North Halifax Grammar School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: FSCE
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
Places per year: 180
Competition: High
Ofsted Rating: Good
North Halifax Grammar School
North Halifax Grammar School (NHGS) is a mixed, state-funded grammar school in Halifax, West Yorkshire, known for its strong academic standards and broad, balanced curriculum. Established in 1985, the school’s ethos, “Living to Learn & Learning to Live,” reflects its focus on combining academic achievement with personal growth.
The school has modern facilities, including a sports hall, science laboratories, and creative spaces, and offers an extensive programme of extracurricular activities across sport, music, drama, and clubs. With over 1,200 pupils currently enrolled, NHGS remains a popular choice, attracting around 1,200 applications each year for just 180 Year 7 places.
Entry is via a joint entrance test with The Crossley Heath School, assessing English, Mathematics, and Creative Writing. Candidates must reach the qualifying standard and meet the oversubscription criteria. In addition to registering for the entrance test, parents must also submit a Common Application Form (CAF) to their local authority, listing NHGS as one of their preferences.
Rated Good overall by Ofsted, with an Outstanding Sixth Form, North Halifax Grammar School continues to be a highly regarded option for families across Calderdale and surrounding areas.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for North Halifax Grammar School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for North Halifax Grammar School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at North Halifax Grammar School
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your child prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for North Halifax Grammar School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for North Halifax Grammar School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for North Halifax Grammar School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
North Halifax Grammar School Key Information
11 Plus Hero helps you keep updated with all the essential information you need to prepare effectively for the admissions process and North Halifax Grammar School entrance exam.
School Address
Full Address:
North Halifax Grammar SchoolMoor Bottom Road
Illingworth
Halifax
HX2 9SU
Contact Information
Parking in the school
Parking on-site at NHGS is very limited.
Additional parking off site
Visitors are advised to use public transport where possible or make use of nearby street parking. Please check and follow local parking restrictions when planning your visit.
North Halifax Grammar School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: North Halifax Grammar School was rated Good overall, with its sixth-form provision judged Outstanding.
Academic strength: The school offers an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum, though consistency in adapting lessons for all learners, including SEND, is still developing.
Teaching and curriculum: Teachers have strong subject knowledge and deliver lessons effectively, with sixth-form teaching standing out for academic challenge and depth.
Behaviour and culture: Pupils behave maturely, bullying is dealt with swiftly, and a wide range of extracurricular activities supports a positive and respectful school culture.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leaders and trustees share a clear vision, staff feel well supported, and safeguarding arrangements are effective, though work continues to strengthen PSHE and inclusion.
North Halifax Grammar School 11 Plus Exam Format
To be considered for a place at NHGS, your child will need to take the joint entrance test with The Crossley Heath School. This test measures academic potential rather than following the primary school curriculum.
North Halifax Grammar School 11 Plus Exam: Overview
Format
Paper 1 – English
This paper is multiple-choice and focuses on reading comprehension and language skills.
Paper 2 – Mathematics
A multiple-choice paper assessing arithmetic, problem-solving and reasoning ability.
Paper 3 – Creative Writing
In this task, students produce a written piece to demonstrate creativity, structure and written expression.
Subject Summary
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
All papers are marked and then age-standardised to ensure fairness for younger candidates. Standardised scores are added together to produce a total score, with candidates ranked from highest to lowest.
There is no fixed pass mark. Instead, the top 510 candidates across both NHGS and The Crossley Heath School are deemed to have met the required standard.
Catchment Area
There is no catchment area for North Halifax Grammar School. Admission is based on test performance and the oversubscription criteria.
Additional Eligibility
To be considered for a place at NHGS, your child must:
- Register for the entrance test through the NHGS or CHS admissions website.
- List NHGS as a preference on your Local Authority’s Common Application Form (CAF).
If more children meet the required standard than there are places available, the following oversubscription criteria are used:
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children.
- Children eligible for Pupil Premium living in the Priority Admissions Area who meet the qualifying standard in all three subjects.
- Other children living in the Priority Admissions Area who meet the qualifying standard in all three subjects.
- Children of staff employed at NHGS for two or more years, or recruited to fill a post with a proven skills shortage.
- Siblings of current NHGS students.
- Children with exceptional medical or social needs that can only be met at NHGS (evidence required).
- All other applicants, ranked by distance from the school.
If two or more applicants tie on score, priority is given to the child who lives closest to the school.
Click find out more about North Halifax Grammar School’s admission policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at North Halifax Grammar School
You can support your child’s preparation in the following ways.
Useful Tips
Start Early
It’s best to begin preparing in Year 4 or at the start of Year 5. This gives your child plenty of time to build skills gradually without unnecessary pressure.
Use Exam Papers
Work through timed practice papers together so your child becomes confident with the exam format and develops strong test-taking techniques.
Target Weak Areas
Keep track of progress and dedicate extra time to any subjects or question types your child finds more challenging.
Encourage Daily Reading
Daily reading is a simple but powerful way to grow vocabulary, strengthen comprehension, and develop analytical thinking — all key for success in the North Halifax Grammar School entrance test.
Make Use of Online Resources
Digital resources can offer tailored practice, instant feedback, and engaging activities to make learning more effective and enjoyable.
Best Chance of Success
By keeping preparation steady, organised, and positive, you’ll help your child feel confident and ready to perform their best on exam day at North Halifax Grammar School.
11 Plus Mock Exams in Your Area
We are in the process of establishing a network of local test centres to run in-person 11 Plus mock exams designed to reflect the format used by North Halifax Grammar School. These sessions will give your child the chance to practise under real exam conditions, helping them gain confidence and improve their performance. This service isn’t available yet, but you can register your interest using the form below, and we’ll contact you as soon as mock exams are introduced in your area.
North Halifax Grammar School’s Key Dates
Key dates for the 2026 entry exam and application process are listed below.
Entrance Exam Registration Opens
Open Evening
Registration Deadline
Test Information will have been Received by Parents
Entrance Exam is Sat (All 3 Papers)
Parents Receive Exam Results
Common Application Form Deadline
Offers Sent out by Local Authority
North Halifax Grammar School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place you need to follow the steps below.
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the North Halifax Grammar School Admissions Policy PDF to ensure that you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyRegister for the Entrance Test
You must register online via the CHS or NHGS school website during the application window, which runs from 21st March to 27th June 2025. Registration by this deadline is required for your child to sit the entrance test.
Visit School WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with North Halifax Grammar School listed as one of your preferences. The CAF deadline is 31st October 2025. Both forms must be completed – failure to submit either will result in an incomplete application.
North Halifax Grammar School FAQs
To apply, you must complete two steps: register your child for the joint entrance test with North Halifax Grammar School and The Crossley Heath School (via either school’s website during the registration period) and submit your Local Authority’s Common Application Form (CAF), listing NHGS as one of your preferences. Both must be submitted by their deadlines for your application to be valid.
The entrance test is made up of three papers:
- Paper 1 – English: multiple-choice comprehension and language skills.
- Paper 2 – Mathematics: multiple-choice arithmetic, reasoning, and problem-solving.
- Paper 3 – Creative Writing: a written task to assess structure, creativity, and expression.
Scores are age-standardised, and the top 510 candidates across both NHGS and The Crossley Heath School meet the required standard.
Entry is highly competitive. Around 1,200 applications are received each year for only 180 Year 7 places. Strong performance across all three exam papers is essential to secure a place, with oversubscription criteria applied if more candidates meet the qualifying standard than there are spaces available.
NHGS does not have a fixed catchment area. Admission is based on entrance test performance and the school’s oversubscription criteria. However, applicants within the Priority Admissions Area may receive priority if oversubscribed, alongside other factors such as looked-after children, siblings, or children eligible for Pupil Premium.