Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith.
How to get into Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith is a selective secondary school in Cumbria. To get into Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith with all the important information you need to know.
About Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School is a mixed grammar school located in Penrith, Cumbria. Founded in 1594 by royal charter, it holds the distinction of being the only grammar school in Cumbria and the northernmost grammar school in England [1]. The school currently educates approximately 1,040 pupils.
The school became part of the Changing Lives Learning Trust multi-academy trust in 2023. Academic performance remains strong, with 90% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above at GCSE level and 97.6% completing their main study programme.
Admission Requirements
Children eligible for Year 7 entry in September 2026 must complete the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School 11+ entrance examination. The school offers approximately 160 places annually through a competitive selection process.
Entrance test registration opens on 1st May 2025 and closes on 10th July 2025. The school uses GL Assessments as their entrance test provider for 2026 entry [1]. The examination takes place on Thursday 18th September 2025, with results delivered in mid-October 2025 (see key dates).
The school operates within a defined catchment area covering Penrith at the centre and surrounding areas. A detailed catchment area map is available on the official school website.
Application Process
Families must complete two separate applications for admission consideration. First, parents must complete the school's entrance test application form by 12 noon on Thursday 10th July 2025 (see key dates) [1].
Second, families must name Queen Elizabeth Grammar School as one of their preferred schools on the secondary school common application form, which becomes available on local council websites from early September and must be submitted by Friday 31st October 2025 (see key dates).
- Register for the entrance test between 1st May 2025 and 10th July 2025
- Complete the school's specific entrance test application form by 12 noon on 10th July 2025
- Submit the local authority common application form by 31st October 2025
- Provide required documentation as specified in application materials
- Contact the school information section for detailed guidance on application requirements
Entrance Examination Details
The Queen Elizabeth Grammar School entrance test comprises two papers, each lasting 50 minutes. The examination assesses Verbal Reasoning, English, Mathematics, and Non-Verbal Reasoning skills [1].
All papers are supplied by GL Assessment and follow a multiple-choice format. Children use separate answer sheets to mark their responses. Test results undergo age-standardisation and rigorous analysis.
The school recommends children familiarise themselves with the multiple-choice layout and question types before examination day. Free preparation materials are available through GL Assessment's website, with printed copies provided upon test registration [1].
Selection Criteria and Oversubscription
Initially, 32 places (20% of the year group) are allocated to children achieving the highest entrance test scores. Children with Education, Health and Care Plans naming QEGS are also admitted first.
When qualifying applicants exceed the remaining 160 places, the school applies oversubscription criteria. Priority order follows: Children in Local Authority Care or Previously in Local Authority Care, Current Family Association, Pupil Premium, Children of Permanent QEGS Staff Members, then General Admission Criteria.
The top 20% of places are awarded according to ranked aggregate test scores, with remaining places allocated to children living in the catchment area according to ranked scores.
Preparation Guidance
With QEGS being the only grammar school in Cumbria, competition for Year 7 places is inevitable. Families should organise preparation from the start to improve their child's chances.
Child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20-30 minutes for children aged 10-11. Building a solid knowledge base using a 'little and often' approach proves most effective, as brains encode information better when processing smaller chunks.
- Start preparation early with consistent daily sessions of 20-30 minutes
- Access free practice materials via 11+ practice papers
- Consider professional support through 11+ tutoring services
- Familiarise children with GL Assessment's multiple-choice format
- Focus on all four assessed areas: English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Use practice tests to identify knowledge gaps and improve time management
- Encourage a growth mindset celebrating effort alongside achievement
School Visits and Open Events
The school hosts a Year 5 Open Evening on Tuesday 24th June 2025 from 5:30pm to 8:00pm. Families can attend without booking (see key dates) [1].
School tours provide opportunities to visit during normal school days. The booking system opens on 4th June 2025, with four daily tour sessions available. Places are limited and early booking is advised. Families should book only one session per family.
Contact details for tour bookings and additional information are available in the school information section.
Waiting Lists and Late Applications
Children meeting entrance standards but not initially offered places are waitlisted in oversubscription order. Until 31st August 2025, the Local Authority handles main intake applications. From 1st September 2025, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School manages the waitlist until 31st December 2025. Available places are offered to the highest-ranked waitlisted child, with lists continually re-ranked.
In-year applications for Years 8-11 and Year 7 from Spring term should be requested from the Admissions Secretary. Vacancies are rare and normally filled from waiting lists. Waiting list places require entrance testing, though existing test results may be accepted if independently verified [1].
Practical Advice for Families
Examination Day Preparation: Ensure children arrive well-rested and familiar with the test format. Practice with multiple-choice answer sheets beforehand to build confidence. Plan journey routes to avoid delays on examination morning.
Managing Expectations: Remember that passing the 11+ does not guarantee school placement, as many grammar schools become oversubscribed with qualified children. Schools use admissions criteria to prioritise places among eligible candidates.
Alternative Options: Research other secondary schools in Cumbria as backup options. Consider comprehensive schools with strong academic records and specialist programs matching your child's interests and abilities.
Stress Management: Maintain perspective throughout the process. Celebrate your child's efforts regardless of outcomes. Focus on their overall development rather than solely examination results.
For specific contact information and detailed guidance, families should refer to the school information section.
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School 11+ Information
In order to get into Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith, children need to pass the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School 11+ Subjects & Structure
The Queen Elizabeth Grammar School 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:
- English
- Maths
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-verbal Reasoning
The Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS) utilizes the 11 plus exam papers from GL Assessment, a leading provider of entrance assessments in England. The exam consists of two papers, each lasting approximately 50 minutes, and covers a range of subjects designed to evaluate a child's academic abilities and potential.
The English section assesses reading comprehension skills, along with proficiency in spelling, punctuation, and grammar. The Maths portion tests the child's grasp of concepts from the Key Stage 2 maths curriculum. Verbal Reasoning challenges the child to solve problems using written information, such as letters, words, symbols, and numbers, while Non-verbal Reasoning involves problem-solving with visual information, including shapes, diagrams, and pictures.
As Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning are not typically taught in primary schools, children may be less familiar with these question types. Incorporating reasoning questions into a child's 11 plus preparation can help boost their confidence and performance on the actual exam day. All questions in the QEGS 11 plus exam are multiple-choice, with separate answer sheets that are electronically marked.
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School 11+ Marking Process
The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.
Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.
Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.
It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School 11+ Pass Mark
The pass mark for the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).
Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith) as well as other relevant dates.
| Date | Event | Calendar Link |
|---|---|---|
| 01/05/2025 | 11+ Exam Registration Opens | Add Dates to Calendar |
| 10/07/2025 | 11+ Exam Registration Closes | |
| 18/09/2025 | 11+ Entrance Exam | |
| Late October | Secondary School Applications Close At 5pm | |
| 02/03/2026 | Secondary School National Offers Day |
Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
As the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School 11+ entrance process is particularly gruelling, we would highly recommend using an 11+ private tutor.
Why use a private 11+ tutor?
Personal tutors have the experience and expertise to help children pass their 11+ exams. They know the requirements of the GL Assessment 11+ tests inside-out and can provide tailored support to give children the best possible chance of success. It's also important to bear in mind that plenty of other children will be using private tutors too.
11+ tutors don't need to be face-to-face, plenty of children use online 11+ tutors.
11+ tutors can also provide regular progress reports and feedback, helping parents to monitor their child's progress and make any necessary adjustments to their preparation.
Most importantly, using an 11+ tutor helps ensure that the preparation work gets done!
Private 11+ Tutors for the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith 11+ entrance tests. Please click here to be put in touch with a range of excellent 11+ private tutors from our friends at exams.courses.
11+ Past Papers for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
Unfortunately, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use However, you can use 11+ practice papers from other exam boards (such as GL Assessment, CEM and CSSE) to help your child prepare.
11+ Practice Papers for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School 11+ Ensure you double-check with Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.
This is just a sample of our extensive collection of 11+ practice papers. Please click here to see the full collection.
11+ Practice Papers for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith by Bond
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by Bond and cover and cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. As such they are very helpful for children hoping to pass the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School 11+ to get into Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith by GL Assessment
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by GL Assessment themselves. As with the Bond papers, they cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. They remain useful and we encourage parents to download and use them with their children to help them get into Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith by Exam Ninja
These Free 11+ Practice Tests by Exam Ninja are extremely useful. They are straight-forward 10-question tests in Maths and English, following the same GL Assessment style (and multiple-choice format) as the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School 11+.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | English |
11+ Practice Papers for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith by Owl Tutors
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by Owl Tutors. These too are written in a GL Assessment style and make useful practice for children hoping to get into Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith by CGP
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. As with the Bond, GL Assessment and Exam Ninja papers, they're written for the GL Assessment style, in multiple-choice format and are helpful for children hoping to pass their 11+ tests and get into Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. If Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith ever used them then they don't anymore as grammar schools no longer use CEM for any of their 11+ entrance tests. However, as a general practice tool these 11+ tests remain useful.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEM | Maths | |||
| CEM | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| CEM | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith by 11+ For You
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "11+ For You".
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith by Examberry
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "Examberry".
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith by Independent Junction
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by Independent Junction.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith by IPS
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by IPS (Internet Primary School Ltd).
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
11+ Practice Papers for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith by Schofield & Sims
These 11+ practice papers were published by Schofield & Sims, a large UK educational publisher.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
School Information
Below you will find further information about Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith, Ullswater Road, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 7EG |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://qegspenrith.education/ |
| Telephone | 01768864621 |
| Email Address | jgrindrod@qegs.cumbria.sch.uk |
| Gender | Mixed (both girls and boys) |
| Total Year 7 Places | 160 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1038 (494 Girls / 544 Boys) |
| Headteacher | Headteacher David Marchant |
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith is a mixed (i.e. both girls and boys) school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).
In total 1,038 pupils attend Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith and it's led by the Headteacher, Headteacher David Marchant.
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith was last inspected by Ofsted on 24/01/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 28/03/2023, declaring that the school was 'Good'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.
Last Ofsted Report Data
| Date Inspected | Inspection Duration (Days) | Reporting Date | Rating | Full Report | 24/01/2023 | 1 | 28/03/2023 | Good | Full Report |
|---|
Ofsted Report Summary
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith was inspected by Ofsted on 24 January 2023 and received an overall outcome of Good. The school was rated Good in all areas, including Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, Leadership and management, and Sixth form provision.
This inspection result demonstrates that Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith provides a high-quality education to its students, with a strong focus on their personal development and well-being. The school's leadership and management team have effectively implemented strategies to ensure that students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for their future endeavors.
The Good rating in all areas showcases the school's commitment to maintaining high standards across all aspects of education, from academic performance to student support and extracurricular activities. Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith should be proud of this achievement and continue to strive for excellence in the future.
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith for the 2022-23 academic year.
| GCSE Subjects Offered |
|
|---|---|
| A-Level Subjects Offered |
|
GCSE & A-Level Performance
Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.
GCSE Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
| Art & Design (Fine Art) | 23 | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 13 |
| Biology | 138 | - | - | - | - | 17 | 22 | 47 | 22 | 18 | 12 |
| Chemistry | 138 | - | - | - | 2 | 17 | 38 | 26 | 21 | 17 | 17 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 13 | - | - | - | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | - | - | - |
| Design & Technology | 25 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 3 | 5 | 11 | 3 | 2 |
| English Language | 158 | - | - | - | 3 | 14 | 49 | 50 | 29 | 9 | 4 |
| English Literature | 158 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 6 | 32 | 68 | 26 | 15 | 8 |
| D&T Food Technology | 16 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 1 |
| French | 69 | 2 | - | 1 | 7 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 6 |
| Geography | 92 | - | - | - | 3 | 9 | 13 | 25 | 22 | 16 | 4 |
| German | 31 | - | - | - | 2 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| History | 109 | - | - | 2 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 27 | 28 | 15 | 10 |
| Mathematics | 158 | - | - | - | - | 12 | 31 | 34 | 37 | 25 | 19 |
| Music | 10 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | 4 | 2 | - | 2 |
| Physics | 138 | - | - | - | 5 | 18 | 41 | 27 | 14 | 23 | 10 |
| Religious Studies | 158 | - | - | - | 18 | 14 | 29 | 52 | 26 | 13 | 6 |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | 40 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 6 |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 45 | - | - | - | 2 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 11 | 3 | 3 |
| Science: Double Award | 20 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 8 | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 6 | |||
| Biology | 54 | - | 5 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 4 | |||
| Chemistry | 51 | - | 3 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 4 | |||
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 7 | - | - | 1 | 3 | 3 | - | - | |||
| Economics | 17 | - | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | - | |||
| English Language | 15 | - | - | 2 | 8 | 4 | 1 | - | |||
| English Literature | 6 | - | - | - | 3 | - | 1 | 1 | |||
| Environmental Science | 17 | - | 6 | - | 4 | 5 | 1 | - | |||
| Geography | 24 | - | - | 4 | 7 | 8 | 5 | - | |||
| Geology | 16 | - | 2 | 4 | - | 5 | 5 | - | |||
| Government and Politics | 13 | - | - | - | 3 | 6 | 2 | 2 | |||
| History | 34 | - | 1 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 4 | 4 | |||
| Mathematics | 43 | - | 1 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 15 | 11 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 9 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 6 | |||
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 10 | - | - | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | - | |||
| Physics | 31 | - | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 6 | |||
FAQ
Is Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith hard to get into?
Yes, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith is hard to get into! Children need to pass their challenging 11+ entrance test (with a high pass mark) and there's tough competition with many other children trying to get a place for Year 7.
Is Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith a private school?
No, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith free?
Yes, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith for how up to date information on how to apply (it may be automatic or it may require some forms to be filled in). More information on their 11+ entrance test can be found here.
