Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith 11 plus: 2024 entry guide

About Queen Elizabeth Grammar School

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS) is a selective secondary school in Penrith, Cumbria for boys and girls aged 11 to 18. It was established in 1564 by a royal charter and originally set up by Sir Thomas Smith, the dean of Carlisle, who wished to create a school dedicated to teaching Greek and Latin. QEGS is the only grammar school in Cumbria and the northernmost grammar school in England.

Pupils at QEGS learn within a disciplined environment with high regard for the community, honesty and mutual respect. While tradition remains at the core of the school's ethos, teachers make use of the latest technology and the school is constantly innovating to include new learning resources and pedagogy.

Academic outcomes at both GCSE and A level are consistently above the national average and school is rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted.

• Address: Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Ullswater Road, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7EG

• Local authority: Cumbria County Council

• School type: mixed grammar

• Headteacher: David Marchant

• Number of pupils: 1,000+

• National rank (Sunday Times Parent Power): 183

• A level results: 75.4% A*–B

• GCSE results: 49.5% 9/8/7

Key info for Year 7 admissions

• Admissions contact: Sue Denyer – [email protected], 01768 864621

• Number of places in Year 7: 160

• Open evening: June 2023

• 11 plus registration opens: 1st May 2023

• 11 plus registration closes: 17th July 2023

• Exam date: mid-September 2023

• Exam type: TBC

• Common application form (CAF) deadline: 31st October 2023

• National school offer day: 1st March 2024

How to apply to Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School

1. Register for the 11 plus

QEGS Penrith is an academically-selective school. This means that children applying for Year 7 entry will need to take the 11 plus to be considered for a place.

The 11 plus is a challenging exam designed to select children working within the top academic ability range for their year group. Before registering for the exam, speak to your child's teacher to see if the 11 plus and a grammar school education is right for them.

Registration for the 11 plus at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School will open in May 2023 and close on 17th July 2023. You will be able to apply via an online form on the school website.

2. Apply for a school place

You will receive your child's results in the 11 plus in mid-October 2023. You can use the results to decide whether to name QEGS Penrith as a preferred school on your common application form.

The common application form must be submitted to your home local council by 31st October 2023. The form needs to be completed for your home local authority – i.e. if you live in Cumbria you will need to complete the form on the Cumbria County Council website. If you live in a different local authority, make sure to apply through the relevant website for that council.

What is the pass mark for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School?

Your child's marks in each of the three subjects will be added together and combined to create an aggregate score. In order to reach the required standard for entry to the school, your child will need to achieve a minimum score in each of the areas and achieve a minimum overall score.

The pass mark for QEGS Penrith will not be set until after the exam, as it depends on the performance of the year group as a whole.

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School admissions criteria

There are 160 places available in Year 7 at QEGS Penrith. Children who have reached the required standard and who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which names the school will be admitted, as will the 32 children who achieved the highest ranked aggregate scores in the exam. The remaining places will then be reduced accordingly.

If the number of children who have met the required standard exceeds the number of available places, the school will apply oversubscription criteria to prioritise places:

1. Children in Local Authority Care or Previously in Local Authority Care (also known as 'looked after' or 'previously looked after' children)

2. Children with a sibling currently attending the school

3. Up to 10 places will be allocated to children who are eligible for the pupil premium or service premium

4. Children of current staff (if they have been employed for at least two years)

5. Children living with the school's designated catchment area

6. Children living outside the catchment area, with priority given to those living closest to the school

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School catchment area

The catchment area for Queen Elizabeth Grammar School covers Penrith and the surrounding areas. It extends to Scale Houses in the north, Kirkland in the east, Hartsop in the south and Mosedale in the west.

A map is included in the school admission policy.

Personalised 11 plus prep for your child

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