The Crossley Heath School 11+ Guide

About The Crossley Heath School

The Crossley Heath School is a selective secondary school in Calderdale. For children to get into The Crossley Heath School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, The Crossley Heath School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the heart of Halifax, West Yorkshire, The Crossley Heath School is a beacon of academic excellence and personal growth. This co-educational grammar school nurtures over 1100 pupils aged 11 to 18, providing them with an enriching and stimulating learning environment. The school's curriculum is meticulously crafted to empower each student to thrive, fostering self-confidence, ambition, and a sense of purpose. Pupils receive a solid grounding in a wide array of subjects, including the sciences, humanities, and technology.

Beyond the classroom, The Crossley Heath School offers a vibrant tapestry of extracurricular activities, catering to diverse interests and passions. From the exhilaration of cheerleading and the rhythm of samba to the strategic challenges of computing and the creativity of movie club, there is something for everyone. Sports enthusiasts can showcase their skills during Saturday morning sessions and after-school training, while other clubs provide engaging lunchtime pursuits.

While academic prowess is highly valued, The Crossley Heath School places paramount importance on cultivating a supportive and inclusive community. The school recognizes that true success extends beyond grades, emphasizing the development of resilience, mental well-being, and the ability to navigate life's challenges with grace and determination. A dedicated team of professionals provides unwavering support to students, families, and staff, ensuring a holistic approach to education and personal growth. This commitment to mental health has earned the school the prestigious Carnegie Mental Health in Schools – Excellence Award.

The school's unwavering dedication to academic excellence and personal development has yielded remarkable results. Students consistently achieve outstanding outcomes in their exams, with an impressive percentage attaining top grades in both GCSE and A-level examinations. These achievements open doors to prestigious universities and lay the foundation for bright futures. The Crossley Heath School has garnered recognition from Ofsted, receiving an "Outstanding" rating that stands as a testament to its exceptional quality and commitment to student success.

School Information

Below you will find further information about The Crossley Heath School together with their admissions contact details.

The Crossley Heath School is a mixed (i.e. both girls and boys) school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,147 pupils attend The Crossley Heath School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Dean Jones.

The Crossley Heath School Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at The Crossley Heath School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ Information

In order to get into The Crossley Heath School, children need to pass the Halifax Grammar Schools 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ Subjects & Structure

The Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• English
• Verbal Reasoning
• Maths
• Non-Verbal Reasoning

The admissions test for The North Halifax Grammar School and The Crossley Heath School is designed by GL Assessment, a prominent provider of 11 plus exams in England. The test comprises two multiple-choice papers, each focusing on different subject areas.

The first paper evaluates a student's proficiency in English and verbal reasoning. The English section includes reading comprehension passages and may also assess the student's grasp of spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Verbal reasoning, while not part of the standard school curriculum, tests a child's ability to apply logic and reasoning skills to solve problems involving written information.

The second paper concentrates on maths and non-verbal reasoning. The maths questions cover topics typically taught in schools, such as number, measurement, geometry, and statistics. Similar to verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning is not included in the national curriculum. This section assesses a child's capacity to employ logic and reasoning to solve problems using visual information. The answers for both papers are marked electronically using separate answer sheets.

Other Schools using Halifax Grammar Schools 11+

As well as The Crossley Heath School, several other schools also use Halifax Grammar Schools 11+. These are:

• The North Halifax Grammar School

Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as The Crossley Heath School is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at The Crossley Heath School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ tests (to get into The Crossley Heath School) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with The Crossley Heath School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

The Crossley Heath School was last inspected by Ofsted on 03/07/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 25/09/2023, declaring that the school was 'Good'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Ofsted Report Summary

The Crossley Heath School was inspected by Ofsted on 3 July 2023, and the overall outcome was Good. The school received a Good rating for its quality of education, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision. The behaviour and attitudes of students were deemed Outstanding.

The inspection results highlight the school's commitment to providing a well-rounded education for its students. The Good rating in the quality of education suggests that the curriculum and teaching methods are effective in promoting student learning and progress. The Outstanding rating in behaviour and attitudes indicates that the school has successfully fostered a positive and respectful learning environment.

The Good ratings in personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision demonstrate that The Crossley Heath School is dedicated to supporting students' overall growth and well-being, while also ensuring effective governance and leadership. The school's sixth form provision has been recognized for its quality, preparing students for their future academic and professional pursuits.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for The Crossley Heath School per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are all available past 11+ papers for The Crossley Heath School. Please note that this may include past 11+ papers, past familiarisation booklets, past practice materials published by third parties and past 11+ exam guides written by the school. These materials are provided 'as-is' and may no longer reflect the subjects, format, structure or exam board that The Crossley Heath School currently uses.

The exam board that The Crossley Heath School chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ Ensure you double-check with The Crossley Heath School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.