About Yorkshire Grammar Schools
Yorkshire has six grammar schools across three areas: in North Yorkshire, Ripon Grammar School, Ermysted’s Grammar School (boys, Skipton) and Skipton Girls’ High School; in Calderdale, The Crossley Heath School and The North Halifax Grammar School; and in Kirklees, Heckmondwike Grammar School.
There is no single Yorkshire 11+ — each school (or local cluster) sets its own test and registration, so you register with the relevant school or council. Ripon and Ermysted’s use GL Assessment; Skipton Girls’, the two Calderdale schools and Heckmondwike use the Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE) test.
For September 2027 entry, the tests are sat in September 2026 (most on a Saturday in mid/late September; Heckmondwike on a weekday), with results in mid-October. You then list schools on your home authority’s (North Yorkshire, Calderdale or Kirklees) Common Application Form by 31 October, with offers on National Offer Day (1 March).
Yorkshire Grammar Schools
Yorkshire’s six grammar schools, spread across North Yorkshire, Calderdale and Kirklees, each with its own test route. Click any school for its detailed admission guide, catchment and key dates:
These schools sit in three different local authorities, each with its own test and registration, so check the route for each. Ripon Grammar also offers boarding alongside day places.
About the Yorkshire 11+
There is no single shared test across Yorkshire’s grammar schools — the format and provider vary by local authority, and you register with the relevant school or council.
North Yorkshire: Ripon and Ermysted’s use GL Assessment — Ripon tests verbal and non-verbal reasoning; Ermysted’s covers English, mathematics and reasoning. Skipton Girls’ uses the FSCE test (English, maths and creative writing) and you register with the school directly.
Calderdale & Kirklees: Crossley Heath, North Halifax and Heckmondwike use the FSCE test — two papers (multiple-choice reasoning plus a short written-answer paper) and a creative writing task, with the writing counting only towards the final portion of places.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Yorkshire Grammar Schools
Yorkshire’s grammar schools run separate admissions across three local authorities. Register with the relevant school or council — North Yorkshire Council for Ripon and Ermysted’s (and directly with Skipton Girls’), Calderdale Council for Crossley Heath and North Halifax, and Kirklees Council for Heckmondwike. The tests are sat in September 2026 (most on a Saturday in mid/late September; Heckmondwike on a weekday); results arrive in mid-October. You then list schools on your home authority’s Common Application Form by 31 October, with offers on National Offer Day (1 March). Entry is based first on test score, then each school’s catchment and oversubscription criteria. Providers differ: Ripon and Ermysted’s use GL Assessment; Skipton Girls’, Crossley Heath, North Halifax and Heckmondwike use the FSCE test.
What the Tests Cover
The GL schools (Ripon, Ermysted’s) test reasoning (Ermysted’s also English and maths); the FSCE schools (Skipton Girls’, Crossley Heath, North Halifax, Heckmondwike) test English, mathematics and include a creative writing element. Practising realistic 11+ material across these areas is the most effective preparation.
Yorkshire 11+ Practice Papers for Yorkshire Grammar Schools
Yorkshire Grammar Schools uses the GL Assessment 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — 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 Yorkshire 11+
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.
Yorkshire Grammar Schools — Frequently Asked Questions
How many grammar schools are in Yorkshire?
Six — three in North Yorkshire (Ripon, Ermysted's, Skipton Girls'), two in Calderdale (Crossley Heath, North Halifax) and one in Kirklees (Heckmondwike).
Is there one Yorkshire 11+?
No — each school or local cluster sets its own test and registration, so check the route for each.
Which test does each school use?
Ripon and Ermysted's use GL Assessment; Skipton Girls', Crossley Heath, North Halifax and Heckmondwike use the FSCE test (which includes a creative writing element).
When are the tests?
In September 2026 — most on a Saturday in mid/late September, with Heckmondwike on a weekday. Results follow in mid-October.
How do I register?
Register with the relevant school or council — North Yorkshire Council (Ripon, Ermysted's), the school directly for Skipton Girls', Calderdale Council (Crossley Heath, North Halifax) and Kirklees Council (Heckmondwike).
How do I apply for a place?
List schools on your home authority's Common Application Form by 31 October; offers are made on National Offer Day (1 March).
Does Ripon offer boarding?
Yes — Ripon Grammar School offers boarding alongside day places; the others are day schools.
Does passing guarantee a place?
No — entry is by test score, then each school's catchment and oversubscription criteria, so meeting the standard does not guarantee an offer.