Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle.
How to get into Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle is a selective secondary school in Lincolnshire. To get into Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle with all the important information you need to know.
Admission Requirements
Children born between 1st September 2013 and 31st August 2014 are eligible for Year 7 entry in September 2025 (see key dates). The school admits students aged 11-18 through selective examination.
Families must register their children for the Lincolnshire 11+ between 10th January 2025 and 31st March 2025 (see key dates) through any participating grammar school website. Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 220 or above to be eligible for admission.
- Complete registration for the 11+ examination between January and March 2025
- Pass the Lincolnshire 11+ with a qualifying score of 220 or above
- Submit the Common Application Form (CAF) by 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
- Apply through the local authority responsible for the child's home address
- For specific contact details, see the school information section
Application Process
Registration for the 2025 exam opens on Friday 10th January 2025 and closes on Monday 31st March 2025 through any participating school website. Families must complete two separate processes for admission.
Families name the school on their secondary school common application form, available from early September through the home council website, and submit by 31st October 2025. Test results arrive by mid-October 2025, showing whether children meet the qualifying standard.
- Step 1: Register for 11+ testing between 10th January 2025 and 31st March 2025
- Step 2: Take the Lincolnshire 11+ exams in September 2025
- Step 3: Receive test results in mid-October 2025
- Step 4: Submit secondary school application by 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
- Step 5: School offers announced on 2nd March 2026 (see key dates)
Examination Details
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle uses the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools 11 plus. The exam takes place in September in Year 6, with children born between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015 taking tests.
The first paper takes place on Saturday 13th September 2025 and the second paper on Saturday 20th September 2025. The verbal reasoning paper consists of 80 questions split across 15 sections.
- Test Format: Two papers taken on consecutive Saturdays
- Paper 1: Verbal Reasoning - Saturday 13th September 2025 (see key dates)
- Paper 2: Non-Verbal Reasoning - Saturday 20th September 2025 (see key dates)
- Provider: GL Assessment papers used across the consortium
- Location: Children attend Saturday sessions at grammar schools
Oversubscription Criteria
If more than 120 applying achieve the qualifying score, the school applies oversubscription criteria. Places are allocated in priority order to looked after children, children eligible for pupil premium, those within the transport area, then all other areas.
The catchment area for Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle is the school's designated area for free transport. For 2025 admissions, the last applicant offered a place achieved a score of 235 and lived 11.257 miles from the school [1].
- Priority 1: Looked after children and previously looked after children who meet the standard
- Priority 2: Children eligible for pupil premium or service premium
- Priority 3: Children within the designated transport area ranked by test scores
- Priority 4: Children from all other areas ranked by test scores
- Distance from school used as tiebreaker within each category
Preparation Guidance
Using a 'little and often' approach when learning is key as brains encode new information more effectively with smaller 'chunks' of information. Child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20-30 minutes for children aged 10-11.
Children who consistently score 80%+ in practice tests should be on track to pass the QEGS Horncastle 11 Plus, though this is historically a fairly strong indicator. Grammar schools select children working in the top ability range, typically within the top 25% of their year group.
- Timeline: Begin preparation at least12 months before the exam
- Study Schedule:20-30 minute sessions daily using varied practice materials
- Target Score: Aim for consistent 80%+ scores in practice tests
- Practice Materials: Access free resources through practice papers section
- Professional Support: Consider tutoring guidance from tutoring specialists
- Focus on both verbal reasoningandnon-verbal reasoning skills
Practical Advice
11+ exams follow JCQ guidelines where students cannot take watches into examinations, and countdown clocks are not allowed, with reliable clocks visible in examination rooms. Families should prepare children for the formal examination environment.
Passing the 11 plus doesn't guarantee allocation to preferred schools as many grammar schools are oversubscribed with qualified children. Families can use test results to decide which schools to name on applications, checking each school's admissions policy.
- Exam Day: Arrive early, bring required stationery butno watches
- Stress Management: Practice timed conditions and familiarise children with test formats
- Backup Schools: Apply to multiple Lincolnshire grammar schools using the same test
- Alternative Options: Research high-performing comprehensive schools in the area
- Results Day: Plan next steps regardless of outcome by October 2025
- Contact details available in the school information section
[1]Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle official website
Lincolnshire 11+ Information
In order to get into Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle, children need to pass the Lincolnshire 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.
Lincolnshire 11+ Subjects & Structure
The Lincolnshire 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-verbal Reasoning
- Spatial Reasoning
The 11 plus exam for entry into Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle is administered by the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools. The assessment consists of two separate papers, each focusing on different cognitive abilities.
The first paper evaluates the candidate's verbal reasoning skills through a series of 80 questions divided into 15 sections. Students are allotted 50 minutes to complete this portion of the exam. The second paper assesses the student's proficiency in non-verbal and spatial reasoning. This paper comprises 70 questions split across 5 individually timed sections.
All questions in the Lincolnshire 11 plus exam are presented in a multiple-choice format. Candidates record their answers on separate answer sheets, which are subsequently scored electronically. This rigorous selection process aims to identify students with the aptitude and potential to excel in the academically challenging environment provided by Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle.
Other Schools using Lincolnshire 11+
As well as Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle, several other schools also use Lincolnshire 11+. These are:
- Boston High School
- Bourne Grammar School
- Carre's Grammar School
- Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School
- Kesteven and Sleaford High School Selective Academy
- King Edward VI Grammar School
- Queen Elizabeth's Grammar Alford - A Selective Academy
- Skegness Grammar School
- Spalding Grammar School
- Spalding High School
- The Boston Grammar School
- The King's School, Grantham
- The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough
Lincolnshire 11+ Marking Process
The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle 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!
Lincolnshire 11+ Pass Mark
The pass mark for the Lincolnshire 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's Grammar School, Horncastle, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle) as well as other relevant dates.
| Date | Event | Calendar Link |
|---|---|---|
| 10/01/2025 | Lincolnshire Grammar School 11+ Registration Opens | Add Dates to Calendar |
| 31/03/2025 | Lincolnshire Grammar Schools 11+ Registration Closes | |
| 13/09/2025 | Lincolnshire Grammar Schools 11+ Verbal Reasoning Paper | |
| 20/09/2025 | Lincolnshire Grammar Schools 11+ Non-verbal Reasoning Paper | |
| Early October | Lincolnshire Grammar Schools 11+ Results Day | |
| Late October | Secondary School Common Application Deadline | |
| 02/03/2026 | National School 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's Grammar School, Horncastle as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle
As the Lincolnshire 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's Grammar School, Horncastle 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle 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's Grammar School, Horncastle
Unfortunately, Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle 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's Grammar School, Horncastle
Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Lincolnshire 11+ Ensure you double-check with Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle 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's Grammar School, Horncastle 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 Lincolnshire 11+ to get into Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle.
| 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's Grammar School, Horncastle 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's Grammar School, Horncastle.
| 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's Grammar School, Horncastle 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 Lincolnshire 11+.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | English |
11+ Practice Papers for Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle 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's Grammar School, Horncastle.
| 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's Grammar School, Horncastle 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's Grammar School, Horncastle.
| 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's Grammar School, Horncastle 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's Grammar School, Horncastle 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's Grammar School, Horncastle 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's Grammar School, Horncastle 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's Grammar School, Horncastle 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's Grammar School, Horncastle 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's Grammar School, Horncastle together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle, West Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 5AD |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://www.qegs.lincs.sch.uk/ |
| Telephone | 01507522465 |
| Email Address | enquiries@qegs.lincs.sch.uk |
| Gender | Mixed (both girls and boys) |
| Total Year 7 Places | 120 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 842 (444 Girls / 398 Boys) |
| Headteacher | Mr Simon Furness |
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle 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 842 pupils attend Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Simon Furness.
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle was last inspected by Ofsted on 02/11/2011 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 22/11/2011, declaring that the school was ''. 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 | 02/11/2011 | 1 | 22/11/2011 | Full Report |
|---|
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle 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's Grammar School, Horncastle 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 | 23 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 11 | 4 | - | 4 | 2 |
| Biology | 76 | - | - | - | - | - | 9 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 19 |
| Business Studies:Single | 44 | - | - | - | 3 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 2 |
| Chemistry | 76 | - | - | - | - | - | 10 | 14 | 15 | 19 | 17 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 18 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| Design & Technology | 31 | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 6 |
| English Language | 122 | - | - | - | 4 | 17 | 25 | 33 | 20 | 19 | 3 |
| English Literature | 122 | - | - | 2 | 2 | 3 | 25 | 28 | 24 | 18 | 19 |
| D&T Food Technology | 14 | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | 4 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| French | 30 | - | - | 1 | - | 3 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 4 | 6 |
| Geography | 48 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 5 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 6 |
| German | 39 | - | - | - | 2 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 11 | 7 | 1 |
| History | 72 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 6 | 15 | 17 | 29 |
| Mathematics | 122 | - | - | - | - | 7 | 29 | 31 | 19 | 19 | 16 |
| Film Studies | 21 | - | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | 6 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Music | 9 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Art & Design (Photography) | 9 | - | - | - | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | - | - |
| Physics | 76 | - | - | - | 1 | 4 | 7 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 25 |
| Religious Studies | 21 | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 4 |
| Spanish | 60 | 1 | - | 5 | 13 | 11 | 5 | 11 | 10 | 4 | - |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | 6 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 34 | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 4 |
| Science: Double Award | 45 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Biology | 29 | - | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 7 | |||
| Business Studies:Single | 17 | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 2 | - | |||
| Chemistry | 20 | - | - | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 8 | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 7 | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | - | 1 | |||
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 14 | - | - | - | 3 | 7 | 2 | 2 | |||
| Economics | 23 | - | - | 4 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 2 | |||
| English Language | 6 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 3 | - | - | |||
| English Literature | 19 | - | 1 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Film Studies | 15 | - | - | - | 4 | 7 | 1 | 3 | |||
| Geography | 20 | - | - | 1 | 6 | 11 | 2 | - | |||
| Geology | 14 | - | - | 6 | - | 3 | 2 | 2 | |||
| History | 33 | - | 1 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 9 | |||
| Mathematics | 27 | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 8 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 8 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||
| Physics | 31 | - | 4 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 6 | |||
| Psychology | 34 | - | 1 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 3 | |||
| Religious Studies | 16 | - | - | 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | |||
FAQ
Is Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle hard to get into?
Yes, Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle 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's Grammar School, Horncastle a private school?
No, Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle free?
Yes, Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle 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.
