Queen Margaret’s Scoops National Boarding Schools Award

4 May 2018

Queen Margaret’s, York (QM) was crowned winner of the ‘Boarding Innovation Award’ at the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) Boarding Achievement Awards 2018. The prestigious Awards Dinner was held at the British Airways i360 Tower in Brighton and QM Head Jessica Miles was there to pick up the award, as part of the annual BSA Conference for Heads.

QM’s ‘Community Weekends’ have been recognised by the BSA as an outstanding example of boarding innovation. Introduced in September 2017, they were developed to stimulate further a thriving weekend life with the girls themselves taking charge and leading their organisation. With 12 Community Weekends held every year, each one is led by one of the School’s six vertical houses or other girl-led groups such as the International Council.

Community Weekends are far-ranging with different themes and activities planned for each – from Halloween and Performing Arts themed weekends to activities such as Football Zorbing, and an extreme adventure Zip Wire, Surf Simulator, Inflatable Obstacle Course and Climbing Wall.

As the only all girls’ full boarding school in the North of England, one of QM’s great strengths is its thriving boarding life which ensures full integration across the years. Girls take full responsibility for Community Weekends, consulting with all year groups to devise themes and content, which gives the girls the opportunity to develop essential soft skills such as communication, leadership and negotiation.#

Jessica Miles, Head of Queen Margaret’s commented on the achievement: “We are honoured and delighted to be awarded with this national accolade which is testament to the value of boarding demonstrating how innovation works to create an inclusive, thriving and happy boarding community.

My thanks go to Tania Davidson, Director of Boarding and all the QM Boarding Team for all their work and dedication in supporting this initiative. Above all thanks to our QM girls who I am particularly proud of, who take responsibility for and work hard to create amazing Community Weekends.”