Yorkshire grammar schools 11 plus guide

What is the 11 plus?

The 11 plus is an academic entrance test used by grammar schools. Children who pass the test or meet a qualifying standard are eligible for a place at a grammar school. Children who are working within the top 25% of their year group are normally well-suited for grammar school.

The 11 plus exam takes place in September, when your child is in Year 6. Children who were born between 1st September 2013 and 31st August 2014 will take the 11 plus in September 2024 for school places in 2025.

How is the 11 plus scored?

After the test, your child’s answer sheets are marked using Optical Mark Recognition (OMR). This technology picks up the marks your child has made to indicate which answers they think are correct. Your child receives a mark for every correct answer.

These marks are then age-standardised. Age-standardisation is a common practice in 11 plus scoring and ensures younger children aren’t disadvantaged.

Standardised age scores for each paper normally range from 60 at the lowest end, to 142 at the highest end.

• A single standardised score of 80 or below represents the bottom 10% of the year group

• A single standardised score of 100 represents the average score for the child's year group

• A single standardised score of 120 or above represents the top 10% of children in that year group

The highest standardised age score a child can achieve for a single paper is usually 142. This score would place them within the top 1% of children taking the test.

You’ll receive your child’s results during the week of 14th October 2024. If your child meets your target school’s qualifying standard, you can then apply for a place for that school on your common application form (CAF).

What's the pass mark for the 11 plus in Yorkshire?

There is no set pass mark for the 11 plus in Yorkshire. The number of children who will be eligible for entry to the school usually depends on the rank order of children’s scores and the number of places available.

Schools use oversubscription criteria to decide which children to offer places to. We’ve included this information in each of our school guides:

• Ermysted’s Grammar School

• Heckmondwike Grammar School

• North Halifax Grammar School

• Ripon Grammar School

• Skipton Girls’ High School

• The Crossley Heath School

How to apply to grammar schools in Yorkshire

If you're considering a grammar school in Yorkshire for your child, it's a good idea to speak to your child's teacher first.

Grammar schools are academically-selective and select children working towards the top of their year group. Children who are working above the expected standard in core subjects (English, maths and science) at primary school are normally well-suited for grammar school. Your child’s teacher will be able to indicate whether this applies to your child.

1. Register for the 11 plus

If you would like your child to be considered for a place at a grammar school in Yorkshire, you’ll need to register them to take the school’s 11 plus exam.

To register your child, visit the admissions page of your target school’s website and complete the registration form. Make sure to read the instructions carefully, as you may need to register your child for different exams depending on how many grammar schools you’re applying to.

2. Apply for school places

In October 2024, you’ll find out if your child has achieved the minimum score necessary for admission to your target school(s).

You can use these results to decide which schools to name on your secondary school common application form. You should only name grammar schools for which your child has met the eligible score. Before listing a school on your form, check its admissions policy and make sure your child is eligible.

The application form must be submitted to your home local council by 5pm on Tuesday 31st October 2024.

3. National school offer day

On 3rd March 2025, you will find out which school your child has been allocated a place at. They will be allocated a place at your highest-preferred school for which they meet the entry criteria and which has places available.

If no places are available at your preferred schools, they will be offered a place at another school in your area. You can appeal via an independent panel. Information about how to appeal will be sent to you by your local authority along with your school offer on National Offers Day.