Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle: Grammar Excellence in the Lincolnshire Fens

The royal charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I in 1571 sits proudly in the school's safekeeping, a tangible reminder that this institution has served Horncastle and the surrounding market towns for nearly 450 years. What makes Queen Elizabeth's noteworthy today is not merely this heritage but its consistent academic performance. The school ranks in the top 10% of schools in England for GCSE results (FindMySchool ranking), with an attainment score of 62.1 that significantly outpaces typical secondary achievement. Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2024, noting that relationships between students and staff are genuinely positive. The selective intake represents approximately the top 25% of the catchment area ability range, meaning entry is competitive. Around 816 students aged 11-18 are divided into four year-group cohorts, with roughly 208 in the sixth form, creating a manageable school size where students can build meaningful connections without feeling lost.

The school occupies a generous site on West Street, a blend of period buildings and modern additions reflecting decades of investment. The Victorian dining hall, built in 1908, remains the first structure on the current campus; beyond it lie contemporary teaching blocks dedicated to science, English, music and creative disciplines. The atmosphere on school days is purposeful. Students move between lessons in maroon blazers and distinctive ties, the uniform lending a sense of formal identity without rigidity. Staff know pupils by name across year groups, and the school emphasises that strong relationships are foundational to its culture.

Mr Simon Furness has led the school as headteacher in recent years, steering an institution that completed its academy conversion in 2012, giving it independence from local authority control while remaining state-funded. The school has specialist status in science and modern foreign languages, a designation it has held since 2003, and this shapes curriculum emphasis and resourcing. The Horncastle Education Trust, of which the school is a member, brings additional governance and support, though Queen Elizabeth's operates as the trust's flagship secondary provision.

Students describe the environment as supportive but academically demanding. Teachers deliver lessons with clarity and high expectations, particularly in mathematics and sciences, and the school's specialist focus means these subjects attract additional resources and expertise.

GCSE Performance

QEGS achieved an average attainment 8 score of 62.1 in recent assessments, a figure that sits well above England averages and reflects strong overall progress from entry. The school ranks 440th in England (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 10% nationally (elite tier by performance). Locally, the school is ranked first among all secondary establishments in Horncastle, an important distinction given that it shares the town with other educational providers.

In the English Baccalaureate, 50% of pupils achieved grades 5-9 across the core subjects, with an average EBacc points score of 5.95. This indicates that a substantial proportion of the cohort met rigorous breadth requirements, not only specialising in individual strengths but demonstrating competence across the traditional academic core.

Progress 8 data reveals a score of +0.29, indicating that students here make above-average progress measured against their individual starting points. For families used to thinking about raw grades alone, Progress 8 is important: it shows the school's impact on learning over and above what prior attainment would predict.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form ranks 665th in England (FindMySchool ranking), reflecting solid but less exceptional performance at post-16 level. This places the school in the middle-performing tier (25th to 60th percentile) for A-level outcomes. Of all A-level grades awarded, approximately 9% were A*, 22% were A, and 30% were B grades. This equates to 61% of entries achieving A*-B, a respectable result though below the elite sixth forms nationally. The fact that GCSE performance outpaces A-level results is common and reflects both the selective nature of sixth form intake and the higher threshold of challenge at post-16.

University Progression

In the 2023-24 cohort, 69% of leavers progressed to university, 20% entered employment, 3% pursued apprenticeships, and 1% progressed to further education. The university pipeline includes places at competitive institutions; the school's Oxbridge record shows three students securing Cambridge places out of nine total applications in recent measurement periods. This is a meaningful achievement for a school of this size and geography.

The curriculum follows the national framework for Key Stages 3-4 with notable extensions in science, mathematics and languages. All students study French from Year 7, and the school offers German and Spanish, encouraging linguistic breadth. Sciences are taught separately, not as combined GCSE, reflecting the specialist science status and the school's expectation that students develop depth in physics, chemistry and biology.

Mathematics teaching is structured with setting from Year 4 onwards, allowing differentiation by ability and pace. The school recognises that students arrive with varying mathematical background and dispositions, and the setting system aims to ensure each cohort moves at an appropriate challenge level. Additional morning sessions are provided for Year 11 students in spring term to consolidate learning ahead of examinations.

Teaching quality is consistent. Staff demonstrate subject expertise, particularly in specialist areas like the sciences. Lessons observed during inspection were judged as good, with clear explanations and strategies to keep students engaged. The school uses data on pupil progress to inform intervention; students who fall behind are identified and supported rather than left to struggle in silence.

Alongside the formal curriculum, the school encourages intellectual curiosity through competitions and challenges. Mathematics Olympiad participation, essay prizes and speaking opportunities feature prominently, signalling that academic life extends beyond lessons.

For pupils leaving at the end of Year 11, pathways vary. A significant proportion move into the school's own sixth form, where entry is open to all pupils for whom the school can provide an appropriate course of study. Others transition to other sixth forms, colleges, or apprenticeship routes. The school provides guidance on these options and supports students in making informed choices.

Sixth form leavers show strong onward progression. The 69% university admission rate is solid for a selective state grammar school in a rural area. Beyond Oxbridge, leavers have secured places at Russell Group universities and specialist institutions; the school maintains informal links with higher education institutions and encourages applications across the full range of subjects and specialisms. Engineering, medicine, law and sciences dominate the sixth form curriculum, and these disciplines represent significant proportions of leavers' choices. The careers programme includes university visits, work experience and talk from employers and alumni working in various sectors, helping students understand options beyond pure academia.

Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School is a selective state grammar school. Entry at age 11 is via the Lincolnshire 11+ Consortium examination, a standardised test administered by GL Assessment. The school publishes 120 places for Year 7 entry annually, representing four forms of approximately 30 students each.

In recent admissions cycles, the school is significantly oversubscribed. With 248 applications for 119 places available, the subscription proportion was 2.08, meaning roughly two applicants compete for every place. The first preference capture rate indicates strong local demand; families clearly view this school as a destination of choice. Admissions criteria prioritise looked-after children and those qualifying for pupil premium first, followed by catchment area proximity weighted by entrance test performance, then out-of-catchment students ranked by test score alone.

The 11+ examination itself is not curricula; it tests reasoning through verbal and non-verbal sections. Preparation is common — many families invest in tutoring or practice materials — though the school does not formally recommend preparation, relying instead on the assessments to identify students with strong reasoning skills and learning potential. Registration typically occurs in September of Year 6, with tests held later in the autumn term. Results are released before the October half-term, allowing families to make informed secondary school choices.

Entry into sixth form is less restrictive. Students from the main school can progress provided they have achieved appropriate standards; external candidates can apply and are assessed on predicted or achieved GCSE grades and school references.

School day runs from approximately 8:50am to 3:20pm. The school is located in the town centre on West Street in Horncastle, with ready access to local amenities and transport. Students within the catchment area who live more than three miles from the school are provided with free transport by local education authority buses. Out-of-catchment pupils can access privately organised transport; detailed information is available from the school office.

The catchment area is generous, encompassing Horncastle itself and extending to Wragby, Bardney and Woodhall Spa to the west, the Lincolnshire Wolds to the north and east, and RAF Coningsby to the south. Many students commute from rural communities across this broad area. Parking is available on the school site for those driving.

Extracurricular life at QEGS is rich and deliberately structured to allow all students to find their niche. The school recognises that beyond-classroom engagement is where many students discover talents and build confidence.

Music: A Notable Strength

The school runs a substantial music programme led by a dedicated department occupying a specialist music block with two teaching classrooms, practice rooms, recording facilities and a media suite. Three separate choirs operate across the school: the Senior Choir, Lower School Choir, and student-led Year 11 Choir. These ensembles perform at regular school concerts, including a dedicated carol concert in December and a spring concert. Students also run lunchtime open mic sessions, creating informal performance opportunities for soloists and small groups. Beyond choral work, a jazz band, full orchestra, string ensemble and flute choir offer varied instrumental opportunities.

The department's reach extends beyond the school. Students have toured to the Royal Albert Hall as part of the Music for Youth Prom in recent years, and the department supports the Lincolnshire County Youth Orchestras and the Voice It Music Industry Day. Senior GCSE and A-level music students have made trips to the University of Sheffield to engage with music programmes and industry connections.

The school's bi-annual musical production, delivered in partnership with the drama department, showcases both disciplines. Recent productions have included The Wizard of Oz and Chicago, involving significant numbers of students in cast, orchestra and production roles.

Drama & Performance

A dedicated drama studio with lighting balcony serves drama classes and productions. Drama is introduced to all Key Stage 3 students and is offered as a GCSE and A-level option. Teaching emphasizes exploration of themes through practical work, with students directing, critiquing and performing. The school organises its own productions, and students are encouraged to attend live theatre in Lincolnshire and beyond through departmental trips.

The 450-year anniversary celebrations included a performance by Lilli C, a former student, alongside music from the school choir and a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast, demonstrating the school's commitment to marking cultural and historical moments with performance and spectacle.

STEM & Technology

Science benefits from specialist status. The school operates seven science laboratories alongside dedicated teaching blocks, signalling substantial investment in practical work. Technology facilities include two fully equipped workshops and two further technology areas delivering electronics, resistant materials, product design and food and nutrition. An IT suite and additional IT hubs throughout the school support computing curriculum and digital learning.

The Physics, Chemistry and Biology curricula are delivered separately, allowing students to develop depth in each discipline. Field work features, particularly in geography and geology where students have undertaken trips to Iceland and Italy. Year 11 and sixth form students participate in competitions and enrichment activities; the school encourages mathematics olympiad participation and celebrates success in national competitions.

Sports: A Defining Pillar

The school field is substantial, and sporting facilities are comprehensive. Three football pitches, five netball courts, nine tennis courts, two grass hockey pitches, one cricket square with three outdoor nets, an athletics track, trim track, gymnasium, sports hall and four rounders pitches provide extensive opportunity. Two squash courts and an astroturf area add further variety. The school also has formal links with Horncastle Tennis Club, Magna Vitae leisure centre and local facilities, allowing breadth of provision beyond the campus.

Students experience compulsory games lessons throughout Year 7-11, with competitive inter-form activities and Student of the Term awards fostering engagement. Sixth formers have compulsory games on Wednesday afternoons, with opportunities to represent the school in fixtures or, for Year 13, to pursue activities outside school such as swimming or gym work.

Teams compete in football, rugby, netball, hockey, athletics, cross-country, badminton, rounders, table tennis and cricket. The school has a proud record of county representation — many pupils have represented county and higher levels in cricket, hockey, tennis, football and squash. School teams have won county competitions and progressed to national level; several teams have competed internationally. The national schools squash finals have featured QEGS teams, as have the national schools girls' tennis finals on multiple occasions. This track record reflects both the depth of coaching and the school's commitment to competitive sport.

Leadership & Citizenship

Sixth form students take on leadership roles including Duty Prefects, Form Prefects, Peer Listeners and subject mentors. The Sixth Form Committee and Sixth Form Social Committee organise social activities and manage broader school life issues, feeding into the School Council. The Upper Sixth Leavers' Ball and Sixth Form Yearbook are annual fixtures.

Students engage in extended activities and service. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme runs to Gold level, and sixth formers have access to Young Enterprise, Parents' Association Challenge Awards, World Challenge expeditions, and Operation Wallacea international volunteering. Trips abroad have included ski visits, geology expeditions to Iceland and Italy, and art department visits to Barcelona. The school values these experiences as character-building and integral to what it means to be educated at QEGS.

Other Clubs & Societies

The breadth of extracurricular provision extends to Book Club, Photography Club, French Club, Art Club, and knitting groups. These clubs reflect student interests and are often student-led or staff-facilitated. The Speaking Newspaper provides students with public speaking opportunity and media experience. Drama clubs run regularly, providing outlet for students not pursuing drama as a formal subject.

The Ofsted inspection confirmed that relationships between pupils and staff are positive. The school's pastoral approach is structured around form tutors and heads of year who know students well and are alert to wellbeing and safeguarding concerns. The school operates a Learning Support Hub, staffed to provide additional academic support for students who need scaffolding, and a dedicated space for learning support activities and IT provision.

Behaviour expectations are clear. The school follows a restorative approach to conduct issues, emphasising reflection and repair over punishment alone. Students describe the environment as calm and orderly, with staff treating young people with respect while maintaining high expectations.

Entrance is fiercely competitive. With nearly 2.1 applications per place, securing admission requires performing well in the entrance examination and, for out-of-catchment families, living within the designated transport area and achieving high test scores. Families considering application should be realistic about chances and have alternative secondary options in mind. The 11+ process requires discipline and focus from students and families; managing expectations is important for wellbeing.

A-level performance is solid but not exceptional. The sixth form ranks in the middle tier for A-level results nationally. Families whose aspirations rest on Oxbridge or elite Russell Group institutions should note that while the school sends some students to these destinations, the overall sixth form cohort is not selected for academic elite status in the way independent boarding schools often are. This is a strength for comprehensive sixth form experience but may matter for families with specific HE aspirations.

Grammar school culture suits some families, not all. The school's identity is rooted in selective admissions, formal uniform, and traditional academic curriculum. Those uncomfortable with grammar selectivity or seeking a more progressive pedagogical environment should explore other options. The school does not position itself as experimental or informal; it is purposefully academic.

Location is semi-rural. Horncastle is a market town, not a major urban centre. Students from Lincoln, Boston and surrounding areas commute; transport is arranged by the authority or privately. The catchment is broad but not infinite. Families relocating to the area should verify their property's location relative to the transport boundary before making housing decisions.

Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School delivers strong academic outcomes within a selective, traditionally-minded context. The GCSE results are genuinely impressive, placing the school in the top 10% of schools in England. The specialist focus on science and languages, combined with real depth in music, drama and sport, creates a school where academic rigour and extracurricular richness coexist. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are academically capable, reasonably resilient to competitive peer groups, and genuinely interested in pursuing the school's traditional academic pathway. The school is best suited to families within the broad catchment area who value selective admissions, strong teaching, accessible extracurricular opportunity and a genuine sense of community rooted in 450 years of local history. The main challenge is entry; once secured, the education is characteristically solid and substantially enriched.