Grammar school for boys and girls
Calderdale 11+

North Halifax Grammar School: 11+ entry

Moorbottom Road, Illingworth, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX2 9SU

Facts checked 19 October 2026By ExamKind Editorial TeamSchool website

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

Can we apply, and what did it take?

For September 2029 entry

Score to qualify
Not published yet
Calderdale grammar schools joint entrance test
Year 7 places
180
2027 entry, Published Admission Number ()PANPublished Admission NumberThe number of places a school offers in its first year group, for example Year 7. The admission authority sets it each year in the school’s admission policy.
Checked, source: North Halifax Grammar School, checked 10 Oct 2026
Last distance offered
Not publishedWe have no checked figure for how far offers reached.

No deadlines left for 2029 entry.

How far offers reached

Can we get in?

How far offers reached

Each bar shows how far from North Halifax Grammar School the last child offered a place lived, under the last admission rule the offers reached. Up to five years, on one scale.

Qualifying is not the same as being offered a place.

Reaching the school's standard means your child can be considered. If more children qualify than there are places, the school gives places using its admission rules, in order. The figures below show how far those rules reached in past years. They are history, not a prediction: they change every year with who applies.

CheckedDepartment for Education (GOV.UK)9 Oct 2026

No distance figures publishedWe have not found a checked figure for how far offers reached at North Halifax Grammar School. We add each year's figures after National Offer Day, when the council or school publishes them.

Applications and offers, September 2026 entry (Department for Education)

How many families applied to North Halifax Grammar School and how many places it offered. Applicants per place is all applications divided by offers. Families apply to several schools and not every applicant qualifies, so it is not the chance of a place.

Applications and offers at North Halifax Grammar School, September 2026 entry
Figure	Department for Education
First-preference applications	240First-preference applications, 2026 entryChecked 16 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (Explore Education Statistics).The source says: 202627,Academic year,School,E92000001,England,E12000003,Yorkshire and The Humber,381,E08000033,Calderdale,Secondary,3815400,z,5,The North Halifax Grammar School,180,180,151,26,2,670,240,284,107,1.5894039735099337,1.3333333333333333,363,92,Academy converter,No religious character,5.5,Selective,Urban: Nearer to a major town or city,No,E14001262,Halifax,136788,7View the official source
All applications (any preference)	670All applications (any preference), 2026 entryChecked 16 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (Explore Education Statistics).The source says: 202627,Academic year,School,E92000001,England,E12000003,Yorkshire and The Humber,381,E08000033,Calderdale,Secondary,3815400,z,5,The North Halifax Grammar School,180,180,151,26,2,670,240,284,107,1.5894039735099337,1.3333333333333333,363,92,Academy converter,No religious character,5.5,Selective,Urban: Nearer to a major town or city,No,E14001262,Halifax,136788,7View the official source
Places offered on National Offer Day	180Places offered on National Offer Day, 2026 entryChecked 16 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (Explore Education Statistics).The source says: 202627,Academic year,School,E92000001,England,E12000003,Yorkshire and The Humber,381,E08000033,Calderdale,Secondary,3815400,z,5,The North Halifax Grammar School,180,180,151,26,2,670,240,284,107,1.5894039735099337,1.3333333333333333,363,92,Academy converter,No religious character,5.5,Selective,Urban: Nearer to a major town or city,No,E14001262,Halifax,136788,7View the official source
Applicants per place	3.7Applicants per place, 2026 entryChecked 16 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (Explore Education Statistics).The source says: 202627,Academic year,School,E92000001,England,E12000003,Yorkshire and The Humber,381,E08000033,Calderdale,Secondary,3815400,z,5,The North Halifax Grammar School,180,180,151,26,2,670,240,284,107,1.5894039735099337,1.3333333333333333,363,92,Academy converter,No religious character,5.5,Selective,Urban: Nearer to a major town or city,No,E14001262,Halifax,136788,7View the official source

Source: Department for Education (Explore Education Statistics), checked 16 Oct 2026

About these figures

North Halifax does not print a pass mark in its policy, and we have found no published history of the scores or distances that last gained a place:

Two things shape the odds here. First, the field is large: the joint exam 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, competing for 180North 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 places at this school and the same number at Crossley Heath. Second, a child from the priority area who meets the standard can be offered one of the reserved places ahead of higher-ranked children from elsewhere. So the rank that wins a place can differ depending on where a child lives. Treat any figure you see as a guide, not a promise.

At a glance

North Halifax Grammar School in brief

All facts checked 10 Oct 2026tap a value for its source

Pupils: mixedPupilsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar School.The source says: North Halifax Grammar School (NHGS) is a state supported, mixed, selective 11-18 grammar schoolView the official source; Who the school admits.
School type: academySchool typeChecked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar School.The source says: As an Academy, the NHGS governance board is the school's Admission Authority.View the official source; How the school is run and funded.
Year 7 places: 180Year 7 placesChecked 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 source2027 entry; The (PAN): how many children the school plans to admit.
Entrance test: Calderdale grammar schools joint entrance test; The test children sit to be considered.
admission authorityThe organisation that sets a school’s admission rules and decides who is offered a place. For academies and most grammar schools, this is the school’s trust or governing board. For community schools, it is the council.: The NHGS governance board (Academy Trust)Admission authorityChecked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar School.The source says: As an Academy, the NHGS governance board is the school’s Admission Authority.View the official source; Who sets the admission rules and decides who is offered a place.
catchmentAn area, set by a school or a council, where children get higher priority for a place. Living inside it is not an offer of a place. Not every school has a catchment.: priority area; Where children get priority. Living inside it does not by itself mean a place.
Supplementary Information Form (SIF): Yes, for this school; An extra form some schools ask for. It goes to the school, not the council.

Key dates

Dates for September 2029 entry

For children in Year 6 in 2028/29.

Add to my calendar

Not published yet: Test day
Not yet published

Notes on these dates

For the priority area, the date that counts is the day registration closed, so for 2027 entry that moment has passed. A move into the two wards after it will not count for this year's priority places.

How places are given

4 admission rules, in order, for 2027 entry

If more children qualify than there are places, North Halifax Grammar School gives places using these rules (its oversubscription criteriaThe rules a school uses, in order, to decide who gets a place when more children apply than there are places. For example: children in care first, then brothers and sisters of pupils, then distance from home.), in this order (the 2027 rules; the rules for 2029 entry are not published yet).

1
Looked after, previously looked after or special guardianship children (reaching the standard)
The policy's own words
a) Children looked after, previously looked after or with special guardianship (see Appendix 4).
2
Children attracting Pupil Premium or Service Premium (evidence by end of September)
The policy's own words
b) Children attracting Pupil Premium (PP) and Service Premium (SP) (see Appendix 4).
3
Up to 10% of the 180 places for children living in the NHGS Priority Admissions Area (Illingworth and Mixenden ward; Ovenden ward)
The policy's own words
c) Up to 10% of the180 places available at NHGS to children living within our Priority Admissions Area where appropriate:
4
Remaining places by combined order of merit for English and Mathematics up to PAN
The policy's own words
d) Once these places have been allocated the remaining places at NHGS will be offered according to their combined order of merit for English and Mathematics until the school reaches its PAN.

Source: North Halifax Grammar School, checked 10 Oct 2026

Who qualifies: 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.Source: North Halifax Grammar School, checked 10 Oct 2026
Catchment: 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.Source: North Halifax Grammar School, checked 10 Oct 2026
If two children are level for the last place: Where children tie for the last place on order of merit: (i) siblings (including step, foster and adopted siblings at the same address) of children at the school, then (ii) proximity (straight-line distance, local authority (LA) GIS).Source: North Halifax Grammar School, checked 10 Oct 2026
Brothers and sisters: Brothers and sisters of pupils at the school get priority.Source: North Halifax Grammar School, checked 10 Oct 2026
Pupil premium: 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.Source: North Halifax Grammar School, checked 10 Oct 2026
Supplementary form: Test registration form on the Halifax Grammar Schools' Applicaa portal (with photo, SEN, Pupil/Service Premium declaration) is required in addition to the home LA's Common Application Form.Source: The Crossley Heath School, checked 10 Oct 2026
Waiting list: 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.Source: North Halifax Grammar School, checked 10 Oct 2026
Address used: The address you live at on Friday 26 June 2026 is the one that counts.Source: North Halifax Grammar School, checked 10 Oct 2026

More detail from our guide

2027 entry. North Halifax's governors determined the September 2027 policy in February 2026North Halifax Grammar School: Determined date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar School.The source says: Date approved by the Governance Board: February 2026View the official source; it is determined (final)North Halifax Grammar School: Document status (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar School.The source says: Date approved by the Governance Board: February 2026View the official source.

The priority admissions area. North Halifax has no catchment in the usual sense, but it does favour two nearby wards. The policy's wording, summarised: 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

How that plays out for a family:

Living in Illingworth and Mixenden ward or Ovenden ward helps only once your child has met the standard in all three papers. The maps in the policy's appendix show the ward boundaries; check your street against them.
If more children from the wards qualify than there are reserved places, the reserved places go to the highest ranked.
Children from the wards who miss out on a reserved place still compete for the remaining places by rank, like everyone else.
Living outside the wards does not stop you applying. Families from anywhere in the UK can apply and are ranked on the exam.

Priority order, 2027 entry
Rules in order	(1) Looked after, previously looked after or special guardianship children (reaching the standard). (2) Children attracting Pupil Premium or Service Premium (evidence by end of September). (3) Up to 10% of the 180 places for children living in the NHGS Priority Admissions Area (Illingworth and Mixenden ward; Ovenden ward). (4) Remaining places by combined order of merit for English and Mathematics up to PAN.North Halifax Grammar School: Oversubscription criteria (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar School.The source says: If more children reach the required standard in the test than there are places at the school, children in the following categories who reach that standard will be offered a place according to the following oversubscription criteriaView the official source
Tie for the last place	Where children tie for the last place on order of merit: (i) siblings (including step, foster and adopted siblings at the same address) of children at the school, then (ii) proximity (straight-line distance, LA GIS).North Halifax Grammar School: Tie break (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar School.The source says: the following oversubscription criteria will apply as a tie breaker: i. Siblings (to include step siblings, foster siblings, and adopted siblings living permanently in the same address) of children presently attending the school.View the official source
How distance is measured	Straight line from home (Ordnance Survey ADDRESS-POINT coordinate) to closest designated school gateNorth Halifax Grammar School: Distance rule (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar School.The source says: Distance will be calculated using a straight ... measurement from the pupil’s home to the closest designated school gate.View the official source
Priority for children of staff	noNorth Halifax Grammar School: Staff children priority (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar School.The source says: If more children reach the required standard in the test than there are places at the school, children in the following categories who reach that standard will be offered a place according to the following oversubscription criteria, which will be applied in the following order:View the official source

Pupil premium and service premium. 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.North Halifax Grammar School: Pp priority (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar 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 Evidence goes to North Halifax's admissions team even if Crossley Heath is the school you prefer. For 2027 entry it 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.

Education, health and care plans. Admitted if the required standard is metNorth Halifax Grammar School: Ehcp (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar School.The source says: Children who have a statement of special educational needs or EHC plan which names the school, will be admitted, if the required standard is met.View the official source.

Waiting list. 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

2028 entry: North Halifax Grammar School: Document status (2028)Not yet published by North Halifax Grammar School; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Admissions Policy - Entry in 2027 Admissions Policy - Entry in 2026View the official source. Families of children now in Year 5 should not assume the priority area or its share of places will stay the same.

The test

Calderdale grammar schools joint entrance test

Test: Calderdale grammar schools joint entrance test
Test date, 2029 entry: Not yet published

North Halifax uses the joint Halifax Grammar Schools exam, set on one day for both schools. The format, practice guides and access arrangements are covered on our Calderdale 11+ guide.

What North Halifax's policy says about how the exam decides entry: 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.North Halifax Grammar School: Qualifying rule (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar 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

For ranking, North Halifax adds the two subjects together. In the policy's terms: Papers 1 and 2 (English and Maths) are marked by computer, age-weighted and standardised and given a score; a qualifying standard is set for English and for Mathematics; Creative Writing is judged by a trained staff panel only for children meeting that standard; rank by combined order of merit for English and Mathematics. No weights printed.North Halifax Grammar School: Score composition (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar School.The source says: After the tests are completed, paper 1 and paper 2 are marked, age weighted and standardised and awarded a score.View the official source Creative writing is a gate a child must pass through, then; it does not move anyone up or down the rank order.

Exam detail, 2027 entry
Papers	Paper 1 (English and maths); Paper 2 (English and maths); Paper 3 (creative writing)North Halifax Grammar School 2027 entry: Stage1 papersChecked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar 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
Where children sit it	At either of the two grammar schools; children are placed by postcode where possibleNorth Halifax Grammar School 2027 entry: Test venueChecked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar School.The source says: The tests will be conducted at the schools.View the official source
How you register	Online application form on the Halifax Grammar Schools' Applicaa portal (linked from either school's website); parent account, child photo requiredNorth Halifax Grammar School 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
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.North Halifax Grammar School 2027 entry: Access arrangementsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar 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
What the result shows	Uploaded to the parent's Applicaa account by mid-October: whether the child met the standard, plus a banding; not an offerNorth Halifax Grammar School 2027 entry: Results disclosureChecked 10 Oct 2026 against North Halifax Grammar 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
Change from last year	No change of provider is stated, but the papers changed for 2027 entry: two papers that each mix maths and English, plus creative writing, in place of separate English and maths papersNorth Halifax Grammar School 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

How the Calderdale test works

Open days

All this year's events have passed

Done: Open Evening (North Halifax Grammar School) (passed)
Thu 25 Jun 202617:00-20:00

Source: North Halifax Grammar School, checked 10 Oct 2026

If you are refused a place

Reviews, appeals and the waiting list

General information, not legal advice.

How appeals work: 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.Source: The Crossley Heath School, checked 10 Oct 2026

General information, not legal advice.

Your home council sends offers 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. If your child is not offered a place at North Halifax, this is the route the policy sets out: 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

Neither the school's admissions pages nor the council's could be checked, so we cannot give the 2027 appeal deadline yet; use the date on your offer letter. The exam itself cannot be sat a second time. Most appeals for full grammar schools do not succeed, so put a school you would be glad to accept on the council form too.

Official documents and sources

7 sources, each kept as an archived copy

Department for Education (Explore Education Statistics)
Spreadsheet · copy archived by ExamKind on 16 Oct 2026
North Halifax Grammar School
PDF document · copy archived by ExamKind on 9 Oct 2026
North Halifax Grammar School
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 9 Oct 2026
North Halifax Grammar School
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 9 Oct 2026
North Halifax Grammar School
PDF document · copy archived by ExamKind on 9 Oct 2026
The Crossley Heath School
PDF document · copy archived by ExamKind on 9 Oct 2026
The Crossley Heath School
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 17 Oct 2026

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