The Crossley Heath School
Admissions
We’re so pleased that you’re considering The Crossley Heath School for the next step in your child’s education. Each year, we have the pleasure of meeting hundreds of bright, enthusiastic, and curious young learners who are ready to take on the exciting challenge of secondary school. We would genuinely love to offer a place to every child who applies, and while that isn’t always possible, we work hard to ensure our admissions process is fair, transparent and supportive.
Starting Year 7 is a big milestone, and we’re proud to offer a school environment where students are inspired to aim high, encouraged to be themselves, and supported every step of the way. From academic excellence to outstanding opportunities in sport, music, drama and beyond, life at Crossley Heath is full of challenge, creativity and community spirit.
We hope this page gives you all the information you need about applying for a place here at Crossley Heath!
Admissions Into Year 7 - September 2026
Admissions Policy
We would love to give a place to everyone who wants to come to Crossley Heath School (CHS) but sadly that isn’t possible. We admit 180 pupils each year into Year 7, and these places are awarded strictly in line with the terms of our admissions policy which you can download from this page.
Entry to the school will be determined by academic ability and attainment as identified by the admissions exam which will be a test of ability – irrespective of sex, race or disability.
Timetable for Admissions
For School Admissions in 2026, please click here.
Admissions Test
At The Halifax Grammar Schools, we are committed to providing a fair and rigorous selection process for prospective students. As part of this commitment, we have adopted the Future Stories Community Enterprise Ltd (FSCE) Entrance Test as our Year 7 Entrance Test.
Why FSCE?
FSCE’s main goal is to make Grammar School testing more accessible for all children: regardless of primary school, socio-economic background and/or disability. The FSCE Entrance Test is a modern and inclusive entrance test developed and reviewed in collaboration with experienced educators. It is designed to assess a child’s academic ability in the most holistic manner permissible, rather than just through rote learning. The Test is designed to ensure all children have an equal opportunity to succeed and showcase their academic ability.
In focusing solely on areas of the KS2 National Curriculum that have been taught up to the end of Year 5, the Test aims to remove any need for tutoring. Instead, it emphasises the excellent work that children do at primary school and explores a child's innate ability, curiosity and problem-solving skills. This move away from tutoring is essential in ensuring that we select children who will be best placed to thrive in our challenging and enriching school environment.
What is the FSCE Entrance Test?
The Test evaluates application of knowledge and skills in English and Maths as well as exploring imaginative flair through Creative Writing. Children will only be assessed on knowledge appropriate to the KS2 Curriculum so there is no element of the Test that should surprise, trouble or intimidate candidates.
The Test consists of both multiple-choice and written response questions. Further information can be found in the Familiarisation Guide below which includes sample test questions.
The Entrance Test content changes each year therefore the Familiarisation Guide is NOT definitive and the inclusion of any question types does NOT guarantee that they will be found in the actual test.
All papers with the exception of Creative Writing are marked by computer and age-standardised. Students with an eligible score from the English and Maths papers will have their Creative Writing task assessed and candidates will be ranked accordingly.
Please note - a child may only take the test once. All written elements will be tested on one day in September.
How to Prepare
We suggest you print the Familiarisation Guide and read it through carefully. The FSCE Test does not require specialist tutoring, and no specific preparation is necessary. No teacher, tutor or parent will have knowledge of the test that others lack. Instead, we encourage children to:
- Work well at primary school, with maximum attendance and engagement in all areas of school life;
- Develop strong reading habits by reading widely and deeply;
- Practise the fluency of their maths and problem-solving skills through real life day to day examples;
- Engage in imaginative and critical thinking discussions around the dinner table;
- Focus on calmness and confidence rather than pressure and stress;
- Trust that they already have the knowledge required to access the questions.
FAQs for Admissions
We've put together this FAQs booklet to help answer some of the most common questions about applying to Crossley Heath – we hope you find it helpful!
11+ FAMILIARISATION WITH ATOM LEARNING
The Crossley Heath School is proud to be open to pupils from all backgrounds.
To encourage even greater representation of children at Crossley Heath, we work in partnership with Atom Learning, the leading online Key Stage 2 learning and 11+ preparation platform, to provide students who are eligible for Pupil Premium with free online learning and 11+ exam preparation.
This programme is designed to help children get familiar with the type of questions they may see on the 11+, and build exam technique and confidence. They’ll be able to access KS2 and 11+ practice questions, learning resources, and practice papers through their Atom Home account.
If your child has been eligible for free school meals at any point in the last six years, please fill in the form by clicking the button below. They will be given free access to Atom Home when their Pupil Premium status has been verified by their primary school.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY – HALIFAX GRAMMAR SCHOOLS ADMISSIONS TEST (11+) TUTORING
We are delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity for families preparing for the Halifax Grammar Schools’ Admissions Test. Through our new scholarship programme, selected students will receive a full year of expert, face-to-face tuition, completely free of charge.
This initiative is delivered in partnership with the outstanding teams at 11PlusSchool and Study Write 11+, specialists in preparing pupils for the 11+ entrance exams.
This programme forms part of our mission to make grammar school education as inclusive and accessible as possible. We believe every child, regardless of background, should have the opportunity to benefit from the outstanding education grammar schools can provide.
What’s Included:
- Weekly face-to-face tutoring sessions, led by experienced 11+ educators
- All learning materials provided
- Support tailored to help your child achieve success in the Halifax Grammar Schools’ Admissions Test
Who Can Apply:
To be eligible, your child must:
- Be entering Year 5 in September 2025, and
- Be in receipt of Free School Meals or classed as a Pupil Premium student
This programme is designed to support dedicated learners by giving them the tools and guidance needed to thrive in a selective school environment.
Important Information:
When submitting the application form, please be aware of the following conditions:
- Limited places are available. Completing the form does not guarantee a place.
- Weekly tutoring sessions will be held on Saturdays. Full commitment to attendance is required.
- A brief assessment will be carried out to ensure your child is at the right academic level for the programme.
- Your child’s Pupil Premium status will be verified to confirm eligibility.
- All information will be reviewed only by Crossley Heath School and 11PlusSchool. It will not be shared with any third parties.
- If your child is awarded a place, they will not be made aware that they are a scholarship student and will be treated no differently from paying students.
In Year Transfer Into Years 7-11
Tests for potential in-year admissions will be held no more than once during each term. The school will notify applicants in writing within 15 days of the next available test date. If no applications have been received, the tests will not be held. Any application received after invitations to sit the tests have been sent out will be invited to sit the following term’s test. Achievement of the qualifying standard does not guarantee an offer of a place. Following the tests, a place or places will only be offered if there is a vacancy in the relevant year group. If there is a vacancy or vacancies, the place(s) will be offered to those who demonstrate the strongest ability in the areas tested, provided that ability meets the qualifying standard for the school. Applicants will be removed from the list at the end of each academic year unless a request is made by the parent/carer to remain on the list.
Please note that applicants will be allowed only one attempt at the tests in any given academic year and that if your child is invited for a test but absent on the day, and we have not received notification prior to the test, we will remove your child from the list.
We will be holding an in-year transfer test each term this academic year as follows:
- Autumn: Friday 26 September PM (closing date reached)
- Spring: Weds 14 January PM (closing date Friday 12 December 2025)
Anyone wishing to transfer to the school, other than at the normal date of entry in September, must apply on an In Year Application Form, and must be on the waiting list at the time of the vacancy. Each grammar school operates its own In-Year vacancies.
Applicants wishing to transfer to CHS, either from another school in Calderdale or from a school in another Local Authority (LA), need to complete a ‘Transfer Request for Calderdale Schools’ form available from the LA.
If the application is from a student attending a school in another LA or who has recently moved into the area, the application will be sent to the school by the LA. If there is a vacancy in the appropriate year, the applicant will be invited into the school to sit the appropriate admission test. If the applicant meets the qualifying standard and a place is available, then the applicant will be offered a place.
The Crossley Heath School
