Calderdale Grammar School Directory
Calderdale Grammar SchoolsComplete 11 Plus Guide.
Complete list of both grammar schools in Calderdale, West Yorkshire. School details, the joint FSCE 11 Plus test, addresses, entry requirements, and preparation advice.
2
Grammar Schools
360
Year 7 Places
3
Test Papers
FSCE
Test Provider
About the Calderdale 11+
One Test, Two Schools
Calderdale has 2 grammar schools — both co-educational and both located in Halifax. They operate a joint admissions process with a single shared entrance test. One registration and one test covers applications to both schools, offering a combined 360 Year 7 places.
The test is provided by Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE) and consists of three papers: Paper 1 (English & Maths, multiple-choice), Paper 2 (English & Maths, written responses), and Paper 3 (Creative Writing). All papers are sat on a single Saturday in September.
Scores are age-standardised and the top 510 candidates across both schools are deemed to have met the qualifying standard — competing for 360 places. Only candidates who achieve an eligible score on Papers 1 and 2 have their Creative Writing paper assessed. Content is based on the KS2 curriculum through end of Year 5 only.
Exam Board
FSCE Test Provider
- 2 Grammar Schools
- 360 Year 7 Places
- 3 Test Papers
2027 entry · verified August 2026
Calderdale key dates — the joint Halifax test
Crossley Heath and North Halifax Grammar run a joint admissions process: one registration, one test, both schools. Register once through either school.
Registration
20 Mar – 26 Jun 2026
Opens 20 March, closes 26 June.
Admissions test
19 Sept 2026
Saturday. One sitting covers both schools.
Apply by
31 Oct 2026
National deadline.
School Directory
All Calderdale Grammar Schools
Both selective grammar schools in Calderdale, with addresses, Year 7 intake numbers, and key admissions information for 11 Plus families.
Illingworth, Halifax
1 SchoolThe North Halifax Grammar School
A co-educational grammar school with academy status and over 1,200 pupils. Offers 180 Year 7 places through the joint Calderdale entrance test. Has a defined Priority Admissions Area — up to 10% of places (18) may be reserved for children living within this zone. Oversubscription is decided by looked-after children first, then Pupil Premium children within the Priority Area, then other children within the Priority Area, followed by children of staff, siblings, medical/social needs, and finally all other applicants ranked by distance.
- Address
- Moorbottom Road, Illingworth, Halifax, HX2 9SU
- Year 7 Places
- 180 places (up to 18 priority area)
- Test
- Joint FSCE test (English, Maths, Creative Writing)
Savile Park, Halifax
1 SchoolThe Crossley Heath School
A co-educational grammar school with academy status offering 180 Year 7 places through the joint Calderdale entrance test. Unlike North Halifax Grammar, Crossley Heath has no Priority Admissions Area — families from any UK local authority may apply with no geographic restriction. Oversubscription is decided by looked-after children first, then Pupil Premium children, then all other qualified candidates ranked by combined order of merit (test score). Offers a scholarship programme with free tutoring for eligible disadvantaged learners.
- Address
- Savile Park, Halifax, HX3 0HG
- Year 7 Places
- 180 places (no catchment restriction)
- Test
- Joint FSCE test (English, Maths, Creative Writing)
Test Structure
The FSCE Three-Paper Test
Paper 1
~45 Minutes
English & Maths
Multiple-choice
(OMR answer sheet)
Paper 2
~35 Minutes
English & Maths
Written responses
(answers in spaces)
Paper 3
Extended Task
Creative Writing
Original writing
(response to prompt)
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FAQs
Calderdale 11 Plus Questions
There are 2 grammar schools in Calderdale, both located in Halifax: The North Halifax Grammar School (mixed, 180 places) and The Crossley Heath School (mixed, 180 places). Together they offer 360 Year 7 places. Both are co-educational and non-denominational. They share a joint entrance test — one registration and one test covers applications to both schools.
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