Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet
State Grammar School (Boys) · Est. 1573
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Queen's Road, Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN5 4DQ
11+ Places
180
annual intake
Competition
14:1
ratio
Tuition Fees
FREE
state-funded
Cutoff Score
222–229
standardised scale
Acceptance Rate
~7%
of applicants
No Sixth-Form Entry
11+ only
entry point
Best For
Highly academic boys prepared for extreme 11+ competition and commitment to a flagship state grammar with zero catchment advantage. Perfect for families seeking top-tier academics without private school fees.
Watch Out For
Fiercely competitive (14:1 ratio), age-standardised scoring system makes preparation challenging, and the weeding policy after GCSEs means your child must sustain excellence throughout Year 11.
Entry Points
- 11+ (only entry point—no external sixth-form entry)
The Complete Admissions Timeline
Every key date, deadline and decision point — with insider intelligence you won't find on the school website. Click any item to reveal verified insider knowledge.
The critical window: Single-stage process based entirely on entrance exam results ranked by age-standardised scoring. No interview. Distance from school is the key tie-breaker. Critical: weeding policy after GCSEs means only internal 11+ cohort can continue to sixth form.
Registration Opens
Registration opens for the 11+ entrance examination. Application fee (typically £50–100) required. No catchment area—competition is nationwide.
Entrance Examination
Two multiple-choice papers (English and Maths, ~50 mins each) sat at school. Scored using age-standardised method—raw scores are NOT published.
Results Posted
Combined age-standardised scores released. No interview stage—admission is PURELY exam-based. Results list ranked by score (distance used as tie-breaker).
Offers & Waiting List
Initial offers made from ranked list. Waiting list maintained until 31st December, ranked strictly by score. Places offered as they become available.
Sixth-Form Continuation Assessment
CRITICAL: Internal students must pass internal assessment to continue to Year 12. Students CAN be 'weeded out' after GCSEs if results are insufficient. No external students accepted for Year 12.
QE Barnet Timeline — Key Dates At-a-Glance
- 1
Registration opens
September Year 6
- 2
Entrance exams
Late September
- 3
Results posted
Early October
- 4
Waiting list closes
31st December
Inside the QE Barnet Entrance Test
QE Barnet uses age-standardised entrance exams in English and Maths (no third paper, no VR/NVR). Single-stage process—no interview. Scores are standardised by age and combined to create a final ranked list. Competition is fierce (14:1 ratio), and the school explicitly warns that previous years' scores do NOT guarantee future offers.
English Paper
~50 minutes · Multiple-choice comprehension, vocabulary, grammar
Candidates rush and misread questions under time pressure. Surface-level comprehension answers fail. Vocabulary gaps kill score gains. Many try to memorise 'types' but QE tests genuine understanding.
Maths Paper
~50 minutes · Multiple-choice arithmetic, problem-solving, reasoning, logic (NO CALCULATOR)
Candidates misread multi-step questions. Answer-only approach misses intermediate steps. Arithmetic errors proliferate under time pressure. Logic puzzles trip up over-coached candidates expecting formulaic answers.
Topic Difficulty & Weight
Difficulty (%) and exam weight by topic area
Key takeaway: Multiple-choice comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar focus. Time pressure is extreme—most candidates don't finish. Advanced vocabulary knowledge and rapid inference skills are essential.
Topic Breakdown
Known Exam Traps — English Paper
Read the ENTIRE question before answering—skim reading costs marks
Build vocabulary actively—context-based learning beats flashcards
Eliminate 2-3 wrong answers first, then choose from remaining options
Understand WHY an answer is correct, not just that it fits
The pattern: Candidates rush and misread questions under time pressure. Surface-level comprehension answers fail. Vocabulary gaps kill score gains. Many try to memorise 'types' but QE tests genuine understanding.
If you can only improve in one area, make it
Speed + Comprehension
What this means in practice:
Dedicate 60%+ of prep time to this area
Practice under timed conditions regularly
Review mistakes immediately after each session
Track progress weekly to spot patterns
All focus areas ranked by impact:
#1
Speed + Comprehension
English Paper
#2
Logic & Multi-Step Solving
Maths Paper
Format
Multiple-choice written paper
Duration
~50 minutes
Answer Method
Mark answers on sheet
Curriculum baseline: Comprehension, vocabulary, grammar
Results & League Table Position
consistently ranks among the top co-educational schools in England. These figures are benchmarked against national averages so you can see the full picture.
A-Level A* Rate
52%
National rank #1
A-Level A*/A Rate
95%
Use the narrative summary below.
GCSE Grade 9-7
95.5%
National rank #1.
A-Level A*-B Rate
98%
Ranked #1 state school nationally at both GCSE and A-Level. The school's results are achieved through a rigorous academic culture and selective entry — but with no fees, making it an extraordinary opportunity for families who secure a place.
A-Level Results vs National Average
vs England average (%)
What this means: QE Barnet's A-Level results are extraordinary — 52% A* and 95% A*/A puts them at #1 nationally among state schools. These results rival the top independent schools while charging £0 fees.
GCSE Grade Distribution
vs National distribution (%)
What this means: With 62% Grade 9s and 95.5% grades 9-7, QE Barnet achieves results comparable to the most selective independent schools. The school consistently outperforms every other state school in the country.
University Destinations
Where leavers go — % of cohort
Notable Academic Achievements
#1 ranked state school
Consistently top of national rankings
95%+ A-Level A*-B
For 14+ consecutive years
95.5% GCSE grades 9-7
(A*-A equivalent)
Founded 1573
Over 450 years of excellence
League Table Position: Ranked #1 state school nationally at both GCSE and A-Level. The school's results are achieved through a rigorous academic culture and selective entry — but with no fees, making it an extraordinary opportunity for families who secure a place.
No Interview Required
QE Barnet operates a single-stage, exam-only admissions process. There is NO interview. Admission is determined entirely by your child's performance on the September entrance exams, with age-standardised scoring and distance as the tie-breaker.
Format
Not applicable — QE Barnet does not conduct interviews. The written examinations are the sole assessment. This makes the exam performance absolutely critical.
Duration
Role in Admissions
Part of a holistic assessment, not a pass/fail gate
What Makes a Strong Impression
Compiled from parent reports (2023-2025)
The pattern:
Contact Admissions
Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet Admissions Team
Insider Intel: What Other Parents Don't Know
These are the verified insights you will not find on the school website, in Good Schools Guide, or from any single tutoring agency. Each insight is compiled and cross-referenced from 70+ sources including official documents, parent reports, and tutoring industry data.This is the intelligence that gives ClassAce families an edge.
QE uses age-standardised scores (typically 222–229 for admission). Raw percentages are meaningless. Your child's age cohort is the reference group. Don't obsess over percentage targets—focus on exam mastery instead.
For identical scores, the candidate living closest to the school gets the place. This is official admissions criteria. If two children have the same standardised score, proximity decides. Consider this in your application strategy.
Waiting list (maintained until 31st December) is ranked strictly by exam score with distance as secondary tie-breaker. Places ARE offered from waiting list as families move house or withdraw. Don't despair if waitlisted—movement happens.
QE does NOT accept external applicants for sixth form. Entry is 11+ only. Internal students must pass internal assessment to continue. External students interested in sixth form must apply at 11+.
QE explicitly warns: 'achieving a score which enabled admission in a previous year is NO guarantee of future offer.' Cohort quality fluctuates. Prepare for higher standards, not historical baselines.
Common Mistakes Parents Make
The errors we see most often from families preparing for Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet. Avoid these and you're already ahead of the majority of applicants.
Obsessing over percentage scores
QE uses age-standardised scoring—raw percentages are meaningless. Parents often assume 90% is 'the target,' but this is dangerously misleading. Focus on exam mastery and genuine comprehension, not percentage benchmarks.
Underestimating time pressure
Most candidates don't finish the papers. The exam is designed to be time-pressured. Many over-tutored candidates struggle because they're used to completing every question with perfect answers. Speed + accuracy matters more than perfection.
Not understanding weeding policy
Parents think 11+ offer = sixth form place guaranteed. FALSE. QE has an explicit weeding policy. Internal students must pass internal sixth-form assessment after GCSEs. Underperformers can lose their places.
Assuming distance doesn't matter
Distance is the PRIMARY tie-breaker for identical scores. If your child scores the same as another candidate, the one living closer to QE gets the place. This is official policy and occasionally decides the final places offered.
Ignoring the 'no previous score guarantee' warning
QE explicitly warns that a score sufficient for admission in Year X may NOT be sufficient in Year X+1. Cohort quality varies. Prepare for HIGHER standards than historical data suggests.
Over-preparing for VR/NVR (which QE doesn't use)
QE entrance test is English + Maths ONLY. No verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, or logic puzzles in the standard format. Some tutors prep for the wrong test entirely. Know the format and focus accordingly.
vs Competitor Schools
How does Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet compare to the schools your child is most likely also applying to? This analysis covers the key factors that actually matter to families.
Important context: QE Barnet is the #1 ranked state school in the UK and competes directly with independent schools like St Paul's, City of London Boys, and Dulwich College. Unlike those fee-paying alternatives, QE is free but fiercely competitive (14:1 ratio). Its single-stage exam process (no interview), age-standardised scoring, and 'weeding' policy after GCSEs set it apart from the independent school admissions model.
| Factor | FeaturedQueen Elizabeth's School Barnet | St Paul's School | City of London Boys | Dulwich College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | State Grammar | Independent | Independent | Independent |
| Co-educational | ||||
| VR in Exam | ||||
| Annual Fee | £0 (free) | ~£36,600 | ~£30,500 | ~£34,000 |
| 11+ Difficulty | Very Hard | Very Hard | Very Hard | Hard |
| Interview Style | None (exam-only) | Yes (Stage 2) | Yes (Stage 2) | Yes |
Why Parents Choose
- #1 ranked state schoolConsistently top of national rankings alongside private rivals
- Completely FREE education95%+ A*-B at A-Level without £30,000+ annual fees
- 95.5% GCSE grades 9-7Results competitive with any independent school
- No catchment areaCan apply from anywhere in the UK—true meritocracy
- Founded 1573450+ years of academic excellence
Points to Consider
- Fierce competition (14:1 ratio)Only 180 places from ~2,500 applicants—extremely selective
- Age-standardised scoringComplex system makes preparation harder and score targets unclear
- Exam-only processNo interview opportunity to appeal weak exam scores
- Weeding policy after GCSEInternal students can lose sixth-form place if underperforming
- No sixth-form external entryMust secure 11+ place—can't enter at Year 12
Scholarships & Financial Support
| Scholarship Type | Value | Available Places | Selection Method | Stackable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free State Education | £0 fees | All students | As a state grammar school, QE Barnet provides free education to all admitted students | No |
The Preparation Roadmap
Everything here is built around Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet's specific exam format, interview style, and selection criteria. This is not generic 11+ advice. Every recommendation is calibrated to this school.
12+ months out
- Build broad knowledge across English and Maths curricula
- Develop fast reading skills and vocabulary
- Start mental maths practice (no calculator)
- Establish exam technique basics
9–12 months out
- Take full-length practice tests under time pressure
- Identify weak areas in comprehension and multi-step maths
- Refine test strategy (which questions to attempt first)
- Build stamina for back-to-back papers
6–9 months out
- Intensive focused tutoring on problem areas
- Weekly full-length exam simulations
- Refine time management strategy
- Practice advanced vocabulary in context
3–6 months out
- Maintain exam technique with regular practice
- Focus on speed without sacrificing accuracy
- Review all past papers and identify patterns
- Practise under exam conditions weekly
Final 4–8 weeks
- Review key comprehension strategies
- Drill multi-step problem solving
- Final full-length simulations every week
- Manage exam anxiety and sleep/health
You now know things about this school most applicant families never find out.
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Intelligence Score
Updated April 2026 · 70 sources
Coverage
Measures how much of the admissions picture is directly evidenced rather than inferred from comparable schools or legacy material.
Freshness
This edition was last checked April 2026. Recency scores fall when public evidence ages or current-cycle detail is sparse.
Use it well
Treat lower-scoring areas as prompts to verify with admissions, not as automatic red flags. The score is about evidence quality, not school quality.
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