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The Crossley Heath School 11+ entrance test
The Crossley Heath School is a mixed state grammar school in Halifax for ages 11 to 18. Children applying for a Year 7 place sit the Halifax Grammar Schools Entrance Test, which is reported to use FSCE-format English and maths papers. This page explains that test and how to prepare. Admission rules change, so always check the school’s own admissions policy.
School at a glance
- School
- Mixed state grammar school
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Area
- Halifax (Calderdale)
- Website
- www.crossleyheath.org.uk
Source: Get Information about Schools (Department for Education), read 1 November 2026. NITU is not connected with the school.
The test
These schools each run their own test or share a test format, so the details below name the school or area they apply to. Each detail is labelled with where it comes from.
- Reported
- These schools are reported to use English and maths papers from Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE), based on Key Stage 2 up to the end of Year 5. Each school chooses which papers it uses and sets its own dates and qualifying score.
- Reported
- The papers are Adventure (multiple choice, shaded ovals), Beacon (short answers, one digit or capital letter per box) and Compass (multiple choice), with a Discovery creative-writing paper at some schools. Reading School is reported to use all four, the Halifax schools Adventure, Beacon and Discovery, and the Skipton schools Adventure and Beacon.
- Reported
- Crossley Heath and North Halifax share the Halifax Grammar Schools Entrance Test; at Chelmsford County High School for Girls (not part of the CSSE test) creative writing is a minimum-standard hurdle. Reading School catchment and boarding applicants reportedly sit in July of Year 5, others in September.
- Reported
- These details were collected from third-party sources in November 2026; schools’ own pages could not be checked.
- Not published
- Which papers each school uses, the number of questions and minutes per paper, four options per question and the English and maths mix in each paper. These are not published for each school.
Some schools add a Discovery creative-writing paper (Reading, Chelmsford County High, the Halifax schools, and Heckmondwike, where it is disputed); at the Halifax schools it is marked only if English and maths reach the qualifying mark.
Check with your school’s admissions page before relying on any detail.
Other schools covered by the same guide
- Chelmsford County High School for Girls, Chelmsford
- Ermysted’s Grammar School, Skipton
- Heckmondwike Grammar School, Heckmondwike
- Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School, Lancaster
- Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith
- Reading School, Reading
- Skipton Girls’ High School, Skipton
- The North Halifax Grammar School, Halifax
How to prepare
- Practise filling in a separate answer sheet, so marking the right box becomes automatic and no time is lost on test day.
- Practise writing answers in full, showing working in maths and using evidence from the text in English: marks are given for method and explanation, not just the final answer.
- Practise a timed piece of writing every week or two: five minutes planning, then a clear opening, middle and ending.
- Sit full mock tests under timed conditions only every week or two, and spend the time in between on the question types that cost marks.
Read our full guide to this test.
Practice papers for this test
Original mock papers based on the published format, with answers explained. Every option has a free sample.
Four full mock tests in the published FSCE format (Adventure, Beacon and Compass papers, with an optional Discovery writing page) for Reading School, Chelmsford County High, Crossley Heath, North Halifax, Ermysted’s, Skipton Girls’, Heckmondwike, Lancaster Girls’ and QEGS Penrith, with an answer sheet, explanations and a parent guide.
Four more full mock tests in the same format as Set 1, with new questions throughout, answer sheets, answers and the parent guide.
A revision handbook for the FSCE-Format English and Maths: 58 lessons teaching the methods for maths and English, with worked examples, practice questions, must-know lists and a 12-week plan.
Everything for this test in one download: Set 1 and Set 2 (eight full mock tests) and the revision handbook. £39.97 if bought separately.
Questions parents ask
Which 11+ test does The Crossley Heath School use?
Children applying for a Year 7 place sit the Halifax Grammar Schools Entrance Test, which is reported to use FSCE-format English and maths papers. Arrangements can change from year to year, so check the school’s admissions policy.
Is The Crossley Heath School a boys’, girls’ or mixed school?
The Department for Education’s register lists it as a mixed school for ages 11 to 18. It has a sixth form. Some schools admit other pupils into the sixth form, so check the school’s website.
Does a good test score guarantee a place?
No. A test score on its own does not guarantee a place. Places are offered under the school’s admission rules, which can include a qualifying score, distance or other criteria. Read the school’s admissions policy for the year you are applying.
Are your papers produced by the school?
No. NITU is independent. Our papers are original practice material based on the published format of the test; they are not produced or endorsed by The Crossley Heath School or any test provider.
Sources: check these yourself
The facts on this page come from these official pages. Use them to check anything before you rely on it.
- Department for Education register: The Crossley Heath School
- The Crossley Heath School: school website
- The Crossley Heath School: admissions
Links checked in November 2026. Schools and councils update their pages each year, and the school’s current admissions policy always comes first.