About The North Halifax Grammar School (NHG)
The North Halifax Grammar School (NHGS) is a co-educational selective grammar school in Illingworth, Halifax, West Yorkshire, admitting 180 pupils per year. It uses the FSCE entrance test (jointly with The Crossley Heath School as part of the Halifax Grammar Schools). Registration opens 20th March 2026, closes 26th June 2026. Exam: Saturday 19th September 2026.
The North Halifax Grammar School (NHG) provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 53.8%. A-Level A*–B: 71.8%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for The North Halifax Grammar School (NHG)
The North Halifax Grammar School (NHG) Admissions Criteria
The North Halifax Grammar School (NHGS) is a co-educational selective grammar school in Illingworth, Halifax, West Yorkshire, admitting 180 pupils per year. It uses the FSCE entrance test (jointly with The Crossley Heath School as part of the Halifax Grammar Schools). Registration opens 20th March 2026, closes 26th June 2026. Exam: Saturday 19th September 2026.
- ✓Register via the NHGS Applicaa platform (opens 10am 20th March 2026, closes 11pm 26th June 2026).
- ✓Sit the FSCE entrance test at NHGS or Crossley Heath on Saturday 19th September 2026.
- ✓The test assesses English, Mathematics and Creative Writing.
- ✓Achieve the qualifying standard to be eligible.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- ✓Children who achieve the qualifying standard, ranked by score.
- ✓No catchment area — applications from any location considered.
- ✓Apply via Calderdale LA CAF by 31st October 2026.
The North Halifax Grammar School (NHG) Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the None Year 7 admission number, the Board of Governors / Trust applies the following criteria in priority order. Final ranking uses the standardised score achieved in the Independent 11+ entrance test.
- Looked-after / previously looked-after children (highest priority by law)
- Children who achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test (above the qualifying standard set by The North Halifax Grammar School (NHG))
- Children eligible for Pupil Premium / Free School Meals Entitlement (FSME)
- Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school
- Children with sibling(s) currently attending the school
- Children of staff (where staff member has worked at the school for 2+ years)
- Children ranked by total standardised score (highest first) up to the published admission number
- Tiebreak: distance from home to school (straight-line measurement) for children with equal scores
Key Dates & Deadlines — The North Halifax Grammar School (NHG) 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | 20 March 2026 |
| 📌 Registration closes | 26 June 2026 |
| 📌 Independent 11+ Entrance Test | September 2026 (school-specific) |
| 📌 Test results released | October 2026 |
| 📌 CAF deadline (apply via Local Authority) | Friday 31 October 2026 |
| 📌 National Offers Day | Monday 1 March 2027 |
How to Apply to The North Halifax Grammar School (NHG) via the Common Application Form
Step 1 — Register your child for the Independent 11+ Test
Register through your regional 11+ portal (e.g. Yorkshire) when registration opens. Closes 26 June 2026. There is no fee to sit the Independent 11+ test.
Step 2 — Attend an Open Day at The North Halifax Grammar School (NHG)
Visit during Year 5 or early Year 6 to meet staff and pupils and decide whether to list this school on your CAF.
Step 3 — Sit the Independent 11+ Entrance Test
Your child sits the Independent 11+ in September 2026. The test typically covers English, Mathematics and Creative Writing, with standardised scores age-adjusted.
Step 4 — Receive your standardised test results
Test results are released to parents on October 2026, BEFORE the Common Application Form deadline. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
Step 5 — Complete your Common Application Form (CAF)
List The North Halifax Grammar School (NHG) as one of your preferences on the CAF submitted via your home Local Authority (not the school's LA, unless they are the same). You can usually list 3-6 preferences depending on your LA.
Step 6 — Submit the CAF by the deadline
Submit your CAF by Friday 31 October 2026. Late applications are processed only after all on-time applications have been allocated, dramatically reducing your chance of a place.
Step 7 — Receive your school offer on National Offers Day
Offers are issued via your Local Authority on Monday 1 March 2027. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join The North Halifax Grammar School (NHG)'s waiting list — managed by the school itself.
Subjects Tested at The North Halifax Grammar School (NHG)
Catchment Area for The North Halifax Grammar School
Admission to Year 7 is through a joint entrance test shared with The Crossley Heath School (the two Halifax grammar schools). The test is set by Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE) — not a shared consortium exam — and is based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum up to Year 5, with no verbal or non-verbal reasoning.
There is no published pass mark, and the format can change year to year. Registration opens in spring 2026 (around 20 March, closing late June) — always confirm the current dates, format and oversubscription criteria in the school's admissions policy before applying.
Independent 11+ Practice Papers for The North Halifax Grammar School (NHG)
The North Halifax Grammar School (NHG) uses the Independent 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the The North Halifax Grammar School (NHG) 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
The North Halifax Grammar School — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to The North Halifax Grammar School for Year 7?
Register with the school for the joint Halifax entrance test (sat in September) and name North Halifax on your Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) by 31 October 2026. North Halifax and The Crossley Heath School share one entrance test, but you must list each school separately on your CAF.
What entrance test does The North Halifax Grammar School use?
Its entrance test is now set by Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE) — not a shared consortium exam. North Halifax shares a joint test with The Crossley Heath School: three age-standardised parts — English and Mathematics (both multiple-choice) plus a Creative Writing task — based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum up to Year 5, with no verbal or non-verbal reasoning.
Is The North Halifax Grammar School selective, and is it free?
Yes. The North Halifax Grammar School is a selective state grammar school (co-educational) and, as a state-funded school, charges no fees.
When does the entrance test take place?
In September. For September 2027 entry it falls in the autumn of 2026; registration opens around 20 March 2026 and closes in late June. Confirm the exact test date with the school.
When are the results released?
In October 2026, before the Local Authority application deadline, so you can list North Halifax on your CAF in time.
When is National Offers Day in 2027?
National Offers Day is 1 March 2027, when Local Authorities tell families which secondary school place their child has been allocated.
Does The North Halifax Grammar School have a catchment area?
North Halifax admits qualifying candidates by rank of the joint test score (shared with The Crossley Heath School); distance and Calderdale's coordinated arrangements feature in oversubscription tie-breaks. See the school's admissions policy for the current details.
How many Year 7 places does The North Halifax Grammar School offer?
About 180 places.
How can my child prepare for the North Halifax entrance test?
Because the FSCE test is built on the Key Stage 2 curriculum (up to the end of Year 5) and avoids verbal and non-verbal reasoning, focus on applying English and maths skills and timed creative writing rather than drilling reasoning. No past papers are published and the format changes yearly, so practise broadly. ExamTutor offers practice papers with full video explanations.