Queen Elizabeth’s School 11 Plus Guide
It might be difficult to find your way around the 11 Plus the first time as a parent. How do you aid your kid in getting ready for the Queen Elizabeth’s School 11 Plus Exam? What kind of exam structure is it? What stores sell test papers? We’ve provided parents with a “Queen Elizabeth’s School 11 Plus Tips” in this article that seeks to address all of your concerns.
Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet (QE Boys) Grammar School
Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet (QE Boys), is considered the best performing grammar school in England based on GCSE and Progress 8 results. This page has everything you need to know about QE Boys, Barnet and can help you get started with the admissions process. You can also find helpful information about the 11 plus exam, such as exam practice resources, information about exam boards and key dates in the calendar. Here are the school details:
Address: Queen Elizabeth’s School, Queen’s Road, Barnet EN5 4DQ
County: Hertfordshire/London Borough of Barnet
Type of school: Boys’ grammar school
Age range: 11-18
Ofsted rating: Outstanding
Number of pupils: 1,235
Admissions to Year 7: 180
Open evening (2024 entry): 6 July 2023
11+ exam date (2024 entry): 20 & 21 September 2023
Exam board: GL Assessment
Admissions phone number: 020 8441 4646
Admissions email address: enquiries@qebarnet.co.uk
Page Contents
A Brief Overview of QE Boys, Barnet and School Performance
In 1573 Queen Elizabeth I granted a charter which led to the founding of the school. 450 years later, The Sunday Times has officially ranked it as the nation’s top-performing state school by exam results. Almost 85.6% of pupils achieved grades 8 or 9 at GCSE. In 2022, the school sent 35 boys to Oxford and Cambridge universities on completion of their A-LEVELS. The school also holds the best Progress 8 result in the country, at 1.08. This means that pupils achieve a whole grade higher at GCSE than predicted based on their primary school attainment.
Queen Elizabeth’s School 11 Plus Admissions Process: 2024 Entry
If you plan on sending your son to QE Boys, Barnet, in September 2022, your preparations are no doubt in full swing. You can find key dates in the calendar for the admissions process outlined below*:
*Dates are from QE Barnet’s 11 Plus Admissions webpage.
2024 Admissions information is still not published on the website. Candidates are required to score 210 in the entrance exam to be eligible for admission. On National Offer Day both your local authority and the school will write to you to inform you of the decision, in addition to outlining the next steps. If the candidate has been unsuccessful, their name will be included on their waiting list. The school informs parents/guardians of their child’s place on the waiting list. (For more information about waiting lists, see FAQs).
Queen Elizabeth’s School 11 Plus Exam
If you are thinking about applying to QE Boys, Barnet, early preparation for the 11 plus exam is key. Competition is high, with only 180 highly coveted places available for prospective Year 7 pupils. There is no right or wrong time to start preparing, but many parents will choose to invest in a tutor once their child is in Year 4. This gives your child two years to get familiar with 11 plus-style questions. Some parents choose to create a study plan; if you use one, try to encourage your child to stick with it to promote good study habits. You might also like to refer to this Top 10 Tips to Pass the 11+ Exam guide, practical if you’re not sure how to approach preparation.
If you are reading this and your child is already in Year 5, it is never too late to get prepared. Find out how to Help your Child Become 11 Plus-Ready in the Six-Month Countdown to the exams in 2024. Please note that results are released at the beginning of October so that parents/guardians know in advance as to whether they should list the school on the CAF. A combined score of 210 is required for a candidate to be eligible for admission.
Queen Elizabeth’s School 11 Plus Exam Sample Test Papers and Resources
Queen Elizabeth’s School 11 Plus uses the GL Assessment as the provider for its 11 plus exam. However, it’s important to note that candidates will only sit two test papers in total, one in English and the other in maths. Both test papers are multiple-choice. Your child will be somewhat familiar with the style of questions on the test paper. This is because the questions are similar to English and mathematics from the new national curriculum. The QE Boys, Barnet 11 plus maths test focuses on numbers, geometry, measurement, and statistics. The English paper tests candidates on spelling, grammar, punctuation, and comprehension.
The familiarisation papers below are from the school’s website. Encourage your son to have a go at practising some of the questions. You can also find answer booklets to help you mark their answers, in addition to a parents’ guide that explains the sample test papers in more detail.
How to Prepare for Queen Elizabeth’s School 11 Plus Exam: A Guide to Parents
Every parent in Barnet and elsewhere ensures that their child is using a variety of resources and practise for Queen Elizabeth’s School 11 Plus materials that are available on the market. These tools are excellent for practice. However, this is insufficient and does not adequately convey the amount of difficulty that the HBS Second Round is anticipating.
Queen Elizabeth’s School 11 Plus is based on GL assessment. English, maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning are all assessed on GL examinations. Not all schools and regions opt to use all four courses, and they are free to mix and match any of the papers with the questions from their particular exams.
In the exam round one the parts are English, non-verbal reasoning, and verbal reasoning (typically multiple choice). Math and English in round two (usually includes comprehension or creative writing).
As essential as how much you study for the Queen Elizabeth’s School 11 Plus is how you study. We created tips on how to study for the 11 plus exam. Here are the Top 10 Tips To Prepare for the Queen Elizabeth’s School 11 Plus exam.
Tip 1: Start the preparation early!
Tip 2: Plan and map the knowledge of your child
Tip 3: Test your own expertise in 11 plus
Tip 4: Start working with an 11 plus tuition expert
Tip 5: Make sure your child is familiar with 11 plus GL based mock exams (link)
Tip 6: Reading is a must! Mostly classics
Tip 7: Start doing creative writing
Tip 8: Don’t study for too long or to too late
Tip 9: Make studying fun and interactive
Tip 10: Check Queen Elizabeth’s School 11 Plus Website for Information
English
11+ English Test Book 1 | Answer Sheet 1
11+ English Test Book 2 | Answer Sheet 2
Maths
11+ Maths Test Book 1 | Answer Sheet 1
11+ Maths Test Book 2 | Answer Sheet 2
Additional Information about Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet
If you would like to learn more about the school, you can browse their digital prospectus. Read about extracurricular activities, the academic resources available, and the success of past pupils. Pupils can enjoy a wide range of after school clubs such as Cadet Combined Force, Service, Philanthropy, and Robotics. And when it comes to sports, pupils are spoilt for choice, with opportunities to compete regionally and nationally in basketball, athletics, cricket, Eton Fives, swimming, and more. There is even a rugby trip to Holland and a cricket trip to Sri Lanka!
QE Boys, Barnet Parent FAQs
What’s QE Boys, Barnet’s Ofsted rating?
The school has an Ofsted rating of “Outstanding” and has been awarded this rating for five consecutive Ofsted inspections.
Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet school fees
While QE Boys, Barnet is an incredibly selective grammar school, it is not a fee-paying school. It is free for your son to attend this school.
Where is the catchment area for QE Boys, Barnet?
This school has no catchment area. Pupils are typically from the local and wider geographical area. You can consider the transport options available to you here.
Does the school offer boarding options?
This school does not offer boarding facilities.
Other criteria for entry
Other than 11 plus exam results, the school does not consider other factors in selecting students.
What is the 11 plus exam pass mark?
On completing both tests, candidates’ marks are combined to produce a total. While there is no set pass mark (and it can fluctuate) generally, candidates need to achieve a score of at least 85%. For the 2024 test, it is predicted to be around 210.
What is the appeals process?
You must contact the school in writing if you wish to appeal the admissions decision on National Offer Day. Please note that the deadline for lodging an appeal is yet to be released for 2022, but it is usually around the end of March. You are welcome to use the 2024 entry appeals timetable as a reference.
Does QE Boys, Barnet have a waiting list?
If you listed the school on your son’s CAF and did not succeed in gaining admission, the school will automatically place him on their waiting list and will write to you to confirm this.
2022 GCSE results
In 2020 the 100% of pupils achieved grade 4 or above in five or more subjects and an English Baccalaureate. You can view grades by each subject here.
2022 A-LEVEL results
This table highlights that 100% of pupils achieved grade C or above, with more than half achieving at least one A* grade. The school also sent 35 pupils to Oxbridge.
You can also access further 11 plus exam resources below:
Best Private Schools in the UK: Top 100 List
Best Grammar Schools in the UK: Top 100 List
A Guide to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning Tests
11+ Maths Exam: Helping Your Child to Prepare and Pass in 2022
Meet the 11+ Online Tutors Delivering Results
When Should you Start to Prepare Your Child for the 11 Plus Exam