Queen Elizabeth Grammar School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School Type: Coeducational selective grammar school
• Location: Ullswater Road, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7EG
• Established: 1564 by royal charter
• Current Enrollment: Approximately 1,040 students (ages 11-18)
• Headteacher: David Marchant (since September 2022)
• Ofsted Rating: Good (January 2023)
• Annual Intake: 160 Year 7 places
• Contact: 01768 864621

About Queen Elizabeth Grammar School

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School represents one of Cumbria's most academically successful educational institutions, with a distinguished heritage spanning over 450 years. Operating under the Changing Lives Learning Trust, QEGS has consistently achieved exceptional results, placing it amongst the top-performing secondary schools in England for both GCSE and A-Level outcomes.

The school's location in Penrith provides students with a unique blend of rural tranquillity and academic rigour. With approximately 1,040 students, QEGS maintains an optimal size that allows for personalised attention whilst offering the comprehensive facilities and opportunities expected by discerning families. The school's ethos centres on developing well-rounded individuals who excel academically whilst contributing meaningfully to their community.

QEGS particularly excels in STEM subjects, with exceptional facilities supporting advanced mathematics, sciences, and technology programmes. The school's sixth form provision is especially strong, with students regularly progressing to prestigious universities including Oxford and Cambridge. Recent initiatives have strengthened the school's performing arts and sports programmes, ensuring a balanced educational experience.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School employs a comprehensive 11+ examination to select its annual intake of 160 Year 7 students. The assessment process is designed to identify students with strong academic potential across multiple disciplines.

Assessment Components:

• Mathematics: Covers numerical reasoning, problem-solving, and mathematical concepts appropriate for Year 6 level
• Verbal Reasoning: Tests comprehension, vocabulary, and analytical thinking through language-based questions
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Evaluates spatial awareness, pattern recognition, and logical reasoning through visual puzzles

The examination is carefully calibrated to assess natural ability rather than extensive tutoring, though thorough preparation remains beneficial. Students are ranked according to their combined performance across all three components, with the top 160 candidates receiving offers.

Key Assessment Dates:

• Registration Opens: 1st May
• Registration Closes: 12th July
• Year 5 Open Evening: 25th June
• Entrance Test: 14th September
• Results Notification: October

How to Apply

The application process for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School requires careful planning and attention to key deadlines. Early engagement with the school is strongly recommended.

Application Timeline:

1. Initial Registration (May-July):
Complete the online application form during the registration window. Early application is advisable as places for the entrance examination are limited.

2. School Engagement (June-July):
Attend the Year 5 open evening to understand the school's ethos and expectations. Book a school tour during July to experience the facilities and academic environment firsthand.

3. Entrance Examination (September):
Sit the 11+ assessment on the designated Saturday. The examination typically takes place in the morning and lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

4. Results and Offers (October):
Successful candidates receive offers based strictly on examination performance. Places are awarded to the top 160 performers regardless of other factors.

5. Acceptance and Transition:
Accept your place promptly and engage with the school's transition programme designed to support new students.

Preparing for the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

The Queen Elizabeth Grammar School 11+ rewards steady preparation over a year or so, with the last term given to timed practice and interview confidence. Having prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools, with placements including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, our tutors match the programme to the school's assessment format and to where the child is starting from.

Because the pool includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools, and more than half of our tutors hold Qualified Teacher Status, families get a tutor who understands what the assessors are looking for. Every tutor who works with children holds an enhanced DBS check.

Families work with us online from anywhere in the UK or abroad, and in person in central London. Fees start from £50 per 50-minute session and depend on tutor level and subject, with no registration fee and a free initial consultation to talk through your child's current level and the timeline to the 11+. Families receive progress reports after sessions and have a dedicated point of contact, and we reply to enquiries within one working day with tutor recommendations.

Read more about our 11+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.