Grammar Schools in Calderdale
Halifax's two grammar schools run one joint test. A child sits a single morning and is considered by both, which makes Calderdale simpler than most selective areas, but the two schools treat where you live very differently once the marking is done.
Where the official practice material is
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Free familiarisation guides, one for children and one for parents, with sample questions. They are on the admissions page of each school rather than on the FSCE site. FSCE deliberately does not issue past papers, to reduce how much the test rewards tutoring.
What families in Calderdale need to know
- Three papers: two mixing maths and English, plus a creative writing task. The creative writing is only marked if the maths and English score already clears the bar, so it decides rank rather than entry.
- One sitting, two schools, but different geography rules. North Halifax Grammar reserves up to 10% of its 180 places for children in its Priority Admissions Area; Crossley Heath has no priority area at all.
- No pass mark is published. The two schools agree a qualifying standard after the papers are marked.
- The supplementary sitting is not a second chance. It is limited to medical reasons, moving into the area after the test, or other extenuating circumstances.
- North Halifax Grammar's own admissions-test page is years out of date. It still names GL Assessment, and its registration page refers to the 2020 intake. FSCE is the current provider.
The 2 grammar schools in Calderdale
Admissions details change year to year. Always confirm dates and criteria on the school's own admissions page before applying.
| School | Town | Admits |
|---|---|---|
| North Halifax Grammar School | Halifax | Mixed |
| The Crossley Heath School | Halifax | Mixed |
Each name links to that school's own admissions page. Every school here sits the FSCE test.
Preparing for the 11+ in Calderdale?
GG Maths coaches the maths and reasoning side of 11+ entry online, for families anywhere in the UK. Sessions are built around the format your child will actually sit, not generic practice papers.
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