The Crossley Heath School 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for The Crossley Heath School.
How to get into The Crossley Heath School
The Crossley Heath School is a selective secondary school in Calderdale. To get into The Crossley Heath School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into The Crossley Heath School with all the important information you need to know.
Admission Requirements
Children born between 1st September 2012 and 31st August 2013 are eligible for Year 7 entry in September 2025 (see key dates). The school offers 180 places annually [1].
Entry to the school will be determined by academic ability and attainment as identified by the admissions exam which will be a test of ability – irrespective of sex, race or disability. The school operates a joint admissions process with The North Halifax Grammar School (NHGS) [1].
Parents must apply through their Local Authority (LA) which is responsible for the co-ordinated arrangements to secondary schools. Families must submit the secondary school common application form by 31st October 2025 (see key dates) [1].
Application Process
To apply for a place at the Halifax Grammar Schools, children have to sit the Admissions Test, also known as the 11+. Registration for the admissions tests opens on Friday 21st March 2025 and closes on Friday 27th June (see key dates) [1].
Parents must register their children to sit the Admissions Test by completing a Registration Form. Families can register their child for the tests on the joint admissions website [1].
- Complete the online registration form for the Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ by 27th June 2025 (see key dates)
- Receive test venue and timetable information in September 2025
- Sit the admissions test on Saturday 20th September 2025 (see key dates)
- Receive exam results by 18th October 2025 (see key dates)
- Submit the Common Application Form (CAF) through the local authority by 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
- Receive secondary school offers on 2nd March 2026 (see key dates)
- Contact details available in the school information section
Examination Format
The Crossley Heath School has changed its entrance exam for 2025 onwards. The new supplier is Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE). Children will sit English, maths and creative writing papers for 11+ entry to Crossley Heath. The papers are produced by Future Stories Community Enterprise and are designed to be accessible to candidates from all backgrounds, including disadvantaged and visually impaired children [1].
English and maths are covered across two papers with a mixture of question types. Some questions are multiple-choice, while others require 'constrained' (free text) responses. The creative writing test is a third separate paper.
The questions will not go beyond the Year 5 curriculum, meaning children will have been taught everything they need to know. Scores are age-weighted, so families need not worry if their child is one of the younger candidates [1].
Allocation Process
There is no fixed pass mark for the North Halifax Grammar School and The Crossley Heath School admissions test. Instead, children who are ranked within the top 510 based on their total score have met the 'required standard' [1].
If there are more candidates with an eligible score than places available, the oversubscription criteria will be applied. Priority is given to specific groups in the following order:
- Looked after or previously looked after children
- Children eligible for Pupil Premium or Service Premium
- Up to 10% of places awarded to children living in the catchment area
- Remaining places given to children with the highest combined scores from maths and English components
- If students tie for the last place, priority given to children with siblings attending the school
- Final tie-breaker based on distance from the school
Preparation Guidance
Families should begin preparation well in advance of the examination date. The registration window will open in March when children are in Year 5. In June of Year 5, Crossley Heath will hold an Open Evening, giving families and children the opportunity to find out more about the school and get a feel for it [1].
Familiarisation materials (including sample exam questions) will be available on the two schools' websites. For additional practice resources, families should refer to 11+ practice papers[1].
The school works in partnership with Atom Learning, the leading online Key Stage 2 learning and 11+ preparation platform, to provide students who are eligible for Pupil Premium with free online learning and 11+ exam preparation. If children have been eligible for free school meals at any point in the last six years, families should complete the relevant form [1].
Special Considerations
If an applicant's date of birth is outside their normal age group, for example, if the child is gifted and talented or has experienced problems such as ill health, then an application will be considered under the policy's Exceptional Circumstances section. Please contact the admissions team at the school for further information through the school information section[1].
The tests will be accessible to children with special educational needs and disabilities and appropriate, reasonable adjustments will be made based upon evidence provided by parents and/or primary school.
Practical Advice
There is no catchment area for The Crossley Heath School. Passing the 11 plus doesn't guarantee that children will be allocated a place at their preferred school, as many grammar schools are often oversubscribed with qualified children [1].
Families should consider alternative secondary schools in Calderdale as backup options. For tutoring support, they should refer to 11+ tutoring services.
It is worth putting a reminder on the calendar to avoid missing the Open Evening and registration deadline. If children reach the required standard and families want them to attend Crossley Heath, they should make it their first choice on the Common Application Form [1].
Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ Information
In order to get into The Crossley Heath School, children need to pass the Halifax Grammar Schools 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.
Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ Subjects & Structure
The Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:
- English
- Verbal Reasoning
- Maths
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
The admissions test for The North Halifax Grammar School and The Crossley Heath School is designed by GL Assessment, a prominent provider of 11 plus exams in England. The test comprises two multiple-choice papers, each focusing on different subject areas.
The first paper evaluates a student's proficiency in English and verbal reasoning. The English section includes reading comprehension passages and may also assess the student's grasp of spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Verbal reasoning, while not part of the standard school curriculum, tests a child's ability to apply logic and reasoning skills to solve problems involving written information.
The second paper concentrates on maths and non-verbal reasoning. The maths questions cover topics typically taught in schools, such as number, measurement, geometry, and statistics. Similar to verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning is not included in the national curriculum. This section assesses a child's capacity to employ logic and reasoning to solve problems using visual information. The answers for both papers are marked electronically using separate answer sheets.
Other Schools using Halifax Grammar Schools 11+
As well as The Crossley Heath School, several other schools also use Halifax Grammar Schools 11+. These are:
Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ Marking Process
The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as The Crossley Heath School is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.
Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.
Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.
It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!
Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ Pass Mark
The pass mark for the Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).
Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at The Crossley Heath School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the The Crossley Heath School 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into The Crossley Heath School) as well as other relevant dates.
| Date | Event | Calendar Link |
|---|---|---|
| 21/03/2025 | Registration Opens For The Joint North Halifax Grammar School And The Crossley Heath School Admissions Tests | Add Dates to Calendar |
| 27/06/2025 | Registration Deadline For The Admissions Tests | |
| 20/09/2025 | Joint Admissions Tests At North Halifax Grammar School And The Crossley Heath School | |
| Mid October | Parents Receive Exam Results | |
| Late October | Secondary School Applications Close At 5pm | |
| 02/03/2026 | Secondary School National Offers Day |
Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with The Crossley Heath School as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for The Crossley Heath School
As the Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ entrance process is particularly gruelling, we would highly recommend using an 11+ private tutor.
Why use a private 11+ tutor?
Personal tutors have the experience and expertise to help children pass their 11+ exams. They know the requirements of the GL Assessment 11+ tests inside-out and can provide tailored support to give children the best possible chance of success. It's also important to bear in mind that plenty of other children will be using private tutors too.
11+ tutors don't need to be face-to-face, plenty of children use online 11+ tutors.
11+ tutors can also provide regular progress reports and feedback, helping parents to monitor their child's progress and make any necessary adjustments to their preparation.
Most importantly, using an 11+ tutor helps ensure that the preparation work gets done!
Private 11+ Tutors for the The Crossley Heath School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the The Crossley Heath School 11+ entrance tests. Please click here to be put in touch with a range of excellent 11+ private tutors from our friends at exams.courses.
11+ Past Papers for The Crossley Heath School
Here are all available past 11+ papers for The Crossley Heath School. Please note that this may include 11+ past papers, past familiarisation booklets, past practice materials published by third parties and past 11+ exam guides written by the school. These materials are provided 'as-is' and may no longer reflect the subjects, format, structure or exam board that The Crossley Heath School currently uses.
The exam board (or test supplier) that The Crossley Heath School chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.
As well as these past 11+ papers, you may find our extensive collection of 11+ practice papers helpful for your child's preparation.
| Exam Board | Subject | 11+ Past Paper |
|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | |
| GL Assessment | Mixed | |
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for The Crossley Heath School
Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ Ensure you double-check with The Crossley Heath School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.
This is just a sample of our extensive collection of 11+ practice papers. Please click here to see the full collection.
11+ Practice Papers for The Crossley Heath School by Bond
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by Bond and cover and cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. As such they are very helpful for children hoping to pass the Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ to get into The Crossley Heath School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for The Crossley Heath School by GL Assessment
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by GL Assessment themselves. As with the Bond papers, they cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. They remain useful and we encourage parents to download and use them with their children to help them get into The Crossley Heath School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for The Crossley Heath School by Exam Ninja
These Free 11+ Practice Tests by Exam Ninja are extremely useful. They are straight-forward 10-question tests in Maths and English, following the same GL Assessment style (and multiple-choice format) as the Halifax Grammar Schools 11+.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | English |
11+ Practice Papers for The Crossley Heath School by Owl Tutors
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by Owl Tutors. These too are written in a GL Assessment style and make useful practice for children hoping to get into The Crossley Heath School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for The Crossley Heath School by CGP
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. As with the Bond, GL Assessment and Exam Ninja papers, they're written for the GL Assessment style, in multiple-choice format and are helpful for children hoping to pass their 11+ tests and get into The Crossley Heath School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. If The Crossley Heath School ever used them then they don't anymore as grammar schools no longer use CEM for any of their 11+ entrance tests. However, as a general practice tool these 11+ tests remain useful.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEM | Maths | |||
| CEM | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| CEM | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for The Crossley Heath School by 11+ For You
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "11+ For You".
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for The Crossley Heath School by Examberry
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "Examberry".
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for The Crossley Heath School by Independent Junction
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by Independent Junction.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for The Crossley Heath School by IPS
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by IPS (Internet Primary School Ltd).
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
11+ Practice Papers for The Crossley Heath School by Schofield & Sims
These 11+ practice papers were published by Schofield & Sims, a large UK educational publisher.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
School Information
Below you will find further information about The Crossley Heath School together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | The Crossley Heath School, Savile Park, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX3 0HG |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://www.crossleyheath.org.uk/ |
| Telephone | 01422360272 |
| Email Address | admin@crossleyheath.org.uk |
| Gender | Mixed (both girls and boys) |
| Total Year 7 Places | 180 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1147 (524 Girls / 623 Boys) |
| Headteacher | Mr Dean Jones |
The Crossley Heath School is a mixed (i.e. both girls and boys) school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).
In total 1,147 pupils attend The Crossley Heath School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Dean Jones.
The Crossley Heath School Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
The Crossley Heath School was last inspected by Ofsted on 03/07/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 25/09/2023, declaring that the school was 'Good'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.
Last Ofsted Report Data
| Date Inspected | Inspection Duration (Days) | Reporting Date | Rating | Full Report | 03/07/2023 | 1 | 25/09/2023 | Good | Full Report |
|---|
Ofsted Report Summary
The Crossley Heath School was inspected by Ofsted on 3 July 2023, and the overall outcome was Good. The school received a Good rating for its quality of education, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision. The behaviour and attitudes of students were deemed Outstanding.
The inspection results highlight the school's commitment to providing a well-rounded education for its students. The Good rating in the quality of education suggests that the curriculum and teaching methods are effective in promoting student learning and progress. The Outstanding rating in behaviour and attitudes indicates that the school has successfully fostered a positive and respectful learning environment.
The Good ratings in personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision demonstrate that The Crossley Heath School is dedicated to supporting students' overall growth and well-being, while also ensuring effective governance and leadership. The school's sixth form provision has been recognized for its quality, preparing students for their future academic and professional pursuits.
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at The Crossley Heath School for the 2022-23 academic year.
| GCSE Subjects Offered |
|
|---|---|
| A-Level Subjects Offered |
|
GCSE & A-Level Performance
Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for The Crossley Heath School per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.
GCSE Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
| Art & Design (Fine Art) | 7 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | - | 1 | 3 |
| Art & Design (Graphics) | 8 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - |
| Art & Design (Textiles) | 15 | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | - | 1 |
| Biology | 179 | 2 | - | - | 4 | 8 | 29 | 35 | 27 | 33 | 41 |
| Chemistry | 179 | - | - | - | 12 | 14 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 32 | 36 |
| Chinese | 29 | - | - | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 1 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 88 | - | - | 2 | 9 | 8 | 14 | 21 | 13 | 16 | 5 |
| Design & Technology | 28 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 2 |
| Applied Engineering | 42 | - | - | - | - | 7 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| English Language | 180 | - | - | - | 1 | 4 | 24 | 51 | 57 | 31 | 12 |
| English Literature | 179 | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 36 | 60 | 39 | 21 | 11 |
| D&T Food Technology | 36 | - | - | 1 | - | 5 | 8 | 11 | 3 | 8 | - |
| French | 75 | 2 | - | 1 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 12 |
| Geography | 95 | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 6 | 17 | 28 | 18 | 20 |
| German | 85 | 1 | - | - | 8 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 14 |
| History | 81 | - | - | - | 1 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 19 | 23 | 17 |
| Mathematics | 180 | - | - | - | 2 | 8 | 17 | 22 | 33 | 63 | 35 |
| Music | 14 | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 5 | - | - |
| Art & Design (Photography) | 9 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Physics | 179 | 2 | - | - | 4 | 18 | 20 | 32 | 33 | 37 | 33 |
| Religious Studies | 70 | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 6 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 15 |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 23 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 4 | - |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Biology | 41 | - | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 5 | |||
| Business Studies:Single | 19 | - | 1 | 1 | 7 | 9 | - | 1 | |||
| Chemistry | 33 | - | 3 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 5 | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 12 | - | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Economics | 22 | - | - | 2 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |||
| English Language | 15 | - | - | 3 | 3 | 6 | 2 | - | |||
| English Literature | 8 | - | 3 | - | - | 4 | - | 1 | |||
| Geography | 9 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | - | |||
| History | 11 | - | - | - | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Mathematics | 49 | - | 4 | 5 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 11 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 8 | - | - | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Physics | 11 | - | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | |||
| Psychology | 46 | - | 5 | 11 | 18 | 6 | 4 | 2 | |||
FAQ
Is The Crossley Heath School hard to get into?
Yes, The Crossley Heath School is hard to get into! Children need to pass their challenging 11+ entrance test (with a high pass mark) and there's tough competition with many other children trying to get a place for Year 7.
Is The Crossley Heath School a private school?
No, The Crossley Heath School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is The Crossley Heath School free?
Yes, The Crossley Heath School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to The Crossley Heath School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into The Crossley Heath School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact The Crossley Heath School for how up to date information on how to apply (it may be automatic or it may require some forms to be filled in). More information on their 11+ entrance test can be found here.
