Yorkshire Grammar Schools Guide: 11 Plus Entry & Preparation
Key Takeaways
- Yorkshire has seven grammar schools across Calderdale, Kirklees, and North Yorkshire
- Each area uses a different test format and manages its own registration process
- Core skills tested are consistent: English, mathematics, and often verbal and non-verbal reasoning
- Competition is strong because selective schools are rare in the north of England
Yorkshire is home to a small but distinguished group of grammar schools that offer selective education in a region where comprehensive schooling is the norm. Unlike the grammar school strongholds of Kent, Buckinghamshire, and Birmingham, Yorkshire's selective schools are scattered across different local authority areas, each with its own admissions process and test format. This can make navigation confusing for families who are new to the 11 Plus. The main clusters of grammar school provision in Yorkshire are in Calderdale (Halifax area), Kirklees (Heckmondwike area), and North Yorkshire (Ripon and Skipton). Each area operates independently, with different test providers, different exam dates, and different admissions criteria. Understanding which schools are available, which test your child will face, and how to prepare effectively is the first step toward a successful application. This guide covers all the grammar schools in Yorkshire, explains the different test formats used across the region, outlines the registration process for each area, and provides a practical preparation strategy that works regardless of which Yorkshire grammar school you are targeting.
Yorkshire's seven grammar schools span Calderdale, Kirklees, and North Yorkshire, each with its own test format and admissions process. Despite being fewer in number than southern selective areas, competition is strong because grammar schools are rare in the north of England.
Grammar Schools in Yorkshire: The Complete List
Yorkshire has a total of seven grammar schools spread across three local authority areas. In Calderdale, there are two grammar schools: Crossley Heath Grammar School and The North Halifax Grammar School. Both are mixed-gender schools located in Halifax, and they use the same entrance test administered by the local authority.
In Kirklees, Heckmondwike Grammar School is the sole selective school, serving boys and girls from across the district and beyond. Heckmondwike operates its own admissions process and entrance test, which is distinct from the Calderdale test.
In North Yorkshire, there are four grammar schools: Ermysted's Grammar School (boys, Skipton), Skipton Girls' High School, Ripon Grammar School (mixed), and St Aidan's Church of England High School (mixed, Harrogate, partially selective). The North Yorkshire schools use their own entrance test, though Ermysted's and Skipton Girls' coordinate their admissions process.
The geographic spread of these schools means that most Yorkshire families will realistically be considering one or two grammar schools based on their location. Families in Halifax will look at Crossley Heath and North Halifax Grammar. Families in the Heckmondwike, Dewsbury, and Batley area will focus on Heckmondwike Grammar. Families in the Dales and Harrogate area will consider the Skipton and Ripon schools.
It is worth noting that several of these schools draw pupils from a wide geographic area because selective schools are rare in the north of England. This means competition for places can come from families who are willing to travel considerable distances, particularly for schools with strong reputations like Crossley Heath and Ripon Grammar.
Test Formats Across Yorkshire Grammar Schools
Because Yorkshire's grammar schools span different local authorities, the test formats vary significantly. In Calderdale, the entrance test for Crossley Heath and North Halifax Grammar typically assesses verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and mathematics. The test is held in September of Year 6 and is administered centrally. Registration is through the Calderdale Council admissions team, with a deadline usually in the early summer of Year 5.
Heckmondwike Grammar School in Kirklees uses its own entrance test, which has historically assessed English, mathematics, and reasoning. The school manages its own registration and testing process independently of the local authority. Families should check the school website directly for the current format and registration timeline.
The North Yorkshire grammar schools use a test that assesses English and mathematics, with some years including a reasoning component. Ermysted's and Skipton Girls' coordinate their admissions, so candidates for either school sit the same test. Ripon Grammar operates its own admissions process with its own test format. St Aidan's, which is partially selective, has a different process again.
The variation in test formats across Yorkshire means that families applying to schools in different areas may need to prepare for slightly different assessments. However, the core skills being tested are consistent: strong reading comprehension, mathematical fluency, problem-solving ability, and, in most cases, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. A well-rounded preparation programme that covers all these areas will serve your child well regardless of which specific test they face.
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Registration Timelines and Key Dates
Registration timelines vary across the three Yorkshire grammar school areas, so it is essential to check the specific dates for the schools you are targeting. In Calderdale, registration typically opens in the spring of Year 5, with a deadline in June or early July. The test is held in September of Year 6, and results are communicated in October.
At Heckmondwike Grammar, registration is managed through the school's own admissions office. The timeline is similar, with registration opening in spring and the test taking place in September, but the exact dates may differ from Calderdale. Parents should monitor the school website from April onwards for the opening of registration.
In North Yorkshire, registration for Ermysted's and Skipton Girls' is coordinated through the North Yorkshire admissions team. Ripon Grammar has its own registration process. Again, the general timeline sees registration opening in spring, testing in September, and results in October. All areas follow the national admissions timeline for the common application form deadline of 31 October.
Families applying to grammar schools in more than one area should create a calendar of all relevant dates to ensure they do not miss any deadlines. Because each area manages its own process, a missed deadline in one area cannot be remedied through another.
Open days and visits are available at all Yorkshire grammar schools, typically in June and September. Visiting schools is highly recommended, as it helps families understand the ethos, culture, and expectations of each school. Yorkshire grammar schools tend to have a strong community feel and a more personal atmosphere than some of the larger grammar schools in the south of England, which is a quality many families find appealing.
How to Prepare for the Yorkshire Grammar School 11 Plus
Preparing for Yorkshire grammar schools follows the same principles as preparing for selective schools anywhere in England: start early, build core skills, and practise under timed conditions. Begin in Year 4 or early Year 5 with an assessment of your child's current abilities across English, mathematics, and reasoning.
For English, daily reading is the cornerstone. Children who read widely develop the vocabulary, comprehension speed, and inference skills that all Yorkshire grammar school tests demand. Supplement reading with regular comprehension exercises and, where the test includes writing, weekly creative writing practice. Focus on clarity of expression, use of evidence from the text, and the ability to engage thoughtfully with what they read.
For mathematics, build arithmetic fluency first. Confident, accurate calculation underpins everything else in the maths paper. Once the basics are secure, work through fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, geometry, and word problems systematically. Yorkshire grammar school maths papers tend to be well-aligned with the national curriculum, so ensuring thorough coverage of the Year 5 and early Year 6 syllabus is essential.
For reasoning, introduce verbal and non-verbal reasoning practice in Year 5 if your target school includes reasoning in the test. Work through a wide variety of question types so your child learns to identify the underlying rule rather than relying on memorised patterns. Verbal reasoning benefits from strong vocabulary, while non-verbal reasoning requires spatial awareness and pattern recognition.
Thousands of families use EdifyPod Nexus to prepare, the practice adapts to your child, tracks progress against target schools, and covers every subject the exam tests. If your child needs additional live support from our experts, our tutors at edifypod.com/11plus are here too.
Regular mock tests under timed conditions are the final piece of the preparation puzzle. Aim for at least three full-length mocks in the months before September, with time between each to address any weaknesses that emerge. This builds the exam stamina and time management skills that make a real difference on test day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grammar schools are there in Yorkshire?
Yorkshire has seven grammar schools across three local authority areas: two in Calderdale (Halifax), one in Kirklees (Heckmondwike), and four in North Yorkshire (Skipton, Ripon, and Harrogate).
Do all Yorkshire grammar schools use the same entrance test?
No. Each area uses a different test format and manages its own registration process independently. Families applying to schools in different areas should check each school's specific requirements.
Is the competition for Yorkshire grammar schools as intense as in Kent or Buckinghamshire?
Competition is strong but the numbers applying are typically lower than in the south of England. However, because selective schools are rare in Yorkshire, families travel from a wide area, so places remain highly sought-after.