< Previous10 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY QE COLLEGE Q&A What makes QE College special? QE College is vibrant and diverse, and one of our two senior school pathways. Our ethos is to ‘be the best I can be with the skills that I have’ and we focus on developing the passions and talents of our students, both within and beyond the curriculum so that we distinguish them from their peers. We provide our students with opportunities to challenge themselves and gain invaluable hands-on experience and encourage them to showcase their talents. We are proud to be the Sunday Times Top School in the North for Academic Performance for three years in a row and to currently rank 2nd nationally for A Level Performance. What does QE offer to set its students apart? Our Stretch and Challenge programme offers lectures and workshops from alumni and professionals, opportunities for student leadership and a development programme that includes entrepreneurial thinking, financial management and strategic planning. Students can present lectures on unique topics and can compete in both internal competitions such as our Student Essay Competition and Medical Conference as well as recognised national competitions. In 2022-23 our students achieved 225 awards and commendations across a variety of fields from creative and performing arts to science and maths to business, computing and economics. In addition, 94 underwent external qualifications in areas such as lifeguarding and mental health, 88 contributed to the school community through Ambassador roles and one student had his economics research paper published by Atlantic Press. How do you prepare students for competitive UCAS applications? Our expert Careers Team support students in choosing their next steps. Each student is assigned a UCAS mentor who advises on personal statements, work experience and extra-curriculars to support their applications. Extra support is offered to those seeking competitive places in fields like medicine or veterinary and for those participating in the Early Applicant Programme. Students undertake an Extended Project Qualification where they research and present on a topic of interest to them. This creates great material for their personal statements and academic interviews. Students also participate in informative workshops and lectures on topics including applying to Oxbridge. How does the school prepare students for further education and beyond? Our annual Whole School Revision Project teaches the most efficient revision techniques for retaining knowledge and excelling in examinations throughout their life. There are also workshops which focus on interview technique, creating effective study routines, balancing social life with study, critical thinking and public speaking. Our business and enterprise clubs develop essential ‘future success’ skills in entrepreneurship, collaboration, ICT, communication, and analysis through projects and competitions. These run alongside our extensive STEM co- curricular programme which promotes innovation, curiosity, exploration and problem-solving through extra-curricular practical science sessions, STEM societies and national initiatives. We provide a life skills programme which covers topics such as coping with exam stress, tackling procrastination, time management, networking, debate, self-belief and personal care. Our award- winning catering team teach 14 classes Q&A QE College Lincolnshire Today interviews Head of QE College, Steven Turner. Steven Turner, Head of QE CollegeLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 11 QE COLLEGE Q&A per week on areas from cooking at university to growing, harvesting and preparing food. Students can apply for various roles of responsibility where they can practice skills in leadership, planning, organisation, presenting, and negotiating. They can develop key skills through leading societies, coordinating projects such as the school newsletter, organising a variety of different events, or through volunteering in community projects. QE College is known for its academic success but what does it offer outside of the curriculum? Our campus offers over 100 activities and many of our students participate in competitive or recreational sport, have music, dance and LAMDA lessons, or take part in school productions, concerts, projects and trips. QE strives to offer enriching student opportunities which is why we launched the first ever school motorsport team, released a hit song and music video and started two Esport teams. What can boarding add to a child’s personal development? Boarding at QE allows students to take advantage of our state-of-the-art facilities including a gym, running track and swimming pool and to participate in additional extra-curricular activities. All boarders benefit from extra academic support via tutors, House Parents and academic ambassadors and can learn from their peers as they work alongside them in homework sessions. Boarders socialise and build lifelong friendships in our dedicated activity centre, Muggles, which has a range of games and consoles, chill out areas and even a fast-food restaurant. Our trained House Parents are separate from school staff. They organise fun house activities and offer advice, support and structure to our students. As Head, I watch the independence of our boarders thrive as they learn to care for themselves under the guidance of our Boarding Teams. You have a Collegiate population of 340 Forces students. What support and activities are in place for them? Forces students account for 25% of the Collegiate. As such, our Forces Liaison Officer, boarding and pastoral teams are trained to support the issues most relevant to Forces students including feelings of worry about deployments, homesickness and moving around a lot. Many of our staff were Forces children or are ex Forces and use their experience to offer extra-curricular groups and activities such as our Forces Club. Our popular Combined Cadet Force (CCF), led by Capt John Shaw and Flt Lt Amy Cox offers a breadth of activities including residentials, fieldcraft training, archery, orienteering and community work. CCF also host our private Remembrance service with the City of York’s Pipe Band. Financially, we support Forces families with top ups to CEA funding and a 15% discount to ex Forces and non-CEA. QE College is one of four schools located at QE Collegiate. For more information, visit www.qe.org, attend our Saturday 27th April open morning, or email admissions@qe.org to book a private tour. BUILDING NEW HOMES ACROSS LINCOLNSHIRE PERFECT LOCATIONS, LUXURY SPECIFICATIONS Visit our website to find out more Lea DN21 5EW Market Rasen LN8 3EE Woodhall Spa LN10 6TL RIPPONHOMES.CO.UK HOLLOW FOX GRANGE WOODCOCK COMING SOON Ruskington NG34 9TPBelvoir Castle Estate A world of opportunity B elvoir Castle, situated in the tranquil Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire, offers a diverse array of distinctive property opportunities dispersed across its picturesque landscape. These encompass commercial hospitality ventures, rural retail outlets, and residential development sites. The estate is actively pursuing individuals or enterprises of the utmost quality capable of providing exceptional offerings across these domains, aligning with the extraordinary sites and unparalleled location. Given the exceptional nature of these locations, our aim is to match the right tenants, operators, and developers with the appropriate sites, thereby ensuring that all agreements are tailored to suit the specific needs and aspirations of each party involved. Hospitality Vale House stands as a one-of-a-kind property nestled in the heart of the Vale of Belvoir. Its location is ideal for hosting a top- tier rural spa and wellness retreat. With its high-quality infrastructure and idyllic surroundings, it presents an appealing opportunity for a luxury operator. This exclusive proposition offers the chance to manage a premium wellness facility while being part of our boutique rural retail village, The Engine Yard. Strategically positioned for both tourism and local commerce, Vale House spans three acres, featuring over 12,000 square feet of exquisite retail space converted from charming early Victorian estate buildings. Amidst today's fast-paced world, this sanctuary offers a tranquil haven for relaxation and rejuvenation. Rural Retail The Engine Yard is Belvoir Castle’s unique retail village, the site has been sympathetically restored from charming 19th century estate buildings and is now a centre of excellence for local food, drink and artisan shopping. We have a number of units available which would be suitable for a variety of occupiers, who aspire to provide a unique retail experience to their customer. At Belvoir Castle we have a passion for perfection in everything we do, promoting the countryside, championing artisan crafts, and fostering a self-care and wellness culture that is vitally important in the world we live in today. Development Sites These sites offer a rare chance for conversion into residential or commercial spaces, characterized by their inherent charm and character. These buildings are available on long-term, rent-free improvement leases, presenting an exceptional opportunity for transformation. From single barns to expansive ranges, the assortment includes Dutch barns, grain stores, traditional red brick farm buildings, and portal frame structures. The rural setting adds to their allure, with some locations boasting excellent access and infrastructure. Various levels of planning permission have been secured, and different degrees of services are accessible across the sites. The Estate also offers building plots for sale, each with planning consent already granted. These plots provide a unique opportunity for individuals or developers to create bespoke properties in the stunning surroundings of the Belvoir Castle Estate. Whether you're envisioning a countryside retreat, a modern architectural masterpiece, or a traditional family home, these plots offer the canvas upon which to bring your vision to life. Please get in contact and we will match your requirement to the sites. Please contact Antony Haslam 01476 871008 or ahaslam@belvoircastle.com 14 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HOMES comfort Contemporary LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 15 HOMES This month’s featured property is a recently built executive home with a tranquil air. S tanding in the popular village of Scothern, to the North of Lincoln, this four bedroom detached home, built by Trulove in 2020, is a peaceful property constructed with close 16 Á16 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HOMES attention to detail. Contemporary yet comfortable and cosy, the current owners bought the house off plan, moving in almost four years ago. “We were attracted initially to the high quality of it, the prime location in a nice quiet village, the immaculate bespoke Krantz kitchen, and the size of the garden, which is the biggest garden on the development by quite a bit,” the owners shared. One approaches the property via a block paved driveway leading to a double garage with an electric door, providing ample off road parking for several vehicles — particularly handy when hosting guests. Stepping through the front door an entrance hall welcomes you into the home, which features Karndean flooring, underfloor heating, and Oak glazed internal doors throughout the ground floor. Straight ahead is a WC, while to the right is the bespoke Krantz kitchen holding a range of wall and base units with marble work surfaces over, including a feature island unit benefiting from a breakfast bar. There is also a wealth of integrated appliances including a microwave, double oven, American fridge freezer, wine cooler, and induction hob with extractor over, as well as a stainless steel double sink with a mixer tap. Offering open plan living, the sleek kitchen flows into the dining room, which currently hosts the owners’ pool table. “In the summer this is our favourite space in the home,” the owners noted, “because it has large LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 17 HOMES bifold doors that you can open straight out so you are practically in the garden.” There are additionally Velux windows to the roof space and an air conditioning unit. One can also access a utility room here, which holds a range of Katie Brown wall and base units, a sink, tiled splashbacks, and a door to the side of the property. Continuing through the light and bright house, the living room can be explored next, featuring French doors to the rear of the home, an air conditioning unit, and a cosy brick inglenook fireplace with a slate hearth, oak mantel, and log burner. With this room linking back round to the entrance hall one can then ascend a staircase to discover the first floor. The landing offers access to four bedrooms, two of which have fully tiled en-suites with walk in shower cubicles, low level WCs and sink vanity units. This includes the master bedroom which further hosts a spacious walk in, built in wardrobe with bespoke fitted units installed by the current owners, as well as calming views over a field to the back of the property. The owners have also had office furniture fitted into one of the bedrooms, ideal for 18 Á18 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HOMES those working from home. Returning to the landing, a family bathroom can additionally be found, finishing off the Villeroy & Boch bathrooms in the abode, with a fully tiled low level WC, sink vanity unit, bath, walk in shower cubicle, and heated towel rail. Travelling outside, to the rear of the dwelling is a garden mainly laid to lawn with a raised composite decking area ideal for entertaining, along with a Pergola with porcelain tiles, that looks LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 19 HOMES Visit Grimsby’s Premier Fireplace Showroom. Over 75 beautiful displays. Bespoke made to measure & in-house Gas Safe & HETAS installation services available. Burning Sensation Fireplaces Armstrong Street – Grimsby – DN31 1XD www.burningsensation.co.uk Call: 01472 351651 Email: sales@burningsensation.co.uk straight out onto the field behind. There are also Red Robin bushes around the perimeter of the garden, raised flower beds, and a number of trees. Despite having loved the house and making “friends for life” in the development’s community, the owners are now selling. “We have always wanted to buy a renovation project and one came up at the right place at the right price. We weren’t looking to move, and we didn’t particularly want to move, but it’s an opportunity that won’t come up again,” they explained. The property is on the market with Mount & Minster with a guide price of £595,000. Next >