The hardest schools to get into in Kirklees
Secondary: 355 families put Heckmondwike Grammar School first in 2026 and 204 of them (58%) were offered a place - places depend on the 11-plus.
Reception: 73 families put Carlton Junior and Infant School first in 2026 and 29 of them (40%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Kirklees with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heckmondwike Grammar School · Heckmondwike · grammar (11-plus) | 355 | 204 (58%) | 207 |
| 2 | BBG Academy · Birkenshaw | 264 | 198 (75%) | 204 |
| 3 | Salendine Nook High School · Huddersfield | 329 | 249 (76%) | 263 |
| 4 | All Saints Catholic College · Huddersfield · faith | 216 | 164 (76%) | 174 |
| 5 | Castle Hall Academy · Mirfield | 204 | 166 (81%) | 170 |
| 6 | Batley Grammar School · Batley | 133 | 112 (84%) | 137 |
| 7 | Manor Croft Academy · Dewsbury | 225 | 195 (87%) | 203 |
| 8 | Whitcliffe Mount, A Share Academy · Cleckheaton | 255 | 230 (90%) | 249 |
| 9 | Upper Batley High School · Batley | 134 | 121 (90%) | 144 |
| 10 | The Mirfield Free Grammar · Mirfield | 197 | 178 (90%) | 218 |
| 11 | King James's School · Huddersfield | 220 | 206 (94%) | 206 |
| 12 | Moor End Academy · Huddersfield | 212 | 201 (95%) | 206 |
| 13 | Spen Valley High School · Liversedge | 167 | 159 (95%) | 179 |
| 14 | Royds Hall, A Share Academy · Huddersfield | 140 | 134 (96%) | 168 |
| 15 | Thornhill Community Academy, A Share Academy · Dewsbury | 164 | 161 (98%) | 172 |
| 16 | Honley High School · Holmfirth | 238 | 234 (98%) | 243 |
| 17 | Holmfirth High School · Holmfirth | 256 | 256 (100%) | 261 |
| 18 | Colne Valley High School · Huddersfield | 194 | 194 (100%) | 218 |
| 19 | Batley Girls' High School · Batley | 178 | 178 (100%) | 212 |
| 20 | Westborough High School · Dewsbury | 132 | 132 (100%) | 175 |
| 21 | North Huddersfield Trust School · Huddersfield | 131 | 131 (100%) | 175 |
| 22 | Newsome Academy · Huddersfield | 118 | 118 (100%) | 136 |
| 23 | St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy · Dewsbury · faith | 117 | 117 (100%) | 166 |
| 24 | Netherhall Learning Campus High School · Huddersfield | 106 | 106 (100%) | 140 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Kirklees
What is the hardest school to get into in Kirklees?
For secondary places, 355 families put Heckmondwike Grammar School first in 2026 and 204 of them (58%) were offered a place - places depend on the 11-plus. For Reception, 73 families put Carlton Junior and Infant School first and 29 of them (40%) were offered a place.
How many families in Kirklees get their first-choice school?
89.2% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 93.8% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Kirklees published it in its admissions booklet.