THE FRIENDS OF QUEEN ELIZABETH’S A CHARITY SUPPORTING QUEEN ELIZABETH’S SCHOOL
PROGRESS NOW FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE
I hope you will enjoy reading our report on the impact made this year by The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s.
This year, FQE has seen record income, some £800k higher than in 2023–2024. Thank you to everyone who has supported FQE in the past year as donors, volunteers and contributing to the many projects under way. There has been really significant progress with QE Global Schools. This is an exciting venture: it will certainly have great benefits in terms of collaboration, but it is also diversifying our income. While the schools will take time to build up, we hope that the profits from FQE International Enterprises will continue to make a material difference to the charity and the investment it can make to the School. It was exciting recently to receive the go-ahead to open Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City, in August 2026. I greatly enjoyed meeting not only former England Test captain Sir Alastair Cook, but also OEs, former QE Barnet staff and even parents of OEs at an event there.
In many ways, this has been a year of doing groundwork and laying (metaphorical) foundations. QE Global Schools has spent much time liaising with the necessary authorities in the UAE and India. Here in Barnet, both time and money have gone into extensive pre-planning application work for our new Sports Hall. All this is to ensure the best possible education for our pupils in the future. As ever, my warmest thanks go to all who give.
Neil Enright, Headmaster
Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, presents a prize to Rishi Watsalya, who is currently in Year 12, at this year’s Senior Awards Ceremony.
INVESTING TO IMPROVE
One important aspect of our mission at FQE is the improvement of existing buildings – prudently investing to enhance the day-to-day experience of our pupils, staff and visitors.
Doing that is often neither glamorous nor spectacular. It can be about addressing outdated pipework in the Fern Building, or leaking roofs in the Main Building. Even where spectacular new buildings are in mind, the steps can be long and somewhat mundane: for the Sports Hall, we have been through the pre-planning process; the directors are digesting the helpful feedback from the local authority and, with the help of our professional advisors, will work on preparing a full planning application. When FQE does achieve a major success – last year’s launch of The Robert Dudley Studio, for example – it is, therefore, important we take the time to savour it: our applause should continue beyond the opening curtain, as it were!
FQE support for a project can take various forms – in some cases, we directly fund the work, but often we contribute an element of match funding at an early stage that greatly enhances our chances of securing further funding, clearing the way for projects that would not otherwise have been possible. Thus, every pound donated to FQE can usually be leveraged to produce an even greater benefit for the School. We work hard to make your donations go further. Please continue to give.
Barrie Martin, FQE Director
Our figures at a glance
The charity saw a sharp increase in revenue in the 2025 financial year (ended 31st July 2025). This was due both to a substantial rise in donations & legacies and to early profits gifted from FQE International Enterprises Ltd.
SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE
£2,211,565 (2024: £1.4m)
£1.16m
£929k
FQE CONTRIBUTION TO MULTIPLE CAPITAL AND OPERATIONAL SCHOOL PROJECTS
GIFT AID RECEIVED BY FQE THIS YEAR £951k DONATIONS AND LEGACIES (2024: £857k) £37k CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES INCOME (2024: £40 k)
£20k GIVEN TO SUBSIDISE USE OF MINIBUSES
£300k
FQE CONTRIBUTION TO £2.3M MAIN BUILDING PROJECT
TURNOVER OF TRADING ACTIVITIES BY THE CHARITY’S TRADING COMPANIES (2024: £485 k)
£171k
The School Shop
Our School Shop is run by FQE Enterprises Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the FQE charity. All its profits go to the charity. The shop team work hard to keep prices competitive: offering a high-quality service to families is paramount, rather than maximising profit.
TOTAL PROFIT FROM THE SHOP, 2024 – 2025
£21,196
Airflow balls are this year’s best-selling product at the FQE Shop. Used for ball games in the playground, they are a perennial QE favourite among QE’s very active pupils!
2,245
AIRFLOW BALLS (OUR TOP SELLER)
1,202
PENS (ALL TYPES)
926
TIES
523
EXERCISE BOOK COVERS
450
PAIRS OF RUGBY SOCKS
The Main Building project Conserving our heritage
Work began in summer 2025 on the £2.3m refurbishment of the Main Building – the most significant work on the 1932 structure since new wings were added in the 1950s. After FQE committed some £0.3m, the School bid successfully for £2m in Government Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) grants. The project reflects our determination to conserve attractive infrastructure, while making it fit to deliver education in the 21st century.
The project involves: re-covering all roofs; re-pointing external elevations; replacing coping stones; fixing leaks; addressing mould on internal walls; extensive redecorating; replacing all ‘rainwater goods’ (downpipes etc.). Sustainability is an important aspect. Insulation will be upgraded, or, for some roofs, installed for the first time; the few remaining original windows will be replaced with double-glazed units that match the building’s aesthetics. The Main School Hall’s south-west-facing roof will be fitted with solar panels.
16
LEAKS REPORTED ON FIRST FLOOR OF MAIN BUILDING IN PAST YEAR
130,000
NEW ROOF TILES BEING FITTED
10
AREAS OF FLAT ROOF TO BE RE-COVERED
“We are committed to the thoughtful improvement of our historic existing fabric and to investing in areas where people are working and learning day to day. The Main Building work once again demonstrates the importance of FQE support in unlocking more funding and clearing the way for projects that would otherwise not have been possible.”
The Headmaster
6
PITCHED ROOFS TO BE RE-COVERED
23
NO. OF CLASSROOMS BEING REDECORATED SEQUENTIALLY ( MAIN BUILDING)
OFFICES AND COMMUNAL SPACES AND ALL CORRIDOR AREAS TO BE REDECORATED
“Economies of scale will be achieved by undertaking the proposed works as one project rather than a series of smaller projects, which would be more expensive and cause greater disruption to education at the School. Securing this bid will ensure that the students and staff will be able to work in a safe and suitable environment, with lessons that are not disrupted, and where resources are not damaged.”
From QE’s successful bid to the Government’s Condition Improvement Fund, December 2024.
QE Global Schools progress Making the vision a reality
QE aims to become the first state school in the UK to open affiliated schools abroad, with an initial target of opening two in India and one in the United Arab Emirates.
Work with the School’s widely experienced partner, Global Education (GEDU), has continued at full tilt over the past year. Huge amounts of planning and preparation spanning everything from the curriculum to marketing; detailed discussions with governing and regulatory authorities; recruitment processes for the schools’ founding principals – all this and more has been going on behind the scenes.
“Excellent progress has been made towards turning the QE Global Schools vision into a shining reality, with independent schools overseas that will reflect the QE experience, all deeply imprinted with our values and our proven approach to education.”
Neil Enright, Headmaster
GLOBAL IN BARNET!
VIP guests at Founder’s Day included a large group from GEDU. The group were taking time out from their detailed planning work with senior QE staff. Some of the images they created that week to use in their own marketing are shown here. With GEDU having contributed to £5,000 in sponsorship for the fete, the party took advantage of opportunities to sample the unique traditions and afternoon attractions of QE’s special day. Some of the team are pictured, opposite, with QE’s original 1573 Charter.
QE Global Schools progress Our first overseas school!
The QE Global Schools initiative received a significant boost this autumn when initial approval was given for the first branch campus, Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City.
Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority’s consent clears the way for the school to open in August 2026: applications for places are already open.
Dubai Sports City is a complex built around five major sports venues. Fee-paying and co-educational, the school opens initially from Nursery to Year 8, with phased growth through to the Sixth Form.
INTRODUCING MR CLARK
The Founding Principal will be Dan Clark. He has held senior leadership positions at leading UK independent schools, Repton and Marlborough College. “To bring the proud legacy of Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, to Dubai Sports City is both an honour and a responsibility. I aspire to shape a world-class community,” Mr Clark said.
SUPPORTED BY A LEGEND
Headmaster Mr Enright met former England Test captain Sir Alastair Cook on the new school’s UAE site. They were at an event showcasing the project to leading local figures in business, education, sport and media. Sir Alastair will advise on QE Global Schools’ planned élite sports programmes. One highlight was Mr Enright meeting up with more than a dozen locally-based OEs and former QE members of staff; several have been vocal in their support for the project.
Investing soundly: Importance of behind-the-scenes projects
Sound investment is not all about glamour. While transformational new facilities, such as The Robert Dudley Studio or the Friends’ Recital Hall & Music Rooms, provide a boost, the campus requires continuing prudent investment in maintaining, repairing and modernising accommodation, whether that’s for classrooms, or for equally vital ‘backstage’ areas, such as offices and toilets. The progressive upgrading of the very large Fern Building, which started with work on fire safety, continued with extensive improvements to the plumbing, completed during the Spring Term and summer break, and with opening up corridors.
Following on from the complete refurbishment of two Chemistry laboratories, a start has been made on the process of eventually revitalising all four Biology laboratories and the Biology preparation room, with Founder’s Day 2025 fundraising used to boost the ‘pot’ for the first two.
£170,000 COST OF REFURBISHING TOILETS
£463,000
GOVERNMENT GRANT FOR FERN BUILDING PLUMBING FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL BID
c.£44,000
FOUNDER’S DAY 2025 GIVING TOWARDS BIOLOGY LABORATORIES PROJECT
On the move!
QE’s new minibuses, courtesy of FQE
The Friends are investing £42k over three years to provide the School with two new minibuses.
FQE Directors agreed at their July 2025 meeting to move to a contract hire financing model, giving QE new vehicles every three years. The £560 monthly cost per vehicle includes not only the Ford minibus itself, but also MOT, servicing, breakdowns and repairs.
The investment is in addition to the annual £20k pupil travel grant already paid by FQE to offset the cost of transportation to sports fixtures and similar events.
Dramatic impact Celebrating RDS, one year on
Officially opened in September 2024, The Robert Dudley Studio continues to demonstrate just how big drama has become at QE. The new facility has come fully into its own, hosting the 2025 School Play, Oedipus, as well as performances of two QE entries for the Shakespeare Schools Festival: Richard III, in March 2025, and, most recently, Twelfth Night
“Performing in Twelfth Night as my last play here really was one of my pinnacle moments in my time at QE.”
Suhaas Sabella, Year 13
Benefactors and champions
FQE continues to benefit enormously from the generosity of donors.
Across the broad Elizabethan community, current and former parents, OEs, staff, governors, and others all freely give their valuable time, expertise and financial support to the School.
Sponsoring the fete
QE parent Alan Rajah’s accountancy firm sponsored the 2025 Founder’s Day Fete.
Alan is Managing Partner of Lawrence Grant LLP, which has offices in Berkeley Square, London, in Harrow, and in Mumbai. The firm, which recently won an Excellence in Financial Services Award at London’s Signature Awards, provided £2,000 in sponsorship. Afterwards, he said the firm was “proud to support a meaningful cause [namely] FQE’s efforts to enhance School facilities”. It had been “an amazing day with pupils, parents, teachers, alumni and sponsors”.
Lawrence Grant also sponsors Old Elizabethans Cricket Club.
One particularly efficient form of donating to FQE is through ‘match funding’, where a company matches money given by an employee to a good cause with an equal contribution.
Jun Wook Kwak, father of Ian in Year 7, has his monthly donations matched by his employer, Google.
“I always appreciate all the work FQE does and am delighted to be able to contribute. Happily, my company actively encourages volunteering and charitable donations to give back to the community. As part of this commitment, the company match-funds this donation easily via the Benevity platform here in the UK. This approach is great for FQE – Google basically doubles my contribution. FQE is registered with Benevity, and setting it up was incredibly simple – just a few clicks. They even handle the Gift Aid/tax relief with the donation. I really suggest other parents check if their employers use a similar platform, like Benevity.”
With costs rising, major projects – such as The Friends’ Recital Hall and Music Rooms, opened in 2022, or the current work on the Main Building – rely on new and additional sources of funding.
At the heart of things Celebrating FQE volunteers
FQE’s work to support the School simply could not happen without the tireless efforts of volunteers. From running coffee mornings and serving in hospitality at QE events, to turning out in force for the Founder’s Day Fete, the volunteers are always at the heart of things. Here we profile two FQE stalwarts.
MUTUAL BENEFITS FOR MALA
It’s now 12 years since Mala Shah started volunteering for FQE. Over the years, that involvement has not just kept her busy on the day of the fete, but in the weeks and months leading up to it, whether it’s attending FQE committee meetings, liaising with suppliers, or guiding other volunteers. “FQE is important because it strengthens our School community and creates opportunities that benefit every student. These events are more than just fundraisers as they bring families together, celebrate our School, and create lasting memories for the boys.” There have been great benefits for her personal growth: “My involvement has helped me grow in terms of my career progression, developing skills in organisation, teamwork, and leadership. Most importantly, it gave me the confidence and experience to pursue my dream of leading an international charity.”
THE ACCIDENTAL VOLUNTEER!
“My journey with FQE began completely unintentionally,” says Tatiana Atanasova. “I signed up for a shift at the barbecue stall during my first fete, around five years ago – thinking I would simply grill, smile, and disappear quietly afterwards. But after finishing, I wandered over to the refreshment stall… and never really left. The laughter, the teamwork, the speed, the beautiful chaos – it pulled me in instantly, and that became the place where I give my time every year. For me, volunteering is about gratitude. Getting into QE often feels like the hardest part for families, but in reality the real work – and the real privilege – begins once the boys are here. Our role as parents is to help create an environment where our boys can flourish and where teachers feel supported to bring out the very best in them. Volunteering is one way of saying: ‘We are part of the School. We belong here. And we care.’”
SPOTLIGHT ON… the FQE Quiz Supper
The long-established annual FQE Quiz Supper is a relaxed yet keenly competitive fundraising evening. Teams answer questions on a wide range of themes. Participants often include Governors, current and former staff, parents and alumni.
Why not make a note to be at this year’s quiz, which takes place on Saturday 7 March 2026 at 7pm in the Main Hall?
OUR YOUNG PHILANTHROPISTS
Whether it’s helping at the Founder’s Day Fete, participating in sponsored activities for FQE (such as Year 7’s annual walk), or fundraising for other charities, QE boys understand the value of charitable work. It helps them develop into community-orientated young men ready to contribute to society.
2024 – 2025 CHARITY HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED:
• Collections for Chipping Barnet Foodbank, Homeless Action in Barnet, and Sebby’s Corner on Queen’s Road industrial estate;
• Success for QE teams in the Wings of Hope Achievement Awards after they creatively raised funds for this children-focused charity.
Understanding FQE: how the charity is run
The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s School is a long-established charity, registered with the Charity Commission. Our governance structure is designed to ensure that we make the best professional strategic use of all donations to benefit current and future pupils of the School. In addition to the Directors, there are an executive committee and various sub-committees. These help FQE fulfil its role of liaising with parents and also ensure that parents can play a key part in organising fundraising activities for the School.
CORPORATE TRUSTEE
Sets the policies of the charity with respect both to raising funds and to managing those funds in accordance with the charity’s objects.
The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s School Corporate Trustee Limited.
DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATE TRUSTEE
Trustee representatives:
Emi Aghdiran
Tony Binstock
Del Cooke
Neil Enright
Nick Gaskell
Eric Houston
Barrie Martin
Colin Price
developmentoffice@qebarnet.co.uk
The next steps
We trust that you have enjoyed reading this report and learning about just how big an impact giving through The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s has had – and continues to have – in transforming the School and enhancing opportunities for successive generations of boys.
Do you think you can do more to support FQE?
Whether you’re a parent, an alumnus or another member of the Elizabethan family, we would welcome a conversation with you. It’s important to note that support can take many forms, including financial donations and the giving of your time and expertise. There is considerable flexibility: while one-off donations are always welcome, many find that giving monthly or annually works better for them.
Yes, I would like to get in touch about increasing my support
I would like to remember the School in my will
Do
you wish to make a donation right now?
You can make a donation to FQE towards the delivery of new facilities and opportunities for our pupils through the secure CAF Bank portal. CAF specialise in working with charities.
We are hugely grateful for each and every donation received.
If you have an enquiry about matched giving, or any other question about donating, please don’t hesitate to contact the School’s Development Office.
Yes, I would like to make a single or regular gift
I would like to remember the School in my will
I would like to contact the Development Office
Would you like more details?
Please click the links below to access the FQE page on the Charity Commission website and to read FQE’s full, audited accounts for the year ended 31st July 2025.
FQE Charity Commission website
FQE Full, Audited Accounts 2024/25 for the year ended 31st July 2025 Dedicated FQE pages of our website
