QE Boys 11+ English Preparation
A pure test of English.
QE does not set a writing paper.
But the English it demands is the English that writing builds.
QE places enormous weight on comprehension. The passages are long, demanding and designed to test far more than surface understanding.
Preparation therefore has to build the English itself, not simply familiarity with question types.
At English Matters, we teach the English.
The paper rewards boys who can sustain close reading of a long, literary text, and who know their words precisely.
The passages are long.
Vocabulary is tested in context, so there is no Verbal Reasoning. A boy still has to know his words very well.
With passages this long, timing is essential, so pace is practised rigorously throughout.
At English Matters, we teach all of this directly.
Comprehension and SPaG take the main focus, while writing develops quietly alongside them.
Many boys preparing for QE are also preparing for Wilson’s, the Sutton Grammar Schools, Latymer or Tiffin, so writing is never left out. Creative Writing →
These are not separate skills taught in isolation. They grow from the same foundation: understanding language precisely.
Comprehension, with long and demanding passages, together with spelling, punctuation and grammar. It is a pure test of English, with no Verbal Reasoning. The school also sets a separate Maths paper.
At English Matters, we teach English. We do not teach Maths.
Year 5 is the full QE preparation. Year 4 Foundation builds strong reading, comprehension and writing habits early. Comprehension at this level takes time to mature and is best built steadily, not left until the weeks before the test.
Yes. The same English skills carry across to other highly selective Grammar Schools, including Tiffin, Latymer and the Sutton Grammar Schools.
She worked closely with my son on the English paper, providing detailed feedback that highlighted areas for improvement and clear strategies to address them. Thanks to her expertise and guidance, my son successfully gained admission to Queen Elizabeth’s School, Wilson Grammar and St Paul’s.
— Shilpi Sahu
While providing a targeted learning framework, Sumona has instilled a passion for English too. Over the course of this journey, Sumona gave very deep and thorough feedback, enabling a profound sense of calm and confidence.
— Mohima
Within a few weeks he was able to analyse comprehension easily and elaborate answers in writing. She helped him crack both the QE Grammar paper and the Haberdashers Boys 11+ with confidence.
— Amit Trivedi
Specialist QE English preparation in a live online group of no more than five pupils.
Places are limited. All sessions taught personally by Sumona Singhal.