The Crossley Heath School: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School: The Crossley Heath School
• Location: Savile Park, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX3 0HG
• Type: Co-educational grammar school and sixth form
• Age Range: 11-18 years
• Pupils: Approximately 1,059
• Admission: 180 places annually via 11+ examination
• Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
• Headteacher: Mr Dean Jones
• Established: 1985

About The Crossley Heath School

The Crossley Heath School represents excellence in grammar school education within West Yorkshire, having earned recognition in the Sunday Times Parent Power guide as one of the UK's top 150 schools. Founded in 1985 through the merger of Heath Grammar School and Crossley and Porter School, this outstanding institution has established itself as a beacon of academic achievement in Halifax.

The school's distinctive ethos centres on six core values: Self-belief, Respect, Purpose, Responsibility, Challenge, and Aspiration. These principles shape every aspect of school life, creating an environment where students develop into articulate, independent citizens prepared for future leadership roles. The vibrant community atmosphere encourages both academic excellence and personal growth, supported by a comprehensive pastoral care system that prioritises mental health and wellbeing.

What sets Crossley Heath apart is its commitment to holistic education. Beyond outstanding academic results, the school offers extensive extracurricular programmes spanning sports, arts, and community engagement. This balanced approach ensures students develop the confidence and skills necessary for success in an increasingly competitive educational landscape.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Entry to The Crossley Heath School requires success in the 11+ entrance examination, jointly administered with North Halifax Grammar School. This selective assessment takes place in September of Year 6 and comprises two distinct papers:

Paper 1: English and Verbal Reasoning

This component evaluates students' language comprehension, vocabulary knowledge, and ability to reason using verbal concepts. Areas covered include:

• Reading comprehension and interpretation
• Vocabulary and word relationships
• Verbal logic and reasoning patterns
• Language analysis and synthesis

Paper 2: Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning

The mathematical section assesses numerical competency whilst the non-verbal reasoning component evaluates logical thinking through visual patterns:

• Arithmetic and mathematical problem-solving
• Spatial awareness and pattern recognition
• Logical sequences and relationships
• Abstract reasoning using shapes and symbols

Both papers utilise optical mark reader sheets for efficient and accurate marking. The assessment focuses on academic potential rather than curriculum-specific knowledge, ensuring fair evaluation across different primary school backgrounds.

How to Apply

The application process for Year 7 entry follows a structured timeline beginning in the summer term of Year 5:

Registration Process

Parents must complete the online registration form available through the school's website. Registration typically opens in May for the following September's examination, with a deadline in early July. Early registration is essential as test places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Examination Day

The 11+ tests take place at The Crossley Heath School in September of Year 6. Students should arrive well-rested and equipped with necessary stationery. The school provides a welcoming environment to minimise examination stress whilst maintaining appropriate testing conditions.

Results and Offers

Following marking and moderation, parents receive written notification of their child's position in the order of merit. The top 180 candidates receive offers for September entry. Waiting list positions are also communicated, as places occasionally become available through the summer term.

Preparing for the The Crossley Heath School 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Preparation for the The Crossley Heath 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, and we reply to enquiries within one working day with tutor recommendations.

Read more about our 11+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.