Key Facts
| School type | Independent day school, mixed, ages 3 to 16, non-selective at 11+ entry |
|---|---|
| Location | Huddersfield (Marsh), West Yorkshire |
| Entry points | Nursery to Year 11 (ages 3 to 16), with Year 7 (11+) the main entry point into the senior school; entry at other points and mid-year entry are also considered |
| Assessment | Taster day with informal assessment of attitude to learning, plus a report from the child's current school; an online assessment or video call with the Head replaces the taster day when a visit is not possible |
| Test provider | School's own informal assessment; no external test provider named |
| Day fees (2026/27) | Year 7: £5,259 tuition per term (£5,624 total including the non-VAT charge), rising to £5,695 tuition (£6,061 total) by Year 11 |
Figures correct at the time of writing — always confirm current fees and deadlines with the school directly.
Entry into Year 7 at Huddersfield Grammar School runs through registration, a school visit and a taster day, since the school operates a non-selective admissions policy at this stage and does not set a competitive 11+ examination. An informal assessment of the child's attitude to learning during the taster day combines with a reference from their current school to inform any offer of a place.
Where a family cannot attend a taster day, the school offers an online assessment or a video call with the Head instead. No fixed registration deadline is published, though the school notes strong interest in Year 7 places and advises registering early once a family is ready.
How entry works at 11+
Huddersfield Grammar School admits into Year 7 on a non-selective basis, so there is no pass or fail 11+ examination deciding places as there would be at a selective grammar school. The senior school covers Years 7 to 11 for pupils aged 11 to 16, and the same admissions route applies whether a family is joining at 11+ or at another point in the senior school. Places are offered following a taster day, an informal assessment and a report from the child's current school; the school does not rank applicants by exam score.
What the Year 7 assessment involves
The main assessment tool at 11+ is a taster day, during which the child attends lessons and meets peers while staff observe their attitude to learning. This replaces a formal written entrance exam for most applicants. Where a taster day cannot be arranged, the school asks the child to complete an online assessment and/or meet the Head by video call. A report or reference from the child's current school is also taken into account before an offer is made. Families applying for a scholarship additionally sit Scholarship Assessment papers and attend an interview with senior staff.
Steps in the admissions process
Admissions at the school follow a fixed sequence from first enquiry to a child settling in: contacting the admissions team, visiting the school, submitting the application with the registration fee, attending a taster day, receiving an offer, and securing the place with the acceptance deposit. The admissions team can confirm timing and availability directly.
- Contact the admissions team to discuss availability
- Arrange a personal visit or tour of the school
- Submit the application form and pay the registration fee
- Attend a taster day, or complete an online assessment and/or video call with the Head if that is not possible
- Receive an offer based on taster-day feedback and the current school's report
- Secure the place by returning documentation and paying the acceptance deposit
- Settle in with the support of an assigned buddy
Scholarships and bursaries at Year 7
Scholarships at 11+ recognise a high level of ability, judged separately from financial circumstances, and the school offers Academic, Sports, Music, Performing Arts (dance and/or drama) and Creative Arts categories. Awards depend on performance in the Scholarship Assessment papers, references and an interview with senior staff, and a scholarship is conditional on the pupil maintaining that standard and contributing fully to school life. Where a candidate shows scholarship-level ability but cannot be given a full award, the Headteacher may instead make an Exhibition Award. Means-tested bursaries are offered separately to existing pupils facing financial hardship, subject to the funds available.
Fees for Year 7 entry and what they include
Day fees for Year 7 include tuition plus a separate non-VAT charge, and fees rise gradually through the senior school as pupils move towards GCSEs. Lunches (other than in Nursery), exam fees where applicable, swimming lessons up to Year 6, most co-curricular activities and, from Year 3, a school device are included within the fees. A one-off, non-refundable registration fee applies when the application is submitted, and an acceptance deposit secures the place once an offer is made, refunded when the pupil eventually leaves. Sibling discounts apply for a second, third or fourth child, with the current rates published on the school's fees page.
How to prepare for the taster day and assessment
Because the main hurdle at 11+ is a taster day, preparation is best focused on helping a child feel comfortable meeting new people and trying different lessons; formal exam drilling matters less at this stage. Reading widely and keeping up daily practice in maths and English supports the assessment of attitude to learning that staff carry out during the day. Where a family opts for the online assessment or video call instead of a visit, a quiet space and a working internet connection help the child perform at their best. Children applying for a scholarship benefit from separate, targeted preparation for the Scholarship Assessment papers and interview, given the higher bar those awards require.
Related guides
Preparing for the Huddersfield Grammar School 11+ with Taylor Tuition
Preparation for the Huddersfield Grammar School 11+ tends to go best when it starts early and stays steady, and most families who work with us begin between twelve and eighteen months out. Our tutors, who have prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, plan the work backwards from the school's own assessment format and registration deadline.
The tutors we match to 11+ preparation are drawn from a pool in which more than half hold Qualified Teacher Status, around three in five hold a master's degree or doctorate, and which includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools. Every tutor who works with children holds an enhanced DBS check.
Families work with us online from anywhere in the UK or abroad, and in person in central London. Fees start from £50 per 50-minute session and depend on tutor level and subject, with no registration fee and a free initial consultation to talk through your child's current level and the timeline to the 11+. Families receive progress reports after sessions and have a dedicated point of contact.
Read more about our 11+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Huddersfield Grammar School selective at 11+?
- No. Entry into Year 7 is non-selective: places are decided through a taster day, an informal assessment of the child's attitude to learning, and a reference from their current school. There is no competitive entrance exam with a pass mark deciding who is offered a place at the school.
- What happens if my child cannot attend a taster day?
- The school offers an alternative to a visit: the child completes an online assessment and/or meets the Head by video call. A report or reference from the child's current school is still considered before any offer of a place is made, whichever route the family takes.
- How much does Year 7 cost?
- Termly fees for Year 7 include tuition plus a separate non-VAT charge for items such as lunch, published on the school's fees page for the current academic year; a registration fee and a refundable acceptance deposit also apply, with sibling discounts available for further children.
- Can my child get a scholarship at 11+?
- Academic, Sports, Music, Performing Arts and Creative Arts scholarships are available from Year 7, awarded on performance in the Scholarship Assessment papers, references and an interview with senior staff. An Exhibition Award may be given by the Headteacher where a candidate shows scholarship-level ability but a full scholarship cannot be made.
- Are bursaries available?
- Yes, means-tested bursaries are offered to pupils already at the school who are experiencing financial hardship, awarded according to household finances and subject to the funds the school has available; they are aimed at pupils who can contribute positively to school life.
- When should a Year 7 place be registered for?
- The school advises registering early given strong interest in Year 7 places, though no fixed registration deadline is published on its admissions pages. The admissions team can confirm current availability and the likely timing for entry at the start of the following school year.
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