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Introduction
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Alford (QEGS) is a co-educational grammar school with academy status in Lincolnshire. Founded in 1566, it educates approximately 550 pupils aged 11-18 in line with high standards and the motto Cor Unum Via Una (One heart, one way). [1]
The school follows the National Curriculum, which helps students develop relevant skills in the areas of technology, humanities, science, mathematics and other disciplines. Through the extensive academic provision, QEGS also encourages pupils to learn business skills by setting up their own private businesses while studying.
Within the scope of its extracurricular programme, the school runs the Duke of Edinburgh award, allowing students to maximise their leadership skills but also expand their potential for producing strong results through collaborative effort. Trips to exciting locations, such as Iceland and Italy, are organised regularly and are an intrinsic part of QEGS’ efforts to enhance pupils’ cultural understanding.
The school takes immense pride in the comprehensive care, guidance and support extended to students, which is considered central to helping them actualise their potential and make their learning process enjoyable. Dedicated staff are always ready to provide the required assistance, whether during breaks, after school hours, or through email communication. [2]
Recently, QEGS has demonstrated robust examination performance, particularly in Maths and English, with an impressive 93% of students attaining a grade of 5 or higher. Moreover, the school’s recent A-Level results ranked as the highest in Lincolnshire, reinforcing the establishment’s appeal among both local parents and students.
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Alford, 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2026
Address: Station Road, Alford LN13 9HY
County: Lincolnshire
Admissions info: reception@queenelizabeths.co.uk, 01507 462403
School type: Co-educational grammar
Number of places in Year 7: 84
Open Day date: October
Exam date: September 2026
Pass mark: Aim for 80%+ in our practice tests. See below for more details.
Exam type / Board: GL Assessment
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Alford, 11 Plus (11+) Admissions
Admission to Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Alford, in Year 7 is determined by pupil performance in the 11 Plus exam. QEGS fully complies with Lincolnshire County Council’s coordinated admission arrangements for Year 7.
Compared to other grammar schools in Lincolnshire, QEGS Alford has a relatively small number of places (84) available in Year 7. Therefore, in the likely event that the school is oversubscribed, it will apply the following criteria, giving priority to:
- Looked After or previously Looked After children who achieve the required score in the 11 plus
- Children living within the school’s designated free transport area who achieve the required score and who have a sibling at the school
- Children living within the school’s designated free transport area who achieve the required score
- Children who do not live within the school’s designated free transport area yet attend the primary schools within it and who achieve the required score, but also have a sibling at the school
- Pupils not living in the designated free transport area who achieve the required score.
Further explanation of the school’s admissions process and its free transport (catchment) area boundaries can be found on the school’s website. You can view QEGS Alford’s exact location on the map below:
How to Apply for 11 Plus (11+) Entry to Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Alford
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Alford, complies with Lincolnshire County Council’s admission arrangements. Parents living in Lincolnshire should complete a Common Application Form (CAF) and apply directly via the Local Authority (LA) website to register their child for an 11 Plus exam place.
Those living outside of Lincolnshire must return their CAF form to their own LA, who will forward the application to Lincolnshire LA.
Is Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Alford, part of a Consortium?
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Alford, is part of the Lincolnshire 11+ Consortium, a group of schools that use the same entrance exam format and share a very similar admissions process.
Does Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Alford, have a catchment area?
Yes, there is a catchment area with priority based on location and distance from the school.
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Alford, 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format
The 11 Plus Exam at QEGS Alford consists of two tests:
⦿ Verbal Reasoning
These sections test your child’s reasoning skills using language-based tasks, such as identifying patterns, completing analogies, solving codes and making logical deductions. They also measure your child’s ability to think critically and analyse information.
⦿ Non-Verbal Reasoning/Spatial Reasoning
The Lincolnshire 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning (NVR) sections test students’ ability to solve problems using visual and abstract reasoning. They do not rely on language skills but instead challenge students to identify patterns, relationships and sequences within shapes, figures and diagrams.
The Spatial Reasoning sections in the Lincolnshire 11 Plus Exam are designed to assess students’ ability to understand and manipulate visual representations of objects and space. Spatial Reasoning tests mental rotation, visualisation and problem-solving skills.
In order to select the top 25% of pupils, test scores are ranked in order and age-standardised.
How to Prepare for the Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Alford, 11 Plus (11+) Exam
Utilising our 11+ practice tests will help your child prepare for their competitive entrance exam. Our resources are meticulously designed to mirror the actual exam, offering your child a comprehensive understanding of what to expect on the big day. This refers not only to the academic challenge, but also to understanding how to manage time efficiently and improve exam technique.
Our 11+ resources offer an invaluable opportunity for your child to get accustomed to working under time pressure. By undertaking the tests under timed conditions, your child can learn to respond both quickly and accurately.
Our 11+ mock tests are thoroughly researched and up-to-date. Matching the requirements of a competitive entrance exam, they are relied on by thousands of students every year.
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Alford, 11 Plus (11+) Exam Pass Marks and Target Scores
The exam aims to identify the top 25% of children (based on ability) living in the area. In both Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning papers, students should achieve a standardised score of 220 in order to be considered for a place.
Pupils who are able to score 80%+ consistently in our 11+ practice tests should be on track to pass the QEGS Alford 11 Plus.
Whilst there are no guarantees, this has historically been a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in the QEGS Alford 11+ exam. Please click here to learn more.
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Alford, 11 Plus (11+) Practice Exam Papers
We have a number of practice tests that can help your child prepare for the QEGS Alford 11 Plus exam. We specifically recommend the following relevant resources.
The Lincolnshire Pre-11+ Practice Tests are designed for Year 4 and 5 students to introduce the exam format and boost their confidence. These tests are less challenging than the Lincolnshire 11+ Exam. They offer an accurate yet more straightforward representation of the actual exam, allowing students to familiarise themselves with exam specifics. This approach provides a solid foundation for students to progress to more challenging 11+ Practice Tests.
The following practice tests are specifically designed to help your child prepare for the Lincolnshire 11+ Exam. They provide excellent mock exam preparation, highlighting your child’s strengths and weaknesses.
Practice Papers
To help your child master Verbal Reasoning skills in the lead-up to the Lincolnshire 11+ Exam, we recommend the following resources.
Practice Papers
10 Minutes Test
Video Masterclasses
The following resources will help boost your child’s Non-Verbal (NVR) and Spatial Reasoning (SR) abilities ahead of the Lincolnshire 11+ Exam.
Practice Papers
Video Masterclasses
Video Masterclasses
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Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions have been included in Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Alford 11+ past papers. The information provided about Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Alford is believed to be correct at the time of publishing. However, please be aware of future changes. We advise you to contact the school directly if you are unsure of anything. School contact details are provided within the article.
Please note that Exam Papers Plus is an independent publisher of practice tests and resources, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Alford.
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Author(s)
Louise Lang
Director of Learning
