The North Halifax Grammar School 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for The North Halifax Grammar School.
How to get into The North Halifax Grammar School
The North Halifax Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Calderdale. To get into The North Halifax Grammar School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into The North Halifax Grammar School with all the important information you need to know.
Admission Requirements
Children born between 1st September 2013 and 31st August 2014 are eligible for Year 7 entry in September 2026 (see key dates). The school offers 180 places annually through a competitive selection process with The Crossley Heath School.
All children must take the Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ examination to be considered for admission. Entry is determined by academic ability and attainment, irrespective of sex, race or disability. The school operates no catchment area restrictions and accepts applications from families anywhere in the UK.
- Children with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan naming the school will be automatically admitted
- Families must register for the admissions test between Friday 21st March 2025 and Friday 27th June 2025 (see key dates) through the school's online registration system
- Parents receiving Pupil Premium must provide evidence when registering or risk losing their place
- Contact details available in the school information section
Application Process
Families must complete two separate applications for admission. Registration for the admissions test is not an application to attend the school. Both processes have different deadlines and requirements.
Step 1: Register for the Admissions Test - Registration opens Friday 21st March 2025 (see key dates) through the school's online system. Families can complete online registration or request a hard copy form, with online applications acknowledged automatically and postal applications requiring a stamped addressed envelope.
Step 2: Submit Common Application Form - After receiving test results in October 2025 (see key dates), families must submit their Common Application Form (CAF) to their Local Authority by 31st October 2025 (see key dates) including either or both grammar schools as one of five preferences.
- Children with special educational needs will receive appropriate reasonable adjustments based on evidence from parents and primary schools
- Children may have their photo taken on exam day for identity verification purposes
- No late applications will be considered without exceptional circumstances
- Full details available in the school information section
Examination Details
The Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ examination takes place on Saturday 20th September 2025 (see key dates) with results announced by mid-October. The school changed its examination provider to Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE) for 2025 onwards.
The examination consists of two tests covering English and Verbal Reasoning in one paper, and Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning in the second paper. Children are expected to demonstrate competence in skills appropriate to Key Stage 2 English and Mathematics.
- Answer sheets are marked using Optical Mark Recognition technology, with children receiving marks for every correct answer
- Each paper is age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged
- There is no fixed pass mark - children ranked within the top 510 based on total score meet the required standard
- Families should aim for 80%+ in practice tests as a strong indicator of potential success
Place Allocation Process
Children must rank within the top 500 places in order of merit to reach the required standard. Reaching this standard does not guarantee a place offer. Places are allocated according to strict oversubscription criteria when more qualified children apply than places available.
Children meeting the required standard receive places in the following priority order: looked after and previously looked after children first. Children attracting Pupil Premium and those with parent/carers in UK Armed Forces are treated as Pupil Premium.
- All other children who meet the required standard receive places in order of test score until places are filled
- If children tie for the last place, priority goes first to siblings of current students
- Secondary tie-breaker uses proximity to school, with closer homes receiving priority
- Distance is calculated using straight-line measurement from home to the closest school gate via the Local Authority's Geographical Information System
Preparation Guidance
Child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20-30 minutes for children aged 10-11, using a 'little and often' approach. Students need organised preparation well ahead of the exam to keep stress levels minimal with a thorough revision timetable.
Children should start revising early to work on weaker subject areas and use practice test papers to familiarise themselves with exam layout and improve time management skills. Families can access free preparation resources through practice papers and consider professional support through tutoring services.
- Free familiarisation materials are available on the school website [1]
- Practice test papers help students familiarise themselves with exam layout and time management
- Building a good knowledge base before the 11+ is essential for success
- Comprehensive preparation guidance available through practice resources
Practical Advice
Exam day preparation requires careful planning and stress management techniques. Families should set regular achievable goals, celebrate progress regardless of size, and encourage a growth mindset that celebrates effort alongside achievement.
When children struggle with topics, families should help them understand improvement comes through practice, with regular praise building resilience for challenging topics. The examination tests academic potential rather than just current knowledge levels.
- Examinations take place at both North Halifax Grammar School and The Crossley Heath School - families should check their information pack for testing centre details
- Results include overall score and position in order of merit but do not constitute a place offer
- Alternative school options in Calderdale should be researched as backup options
- For specific guidance and support, contact information is available in the school information section
Key Dates Summary
Friday 21st March 2025: Registration opens for admissions tests (see key dates) through the joint Halifax Grammar Schools system. Friday 27th June 2025: Registration deadline for admissions tests (see key dates) with no late applications accepted.
Saturday 20th September 2025: Joint admissions tests take place (see key dates) at both grammar schools. Saturday 18th October 2025: Parents receive exam results (see key dates) including qualification status.
- Friday 31st October 2025: Common Application Form deadline at 5pm (see key dates) for secondary school applications
- Monday 2nd March 2026: National school offers day (see key dates) when places are announced
- Complete timeline and updates available in the school information section
- All dates subject to change - families should verify current information through official sources
Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ Information
In order to get into The North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar School and The Crossley Heath School admissions test is a challenging assessment designed to evaluate the academic potential of prospective students. Developed by GL Assessment, a renowned provider of 11 plus exams in England, this test comprises two distinct papers that cover a range of subjects.
The first paper focuses on English and verbal reasoning. In the English section, students will encounter reading comprehension passages and may be asked to demonstrate their proficiency in spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Verbal reasoning, while not explicitly taught in schools, assesses a child's capacity 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 are based on topics typically covered in the school curriculum, such as number, measurement, geometry, and statistics. Non-verbal reasoning, like its verbal counterpart, is not part of the national curriculum. This section evaluates a child's ability to utilize logic and reasoning to solve problems presented in a visual format. The test is entirely multiple-choice, with separate answer sheets provided for students to mark their responses, which are then electronically assessed.
Other Schools using Halifax Grammar Schools 11+
As well as The North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the The North Halifax Grammar School 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into The North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar School as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for The North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the The North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar School
Here are all available past 11+ papers for The North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar School currently uses.
The exam board (or test supplier) that The North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | The North Halifax Grammar School, Moorbottom Road, Illingworth, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX2 9SU |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://www.nhgs.co.uk/ |
| Telephone | 01422244625 |
| Email Address | admissions@nhgs.co.uk |
| Gender | Mixed (both girls and boys) |
| Total Year 7 Places | 180 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1245 (590 Girls / 655 Boys) |
| Principal | Mr Desmond Deehan |
The North Halifax Grammar 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 1,245 pupils attend The North Halifax Grammar School and it's led by the Principal, Mr Desmond Deehan.
The North Halifax Grammar School Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
The North Halifax Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 08/11/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 17/12/2023, 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 | 08/11/2023 | 1 | 17/12/2023 | Good | Full Report |
|---|
Ofsted Report Summary
The North Halifax Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 8 November 2023, and the overall outcome was Good. The school received a Good rating in the areas of Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, and Leadership and management. The Sixth form provision was rated as Outstanding.
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at The North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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) | 25 | - | - | - | - | - | 8 | 9 | 5 | 3 | - |
| Biology | 122 | 1 | - | - | 1 | 10 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 26 |
| Business Studies:Single | 51 | - | - | - | 1 | 4 | 7 | 25 | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| Chemistry | 122 | - | - | - | 6 | 7 | 26 | 15 | 24 | 23 | 21 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 31 | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Design & Technology | 16 | - | - | - | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| English Language | 179 | - | - | - | 2 | 6 | 19 | 45 | 51 | 40 | 16 |
| English Literature | 179 | - | - | - | 1 | 10 | 28 | 42 | 40 | 36 | 22 |
| D&T Food Technology | 21 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| French | 109 | 5 | - | 3 | 7 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 11 | 7 |
| Geography | 59 | - | - | - | 2 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 8 |
| History | 87 | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 9 |
| Mathematics | 179 | - | - | - | - | 9 | 29 | 44 | 49 | 28 | 20 |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 19 | - | - | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | - | 2 | - |
| Music | 9 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Physics | 122 | 1 | - | - | 5 | 5 | 19 | 24 | 18 | 31 | 19 |
| Psychology | 55 | - | - | - | 3 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 4 |
| Religious Studies | 176 | - | - | - | 2 | 7 | 21 | 44 | 44 | 36 | 22 |
| Spanish | 75 | - | 1 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 2 |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 31 | - | - | - | - | - | 5 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 4 |
| Science: Double Award | 56 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Biology | 53 | - | 6 | 13 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 3 | |||
| Business Studies:Single | 25 | - | - | 5 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 2 | |||
| Chemistry | 44 | - | 4 | 8 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 4 | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 10 | - | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | |||
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 9 | - | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | - | |||
| Economics | 17 | - | 1 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 2 | - | |||
| Electronics | 8 | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | |||
| English Language | 18 | - | - | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 3 | |||
| English Literature | 28 | - | - | 2 | 2 | 14 | 6 | 4 | |||
| French | 10 | - | - | - | 2 | 5 | 3 | - | |||
| Geography | 9 | - | - | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | - | |||
| Government and Politics | 11 | - | - | - | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |||
| History | 14 | - | - | - | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | |||
| Mathematics | 70 | - | 11 | 20 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 8 | - | - | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | - | |||
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 8 | - | - | - | 1 | 6 | 1 | - | |||
| Physics | 21 | - | 1 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |||
| Psychology | 59 | - | 4 | 7 | 11 | 17 | 15 | 4 | |||
| Sociology | 16 | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 3 | |||
FAQ
Is The North Halifax Grammar School hard to get into?
Yes, The North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar School a private school?
No, The North Halifax Grammar School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is The North Halifax Grammar School free?
Yes, The North Halifax Grammar School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to The North Halifax Grammar School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into The North Halifax Grammar School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact The North Halifax Grammar 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.
