First established as a grammar school for boys in 1877, Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College (WQEIC) is now a sixth form college located in Leicester, England. As a sixth form college it is now headed by Sandra Hamilton Fox who was appointed the seventh principal in August 2012.
There are approximately 2,000 full-time 16–18-year-old students and 140 teaching staff. More than 40 subjects are offered at A Level. Mathematics and Sciences account for more than a third of enrolments.
The college was awarded Learning and Skills Beacon Status in April 2003.
After William Wyggeston's death in 1536, his brother Thomas Wyggeston, as a trustee, used part of the money to establish a grammar school in Leicester.
Whilst this school, known as the Elizabethan Grammar School eventually became defunct in the 19th century, it was re-founded on the site of the old Wyggeston Hospital as the Wyggeston Hospital School which took its first pupils on 30 April 1877. This gave its name to the later Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys which, after the reorganisation of local government led to the system of education in the City of Leicester becoming comprehensive, became Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College.
Wyggeston Grammar School for Girls, also known as Wyggeston Girls' Grammar School, was founded not long after the boys' school. In 1976 the site became Wyggeston Collegiate Sixth Form College, known as Regent College since 1996.
The college, which has over 2200 students, was founded in 1978 following a (comprehensive) re-organisation of secondary education in the city. Many parts of rural Leicestershire went comprehensive in 1968.
It now occupies a site adjoining Victoria Park and the University of Leicester that was previously occupied by Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys (also known as Wyggeston Boys' School).
The Rev. James Went – 1878-1920Thomas Kingdom – 1920-1947J C Larkin – 1947-1969Dr G A Thompson – 1969-1994Dr Robert Wilkinson – 1994-2002Ian Wilson – 2002–2012Sandra Hamilton-Fox – 2012–presentCourses including AS, A2 and GCSEs are all provided at the College. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma was introduced in September 2006 with 33 students opting for this alternative. The last cohort of the IB completed the course in 2012, and the programme is no longer offered.
The College works increasingly closely with local schools and colleges and this partnership working will develop further in pursuit of the curriculum agenda for the 14 to 19 age group.
An enrichment programme offers more than seventy courses and activities including many science-based options such as Medical Laboratory Science and Space Physics, reflecting the college's strengths in science. The inclusion of languages in the enrichment programme has also improved the overall take-up of languages. The college has a long-established tradition of sporting prowess and two thirds of students participate in sport.
In 2006 the A Level pass rate was 98 per cent with 45 per cent at grades A and B. About 90% of students progress to higher education, mostly in the Midlands region.
WQEIC has worked with other providers on the development of effective quality assurance systems and self-assessment processes with a particular focus on the use of value-added measures. A significant amount of work was also done in the field of Student Support and Guidance and Student Services.
As an innovation project the college has led the development of a common Virtual Learning Environment across post-16 providers in the Leicester area.
The college has also forged links at departmental level with counterparts in local schools and colleges. The focus was on sharing good practice, progression issues and collaborative working in the interests of improving quality.
The college started offering the IB Diploma Programme in 2006, which has now ended in the academic year 2011.
Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College
Jonathan Gray, Editor since 2008 of Dancing TimesDan Cole, England International Rugby PlayerWill Hurrell, Rugby Union PlayerSean O'Grady, Economics Editor of 'The Independent' (1973–1980)Ben Youngs, England International rugby playerPhil Hensman, Gratified 'Teacher of the year' since 2015Sir Frank Adcock OBE, Professor of Ancient History from 1925–51 at the University of Cambridge, and President from 1947–8 of the Classical Association (1897–1904)Sir Richard Armstrong CBE, conductor Scottish Opera 1993–2005 (1954–61)Henry Atkins, chess master and school-teacher (1883–1890)Sir David Attenborough CBE, broadcaster and naturalist (1937–44)Richard, Lord Attenborough, actor, director, producer, and entrepreneurSub-Lieutenant John Herbert Babington GC OBE, bomb disposal expert (1922–29)Disney Barlow, High Sheriff of Leicestershire from 1939–40 (1891–98)Peter Beck, Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan since 2008 (1952–59)Graham Bell, biologist (1960–7)Prof David Bradley, Professor of Tropical Hygiene from 1974–2000 at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineProf Sir Paul Bramley, Professor of Dental Surgery from 1969–88 at the University of Sheffield, and President from 1988–9 of the British Dental Association (BDA) (1934–41)Allan Bridgewater CBE LVO, Chairman from 1998–2008 of Swiss Re GB, Group chief executive from 1985–97 of the Norwich Union Insurance Group, and chairman from 1993–5 of the Association of British Insurers (1937–44)Alan Brown CBE, chief executive from 1973–88 of Oxfordshire County Council, and from 1966–73 of Oxford City Council (1939–46)David Campton, dramatist (1935–42)Air Vice-Marshal David Carnegie CB CBE AFC, Station Commander from 1938–40 of RAF Wittering, and Director of Flying Training from 1942–5 at the Air Ministry (1908–15)David Carter CBE, Professor of Industrial Design Engineering from 1991–5 at the Royal College of Art (1939–46)Robert Caven, Professor of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry from 1920–34 at the Royal Technical College, Glasgow and scientific author (1881–88)Prof Sir Cyril Clarke CBE, made the important discovery for Rhesus-negative mothers (1918–25)Guy Clarke, Ambassador to Republic of Liberia from 1957–60, to the Republic of Guinea from 1959–60, and to Nepal from 1962–3 (1921–28)Prof Stanley Arthur Cook, Regius Professor of Hebrew from 1932–8 at the University of CambridgeDr Arthur Hafford Cooke MBE, Warden from 1976–85 of New College, Oxford (1924–31)Deryck Cooke, musician, writer and broadcaster (1932–38)Wing Commander Geoffrey Cooper, Labour MP from 1945–51 for Middlesbrough West (1918–25)Lieutenant-Colonel Johnny Cooper, one of the founders of the SASSir Walter Cooper MBE, Australian politician (1903–10)Mark Cox, professional tennis playerArchibald Crawford, 1st Baron Hungarton, Chairman of the NFU (1902–09)Rev John Martin Creed, Ely Professor of Divinity from 1926–40 at the University of Cambridge, and brother of Sir Thomas CreedSir Thomas Creed MC KBE, Principal, 1952–67 of Queen Mary College, and Vice-Chancellor, University of London 1964–1967 (1908–15)Sir Anthony Dawson, Physician to the Queen from 1982–93 and Head from 1989–93 of the Medical Household (1939–46)John Leonard Dawson CVO, Surgeon to the Queen from 1983–90, Serjeant Surgeon from 1990–1, pioneering surgeon, and younger brother of Anthony (1944–51)Harold Dexter, organist, Master of the Music from 1956–68 at Southwark Cathedral, and Professor from 1962–85 at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (1932–39)Neil Fletcher, Labour politician, and (last) Leader from 1987–90 of ILEA (1955–62)Henry Flint, Hildred Carlile Professor of Physics from 1956–68 at Bedford College (London) (1902–09)Sir John Goldring, a Lord Justice of Appeal (1956–63)Prof David Grahame-Smith CBE, Rhodes Professor of Clinical Pharmacology from 1972–2000 at the University of Oxford (1944–51)Andrew Gray MC, Chairman from 1971–7 of the Wellcome Foundation, (1923–30)Paul Gray CB, Chairman from 2006–7 of HM Revenue and Customs (1959–66)William Hare (1955–62)Prof Thomas Harris, Professor of Botany from 1935–68 at the University of Reading, and President from 1961–4 of the Linnean Society of London (c.1915–21)Dr Peter Hart, Rector from 1981–90 of Sunderland Polytechnic (1937–44)Sir Mark Henig, Chairman from 1969–79 of the English Tourist Board (1922–29)Prof Stanley Henig, Labour MP from 1966–70 for Lancaster, Professor of European Politics from 1982–97 at the University of Central Lancashire, son of Sir Mark Henig and former husband of Ruth Henig, Baroness Henig (who attended the girls' grammar) (1950–7)Michael Higgins, chief executive from 1993–2003 of UCAS and from 1984–93 of PCAS (1955–62)Alan Hill CBE, managing director from 1973–9 of Heinemann (book publisher)Simon Hoggart, journalist and broadcasterKen Horn, television director and producerProf George Jenkins, Professor of Haematology from 1974–92 at Royal London Hospital, and President from 1988–9 of the British Association for Haematology and from 1990–1 of the British Academy of Forensic Sciences (1938–45)Oliver Kamm, journalist (1974–81)Prof Michael Knibb, Samuel Davidson Professor of Old Testament Studies from 1997–2001 at King's College London (1950–7)Albert Ernest Knight, professional cricket player (1884–91)Surgeon Rear-Adm David Lammiman CB LVO, Medical Director General (Naval) from 1990–3 (1943–50)Barry Letts, Producer of Doctor Who from 1969–74, responsible for the casting of Tom BakerDr Michael Linnett OBE, Apothecary to the Prince and Princess of Wales from 1983–90 (1937–44)Jon Lord, composer, Hammond organ and piano player (1952–59)Sir Patrick Lowry CBE, Chairman from 1981–7 of Acas (1931–38)Sir Hayes Marriott (1885–92)Ed McLachlan, cartoonist (1956–59)Roger Manvell (briefly), film historianProf Roger Mason, discoverer of Charnia masoni, one of the earliest known fossil animals, in nearby Charnwood Forest, whilst still at the schoolProf Stephen Mason, Professor of Chemistry from 1970–87 at King's College London and from 1964–70 at the University of East Anglia, who married Joan MasonProf John Matthews, Professor of Roman History since 1996 and Professor of Classics and History since 2001 at Yale UniversityMaj-Gen Frederick Mayes CB, Director General from 1993–6 of Army Medical Services (1945–52)William Miles, chief executive (the last) from 1984–6 of West Yorkshire County Council, and from 1974–84 of Gateshead Borough CouncilPeter Miller, President of Leicester Secular Society 1980-7 (1954–61)Sir Leopold Moore, newspaper proprietor (1879–86)Maj-Gen Samuel Moore-Coulson CB, Director from 1957–62 of Army Education (1919–27)John O'Connor, painter (1924–31)E. Phillips Oppenheim, novelist and thriller writer (1877–84)Bryan Organ, portrait painter (1946–53)Prof Ewan Page, Vice-Chancellor from 1979–93 of the University of Reading, and President from 1984–5 of the BCS (1939–46)Ewart Parkinson, President from 1975–6 of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) (1937–42)Harry Peach, furniture manufacturer and social campaignerSir Charles Peake GCMG MC, Ambassador to Yugoslavia from 1946–51, and to Greece from 1951–7 (1908–15)Tim Pigott-Smith, film and television actor (1957–62)Frank Prentice, rugby player, (1910–7)Rear-Adm Gwynedd Pritchard (1935–42)Rt Rev John Richards, Bishop of Ebbsfleet from 1994–8 (1945–52)Rev Harold Rowley, Professor of Hebrew Language and Literature from 1949–59 at the University of ManchesterStephen Simmons, MBE, Specialist in Dental Public Health. Canada(1972–80), London(1980-2011) (1955–62)Sir Henry Skinner, High Court Judge (Queen's Division) (1937–44)Sir Andrew Smith, High Court Judge (Queen's Division) (1958–64)Cedric Smith, statistician (1928–29)Prof Patrick Stephenson, Professor of Mechanical Engineering from 1967–79 at the University of Strathclyde (1927–32)Prof Edward Stibbe, Professor of Anatomy from 1938–43 at King's College LondonProf John Swales, Professor of Medicine from 1974–2000 at the University of Leicester, President of the British Hypertension Society from 1982–4, Editor from 1983–7 of the Journal of Hypertension and from 1980–2 of Clinical Science (journal) (1947–54)Sir Martin J. Taylor, Professor of Pure Mathematics since 1986 at the University of Manchester (1963–70)Lars Tharp, arts and antiques consultant, presenter and speaker, and the ceramics expert on the BBC television programme Antiques Roadshow (1965–1972)Air Cdre John L.W. Towler, (1934-1941). Joined RAF in 1943 as a cadet pilot. Posted to Germany with No 2 Squadron (Spitfires). Granted a Permanent Commission (PC) in 1948 and remained in RAF in General Duties (Pilot) until retirementProf Bernard Wasserstein, Harriet & Ulrich E. Meyer Prof. of Modern European Jewish History, University of ChicagoSir Philip Watts, Chairman from 2001–4 of Shell, (1956–63)Prof Paul Weatherley, Regius Professor of Botany in the University of Aberdeen from 1959–81Peter Webbon, chief executive since 2007 of the Animal Health Trust, and from 2006 of the Horseracing Regulatory Authority (1959–66)A. R. Whatmore, actor (1900–5)John Scott Whiteley, Organist Emeritus, York Minster. BBC TV Organist for the 21st-Century Bach series (1961–68)Quentin Willson, TV presenter and motoring expert (1968–75)Prof Stephen Wood, Professor of Management since 2010 at the University of LeicesterProf Charles Gorrie Wynne, worked for Taylor, Taylor & Hobson (now Cooke Optics) and invented important optical lens techniques, and was Editor from 1954–65 of Optica Acta (1922–29)Prof Ted Yemm, Melville Wills Professor of Botany from 1955–74 at the University of BristolTwo former masters at the Boys' Grammar School went on to eminence:
Colin Dexter – Crime writer, Assistant Classics master from 1954-7Ted Wragg – Educationalist and academic, Head of German from 1964–6