The Crossley Heath School vs The North Halifax Grammar School
Both are grammar schools in Calderdale, 3.0 miles apart. Side-by-side on official DfE, Ofsted and council admissions data.
Side by side
| The Crossley Heath School | The North Halifax Grammar School | |
|---|---|---|
| Phase | Secondary | Secondary |
| Gender | Mixed | Mixed |
| Pupils on roll | 1,141 | 1,199 |
| Free school meals | 11.2% | 5.5% |
| Ofsted rating | Good | Good |
| Attainment 8 — 2024/25 | 74.5 | 68.5 |
| A-level average points — 2024/25 | 34.84 | 40.33 |
| 11+ test board | GL Assessment | GL Assessment |
| Admission system | pass/fail then criteria order | pass/fail then criteria order |
| Places offered — 202627 | 177 | 180 |
| First preferences per place — higher means more competition for a first-preference place | 1.66 | 1.33 |
Qualifying scores
The Crossley Heath School
No fixed published pass mark. The joint Halifax grammar schools FSCE test requires meeting the qualifying standard in English, maths AND creative writing, set annually from results.
The North Halifax Grammar School
No fixed published pass mark. The joint Halifax grammar schools FSCE test requires meeting the qualifying standard in English, maths AND creative writing, set annually from results.
Who gets priority
Where a school is oversubscribed, these are the first criteria applied, in order. This is usually what decides an application.
The Crossley Heath School
- Looked After, Previously Looked After, or Special Guardianship children
- Pupil Premium and Service Premium children
- Remaining places by combined order of merit (English + Maths), until PAN (180) is reached
Source: school admissions policy.
The North Halifax Grammar School
- Looked After, Previously Looked After, or Special Guardianship children
- Pupil Premium and Service Premium children
- Up to 10% of places (of PAN 180): children in NHGS's own Priority Admissions Area
- Remaining places by combined order of merit (English + Maths), until PAN is reached
Source: school admissions policy.
Choosing between them
Both schools admit mixed, so the decision usually comes down to the admission criteria above and how far each one reaches. The figures on this page are the published ones — they describe intakes and results, not what either school would be like for your child. The right choice depends on your family's own priorities and circumstances.
Other Calderdale comparisons
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