The Crossley Heath School Review 2026: Academic Excellence and Social Mobility

The Crossley Heath School stands as a prominent landmark in Halifax, housed in a magnificent Grade II listed Victorian building that overlooks Savile Park. As a co-educational state grammar school, it provides an elite level of education without the financial burden of private school fees. The school is the result of a 1985 merger between Heath Grammar School, founded in 1585, and Crossley and Porter School, established in 1864. Today, it serves approximately 1,130 students from across West Yorkshire. Academic performance is consistently strong; the school ranks 234th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and holds the top position locally in Halifax. Led by Dean Jones, who was appointed as Head Teacher in 2024, the school maintains a balance between traditional standards and a forward-looking, inclusive culture.

The atmosphere at The Crossley Heath School is defined by its architectural grandeur and a palpable sense of purpose. The main building, with its imposing stone facade and sprawling grounds, creates a sense of history that students seem to wear with pride. It does not feel like a typical state school; the environment is more akin to a traditional university college. Despite the formal surroundings, the internal culture is described by those within as warm and supportive.

The school values, updated recently to Kindness, Courage, and Excellence, reflect the expectation that students will be both thoughtful and brave in their pursuits. The yarn icon in the kindness value is a nod to the school's benefactor, Thomas Porter, a yarn merchant, weaving the school's industrial heritage into its modern identity. This ethos is visible in the way students carry themselves; they are purposeful but not overly pressured. The mixed-gender environment is a key feature, providing a social balance that many find preferable to the single-sex grammar schools found in neighbouring authorities.

Academic achievement at The Crossley Heath School is exceptional, particularly at the secondary level. The school ranks 234th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and ranks 1st among secondary schools in Halifax. This performance sits comfortably in the national high tier, placing it in the top 10% of schools in England.

The metrics tell a story of significant value added. The Attainment 8 score of 72.6 is remarkably high compared to the England average of 46.5. Furthermore, the Progress 8 score of +0.49 indicates that students make well above average progress from their starting points at age 11. At GCSE, 66.5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), which is significantly higher than the England average of 24%.

At A-level, the school sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). In the most recent results, 40.2% of A-level entries achieved A* to B grades. While the GCSE results are the headline strength, the Sixth Form remains a popular and competitive choice for students across Calderdale.

The curriculum at Crossley Heath is unashamedly academic and fast-paced. From Year 7, students are encouraged to engage with a broad range of subjects, including separate sciences and multiple modern foreign languages. The teaching staff are subject specialists who often go beyond the national curriculum to stretch the most able.

In the classroom, the focus is on developing independent thinking and resilience. Teachers use a variety of methods to ensure that high-achieving students are not just memorising facts but understanding complex concepts. The school’s status as a grammar school means that the peer group is naturally high-achieving, which creates a positive "slipstream" effect where students motivate one another to excel. According to the latest Ofsted inspection, pupils and sixth formers benefit from an ambitious curriculum that allows them to learn in a calm and purposeful atmosphere.

For students at Crossley Heath, university is the standard destination, but the school also supports a growing interest in high-level apprenticeships. According to 2024 leavers data, 65% of students progressed to university. Popular destinations include the University of Leeds, University of Manchester, and University of Sheffield, reflecting a strong pipeline to Russell Group institutions.

The school also has a track record of elite placements. In the measurement period, 8 students submitted applications to Oxford or Cambridge, with 1 student successfully securing a place at Cambridge. Additionally, 4% of the cohort entered apprenticeships, and 11% moved directly into employment, demonstrating that the school prepares students for a variety of professional pathways.

Securing a place at The Crossley Heath School is a significant challenge. As a selective grammar school, entry into Year 7 is determined by the 11-plus entrance examination. For entry in September 2026, the admissions test is scheduled for Saturday 20 September 2025, with the registration window closing on 27 June 2025.

The demand for places is high. For the most recent intake, there were 614 applications for 174 places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 3.53 applications per place. This means that only about one in every three and a half applicants is successful. The admissions policy prioritizes students who reach the required standard in the test, with secondary criteria including looked-after children and those eligible for the Pupil Premium within defined catchment areas. Parents comparing local options can use the Comparison Tool on the Local Hub page to view these results side-by-side.

While the academic expectations are high, the school places a significant emphasis on pastoral support. Each student belongs to a form group, and the form tutor is the primary point of contact for wellbeing issues. The school was recently awarded the Carnegie Bronze Award for Mental Health, highlighting its commitment to student support.

The school operates a house system, which fosters a sense of belonging across different age groups. House competitions in music, drama, and sport allow students to build relationships outside of their academic sets. Inspectors found that staff care for pupils makes them feel valued in a kind and supportive environment.

The extracurricular programme at Crossley Heath is a major pillar of the school experience, designed to nurture what the school calls the "Crossley Heath Character." The programme offers a diverse range of activities, including the Debating Society, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and a highly regarded School Choir with international recognition.

Sporting life is equally active, utilizing the extensive grounds of Savile Park for rugby, netball, and football. The school also participates in the Formula 24 Greenpower racing project, providing students with hands-on engineering experience. These activities provide a crucial balance to the academic rigour of the classroom.

STEM: Excellence and Inquiry

STEM subjects are a significant strength of the school, supported by dedicated facilities and a culture of inquiry. Science is integrated into a broad technical curriculum that encourages students to pursue high-level academic goals. Students regularly participate in national challenges such as the UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) challenges, frequently achieving gold and silver awards. The school also provides a scholarship programme in partnership with 11PlusSchool to support Pupil Premium students in their entrance exam preparation, specifically targeting those entering Year 5 in 2025.

The school day begins at 8:30am and concludes at 3:15pm. While formal wraparound care is not provided in the manner of a primary school, a wide variety of lunchtime and after-school clubs keep students engaged beyond the standard hours. Students enjoy a vibrant breakfast, break, and lunchtime experience, which the school considers an important part of community life.

Transport links are excellent, with several bus routes serving Savile Park from the town centre and surrounding areas. For parents researching precisely where they stand in relation to the school gates, the FindMySchool Map Search tool is a useful resource for checking distances.

• Admissions Hurdle: With 3.53 applications for every place, entry is fiercely competitive. Admission is the primary obstacle; the education that follows is exceptional.
• The 11-plus Culture: The pressure of the entrance exam is a reality in the Halifax area. Families should consider if their child thrives under testing conditions before embarking on this route.
• Academic Intensity: The curriculum moves quickly. Students who prefer a more vocational or slower-paced learning environment may find the grammar school approach challenging.
• Heritage Site: While the Grade II listed building is magnificent, its historical nature can occasionally present accessibility limitations in certain older wings.

The Crossley Heath School remains one of the premier educational institutions in the North of England. It offers a combination of heritage, academic rigour, and a vibrant co-educational social environment that is difficult to find in the state sector. It is best suited to academically curious students who are ready to embrace a fast-paced curriculum and who will take advantage of the extensive extracurricular opportunities on offer. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature to manage their shortlist.