Queen Elizabeth Grammar School
Enhancing the sixth form offer of one of West Yorkshire’s top independent schools
Prior to the merger with Wakefield Girls’ School to form the Wakefield Grammar School Foundation in 2025, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS) was a standalone public school for boys.
QEGS has been based at its current historic site in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, since 1854. Regular updates to the school interiors allow students to enjoy modern, fit-for-purpose learning environments as well as the building’s history and culture.
The brief
Following a competitive tender process, QEGS selected Richardsons to update the boys’ sixth form centre. The existing space had become dated and needed to be refurbished to continue to be an attractive choice for sixth form students across Wakefield and provide the quality expected from a top independent grammar school.
Our approach
The Richardsons team invested time with a student focus group to better understand how they used the sixth form centre and what they needed from the refurbishment. We also liaised with a catering company that was fitting a servery to ensure designs and installation plans aligned.
Once designs had been agreed with all stakeholders, Richardsons coordinated the entire installation from school furniture delivery to installing flooring and acoustic panelling to be completed during the school holidays.
The result
The result is a stand-out sixth form centre divided into four distinct zones that cater to all students’ study and socialising needs.
Bespoke breakfast bar
A bespoke breakfast bar designed specifically for the sixth form centre makes efficient use of the space.
Student lockers
Students requested large lockers to allow them to securely store sports kits out of the way during the day.
Soft seating
Comfortable soft seating, acoustic panelling and moss walls provide a peaceful environment to relax in.
Servery
Students can get food at the servery and sit down to eat on practical school furniture that’s easy to clean and maintain.
The impact
The QEGS sixth form centre is now a key selling point of its post-16 provision, attracting student from across Wakefield and West Yorkshire. The success of the sixth form centre has led to further school interior projects between Richardsons and QEGS, refurbishing other facilities across the site.