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Welcome to the website of Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth
I College - or "QE" as it is most commonly referred
to by our students. Whatever your interest in the college,
whether you are a student, prospective student, parent or
simply interested member of the public, we hope this website
will provide at least some of the information you need. If
you would like to know more, please do not hesitate to contact
me or one of my colleagues here at the college.
Ian Wilson
Principal |
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| AN INTRODUCTION TO THE COLLEGE |
| As a sixth form college Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I
College specialises in the education of young people between
the ages of 16 and 19. Our aim is not only to provide students
with the courses they need to gain qualifications for higher
education and employment but to do so in an environment designed
to meet the needs of their particular age group. |
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| On the one hand we recognise that our students have until
very recently attended schools, where their lives were necessarily
highly structured and controlled. On the other hand we are
equally aware that when they leave us our students will be
expected to cope with the responsibilities of adult life,
taking their own decisions, perhaps living independently.
Our role, therefore, is to be a "half-way house".
We expect our students to take increasing responsibility for
their own learning, to manage their own time and to take important
decisions which will influence their futures. But at the same
time we provide a framework of specialist teaching, guidance
and support which enables students to make the most of their
talents and of the opportunities available. |
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| The College has a long tradition of outstanding achievement
and a reputation for excellence, recognised most recently
by the award of Learning and Skills Beacon status in April
2003. Students coming here are well motivated and we encourage
them to set themselves high standards. Our students' record
of examination success and progression into higher education
and employment reflects our strong focus on academic achievement.
But we also set out to ensure that students enjoy their time
at QE and widen their horizons as well as deepening their
knowledge and understanding. In addition to their examination
programme students take advantage of an unusually rich array
of activities, courses, educational visits, performances and
sporting events. Excellence and achievement can take many
forms and certainly do so at this College. |
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| The college is a community in which we all depend on each
other if we are to succeed. Relationships between staff and
students are excellent, based on mutual respect and a strong
sense of common purpose. We bring together over 1890 students
from all parts of the city of Leicester and the surrounding
areas of Leicestershire and neighbouring counties. Reflecting
the ethnic and cultural diversity of the region, our students
contribute to a vibrant social mix and help to create a stimulating
environment in which to live and learn. |
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While it is undoubtedly the people – staff and students alike – who make the College what it is, the physical environment and resources are also important. We benefit from a spacious, attractive site adjacent to Victoria Park and next to the University of Leicester, some of whose services are available to our students. Specialist facilities for teaching and learning – including private study areas and IT access – are of a high standard. Many students also take advantage of the outstanding Sports Hall and range of playing fields. |
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| Developments |
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| Those of us who work here are proud of what the college is and what it has achieved. But we want it to go on progressing. The next two years promise to be exciting and important ones in the history of the College. |
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| 2007/8 saw the first group of QE students completing their International
Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma at the College. For some students each year the IB, with its emphasis on internationalism and idealism, breadth as well as depth of academic study and its programme of Creativity, Action and Service, provides an educational experience significantly different from that offered by A-levels. |
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| During the summer of 2007 work started on an extensive building
and refurbishment programme. The first phase of the work, now complete, provides new purpose-built accommodation for the departments of Art & Design, Performing Arts and Economics & Business as well as a new student cafeteria. The second phase will see the complete refurbishment of a major part of the existing buildings including the modernisation of all science laboratories and the creation of additional study space for students. |
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| The College is also a year along its journey to becoming a Healthy College. This commitment involves all of us working towards a range of criteria, extending from healthy eating and having a smoke-free environment to the promotion of Active Citizenship and Student Wellbeing. |
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| We are confident that the college will continue to develop and be successful. Ultimately that depends on our students as much as on anything else. Each year more than half of the students are new to the college and each
generation has its own contribution to make. As a college we learn from the students as much as they learn from us. Long
may the learning continue. |
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