17 July 2025
Dear Parents
Year 7 QED/EDGE Options Instructions
We are delighted to share with you the new QED/EDGE brochure for the 25/26 academic year. We have also included a link to the Firefly pages that you can use to submit option choices. Please read the instructions carefully so that we have the best possible chance of organising the programme in time for the return for the new academic year.
We ask that you make a minimum of 10 choices from the categories available; Creative, Educational, Fitness, Hobby, Life Skills. We have retained these 5 areas because within the spirit of QED/EDGE, it helps to ensure that your child will experience as wide a breadth of different activities as possible. Team Sports (optional) and Verticals (optional) are also available to make up the minimum selection of 10 options and in some year groups, more age specific options are available.
For those who have been through this process before you may notice a subtle change where it is now possible to pick only one option from areas you or your child may not find as appealing. We do ask that 10 options overall are chosen as a minimum though.
A change slightly more noticeable, however, is that from September 2025 there will be a much more aligned offer for both QEGS and WGHS students. It is the same brochure now for both senior sections and we envisage that many of the activities will run jointly.
As in previous years, we have aimed to change 20% of the activities offered each year to avoid any repetition; student voice, staff expertise and availability to run a particular activity are all used to determine which activities are offered. We please ask that you discuss your child's choices with them and again, within the spirit of QED/EDGE we do advise that your child does not choose an activity if they have done it previously (as much as possible) but we continue to offer, what have now become, our tried and trusted favourites alongside some new additions.
There are a limited number of paid activities which will be billed via parent pay at the end of each block and those costs are clearly marked in the brochure and in the Firefly form as part of the title. Please ensure you are happy to pay for the activity before your child signs up for it as the ability to swap will be minimal and you will be charged for an activity you choose.
Once again, reading through last year’s UCAS forms, the recent Senior Prefect applications and the academic reports, it is striking just how much QED/EDGE serves to strengthen CVs as well as those crucial skills such as problem solving, creativity and teamwork. The spirit of QED/EDGE is about taking part in a range of activities alongside like-minded students from across different year groups in order to make new friends, take on new challenges and increase resilience in order to grow as an individual. Please enjoy the new QED/EDGE brochure and see the wide range of activities available to choose from.
In order to plan and book activities your choices form needs to be submitted electronically, via the relevant Firefly link which is also below, by the A level results day, 14 August 2025. Please be aware that the allocations to activities begins immediately after this deadline and are made on a first come first served basis for anything received afterwards. Clearly the most popular choices fill up fast and so it is paramount that your child’s form is returned promptly to ensure their choices are not limited. If you have any queries regarding a specific QED/EDGE activity please contact the member of staff who delivers the activity or myself at sclark@wgsf.net
It is of the utmost importance that you have also completed and returned the Data Collection and Annual Medical Consent Form 2025-26 by the start of term so that QED/EDGE and other activities can progress seamlessly as planned. The first QED/EDGE session will start on Wednesday 10 September.
Any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at sclark@wgsf.net
Many thanks
Dr S Clark
When you are ready to select your options, please select the form from the following link Y7 Options Form