The schools that set out their own arrangements in detail. The rest are in the table above, linked to their admissions pages.
Halifax, Calderdale
Co-educational, Year 7 entry
The FSCE Entrance Test: three papers covering English, maths and creative writing, in multiple-choice and written-response form.
- Places in Year 7
- 180 each year
- Papers
- English, maths and creative writing
- Test content
- Limited to the KS2 curriculum taught up to the end of Year 5
- Marking
- All papers but creative writing are computer-marked and age-standardised
- Creative writing
- Assessed only for candidates whose English and maths scores are eligible
- If oversubscribed
- Order of merit, then siblings, then distance as a tie-break
- Registration, 2027 entry
- Opened 10am 20 March 2026, closed 11pm 26 June 2026, via Applicaa
- Test timing
- All written elements on one day in September
- •Admissions are run jointly with The North Halifax Grammar School, so one registration covers both and a qualifying child is suitable for either.
- •A child must meet the qualifying standard on all three papers.
- •There is no catchment. Once looked-after children and those attracting Pupil Premium or Service Premium have been placed, the rest are offered in order of merit until the school is full.
- •A child may sit the test only once.
Source: crossleyheath.org.uk and the school's admissions FAQs, PDF, checked 11 October 2026. Dates change every year, so confirm them there before you rely on them.
Halifax, Calderdale
Co-educational, Year 7 entry
The FSCE Entrance Test, shared with Crossley Heath: English and maths, and creative writing, in multiple-choice and written-response form.
- Places in Year 7
- 180 each year
- Papers
- English and maths, plus creative writing
- Test content
- Limited to the KS2 curriculum taught up to the end of Year 5
- Marking
- All papers but creative writing are computer-marked and age-standardised
- Creative writing
- Assessed for candidates with an eligible English and maths score, who are then ranked
- Selection
- By academic ability and attainment as identified by the admissions tests
- •The school names Future Stories Community Enterprise Ltd (FSCE) as its test provider.
- •Registration and admissions are run jointly with The Crossley Heath School.
- •Registering to sit the tests is not an application to attend. The application itself goes to your local authority.
- •A child may sit the test only once, and all written elements are taken on one day in September.
Source: nhgs.co.uk and its admissions timeline, checked 11 October 2026. Dates change every year, so confirm them there before you rely on them.
Heckmondwike, Kirklees
Co-educational, Year 7 entry
An entrance examination sat early in the autumn term before the September of entry, including a creative writing paper.
- Places in Year 7
- Up to 210 (published admission number)
- When
- Early in the autumn term before the September of entry
- Selection
- Two stages: reaching the standard, then the oversubscription criteria
- Results
- By mid-October, before the local authority deadline
- •Selection runs in two stages: the test decides who reaches the required standard, then the oversubscription criteria decide who is offered a place.
- •Familiarisation questions are published on the school website late in the summer term before each test.
- •The school’s published admission arrangements set out the places and the criteria but do not describe the papers, so confirm the format with the school before relying on it.
- •Parents are told whether their child met the standard by mid-October, before the local authority’s closing date.
Source: heckgrammar.co.uk and its admission arrangements, PDF, checked 11 October 2026. Dates change every year, so confirm them there before you rely on them.
Skipton, North Yorkshire
Boys only, Year 7 entry
Two FSCE papers covering English and maths: one multiple-choice, one short written responses, each typically 45 to 60 minutes with a break between.
- Places in Year 7
- 128 (published admission number)
- Papers
- Two, both English and maths: one multiple-choice, one short written answers
- Paper length
- Typically 45 to 60 minutes each, with a break between
- Who may apply
- Boys born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016, for 2027 entry
- Registration, 2027 entry
- Opened noon 13 April 2026, closed noon 31 August 2026
- Test date, 2027 entry
- Saturday 26 September 2026, morning, at the school
- Results, 2027 entry
- Week commencing 12 October 2026
- •The school names Future Stories Community Enterprise Ltd (FSCE) as its test provider.
- •There is no creative writing paper and no non-verbal reasoning, so the written answers are the part to practise.
- •Reaching the required standard does not guarantee a place.
- •The school runs its own test. North Yorkshire Council organises testing only for Ripon Grammar School.
Source: ermysteds.uk, checked 11 October 2026. Dates change every year, so confirm them there before you rely on them.
Skipton, North Yorkshire
Girls only, Year 7 entry
The FSCE Entrance Test, evaluating English and maths in multiple-choice and written-response questions.
- Places in Year 7
- 120 (planned admission number)
- Papers
- English and maths, multiple-choice and written response
- Test content
- Limited to the KS2 curriculum taught up to the end of Year 5
- Marking
- All papers computer-marked and age-standardised
- Registration, 2027 entry
- Closed midnight 19 August 2026
- Test date, 2027 entry
- Saturday 26 September 2026, 9.30am to about 12.15pm
- Results, 2027 entry
- By 19 October 2026
- •The school names Future Stories Community Enterprise Ltd (FSCE) as its test provider in its admissions booklet.
- •Its booklet describes English and maths only, and states that all papers are computer-marked, so there is no creative writing paper to prepare for.
- •The school gives priority to girls living in its priority area who reach the standard, though it expects some places to go beyond that area. The map is in its admissions policy.
- •A child may take the test only once, and all written elements are taken on one day at the school.
- •The school is an academy and runs its own admissions. North Yorkshire Council organises testing only for Ripon.
Source: sghs.org.uk and its 2027 admissions booklet, PDF, checked 11 October 2026. Dates change every year, so confirm them there before you rely on them.
Altrincham
Boys only, Year 7 entry
The FSCE Entrance Test, from 2028 entry. The consortium states it draws on the Key Stage 2 English and maths curriculum up to the end of Year 5, replacing the verbal, non-verbal and mathematical reasoning of the old test.
- Test
- KS2 English and maths, to the end of Year 5
- Replaces
- Verbal, non-verbal and mathematical reasoning
- First FSCE test
- September 2027, for 2028 entry
- •Five Trafford schools share one test and one registration.
- •The first FSCE test is sat in September 2027, for entry in September 2028.
- •Children sitting before then take the previous reasoning-based test, which is a different exam.
Source: agsb.co.uk and the consortium announcement, checked 11 October 2026. Dates change every year, so confirm them there before you rely on them.
Altrincham
Girls only, Year 7 entry
The FSCE Entrance Test, from 2028 entry. The consortium states it draws on the Key Stage 2 English and maths curriculum up to the end of Year 5, replacing the verbal, non-verbal and mathematical reasoning of the old test.
- Test
- KS2 English and maths, to the end of Year 5
- Replaces
- Verbal, non-verbal and mathematical reasoning
- First FSCE test
- September 2027, for 2028 entry
- •Five Trafford schools share one test and one registration.
- •The first FSCE test is sat in September 2027, for entry in September 2028.
- •Children sitting before then take the previous reasoning-based test, which is a different exam.
Source: aggs.bright-futures.co.uk, checked 11 October 2026. Dates change every year, so confirm them there before you rely on them.
Sale
Co-educational, Year 7 entry
The FSCE Entrance Test, from 2028 entry. The consortium states it draws on the Key Stage 2 English and maths curriculum up to the end of Year 5, replacing the verbal, non-verbal and mathematical reasoning of the old test.
- Test
- KS2 English and maths, to the end of Year 5
- Replaces
- Verbal, non-verbal and mathematical reasoning
- First FSCE test
- September 2027, for 2028 entry
- •Five Trafford schools share one test and one registration.
- •The first FSCE test is sat in September 2027, for entry in September 2028.
- •Children sitting before then take the previous reasoning-based test, which is a different exam.
Source: salegrammar.co.uk and the consortium announcement, checked 11 October 2026. Dates change every year, so confirm them there before you rely on them.
Stretford
Co-educational, Year 7 entry
The FSCE Entrance Test, from 2028 entry. The consortium states it draws on the Key Stage 2 English and maths curriculum up to the end of Year 5, replacing the verbal, non-verbal and mathematical reasoning of the old test.
- Test
- KS2 English and maths, to the end of Year 5
- Replaces
- Verbal, non-verbal and mathematical reasoning
- First FSCE test
- September 2027, for 2028 entry
- •Five Trafford schools share one test and one registration.
- •The first FSCE test is sat in September 2027, for entry in September 2028.
- •Children sitting before then take the previous reasoning-based test, which is a different exam.
Source: stretfordgrammar.com and the consortium announcement, checked 11 October 2026. Dates change every year, so confirm them there before you rely on them.
Urmston
Co-educational, Year 7 entry
The FSCE Entrance Test, from 2028 entry. The consortium states it draws on the Key Stage 2 English and maths curriculum up to the end of Year 5, replacing the verbal, non-verbal and mathematical reasoning of the old test.
- Test
- KS2 English and maths, to the end of Year 5
- Replaces
- Verbal, non-verbal and mathematical reasoning
- First FSCE test
- September 2027, for 2028 entry
- •Five Trafford schools share one test and one registration.
- •The first FSCE test is sat in September 2027, for entry in September 2028.
- •Children sitting before then take the previous reasoning-based test, which is a different exam.
Source: urmstongrammar.org.uk and the consortium announcement, checked 11 October 2026. Dates change every year, so confirm them there before you rely on them.
Cheltenham
Co-educational, Year 7 entry
The FSCE Entrance Test, from 2028 entry, in three papers: Adventure (English and maths, multiple choice), Beacon (English and maths, short written answers) and Compass (one school subject the child chooses, multiple choice).
- Papers
- Adventure, Beacon and Compass
- Test date, 2028 entry
- Saturday 3 July 2027, in the summer term of Year 5
- Registration, 2028 entry
- Opens noon 8 February 2027, closes noon 19 March 2027
- Before 2028 entry
- The test was provided by GL Assessment, which is a different exam
- •Seven Gloucestershire schools share one test, so a family sits it once for all of them.
- •The test moves out of Year 6 and into the summer term of Year 5, which brings the whole timetable forward by a year.
- •Compass lets the child pick the subject: art and design, computing, design and technology, English, geography, history, languages, maths, music, PE or science.
- •There is no creative writing paper, and no non-verbal reasoning.
Source: patesgs.org, checked 11 October 2026. Dates change every year, so confirm them there before you rely on them.
Stroud
Girls only, Year 7 entry
The FSCE Entrance Test, from 2028 entry, in three papers: Adventure (English and maths, multiple choice), Beacon (English and maths, short written answers) and Compass (one school subject the child chooses, multiple choice).
- Papers
- Adventure, Beacon and Compass
- Test date, 2028 entry
- Saturday 3 July 2027, in the summer term of Year 5
- Registration, 2028 entry
- Opens noon 8 February 2027, closes noon 19 March 2027
- Before 2028 entry
- The test was provided by GL Assessment, which is a different exam
- •Seven Gloucestershire schools share one test, so a family sits it once for all of them.
- •The test moves out of Year 6 and into the summer term of Year 5, which brings the whole timetable forward by a year.
- •Compass lets the child pick the subject: art and design, computing, design and technology, English, geography, history, languages, maths, music, PE or science.
- •There is no creative writing paper, and no non-verbal reasoning.
Source: stroudhigh.gloucs.sch.uk and Pate's statement of the arrangements, checked 11 October 2026. Dates change every year, so confirm them there before you rely on them.
Stroud
Boys only, Year 7 entry
The FSCE Entrance Test, from 2028 entry, in three papers: Adventure (English and maths, multiple choice), Beacon (English and maths, short written answers) and Compass (one school subject the child chooses, multiple choice).
- Papers
- Adventure, Beacon and Compass
- Test date, 2028 entry
- Saturday 3 July 2027, in the summer term of Year 5
- Registration, 2028 entry
- Opens noon 8 February 2027, closes noon 19 March 2027
- Before 2028 entry
- The test was provided by GL Assessment, which is a different exam
- •Seven Gloucestershire schools share one test, so a family sits it once for all of them.
- •The test moves out of Year 6 and into the summer term of Year 5, which brings the whole timetable forward by a year.
- •Compass lets the child pick the subject: art and design, computing, design and technology, English, geography, history, languages, maths, music, PE or science.
- •There is no creative writing paper, and no non-verbal reasoning.
Source: marling.gloucs.sch.uk and Pate's statement of the arrangements, checked 11 October 2026. Dates change every year, so confirm them there before you rely on them.
Gloucester
Boys only, Year 7 entry
The FSCE Entrance Test, from 2028 entry, in three papers: Adventure (English and maths, multiple choice), Beacon (English and maths, short written answers) and Compass (one school subject the child chooses, multiple choice).
- Papers
- Adventure, Beacon and Compass
- Test date, 2028 entry
- Saturday 3 July 2027, in the summer term of Year 5
- Registration, 2028 entry
- Opens noon 8 February 2027, closes noon 19 March 2027
- Before 2028 entry
- The test was provided by GL Assessment, which is a different exam
- •Seven Gloucestershire schools share one test, so a family sits it once for all of them.
- •The test moves out of Year 6 and into the summer term of Year 5, which brings the whole timetable forward by a year.
- •Compass lets the child pick the subject: art and design, computing, design and technology, English, geography, history, languages, maths, music, PE or science.
- •There is no creative writing paper, and no non-verbal reasoning.
Source: strschool.co.uk and Pate's statement of the arrangements, checked 11 October 2026. Dates change every year, so confirm them there before you rely on them.
Gloucester
Co-educational, Year 7 entry
The FSCE Entrance Test, from 2028 entry, in three papers: Adventure (English and maths, multiple choice), Beacon (English and maths, short written answers) and Compass (one school subject the child chooses, multiple choice).
- Papers
- Adventure, Beacon and Compass
- Test date, 2028 entry
- Saturday 3 July 2027, in the summer term of Year 5
- Registration, 2028 entry
- Opens noon 8 February 2027, closes noon 19 March 2027
- Before 2028 entry
- The test was provided by GL Assessment, which is a different exam
- •Seven Gloucestershire schools share one test, so a family sits it once for all of them.
- •The test moves out of Year 6 and into the summer term of Year 5, which brings the whole timetable forward by a year.
- •Compass lets the child pick the subject: art and design, computing, design and technology, English, geography, history, languages, maths, music, PE or science.
- •There is no creative writing paper, and no non-verbal reasoning.
Source: cryptschool.org and Pate's statement of the arrangements, checked 11 October 2026. Dates change every year, so confirm them there before you rely on them.
Gloucester
Girls only, Year 7 entry
The FSCE Entrance Test, from 2028 entry, in three papers: Adventure (English and maths, multiple choice), Beacon (English and maths, short written answers) and Compass (one school subject the child chooses, multiple choice).
- Papers
- Adventure, Beacon and Compass
- Test date, 2028 entry
- Saturday 3 July 2027, in the summer term of Year 5
- Registration, 2028 entry
- Opens noon 8 February 2027, closes noon 19 March 2027
- Before 2028 entry
- The test was provided by GL Assessment, which is a different exam
- •Seven Gloucestershire schools share one test, so a family sits it once for all of them.
- •The test moves out of Year 6 and into the summer term of Year 5, which brings the whole timetable forward by a year.
- •Compass lets the child pick the subject: art and design, computing, design and technology, English, geography, history, languages, maths, music, PE or science.
- •There is no creative writing paper, and no non-verbal reasoning.
Source: ribstonhall.gloucs.sch.uk and Pate's statement of the arrangements, checked 11 October 2026. Dates change every year, so confirm them there before you rely on them.
Gloucester
Girls only, Year 7 entry
The FSCE Entrance Test, from 2028 entry, in three papers: Adventure (English and maths, multiple choice), Beacon (English and maths, short written answers) and Compass (one school subject the child chooses, multiple choice).
- Papers
- Adventure, Beacon and Compass
- Test date, 2028 entry
- Saturday 3 July 2027, in the summer term of Year 5
- Registration, 2028 entry
- Opens noon 8 February 2027, closes noon 19 March 2027
- Before 2028 entry
- The test was provided by GL Assessment, which is a different exam
- •Seven Gloucestershire schools share one test, so a family sits it once for all of them.
- •The test moves out of Year 6 and into the summer term of Year 5, which brings the whole timetable forward by a year.
- •Compass lets the child pick the subject: art and design, computing, design and technology, English, geography, history, languages, maths, music, PE or science.
- •There is no creative writing paper, and no non-verbal reasoning.
Source: denmarkroad.org and Pate's statement of the arrangements, checked 11 October 2026. Dates change every year, so confirm them there before you rely on them.