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.
How to Prepare for the Yorkshire 11+
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GL Assessment Practice Papers and Quest Software for Yorkshire Grammar Schools
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View GL Assessment practice papers →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.
Start preparing for the Yorkshire Grammar Schools 11+
Try the free GL Assessment samples first — a real paper, a tutor video and the Quest demo, no sign-up. Then choose a pack when you're ready.