The North Halifax Grammar School 11+ Guide

About The North Halifax Grammar School

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

Nestled in the heart of Illingworth, Halifax, The North Halifax Grammar School is a beacon of academic excellence and holistic student development. As a co-educational state grammar school with academy status, NHGS prides itself on its unwavering commitment to providing an enriching and transformative educational experience for its pupils.

At the core of NHGS's educational philosophy lies a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum that challenges students to reach their full potential. By incorporating cutting-edge research and guidance across all subjects, the school ensures that its pupils are well-equipped to become the innovators, thought leaders, and change-makers of tomorrow. The curriculum undergoes regular re-evaluation to maintain its relevance and effectiveness in nurturing the best minds in various fields.

Beyond the classroom, The North Halifax Grammar School recognizes the importance of extracurricular activities in shaping well-rounded individuals. From the renowned choral group to boxing, book club, coding club, and creative writing, students have a plethora of opportunities to explore their passions and develop new skills. This diverse range of activities fosters a vibrant and inclusive school community where every student feels valued and supported.

The school's motto, "Living to learn, learning to live", encapsulates its dedication to both academic excellence and character development. NHGS cultivates a nurturing and inspiring environment where students can flourish as confident, compassionate, and resilient individuals. The school's outstanding academic results, with impressive performances in GCSE and A-Level exams, stand as a testament to the effectiveness of its educational approach. Ofsted's "Outstanding" rating further affirms the school's unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality education.

At The North Halifax Grammar School, students embark on a transformative journey that prepares them not only for academic success but also for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. With its dedicated staff, supportive community, and rich educational experience, NHGS is the ideal choice for students seeking to unlock their full potential and make a lasting impact on the world.

School Information

Below you will find further information about The North Halifax Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.

The North Halifax Grammar 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 1,245 pupils attend The North Halifax Grammar School and it's led by the Principal, Mr Desmond Deehan.

The North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ Information

In order to get into The North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar School and The Crossley Heath School admissions test is a challenging assessment designed to evaluate the academic potential of prospective students. Developed by GL Assessment, a renowned provider of 11 plus exams in England, this test comprises two distinct papers that cover a range of subjects.

The first paper focuses on English and verbal reasoning. In the English section, students will encounter reading comprehension passages and may be asked to demonstrate their proficiency in spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Verbal reasoning, while not explicitly taught in schools, assesses a child's capacity 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 are based on topics typically covered in the school curriculum, such as number, measurement, geometry, and statistics. Non-verbal reasoning, like its verbal counterpart, is not part of the national curriculum. This section evaluates a child's ability to utilize logic and reasoning to solve problems presented in a visual format. The test is entirely multiple-choice, with separate answer sheets provided for students to mark their responses, which are then electronically assessed.

Other Schools using Halifax Grammar Schools 11+

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

• The Crossley Heath School

Halifax Grammar Schools 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as The North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

The North Halifax Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 08/11/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 17/12/2023, 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 North Halifax Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 8 November 2023, and the overall outcome was Good. The school received a Good rating in the areas of Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, and Leadership and management. The Sixth form provision was rated as Outstanding.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for The North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar School currently uses.

The exam board that The North Halifax Grammar 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 North Halifax Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.