Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
Places per year: 160
Ofsted Rating: Good
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS) Penrith is a selective, co-educational state grammar school in Cumbria, established by Royal Charter in 1564. With around 1,040 pupils and 160 Year 7 places each year, the school delivers high academic standards alongside a strong emphasis on personal development, guided by its ethos of “Preparing our students to succeed in tomorrow’s world.”
Rated Good by Ofsted, QEGS offers a broad and ambitious curriculum supported by a wide range of extracurricular activities in music, drama, and sport. Its four-house system—Blencowe, Lowther, Tudor, and Strickland—fosters teamwork, belonging, and healthy competition.
Admission is through the GL Assessment 11 Plus exam, which includes two 50-minute multiple-choice papers in English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Applicants must reach the qualifying standard in all subjects to be considered, with oversubscription criteria giving priority to looked-after children, siblings, Pupil Premium applicants, children of staff, and those living within the catchment area. To apply, families must register for the entrance test (May–July 2025) and complete the Local Authority’s Common Application Form by 31 October 2025.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your child prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith Key Information
Contact information, school address, and parking details for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith.
School Address
Full Address:
Queen Elizabeth Grammar SchoolUllswater Road
Penrith
CA11 7EG
Contact Information
Parking in the school
On-site parking at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS) is limited. Visitors are encouraged to use public transport where possible.
Additional parking off site
Nearby street parking options are available. Please be mindful of local parking restrictions when planning your visit.
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith is rated Good overall, with pupils achieving well and feeling safe in a supportive environment.
Academic strength: The school offers an ambitious curriculum where most pupils, including those with SEND, make strong progress and are well prepared for their next steps.
Teaching and curriculum: Teachers are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, though some subjects would benefit from stronger leadership support to ensure consistently confident delivery.
Behaviour and culture: Pupils behave well, attend regularly, respect staff, and enjoy a wide range of extracurricular opportunities that enrich school life.
Leadership and safeguarding: Recent leadership changes have strengthened governance and staff wellbeing, while safeguarding arrangements are effective and well managed.
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith 11 Plus Exam Format
To gain a place at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith, applicants are required to sit the entrance test set by GL Assessments, which measures academic ability rather than following the primary school curriculum.
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith 11 Plus Exam: Overview
Format
GL Assessment
GL Assessment provides two 50-minute papers, testing Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning skills, with all answers given in multiple-choice format.
Queen Elizabeth School Penrith - 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
After the entrance tests, papers are marked, age-standardised, and converted into scores. A qualifying standard is set, and children must achieve this standard in all four areas—Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning—to be considered for a place at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith. Meeting the qualifying score does not guarantee admission, as the number of available places is limited.
Catchment Area
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith does have a defined catchment area, centred on Penrith and extending into the surrounding areas.
When allocating places, children who achieve the qualifying standard in the entrance test are prioritised according to oversubscription criteria. After looked-after children, siblings, Pupil Premium applicants, and children of staff, priority is given to those living within the QEGS catchment area. Applicants outside the catchment may still be considered, but only after places have been offered to those within it.
Additional Eligibility
To apply for a place at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith, you must:
- Register your child for the entrance test through the QEGS website.
- List QEGS as a preference on your Local Authority’s Common Application Form (CAF).
If more children reach the qualifying standard than there are places available, offers are made using the following oversubscription criteria (in order of priority):
- Looked After and Previously Looked After Children
- Children with a sibling currently attending the school
- Children eligible for Pupil Premium
- Children of permanent members of staff
- Children living within the catchment area
- Children living outside the catchment area
Where two or more applicants have the same score, priority is given to the child living closest to the school.
Click find out more about Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith’s admission policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
Preparing for the 11 Plus at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith can feel challenging, but with the right approach and consistent practice, your child can build confidence and perform at their best. Below are some key tips to support effective preparation.
Useful Tips
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or the start of Year 5. This gives your child plenty of time to develop skills gradually and avoid unnecessary pressure.
Use Exam Papers
Work through timed exam papers so your child becomes comfortable with the format and builds effective test-taking strategies.
Target Weak Areas
Monitor progress and dedicate extra time to subjects or question types your child finds most challenging.
Encourage Daily Reading
Regular reading helps to expand vocabulary, strengthen comprehension, and improve analytical thinking — all essential skills for success in the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith entrance test.
Make Use of Online Resources
Digital learning tools offer tailored practice, instant feedback, and interactive activities that make preparation more engaging and effective.
Best Chance of Success
Consistent, well-structured, and positive preparation will help your child feel confident and ready to perform at their best on exam day at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith.
11 Plus Mock Exams in Your Area
We are building a network of local test centres to host in-person 11 Plus mock exams that replicate the format used by Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith. These sessions will allow your child to experience real exam conditions, helping to boost confidence and improve performance. This service is not yet available, but you can register your interest using the form below, and we’ll contact you as soon as mock exams become available in your area.
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith Key Dates
Key dates for the 2026 entry exam and application process are listed below.
Entrance Exam Registration Opens
Open Evening for Year 5
School Tours (Booking Required)
Registration Deadline
Entrance Test
11+ Results Released to Parents
Common Application Form Deadline
Offer Day
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith Application Process
Follow the steps below to apply for a Year 7 place.
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure to read the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith Admissions Policy PDF to understand the application process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyRegister for the Entrance Test
You must register online via the QEGS website during the application window, which runs from 1st May to 10th July 2025. Registration by this deadline is essential for your child to sit the entrance test.
Visit School WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your Local Authority, with Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith listed as one of your preferences. The CAF deadline is 31st October 2025. Both forms must be completed — failure to submit either will result in an incomplete application.
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith FAQs
To apply, you must complete two steps: register your child for the entrance test via the QEGS website between 1st May and 10th July 2025, and submit your Local Authority’s Common Application Form (CAF) by 31st October 2025, listing QEGS as one of your preferences. Both forms are required for the application to be valid.
The entrance test is provided by GL Assessment and consists of two 50-minute multiple-choice papers. These assess Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
There are 160 Year 7 places available each year at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith.
Yes. The school has a defined catchment area centred on Penrith and surrounding areas. When places are oversubscribed, priority is given to children living within the catchment, after looked-after children, siblings, Pupil Premium applicants, and children of staff. Applicants from outside the catchment may still be considered, but only once places for those within it have been allocated.