The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough.
How to get into The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough
The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough is a selective secondary school in Lincolnshire. To get into The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 offers 186 places annually (see key dates) [1].
Queen Elizabeth's High School is a selective grammar school requiring all children to pass the Lincolnshire 11+ examination for admission. Children must achieve a qualifying score across both test papers to be considered eligible for a place .
The school has no defined catchment area . However, in the event of oversubscription, priority is given to children living within 9 miles driving distance of the school (see key dates).
11+ Examination Details
The Queen Elizabeth's High School uses the Lincolnshire 11+ examination as part of the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools . Children taking this examination are eligible for all 15 schools in the consortium .
The examination consists of two separate papers taken on consecutive Saturdays in September . The verbal reasoning paper will take place on Saturday 13th September 2025 (see key dates) . The non-verbal reasoning paper follows on Saturday 20th September 2025 (see key dates) .
The verbal reasoning paper contains 80 questions divided across 15 sections . These sections test reasoning skills using language-based tasks including pattern identification and logical deductions . The non-verbal reasoning paper tests visual and abstract reasoning abilities without relying on language skills .
Registration and Application Process
Registration for the 2025 examination opens on Friday 10th January 2025 and closes on Monday 31st March 2025 (see key dates) . However, Queen Elizabeth's High School has their own registration deadline of Friday 21st March 2025 (see key dates) .
Families can register through any participating school's website . Registration for the examination is separate from the formal school application .
The formal school application must be completed through the family's home local authority between September and October 2024 . The Common Application Form must be submitted by 31st October 2025 (see key dates) .
- Complete 11+ examination registration by Friday 21st March 2025 (see key dates)
- Submit Common Application Form to home local authority by 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
- List Queen Elizabeth's High School as a preferred choice on the application
- Contact details available in the school information section
Oversubscription Criteria
When applications exceed the 186 available places, the school applies specific oversubscription criteria in the following order :
- Looked after children and previously looked after children
- Children with a sibling already on roll at the time of application
- Children of staff employed at the school
- Children living within 9 miles driving distance from the school
- All other qualifying children ranked by examination score
Within the distance criterion, priority is given to children living closest to the school by driving distance . In the most recent admissions, 76 students were admitted from outside the 9-mile radius and 90 students from within it .
Test Results and Offers
Examination results are released to families by mid-October 2025 (see key dates) . Results indicate whether children have achieved the qualifying standard for grammar school entry .
School offers are made on National Offers Day in March 2026 (see key dates) . Children receive places at their highest-preferred school where they meet entry criteria and places are available .
In recent admissions, the school received 315 applications for the 186 places available . The last child offered a place scored 249 points on the examination . 58 children were placed on the reserve list .
Preparation Guidance
The school provides two familiarisation tests which they consider sufficient preparation for the examinations . Additional familiarisation papers are available from GL Assessment website or for purchase .
Families should ensure they purchase multiple choice format papers . The school recommends specific ISBN numbers for verbal and non-verbal reasoning packs . For comprehensive preparation resources, families can access practice papers.
Child psychologists recommend 20-30 minute study sessions for children aged 10-11 years . A 'little and often' approach helps children encode information more effectively . For expert guidance, families may consider professional tutoring.
Open Events and School Visits
Queen Elizabeth's High School encourages prospective families to attend their July Open Evening . This event provides opportunities to learn about the educational opportunities available at the school.
The school also offers a virtual tour on their website . Families can access this to gain insights into school facilities and environment before applying.
For specific dates and booking information for open events, families should contact the school directly.
Practical Advice for Families
Examination day preparation should focus on ensuring children are familiar with the test format and timing. Each test includes short practice elements to help children settle into the examination .
Children are not permitted to bring watches into the examination room . Reliable clocks will be visible to all candidates . Countdown clocks are also not allowed .
Families should remember that passing the Lincolnshire 11+ does not guarantee admission to preferred schools . Many grammar schools become oversubscribed with qualified children .
- Research backup schools in Lincolnshire as alternatives
- Understand the school's distance criteria if applying from outside the 9-mile radius
- Ensure all application deadlines are met for both examination registration and school applications
- Consider attending the July open evening to understand the school's educational approach
- Access school contact information through the school information section
For appeals information and general school admissions advice, families should contact Lincolnshire County Council School Admissions team . Independent appeals panels are available for families whose children are refused admission .
Lincolnshire 11+ Information
In order to get into The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough, 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 Queen Elizabeth's High School in Gainsborough utilizes the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools 11 plus exam for their admissions process. This assessment comprises two papers that are administered on successive Saturdays.
The first paper focuses on verbal reasoning and includes 80 questions distributed across 15 sections, with a time limit of 50 minutes. The second paper evaluates non-verbal and spatial reasoning skills through 70 questions divided into 5 sections, each of which is individually timed by the invigilator.
All questions in the Lincolnshire 11 plus exam are presented in a multiple-choice format. Students are provided with separate answer sheets to mark their responses, which are then electronically assessed.
Other Schools using Lincolnshire 11+
As well as The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough, 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
- Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle
- Skegness Grammar School
- Spalding Grammar School
- Spalding High School
- The Boston Grammar School
- The King's School, Grantham
Lincolnshire 11+ Marking Process
The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough) 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough
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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough
Unfortunately, The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough
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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough.
| 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough.
| 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough.
| 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough, Morton Terrace, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire DN21 2ST |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://qehs.lincs.sch.uk/ |
| Telephone | 01427612354 |
| Email Address | admissions@qehs.lincs.sch.uk |
| Gender | Mixed (both girls and boys) |
| Total Year 7 Places | 186 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1220 (617 Girls / 603 Boys) |
| Headteacher | Mr Richard Eastham |
The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough is a mixed (i.e. both girls and boys) school. It is also a local authority maintained school, meaning the local authority oversee the funding, admissions, and overall performance of the school.
In total 1,220 pupils attend The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Richard Eastham.
The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough was last inspected by Ofsted on 13/12/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 29/01/2024, 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 | 13/12/2023 | 1 | 29/01/2024 | Good | Full Report |
|---|
Ofsted Report Summary
The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough, was inspected by Ofsted on 29/01/2024. The overall outcome of the inspection was Good. The school received a Good rating in all areas, including Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, Leadership and management, and Sixth form provision.
This inspection result highlights the school's commitment to providing a well-rounded education for its students. The Good rating in Quality of education indicates that the school offers a strong curriculum and effective teaching practices. The Good rating in Behaviour and attitudes suggests that students at The Queen Elizabeth's High School demonstrate positive conduct and engage well with their learning.
Furthermore, the Good ratings in Personal development and Leadership and management underscore the school's dedication to supporting students' growth beyond academics and the effective leadership in place to drive continuous improvement. The Good rating in Sixth form provision also showcases the school's success in preparing students for their future beyond secondary education.
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 | ||
| Sociology | 16 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Art & Design | 41 | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | - | 16 | 9 | 5 | 8 |
| Biology | 99 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 6 | 32 | 16 | 24 | 20 |
| Business Studies:Single | 88 | - | - | - | 8 | 6 | 16 | 18 | 13 | 16 | 11 |
| Chemistry | 99 | - | - | - | - | 4 | 12 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 18 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 42 | - | - | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 3 | 3 |
| Design & Technology | 36 | - | - | - | - | - | 5 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 6 |
| English Language | 180 | - | - | - | 1 | 16 | 35 | 45 | 41 | 21 | 21 |
| English Literature | 180 | - | - | - | 3 | 32 | 39 | 37 | 31 | 20 | 18 |
| D&T Food Technology | 23 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Geography | 87 | - | - | - | 2 | 7 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 20 |
| German | 77 | - | - | 2 | 12 | 16 | 22 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 4 |
| History | 104 | - | - | 3 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 17 | 15 | 21 | 14 |
| Mathematics | 206 | - | - | - | 6 | 25 | 51 | 43 | 29 | 29 | 22 |
| Music | 10 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 2 | - | 3 | 1 |
| Physics | 99 | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 8 | 23 | 29 | 20 | 15 |
| Religious Studies | 34 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 11 |
| Spanish | 101 | 1 | - | 1 | 15 | 13 | 29 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 6 |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | 8 | - | - | - | 2 | - | 3 | 3 | - | - | - |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 49 | - | - | - | 1 | 7 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 2 | 2 |
| Science: Double Award | 81 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Biology | 68 | - | 8 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 7 | |||
| Business Studies:Single | 42 | - | - | 5 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 4 | |||
| Chemistry | 45 | - | 2 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 5 | 4 | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 28 | - | - | 5 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 2 | |||
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 8 | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | |||
| English Language and Literature | 23 | - | - | 3 | 3 | 10 | 6 | 1 | |||
| English Literature | 7 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Geography | 20 | - | - | - | 4 | 4 | 8 | 4 | |||
| History | 24 | - | 3 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 3 | 2 | |||
| Law | 31 | - | 4 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 1 | |||
| Mathematics | 51 | - | 1 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 15 | 10 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 8 | - | - | 2 | - | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 20 | - | - | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 | |||
| Physics | 26 | - | 1 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 2 | |||
| Psychology | 42 | - | 3 | 6 | 8 | 13 | 8 | 2 | |||
| Religious Studies | 11 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |||
| Sociology | 22 | - | - | 2 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 3 | |||
FAQ
Is The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough hard to get into?
Yes, The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough a private school?
No, The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough free?
Yes, The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough 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.
