Before us stands Queens Park Community School QPCS. Ever wondered how QPCS came to be? It is a story of mergers and new beginnings.
In 1989 QPCS opened its doors. It was not a new school entirely. QPCS resulted from merging three schools. These were South Kilburn Community School, Aylestone Community School and Brondesbury and Kilburn High. Brondesbury and Kilburn High was commonly called B&K. B&K was formally Kilburn Grammar School. The school’s logo shows three trees. It represents the union of these three schools.
Mary Norton was chosen to head the new school. Ms Norton led QPCS from its start until she retired in 2002. Initially parents hesitated to send their children here. But as QPCS achieved better results it became very popular.
In 2000 QPCS gained a new block. The millennium National Lottery fund paid for it. The cost was about 6 million pounds. One of the two old buildings was demolished to make way for the new one. Ken Livingstone officially opened the new building. He even put a plaque there to remember his visit.
QPCS has a specialist status. It focuses on Business and Enterprise. The school also hosts a City Learning Centre CLC. The CLC has advanced technology and music equipment. QPCS also received extra funding. This came from the government’s Excellence in Cities program. This program gave resources for extended activities. It supported gifted and talented students.
The QPCS City Learning Centre is one of 105 CLCs built across the country. It opened in 2003. The CLC features a cyber centre. It includes computer suites and a video editing suite. There is also a fully equipped recording studio. The CLC specializes in helping students learn languages. It uses technology to support Key Stage 3 children new to Brent. The CLC also offers outreach programs. These programs support learning with ICT in various areas. This includes systems control and foreign languages for Key Stage 2 students.
Before QPCS opened parents were asked about uniforms. They voted for a uniform. QPCS’s uniform was unique. It featured black tracksuit bottoms. Students wore a red or black T-shirt. It had the school’s three trees logo. A black jumper with a red collar completed the look. The uniform aimed to be comfortable and affordable. It also should be practical and attractive. But students now criticize the uniform. They find it hot in summer. Parents also find it expensive.
Two QPCS teachers have been recognized. They won National Teaching Awards. Sue Wales won the Lifetime Achievement Teaching Award in 2001. Alison Hook came second for Teacher of the Year in 2003.
Many notable people have visited QPCS. Ken Livingstone visited in 2001. Shaun Wallace a Mastermind champion came in 2004. He was a former student. Tony Benn a British politician visited twice. Hilary Benn visited in 2007.
Several notable people attended QPCS. Shaun Wallace became a barrister. He also won Mastermind in 2004. Maria Lawson was a professional R&B singer. She was an X-Factor finalist in 2004. Nathanael Baring is a professional actor. He starred in the 2008 film 10000 BC.
QPCS has also appeared in the media. It was Brookdale School in Grange Hill. The school’s uniform was featured on This Morning with Richard and Judy. Robert Symons taught at QPCS. He was murdered in 2004. QPCS was one of the schools in Classroom Chaos. This Channel 5 program was controversial.
QPCS even appeared in the background of an episode of Smack the Pony. It was also in the 2006 film Stormbreaker. Today QPCS continues to educate and inspire. It stands as a testament to the power of unity. It shows how dedication can shape young lives.