Queen Elizabeth's High School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
Places per year: 186
Competition: Medium
Ofsted Rating: Good
Queen Elizabeth's High School
Queen Elizabeth’s High School is a co-educational grammar school in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, with a rich history dating back to 1589. The school combines academic tradition with modern teaching, consistently achieving strong GCSE and A-level results.
QEHS serves pupils aged 11 to 18, focusing on both academic success and personal growth. Students are encouraged to engage in a wide variety of extracurricular activities, including sports, drama, music, and leadership roles.
The school is part of the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools and follows the shared 11 Plus testing process for Year 7 admissions.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Queen Elizabeth's High School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Queen Elizabeth's High School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Queen Elizabeth's High School
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's High School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Queen Elizabeth's High School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Queen Elizabeth's High School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Queen Elizabeth's High School’s Key Information
We regularly update on the key information, contacts, and school statistics for Queen Elizabeth’s High School directly from the school itself and governmental sources.
School Address
Full Address:
Queen Elizabeth's High School, Morton TerraceGainsborough
Lincolnshire
DN21 2ST
Contact Information
Parking in the school
Queen Elizabeth’s High School has around 50 parking spaces although a lot of these are used for staff and visitors and the school has experienced difficulties with parking in the past. You are recommended to take public transport to the school or find a nearby drop off point.
Additional parking off site
- Car park: North St, Gainsborough, DN21 2JG, 0.8 miles from the school
- Car park: Roseway, Gainsborough, DN21 2BL, 0.9 miles from the school
Queen Elizabeth's High School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Good.
Academic strength: Pupils thrive in an ambitious curriculum and are well-prepared for further education, with strong academic and extracurricular support.
Teaching and curriculum: The curriculum is broad and well-structured, ensuring students make strong progress, although some subjects still require refinement.
Behaviour and culture: Pupils are polite and respectful, contributing positively to the school community, with strong participation in extracurricular activities.
Leadership and safeguarding: Strong leadership with a commitment to ongoing improvement; safeguarding practices are thorough and effective, ensuring a safe school environment.
Queen Elizabeth's High School Exam Format
Queen Elizabeth’s High School selects students using the GL 11 Plus exams, in particular they use the Verbal and Non-Verbal components from GL 11 Plus. This exam is used by all of the schools in the Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools.
The Queen Elizabeth's High School Entry Exam: Overview
Admission to Queen Elizabeth’s High School is through the Lincolnshire 11 Plus, which consists of two multiple-choice tests taken on consecutive Saturdays in September, provided by GL Assessment.
Paper One
Verbal Reasoning: The first test assesses word-based logic, vocabulary, and comprehension skills.
Paper Two
Non-Verbal or Spatial Reasoning: The second test evaluates visual patterns, problem-solving abilities, and logical thinking using shapes and images.
GL 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
The pass mark for the entry exam is a standardised score of 220, this represents the top 25% of the local cohort. After catchment area and additional eligibility have been administered, the remaining places will be awarded in order of rank determined by highest score in the entry exam.
Catchment Area
Queen Elizabeth’s High School has a catchment area of 9 miles from the school, with the applicants living closest being given the highest priority for places.
Additional Eligibility
Typically, applicants must be in the top 25% of results to be eligible for a place. If the number of qualifying applicants exceeds the available spaces, the school applies the following oversubscription criteria:
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Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan.
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Looked After Children and all Previously Looked After Children.
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Children with a sibling currently enrolled at Queen Elizabeth’s High School.
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Children of staff employed at the school.
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Children living within 9 miles of the school, prioritising those living closest by driving distance.
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Children registered as Ever6 FSM at the time of application.
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Children living more than 9 miles away, ranked by their aggregate standardised 11+ score in descending order.
Click here to find out more about Queen Elizabeth’s High School’s Admissions Policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Queen Elizabeth’s High School
Supporting your child in feeling confident and ready can have a significant impact. Here are some practical ways to help:
Useful Tips
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or the start of Year 5. This allows plenty of time for steady progress without creating too much pressure.
Use Exam Papers
Work through timed exam papers together to build familiarity with the question style and develop exam technique.
Target Weak Areas
Keep track of their performance and focus extra time on any topics or question types they find more difficult.
Encourage Daily Reading
A regular reading habit helps expand vocabulary, improve comprehension and boost analytical thinking – all vital for the 11 Plus.
Make Use of Online Resources
Digital learning tools can provide personalised practice and clear feedback to make study time more effective and engaging.
Best Chance of Success
Keeping preparation steady, organised and encouraging will help your child feel confident and well-prepared when exam day arrives.
11 Plus Mock Exams in Your Area
We’re currently working on setting up a network of local test centres to offer in-person 11 Plus mock exams that closely match the format used by Queen Elizabeth’s High School. These sessions will provide a valuable opportunity for your child to practise under real exam conditions, helping to build confidence and improve performance. Although this service isn’t available just yet, you can register your interest by completing the form below. We’ll get in touch as soon as mock exams become available in your area.
Queen Elizabeth's High School’s Key Dates and Application Information
The key dates that are required for a successful application to, and the dates for the relevant exams for Queen Elizabeth’s High School are below.
Test Registration Opens
Registration Deadline
Verbal Reasoning Test
Non-Verbal Reasoning Test
Results Issued
Common Application Form Deadline
Offer Day
Queen Elizabeth’s High School's Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Queen Elizabeth’s High School, families must complete three essential steps:
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the Queen Elizabeth’s High School's Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyEntrance Test Entry Form
To register, apply via the Lincolnshire County Council website.
Visit Council WebsiteSubmit the Common Application Form (CAF)
Complete the CAF through your local authority website, listing Queen Elizabeth’s High School as one of your preferences.
Queen Elizabeth’s High School FAQs
To apply for a Year 7 place, register for the 11 Plus exam through the Lincolnshire County Council website and submit the Common Application Form through your local authority website.
The 11 Plus exam consists of two multiple-choice tests: Verbal Reasoning, which evaluates language skills, and Non-Verbal Reasoning, assessing logical thinking and pattern recognition, each lasting 50 minutes.
Entry to Queen Elizabeth’s High School is competitive. Applicants need to score highly in the 11 Plus exam, typically in the top 25%, to meet the criteria for a place.
QEHS does not have a fixed catchment area but prioritises applicants based on proximity to the school, sibling attendance, and other criteria, with distance from school being a key factor