The North Halifax Grammar School
Moorbottom Road, Illingworth, Halifax, HX2 9SUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The North Halifax Grammar School is a secondary school in Halifax for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 112 schools in Calderdale. It ranks 2nd of 6 secondary schools in Halifax. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 8 November 2023, report published 17 December 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 8 November 2023
The North Halifax Grammar School is an ambitious and caring school. Pupils receive high levels of academic and pastoral support. As a result, relationships between pupils and staff are warm and respectful. This helps to promote a positive culture in the school. The sixth form is exceptional. Students rise to the very academic standards that teachers have of them. Behaviour in lessons and around school is calm and orderly. Pupils show high levels of maturity. Bullying sometimes happens. When it does happen, the school takes quick and effective action. Pupils speak positively about the ways leaders respond to their concerns. For example, following recent feedback from pupils, leaders implemented effectively a programme of activities to challenge negative gender stereotypes. The school ensures that pupils are offered an extensive range of opportunities that extend beyond the academic. These opportunities develop pupils' interests and talents as well as their character. For example, pupils recently performed 'Twelfth Night' in the Shakespeare Schools Festival. Other opportunities include The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, debating club, chess, rock choir and big band. Pupils value these opportunities and make the most of them.
What the school should improve
- Sometimes, lessons are not adapted sufficiently so that all pupils are able to achieve their potential. As a result, some pupils are not making the progress that they are capable of. The school should ensure that strategies are implemented consistently in all lessons to promote higher levels of academic challenge and support for all pupils, including those with SEND.
- The PSHE programme requires further development. Pupils do not have sufficiently detailed knowledge of fundamental British values and a small number of pupils are not tolerant of protected characteristics. The school should continue its work to plan and develop the programme to further raise the profile of tolerance, inclusion, equity and justice.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
180 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
155 students
Average A level grade B, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,207 pupils on roll, with places for 1,250
Schools near The North Halifax Grammar School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity Academy Halifax | 0.3 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 44.5 |
| Trinity Academy Bradford | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 43.9 |
| The Halifax Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 44.1 |
| Trinity Sixth Form Academy | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Beacon Lights Schools | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 16.0 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- THE NORTH HALIFAX GRAMMAR SCHOOL ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Admissions
- Selective
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Miss Alexandra Kent
- Phone
- 01422244625
- Address
- Moorbottom Road, Illingworth, Halifax, HX2 9SU
- Local authority
- Calderdale
- URN
- 136788
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.