Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
School summary
A large state grammar in Penrith, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School draws together academic ambition with the reach of a sizeable mixed cohort of just over 1,000 pupils. With 1,036 on roll against a capacity of 1,065, the school is operating close to full, a sign of steady demand in the area. Ofsted judged every aspect Good at its most recent inspection, from quality of education through to the sixth form. Entry is at 11, with 160 places available each year.
How hard is it to get in?
Competitive · 2 of 5 on the Passmate scale. Demand exceeds the 160 Year 7 places in most years, though less sharply than at the most oversubscribed schools.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
Attainment 8
64.8
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
88%
National average 47%
Inspection reports
- Ofsted overall
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour & attitudes
- Good
- Last inspected
- 24 January 2023
Teaching & academics
Results sit well clear of the national picture. The average Attainment 8 score of 64.8 comfortably exceeds the national average of 46.9, and 88% of pupils secure grade 5 or above in English and Maths, against a national figure of 47%. A pupil-to-teacher ratio of around 17.8 is typical for a school of this size. Ofsted rated quality of education and the sixth form as Good.
Headteacher · David Marchant
Beyond the classroom
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1564
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 5.41%
- EHC plans
- 0.68%
- English as additional language
- 7.8%
- Free school meals
- 4.8%
Schools nearby
Hunter Hall School
Penrith, North West
Lime House School
Carlisle, North West
Meadow View School
Cumbria, North West
Bowscar School
Brisco, North West
Old Windebrowe
Keswick, North West
Progress Schools - Carlisle
Carlisle, North West
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A high-performing grammar where strong GCSE outcomes are matched by consistently Good Ofsted judgements. Families seeking academic stretch close to capacity will find an English and Maths 11+ the route in.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith 11+: frequently asked questions
Passmate rating: benchmarked against every selective school in England using official admissions data. It measures demand for places, not school quality. Updated July 2026.
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.