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  • 11+ area guide

Calderdale 11+: one test for both Halifax grammar schools

Facts checked 19 October 2026By ExamKind Editorial Team

Some details are being re-checked

We check every fact against the official source on a schedule, and some details on this page are due their next check (last verified 19 October 2026). We'll update the page if anything has changed. How we check facts

The Calderdale 11+ at a glance

For September 2027 entry

  • The test

    Calderdale grammar schools joint entrance test

  • Score to qualify

    Set by each schoolSee each school's page below.

  • Schools on this page

    2

    Schools we cover in this area

Your next deadlines

  1. Not published yet: Test registration closes

    Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026

    For September 2028 entry. This is the test registration, not the school place application

  2. Next: School place applications close: Common Application Form ()

    in 11 days

    For September 2027 entry

Every step and date

Happening now

What's happening now

Year 6 (2027 entry): results arrive this month. Results go to your online account by mid-October: whether your child met the standard, with a banding to help you fill in the council form. A result is not an offerCalderdale 2027 entry: Results disclosureChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: This information will be uploaded to parents accounts by mid-October and will indicate whether your child has met the standard along with a banding to provide further clarification to support the completion and submission of your Common Application Form (CAF).View the official source. The schools' timeline gives the date as 16 October 2026Calderdale 2027 entry: ResultsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: Friday 16 October Parents will have received the results of the admissions test, but this will not constitute an offer of a place.View the official source. The banding is there to help you weigh up your choices before the council deadline.

Your application then goes to your home council, not to the schools, on the Common Application Form (CAF). The schools give the deadline as 31 October 2026Calderdale 2027 entry: School place applications close (CAF)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: Saturday 31 October Deadline for the submission of the Online Common Application Form (CAF) to Calderdale Local Authority and neighbouring Local Authorities.View the official source. If you live outside Calderdale, you still apply through your own council.

  • Put the grammar school on the CAF. Registering for the test does not count as applying. The schools' guidance: Name either or both grammar schools among the five preferences on the home LA's online CAF by Saturday 31 October 2026; the FAQ advises placing the preferred grammar school first, as a higher preference elsewhere that can be met will be offered instead.The Crossley Heath School: Must name on caf (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: Either or both of the grammar schools must be included as one of the five preferences to be considered for a place at the grammar school(s).View the official source (LA means local authority, your council.)
  • Meeting the standard makes a child eligible, not certain of a place. Offers go to priority groups first and then by test rank (see scores and results).
  • Keep a realistic second choice. On the schools' own estimate, the test is sat by about 1,300 children a year (an approximate average; no year is given)Calderdale: Average candidates sittingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: On average approximately 1300 children sit the test each year.View the official source. That is far more children than the two schools have Year 7 places.
  • Pupil premium or service premium? The evidence was due by the end of September in the year of application (2026)Calderdale: Pp evidence deadlineChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: Parents will need to provide evidence no later than the end of the September in the year of application.View the official source. Both policies say evidence that arrives later is looked at only after the main round of offers.

Year 5 (2028 entry): nothing is published yet. Neither school has published its admission policy, test date or registration window for September 2028, and the test provider for that year is Calderdale grammar schools joint entrance test: Provider by entry year (2028)Not yet published by The Crossley Heath School; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Admissions into Year 7 - September 2027View the official source. As a rough guide to the season only: for 2027 entry, registration opened on 20 March 2026, 10amCalderdale 2027 entry: Registration opensChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: applications will open at 10am on Friday 20th March 2026 and close at 11pm on Friday 26th June 2026.View the official source and closed on 26 June 2026, 11pmCalderdale 2027 entry: Registration closesChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: applications will open at 10am on Friday 20th March 2026 and close at 11pm on Friday 26th June 2026.View the official source. One date for your year group is already out:

  • North Halifax Grammar School's "Dates for the Fridge" calendar: 'Busting the Myths About Grammar School' event: 1 October 2026; Main School Open Evening: 22 June 2027North Halifax Grammar School: Dates for the fridgeChecked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar School.The source says: Thursday October 1 Busting the Myths About Grammar School Event ... Tuesday June 22 Main School Open EveningView the official source. The myth-busting event has passed; the open evening is the one aimed at families of children now in Year 5.

How places are given

Passing the test is the first step, not a place

Children sit the Calderdale grammar schools joint entrance test. Qualifying is not the same as being offered a place: each school then gives places by its own rules.

You apply for school places through your home council, on its Common Application Form (CAF), by its deadline. Name the schools in your real order of preference: councils look at every preference at the same time.

Step by step

The Calderdale 11+, step by step

For children starting secondary school in September 2027 (Year 6 in 2026/27).

Add to my calendar

  1. Step 1: Register for the test

    Done

    Sign your child up for Calderdale grammar schools joint entrance test. This is not the school place application.

    Show the dates

    1. Done: Test registration opens

      10am

    2. Done: Test registration closes

      11pm

  2. Step 2: Your child sits the test

    Done

    The test day, and any practice test before it.

    Show the dates

    1. Done: Test day

  3. Step 3: Results

    Done

    You find out whether your child reached the standard, and how to ask for a review.

    Show the dates

    1. Done: Results

  4. Step 4: Apply for school places

    Now

    List your schools on the Common Application Form (CAF) to your home council, in your real order of preference.

    1. Next: School place applications close (CAF)

      in 11 days

  5. Step 5: Offers

    Coming up

    Your council tells you which school has offered a place.

    1. Coming up: National Offer Day

  6. Step 6: Appeals and waiting lists

    Dates not published

    If you are refused a place, you can appeal and join waiting lists.

    1. Not published yet: Appeal deadline

      Not yet published

Year 5 now? Steps for September 2028 entryMost dates are only given as a month so far, so we mark them as expected.

  1. Step 1: Register for the test

    Dates not published

    Sign your child up for Calderdale grammar schools joint entrance test. This is not the school place application.

    1. Not published yet: Test registration opens

      Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026

    2. Not published yet: Test registration closes

      Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026

  2. Step 2: Your child sits the test

    Dates not published

    The test day, and any practice test before it.

    1. Not published yet: Test day

      Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026

  3. Step 3: Results

    Dates not published

    You find out whether your child reached the standard, and how to ask for a review.

    1. Not published yet: Results

      Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026

  4. Step 4: Apply for school places

    Dates not published

    List your schools on the Common Application Form (CAF) to your home council, in your real order of preference.

    1. Not published yet: School place applications close: Common Application Form (CAF)

      Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026

  5. Step 5: Offers

    Dates not published

    Your council tells you which school has offered a place.

    1. Not published yet: National Offer Day

      Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026

  6. Step 6: Appeals and waiting lists

    Dates not published

    If you are refused a place, you can appeal and join waiting lists.

    1. Not published yet: Appeal deadline

      Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026

All Calderdale 11+ dates, with notes

The schools

Grammar schools in Calderdale

2 schools on this test. Open a school for its rules, dates and past offers.

Listed A to Z by school name.

  1. North Halifax Grammar SchoolBoys and girls

    No distance published

    –

    180 places, 2027 entry

  2. The Crossley Heath SchoolBoys and girls

    No distance published

    –

    180 places, 2027 entry

More about the schools from our guide

Both schools put looked-after children first and pupil premium and service premium children second. After that they differ:

North Halifax's priority admissions area. Priority Admissions Area (maps in Appendix 5): Illingworth and Mixenden Ward and Ovenden Ward. Up to 10% of the 180 places go to children whose permanent home address is in the area by the registration closing date and who met the qualifying standard in all three subjects; if more, by order of merit for English and Mathematics. Children elsewhere in Calderdale or any UK local authority may also apply.North Halifax Grammar School 2027 entry: DescriptionChecked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar School.The source says: Up to 10% of the 180 places available at NHGS to children whose permanent home address lies within the school’s Priority Admissions Area by the registration closure date and have met the qualifying standard in all three subjects ... a) IIlingworth and Mixenden Ward ... b) Ovenden WardView the official source

Crossley Heath has no catchment. No defined catchment area; parents in any UK local authority may apply (overseas applicants contact the school). No Priority Admissions Area at CHS.The Crossley Heath School 2027 entry: DescriptionChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: Crossley Heath does not have a defined catchment area and parents with children in any UK Local Authority may apply.View the official source

Where two children tie for the last place, both schools look first at brothers and sisters already at the school and then at distance from home. Each school page explains its rules in full.

Live near a border?

  • You can apply for schools in another council's area. You still apply through your own home council, on its form.
  • Each area runs its own test, with its own registration and dates. If you like schools in two areas, check both registration deadlines.
  • Schools often give priority to children living nearby or in a catchment area, so check each school's rules before you rely on it.
Every area's dates

Areas in the same part of the country: Cumbria, Kirklees, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Trafford, Wirral

How the test works

The two schools work together as the Halifax Grammar Schools, with one registration form and one set of papers. Crossley Heath's admissions page says they have adopted FSCE's entrance test as their Year 7 test.

  • Who runs it: The Halifax Grammar Schools (The Crossley Heath School and North Halifax Grammar School), jointly; registration via their shared Applicaa portal; test written by FSCECalderdale: Test run byChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: All tests for admission into any year group will take place in the two schools (NHGS and CHS) ... A qualifying standard will then be agreed by the Halifax Grammar Schools for these papers.View the official source.
  • Papers (2027 entry): Paper 1 (English and maths); Paper 2 (English and maths); Paper 3 (creative writing)Calderdale 2027 entry: PapersChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: a) Paper 1 - a test in Mathematics and English b) Paper 2 - a test in Mathematics and English c) Paper 3 - a test in Creative WritingView the official source.
  • Question style: a mix of multiple-choice and written answersThe Crossley Heath School 2027 entry: Stage1 formatChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: The Test consists of both multiple-choice and written response questions.View the official source.
  • When: the autumn term of Year 6, usually on a Saturday in September or early OctoberCalderdale 2027 entry: Test timingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: who take the test in the autumn term of Year 6 will have learnt the content covered in the exam ... The main admissions tests will usually be held on a Saturday in September or early October preceding the September of entry.View the official source.
  • Where: At the two grammar schools; children are placed by postcode where possible, and it makes no difference which school a child sits atCalderdale 2027 entry: Test venueChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: The tests will be conducted at the schools.View the official source.
  • Registering: Online application form on the Halifax Grammar Schools' Applicaa portal (linked from either school's website); parent account, child photo requiredCalderdale 2027 entry: Registration routeChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: In order to sit the admissions test for the Halifax Grammar Schools, you must fully complete an application form using our Applicaa platform.View the official source.
  • Practice material: FSCE Familiarisation Guide for Parents and FSCE Familiarisation Guide for Children (with sample questions), on the Crossley Heath admissions page; FSCE says no past papers or practice papers are authorisedCalderdale 2027 entry: FamiliarisationChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: Further information can be found in the Familiarisation Guide below which includes sample test questions ... FSCE Familiarisation Guide for Parents FSCE Familiarisation Guide for ChildrenView the official source.
  • Only one attempt? yes: a child may take the test only onceCalderdale: One attempt onlyChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: Please note - a child may only take the test once. All written elements will be tested on one day in September.View the official source.

Access arrangements. If your child has special educational needs: Indicate needs at registration; complete the Halifax Grammar Schools Access Arrangements Form (Section 1 parent, Section 2 current school) and upload it to the Applicaa application; evidence of normal way of working (at least two terms of SEND support); reviewed jointly by both schools' SENDCos; arrangements revoked if evidence is not provided by the deadline stated on Applicaa.Calderdale 2027 entry: Access arrangementsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: Children with a recognised SEND may be given access arrangements for the entrance tests if: The primary school can provide evidence that the child has SEND support with a history of at least two terms of the access arrangement being routinely made available to access formal assessments ... Access arrangements will be revoked for candidates that fail to provide the necessary evidence by the deadline stated via ApplicaaView the official source

Missing the test. A later sitting is not a second chance. The rules are: Supplementary test only for: medical reasons (school told as soon as possible, evidence within 5 days after the test), moving into the area after the test (evidence of move date), or other extenuating circumstances (e.g. immediate family bereavement) decided by a panel of the two heads plus an impartial person. No late applications without extenuating circumstances (evidence within 5 days after the closing date).The Crossley Heath School 2027 entry: Late testingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: A candidate may only sit the supplementary test for the following reasons: i) Due to medical reasons* ii) Where a student has moved into the area after the admissions test has taken place** iii) Other extenuating circumstances (see Appendix 3) ... Evidence of extenuating circumstances for late applications must be submitted within 5 days following the closing date.View the official source

What changed for 2027 entry, and what we know about 2028

The test changed shape between last year and this year. Our check of the official pages found this: No change of provider is stated in the official pages, but the papers changed: for 2026 entry there were separate English and maths papers plus creative writing; for 2027 entry there are two papers that each mix maths and English, plus creative writingCalderdale 2027 entry: Provider changeChecked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar School.The source says: The admissions test will consist of: a) Paper 1 - a test in Mathematics and English b) Paper 2 - a test in Mathematics and English c) Paper 3 - a test in Creative WritingView the official source.

2026 entry (last year)2027 entry (Year 6 now)2028 entry (Year 5 now)
Test providerno change of provider statedFSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise Ltd)Calderdale grammar schools joint entrance test: Provider by entry year (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: we have adopted the Future Stories Community Enterprise Ltd (FSCE) Entrance Test as our Year 7 Entrance Test.View the official sourceCalderdale grammar schools joint entrance test: Provider by entry year (2028)Not yet published by The Crossley Heath School; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Admissions into Year 7 - September 2027View the official source
Papersa separate English paper, a separate maths paper and a creative writing paperPaper 1 (English and maths); Paper 2 (English and maths); Paper 3 (creative writing)Calderdale 2027 entry: PapersChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: a) Paper 1 - a test in Mathematics and English b) Paper 2 - a test in Mathematics and English c) Paper 3 - a test in Creative WritingView the official sourceCalderdale 2028 entry: PapersNot yet published by The Crossley Heath School; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Admissions into Year 7 - September 2027View the official source
Admission policyreplaced by the 2027 policydetermined (final)The Crossley Heath School: Document status (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: Date approved by the Governance Board: February 2026View the official sourceThe Crossley Heath School: Document status (2028)Not yet published by The Crossley Heath School; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Admissions into Year 7 - September 2027View the official source

What this means for a child preparing now: English and maths no longer sit in their own papers, so each of the first two papers switches between the two subjects. Creative writing is still a paper of its own. For 2028 entry, neither school has said whether the format stays the same, so please don't assume it will. See our FSCE guide for how FSCE tests work.

Scores and results explained

There is no pass mark you can look up in advance. The schools describe the process like this: Papers 1 and 2 are age-standardised; after the test the two schools agree a qualifying standard for English and Mathematics. Children meeting it have their Creative Writing judged by a trained staff panel. A child must meet the qualifying standard in all three subjects (English, Mathematics and Creative Writing) to be considered; places then go by the oversubscription criteria, with remaining places by order of merit for English and Mathematics. No numeric standard is printed.Calderdale 2027 entry: Qualifying ruleChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: A qualifying standard will then be agreed by the Halifax Grammar Schools for these papers ... Your child will be required to meet the qualifying standard in English, Mathematics and Creative Writing to be considered for a place at the Halifax Grammar Schools.View the official source

Put simply, it works in steps:

  • The English and maths results are adjusted for age, and the schools agree the standard after marking.
  • Only children who reach that standard in both have their creative writing judged.
  • A child who reaches the standard in all three is eligible. Places then go to the priority groups first, and the rest by rank on English and maths.

The result letter shows whether your child met the standard, plus a banding. It is not an offer: offers come from your council on National Offer Day, 1 March 2027Calderdale 2027 entry: National Offer DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: The LA will distribute the formal offer of a place on 1 March 2027.View the official source.

FigureValue
Children sitting the test each year (schools' estimate)about 1,300 children a year (an approximate average; no year is given)Calderdale: Average candidates sittingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: On average approximately 1300 children sit the test each year.View the official source
Year 7 places at The Crossley Heath School, September 2027180The Crossley Heath School: Year 7 places (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: The Published Admission Number (PAN) for Crossley Heath is 180 (the PAN for NHGS is 180).View the official source
Year 7 places at North Halifax Grammar School, September 2027180North Halifax Grammar School: Year 7 places (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar School.The source says: The Published Admission Number (PAN) for North Halifax Grammar School is 180 (the PAN for CHS is 180).View the official source
Children who met the standard, 2026 entryNot knownCalderdale 2026 entry: QualifiedNot known: no official source states this.
Qualifying standard, 2026 entryNot knownCalderdale 2026 entry: ValueNot known: no official source states this.

Compare the first row with the places: most children who sit the test will not be offered a grammar school place. The schools have not published how many children met the standard or where the line fell in past years. Our Calderdale results page explains what to do with the letter.

Pupil premium and disadvantaged places

Pupil premium is extra funding a school receives for children who get free school meals now or have had them recently, and for children who are or have been in care. Service premium is the equivalent for children from armed forces families.

  • Priority at both schools: Criterion (b), after looked-after / previously looked-after children: children attracting Pupil Premium or Service Premium who reach the required standard are offered places before the remaining places go by order of merit. No cap on the number of places and no score concession printed.Calderdale 2027 entry: Pp priorityChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: b) Children attracting Pupil Premium (PP) and Service Premium (SP) (see Appendix 4) ... Children attracting Pupil Premium are those who have been registered for free school meals (FSM) at any point in the 6 years prior to the closing date for registering for the test.View the official source
  • The standard still applies. Your child has to reach it in all three papers. The priority decides who is offered a place first among children who did.
  • Evidence: due by the end of September in the year of application (2026)Calderdale: Pp evidence deadlineChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: Parents will need to provide evidence no later than the end of the September in the year of application.View the official source. Tick the box on the test registration form and send the proof the schools ask for. Crossley Heath's contact details show where it goes: Tel 01422 360272; admin@crossleyheath.org.uk (CHS Admissions Manager for in-year forms). Pupil/Service Premium evidence to admissions@nhgs.co.uk.The Crossley Heath School: Admissions contactChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: Tel: 01422 360272 • Fax: 349099 • email admin@crossleyheath.org.uk ... should also contact the CHS Admissions Manager for an application form (admin@crossleyheath.org.uk).View the official source
  • Free help from Crossley Heath: Free online preparation for children eligible for pupil premium, and a scholarship programme giving selected children entering Year 5 in September 2026 who get free school meals or pupil premium a full year of free face-to-face tuitionThe Crossley Heath School: Disadvantaged supportChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: to provide students who are eligible for Pupil Premium with free online learning and 11+ exam preparation ... Be entering Year 5 in September 2026, and ... Be in receipt of Free School Meals or classed as a Pupil Premium studentView the official source. Details are on the school's admissions page.

Reviews and appeals

General information, not legal advice.

We have not found a published way to ask the schools to review a test result, and a child cannot sit the test again. If your child is not offered a place on National Offer Day, you can appeal to an independent panel. Both schools describe the same route: Appeal lodged via the Calderdale local authority website; the Independent Appeals Service then contacts parents. Grounds set out in writing to the admission authority as detailed on the notification letter.North Halifax Grammar School: Appeals route (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: If you feel that you have grounds for an appeal this must be logged via the Calderdale local authority website ... parents will be contacted by the Independent Appeals Service with further instructions.View the official source

We could not check Calderdale Council's appeal pages, so the 2027 deadline is not on this page yet. Use the date in your offer letter.

Waiting lists. Children deemed suitable but not offered must ask Calderdale LA to join the reallocation list; the school takes it over in the first term of Year 7 and keeps it until the last school day of December, filling vacancies by order of merit; from the Spring term in-year tests apply; the school checks from January 2028 whether parents wish to stay on the list.North Halifax Grammar School: Waiting list (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar School.The source says: must notify Calderdale LA if they wish to be placed on the reallocation list to be considered for a place should one become available ... The reallocation list will be maintained until the last school day of December.View the official source

Most appeals for full schools do not succeed, so a second choice you would be happy with matters.

Official sources

6 sources: the council, the test administrator and each school

ExamKind is independent. We are not connected with any council, school or test provider, and nobody pays to appear on this page. How we check facts