Choosing between two of London’s best grammar schools isn’t easy. You might feel like you’re comparing perfection with… well, perfection. On paper, Queen Elizabeth’s School (known as QE Boys) and The Latymer School look remarkably similar. Both have sky-high academic results, selective entry, and a reputation that stretches far beyond North London.
But look a little closer, and some important differences start to appear. Whether it’s their approach to sixth form, transport options, entry criteria or overall school culture, it’s those finer details that help parents decide what’s truly the best fit for their child.
In this blog, you’ll find an in-depth comparison between QE Boys and Latymer, answers to parents’ most common questions about both schools, and personal insights to help you feel more confident in your choice — whether you’re considering 11+ options or planning ahead for sixth form.
In this article:
QE Boys vs Latymer: Introducing the Two Schools
Queen Elizabeth’s School (Barnet) is consistently ranked the top grammar school in the country. It’s a boys’ grammar located in High Barnet, with a traditional academic ethos, a strong focus on discipline, and incredible exam results. The Latymer School (Edmonton) is another North London powerhouse. It’s a co-educational grammar school located in Edmonton, Enfield.
QE Boys doesn’t admit girls at any point (not even in sixth form). It appeals to families looking for an all-boys academic environment with strong structure.
While Latymer is still highly academic and competitive, it’s often perceived as slightly more relaxed and creative in ethos — with a strong music and arts programme, a mixed-gender setting, and a large, thriving sixth form that welcomes students from outside.
Both schools are state-funded and completely free to attend. But competition is fierce and entry isn’t guaranteed, even for the brightest students. Catchment areas, admissions policies, transport, and your child’s individual strengths all play a role.
So how do you choose between them?
Quick Comparison Table: QE Boys vs Latymer
| Feature | Queen Elizabeth’s School
(QE Boys) |
The Latymer School |
| Location | Queen’s Road, Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN5 4DQ | Haselbury Road, Edmonton, London, N9 9TN |
| Single Sex or Co-Ed | Boys only (all years) | Mixed (boys and girls) |
| School Size | ~1,300 pupils | ~1,350 pupils |
| Sixth Form Size | ~290 students; boys only
No additional sixth form entry. Often a Grade 7 or above is required to progress from GCSE. |
~230 students; mixed (boys and girls), external candidates accepted |
| Selective Status | Fully selective grammar school | Fully selective grammar school |
| Catchment Area | No fixed catchment; places awarded strictly by performance | Strict catchment area based on nearby postcodes |
| Competition | Extremely high (over 3,500 applicants for ~180 places) | Very high (often 3,000+ applicants for ~190 places) |
| Entry Requirements | 11+ entrance exam (GL Assessment) with top scores only | 11+ entrance exam; must also live within priority area |
| 11+ Entry Exam Format | GL Assessment (English and Maths, Multiple Choice) | GL Assessment (Maths and Verbal Reasoning), School Assessed (English Comprehension and Creative Writing). |
| Reputation | Traditional, disciplined, academically elite | Mixed, vibrant, slightly more creative feel |
| Ranking | Regularly ranked among the top five grammars in the UK | Usually within top 10–20 UK grammar schools |
| Ofsted Rating | Outstanding in all areas | Good or outstanding |
| Oxbridge Success | High (35–45 offers most years)
In 2024, a staggering 13 students attended Oxford with 40 going onto Cambridge. |
Strong (20–30 offers most years) |
| Pupil Transport | Well connected to Northern Line and local bus routes, as well as 10 dedicated school coach services | Well served by overground, buses and tube links (Hammersmith and Ravenscourt Park). No school coach service. |
| Fees | Free (state-funded) | Free (state-funded) |
| Religious Affiliation | None | None |
Parent FAQs: Your Questions, Answered
Once you’ve started narrowing down your school choices, the questions naturally start flowing in — and if you’re anything like most parents we speak to, they come in clusters. Is it hard to get in? How selective is it, really? What’s the vibe like day to day? And does it actually matter where you live?
In this section, we’ve gathered the most frequently asked questions from parents comparing QE Boys and The Latymer School — with clear answers to help you understand what each school is really like.
Queen Elizabeth’s School (QE Boys)
What is QE Boys ranked?
Queen Elizabeth’s School is consistently ranked the number one grammar school in the UK, and not just by one league table. It’s been topping lists from The Sunday Times Parent Power, The Telegraph, and Top Schools Guide for several years now.
In 2025, The Sunday Times named QE Boys “Top State Secondary School for A-levels”, jointly with Henrietta Barnett School. It also came second (just behind Henrietta Barnett) in the overall state-funded school rankings.
Underpinning this success are raw results: think 96% of GCSEs at grades 7–9, and 95% A*-B A Level grades. It’s not just top in Barnet or North London — it’s usually top full stop.
Is QE Boys selective?
Yes, and in the most literal sense. QE Boys is one of the most academically selective schools in the country. Admission is based purely on the entrance exam score. There’s no catchment area, no consideration of distance, and no interviews or references. Every place is allocated according to rank order.
If your son scores in the top 180 or so (reflecting the number of Year 7 places), he gets a place, wherever you live. That said, competition is fierce, and the raw score needed each year tends to creep upwards as more and more bright students apply.
How hard is it to get into QE Boys?
Put it this way. Around 3,500 boys typically apply for 180-200 places at QE Boys. That gives an admission percentage of 5-6%.
But it’s also worth considering that these 3,000+ students will be among the most academically gifted to even consider QE Boys entry. So it’s among the most competitive schools in the country.
The entrance exam is set by GL Assessment and includes multiple-choice papers in English and Maths. What makes it tough isn’t just the content, but the speed and accuracy required.
It’s also worth noting that the school does not publish past papers, so preparation can feel a little opaque compared to other schools. However, most families work with experienced 11+ tutors, specialist practice papers or mock exams under timed conditions to help their son cope with the pressure.
How good are QE Boys?
In academic terms, QE Boys is truly exceptional. But it’s worth thinking beyond the numbers. The school has a reputation for being rigorous, highly disciplined, and, in some cases, a little intense. Homework expectations are high, as is pupil motivation.
That suits many bright, self-driven boys perfectly, especially those who are ambitious about Oxbridge, medicine, or engineering. But it can also feel overwhelming for those who need a gentler pace, or who thrive with more emotional or creative support.
There are fantastic clubs and extracurriculars (and the music and sports provision is strong) but QE isn’t a school that leads with those things. Its strength lies in academics first and foremost.
Does QE Boys have a catchment?
No, and this is something that really sets QE apart. Unlike many grammar schools, there’s no geographic limit or priority zone. If your son is in the top 180 scorers, he’ll be offered a place, even if you live in Croydon or Cambridge (though the practicality of a daily commute may be another matter).
That said, the school does ask parents to consider travel time seriously. They advise against commutes over 90 minutes each way, and in reality, most students live in North London, Hertfordshire, or just inside the M25.
The Latymer School
What rank is Latymer School in the UK?
The Latymer School often falls within the top 10 grammar schools in national rankings. In 2025, it made it to Number 9 in The Sunday Times Parent Power list. Although not quite top spot, that’s still incredibly impressive — especially considering Latymer also admits students based on local residency, which gives it a different intake profile from QE.
GCSE results are typically excellent, with 85.4% achieving grades 7–9, and A Level outcomes are equally strong (86.3% A*-B), with high rates of entry into top universities. In many ways, Latymer is a school that combines top-level results with a broader approach to education. It’s proud of its success, but not narrowly defined by it.
Is Latymer a selective school?
Yes, but with an important difference. Latymer is fully selective, but only within a defined priority area. To even sit the entrance exam, your child must live within a certain radius of the school (usually around 3–5 miles, depending on your postcode). Proof of address is required before the application process begins.
Within this priority area, selection is by performance in the entrance test. So while the school is selective, it also tries to ensure its cohort reflects the local community.
Is it hard to get into Latymer?
While Latymer’s catchment filter means that applicants are competing within a smaller pool, admission is still extremely competitive. Over 2,000 students often register for the exam, with about 190 places available.
The process starts with a multiple-choice Maths and Verbal Reasoning test (set and marked by GL Assessment), followed by a written English comprehension and creative writing paper (set and marked by the school). Only the top 700 scorers from the first round have their English papers marked, and all scores are standardised by age.
There are also up to 20 specialist music places available each year.
Because the tests go beyond multiple-choice, Latymer often suits students who enjoy thinking deeply, expressing ideas clearly, and showing working — it rewards flair as well as accuracy.
How good is Latymer School?
Latymer is a school that combines academic excellence with a broader educational ethos. It’s known for having a warm, inclusive atmosphere, and a strong tradition in music, drama and debate. The co-ed environment is another key selling point for many families, especially those who feel their child would benefit from a more “real world” social mix or who have siblings of different genders.
While the school is high-achieving (it’s still top ten in the country!), the atmosphere is often described as slightly more relaxed or creative than QE. Students are still stretched academically, but there’s also more space for personal development, pastoral care and enrichment.
How much is Latymer per year?
Nothing. Latymer is a state-funded grammar school, so there are no fees. Like many grammar schools, Latymer invites voluntary contributions from parents (known as the “Latymer Champions”, around £50 per month if you’re able), but this is optional. There may also be extra costs for school trips, music lessons, or sports clubs, but no child is excluded based on ability to pay.
If you’re comparing grammar schools to private options, Latymer offers incredible value: combining academic excellence with a rich extracurricular offering and inclusive ethos, all at zero cost.
So… Which Is Better?
We’ll be honest: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Both QE Boys and Latymer are excellent schools.
QE Boys might suit…
- Boys who thrive in structured, high-pressure academic environments.
- Families happy to travel for a top-tier school without catchment limits.
- Students targeting Oxbridge, medicine or highly competitive STEM pathways.
Latymer might suit…
- Students who want a more balanced experience in a co-ed setting.
- Families already living within the priority area.
- Children with strengths in both academics and creative arts.
We’d also suggest thinking about:
- Commute (both schools discourage long travel times)
- Whether your child thrives in a single-sex or mixed environment
- If your child would benefit from more holistic or traditional learning styles
If you’re exploring secondary options, don’t miss our full breakdown of the best Grammar and private schools in North London and further afield. You can find more breakdowns, rankings and parent insights into:
- Grammar Schools in Barnet
- Grammar Schools in Watford
- Grammar Schools in Harrow
- Grammar Schools in Slough
- The Best Grammar Schools in London
- The Best Secondary Schools in London
- The Best Private Schools in London
- The Best Secondary Schools in the UK
- The Best Grammar Schools in the UK
- The Best Private Schools in the UK
What’s the Best Boys’ School in London?
To wrap up, it’s a question we hear all the time — often from parents trying to make sense of league tables, word-of-mouth recommendations, and what their child actually needs to thrive.
While there’s no single all-round answer, if we’re looking strictly at academic performance, two state schools stand out consistently:
Queen Elizabeth’s School (Barnet) and Wilson’s School (Sutton).
These two boys’ grammar schools regularly top national league tables for both GCSE and A Level results. Not just in London, but across the UK. QE Boys, in particular, has ranked number one in the country for multiple years running. Wilson’s also boasts exceptional Oxbridge offers, and like QE, it’s free to attend — though located in South London.
In the independent (private) sector, the competition is equally fierce, but different factors come into play. St Paul’s School in Barnes and King’s College School Wimbledon are widely considered two of the best boys’ schools in the country. Both offer world-class facilities, outstanding university preparation, and vast extracurricular opportunities including elite-level sport, music and debate.
But they also come with eye-watering fees (£30,000+ per year), which understandably puts them out of reach for many families.
Need Help With Secondary School Applications?
At Achieve Learning, we help families navigate the grammar school application maze with confidence. Whether your child is sitting the 11+ for QE Boys, Latymer or another school entirely, our expert tutors and consultants are here to support you at every step.
We offer:
- 1:1 specialist 11+ tuition (including GL and school-set formats)
- Realistic mock exams to boost confidence and benchmark progress
- Academic consultancy to help assess fit, catchment, and readiness
Get in touch today to find out how we can help your child reach their full potential — and take the stress out of secondary school choices.
