Queen Ethelburga’s School belonged to the Woodard Corporation, founded by Nathaniel Woodard. 

The sister school was Queen Margaret’s School at Escrick and the Junior School was Queen Mary’s, Baldersby Park, Thirsk.

The School foundation stone was laid on 21st October 1910 by Viscountess Mountgarret, its inscription is ‘Pro deo et ecclesia’ – For God and the Church.  It was laid on the right hand side of the school door facing the building.

The school was opened on 27th September 1912 by the Duchess of Albany.

Derwent and Lyminge were opened by Lord Halifax on 18th June 1932.

The Chapel was given by Lord Mountgarret and dedicated to St Aiden.  Its foundation stone was laid on 8th May 1911 by the Archbishop of York and its inscription is ‘Jesus himself being the chief corner stone’.

School Crest – an eagle

School Motto – ‘Luce Magistra’ meaning ‘Light being the test’
This motto comes from the Preface of the poet Claudius’ Ode to the Emperor Honarius.

School Legend – Young Eaglets are made to look at the sun, if they cannot do so without blinking, they are thrown out of the nest and killed.  Light should be our test as it is theirs.

School Flower – Bronze Chrysanthemum

School Lesson – Isaiah 55 vv 6 – 13

School Psalm – 121

School Collect – Trinity 20

School Colours – Blue and gold

Queen Ethelburga was the daughter of King Ethelbert and Queen Bertha of Kent, (both were Christians).  She married Edwin, the heathen King of Northumbria in 625AD.  She took her Chaplain, Paulinus north with her and converted her husband, who was baptised by Paulinus, the first Archbishop of York, in 627AD on the site where York Minster now stands.  Edwin was killed fighting for Christianity against Penda of Mercia.  The people became heathen again and Queen Ethelburga and her children fled South.  Queen Ethelburga founded an abbey at Lyminge, near Folkestone, where she died in 647AD.

The School is named after her because:-
1.   She first brought Christianity to the North.
2.   She founded a school for maidens which was attended by St. Hilda, later Abbess of Whitby.

Original Luce

L   Muriel Legard

U  Hilda Sandford

C  Kathleen Batten

E  Hester Draper

The Hill Standard

To be the best I can be being what I am with the gift I have got

Headteachers

1st  Miss Evelyn Lucy Young

2nd Miss Eleanor Kerr

3rd Miss Doris Tweed

4th Mr John Kingdon

5th Mrs Mary James

6th Mrs Jean Town

7th Mrs Gillian Richardson

8th Mrs Erica Taylor

9th Mr Peter Dass

10th Mr Steven Jandrell