Crossley Heath vs NHGS

[Junglemum4281]

We’ve been unable to visit the schools this year due to Covid so I’m really unsure how to choose between them (assuming we get the right result next week). Does anyone have any advice - strengths, culture etc? Thanks!

Never seen one for schools from my home town before

I’m out of touch with when the 11+ is so unsure whether your child has taken it yet

I didn’t attend either but friends and cousins attended both.

More so CH - I know 5 people that went. 4 struggled with the high pressure and often not great teaching. CH seems to rely on smart kids to get good grades rather than particularly dynamic teaching. But then it is a grammar school. Good if your child likes rugby.

NHGS had marginally better reviews and I know a few who went to the sixth form and actually had a good time .

However, pay attention to which is closer for location. If you live near to NHGS or live in Halifax then fine but I know so many poor souls trailing up to NHGS getting buses at 7am and being miserable whilst their friends set off to school at 815.

CH’s location is at least more central.

Remember there is other schools other than grammar schools but I appreciate in calderdale it’s very easy to get sucked in to the hype.

You may be interested to know that out of my primary year 6 class, the 5 who went to grammar schools got lower GCSE and A Level grades than 8 of us who went to non selective state schools. 2 even failed GCSEs. Brooksbank, Ryburn, Rastrick, Trinity and All Saints are all good schools.

Apologies - I see you are awaiting the 11+ result. My brother placed 375 (this was when the year groups were smaller) but got told he would be offered NHGS by waiting list. We declined and he got a good education elsewhere but NHGS seems to be less popular overall, so more chance of getting in the further down the ladder

Both mine went to NHgS and loved it. The building is nowhere near as impressive as CH but it was nearer home and both had same results.

Thank you for you replies 😀

Can't link now, but NHGS gets more first and second preferences than Crossleys. However, both schools get more than 500 first preferences which is the cut off for the exam, so it may say more about people applying than the attributes of the schools. Crossleys consistently needs a higher rank for last place in on offer day (1 being the highest rank) but once again, that might be down to geography than school characteristics. I'd think carefully about journey times and convenience.

Crossleys is seen as the “better” option and generally takes the higher 11+ scorers but to be honest they are pretty much the same and NH has better facilities I think.
DD got a place at Crossleys but didn’t go. She knows people there and some who she is now at College with for 6th form. She was offered a 6th form place at Crossleys but didn’t fancy it. Her opinion is that there is a lot of pressure at Crossleys and there was unfortunately a suicide in the year she would have been in. Obviously nobody knows why that happened though.

Having two DCs at Crossleys I wouldn't say it was pressurised. They are happy there and the behaviour seems good. There was a suicide a few years ago which was found to be a tragic accident. However, I can't compare and contrast with NH.

Which did you go for in the end @Junglemum4281 ? Does your DC like it?

We're facing the same decision this year (today) although have opted for NHGS given the location is more convenient for us.

I work in a local primary and NHGS seems to be the more popular choice over the last few years. I think Crossleys has an image of being more traditional and pressured, though having known people who’ve attended both they’ve all done well.

Location is a consideration, crossleys is easier to get to (depending on where you live obviously) as it’s more central.

Thanks for the reply @SealSquish.

Hi, we went for NHGS. I’d definitely make the same decision again even though Crossley Heath is nearer for us.

Thank you for your reply @Junglemum4281 . I have PM'd you. I hope that's OK.

I know both schools.
Both are very good to be honest. Good results, good teaching. Crossleys probably has the edge in terms of absolute results lately and the Head has steered the school very well in recent years.
Crossleys does feel more traditional than NHGS. Facilities at NHGS are newer.
Getting to NHGS can be a pain depending on where you live. The private school buses are very expensive.
Crossleys is served by public bus services so it miles cheaper but there aren't enough buses especially at home time.
I think generally students at NHGS like the school very much. I know a few people whose experience at CHGS has been a bit patchy - they are taking steps to address the issues though.
Neither is a bad choice. It just depends on what feels a better fit for your child.

Thank you for your reply @Beamur

My eldest goes to nhgs and loves it. Support when needed, plenty of clubs to join. It's the easiest of the 2 for us to get to too.

My youngest has just "passed" the exam (well in the top 360) so will be joining eldest at nhgs (hopefully anyway!!...ch is our 2nd choice so they should get one of them, and considering Ch fills up first we have a good chance of getting nhgs)

I’ve reported that last post

It is true.

He did fail.

Do you actually know anyone who goes. I am entitled to my viewpoint as you are entitled to yours.

I know this is an old post but those of you with kids at NHGS how are you finding the new headteacher? I'm hearing that he is very strict and that communication with parents is poorer than it was. Is this the case in your experiences? I would love some more opinions.

Horrendous. How not to run a school in a nutshell.