transformed the job of Houseparent here at QE. It allows more time to be spent with the students, which is vitally important to us. It is a truly unique innovation and has already had a significant impact with the Houseparents, and therefore the students, in all of our boarding houses.’
QE was also a finalist in two other categories: Supporting Junior Boarders Award, and also for the Most Original Activity During National Boarding Week Award.
Queen Ethelburga’s welcomes students wishing to Board from Year 3 to Year 13. At the heart of boarding at QE are three central characteristics; opportunity, individuality, and a caring community. Being a boarder at QE gives students opportunities beyond the ordinary. Whether that is in academic studies, in the clubs that they choose, in the trips they attend or in the friends that they make; their experiences here will shape their life. We strive to help our students to develop the life skills they need to be the very best that they can be and to prepare them for their undoubtedly successful futures.
This recent award win follows on from of a series of prestigious awards nominations for the Collegiate. This month, QE has been announced as a finalist in the Boarding School of the Year category in the TES School Awards for 2022.
The most outstanding individuals and institutions that the education sector has to offer have been recognised in the shortlist for these awards. The Collegiate has also made its mark in the inaugural Muddy Stilettos School Awards, having been announced as a finalist in the Outstanding Pastoral Care category. The judges rank amongst the most highly-respected, senior educators in the UK and have been chosen based on their passions and professional experience across the Awards categories. QE also received five Highly Commended accolades including Happiest Boarding School; Originality in Teaching Music and the Arts; Giving Something Back; Special Sixth Form; and Empowering Young Entrepreneurs.
In addition to the awards finalist announcements, Cyrus Zarrebini, QE’s Head Boy for 2021, was finally presented in person with The Lexden Prize for 2021 by Lord Lexden himself, at the start of May in London.
Cyrus, along with QE Principal, Daniel Machin, enjoyed a tour of Parliament, were present for the daily sitting to see the Government being challenged by the Lords and had afternoon tea in the Lords Dining Room. The Lexden Prize is a prestigious accolade awarded by the Independent Schools Association (ISA), for ‘the most remarkable sixth form student’.