A selective boys grammar school in Dartford, Kent, serving ages 11-18 with a sixth form and around 1,543 pupils on roll.
On this page
At a glance
Dartford Grammar School is a selective boys' grammar school for ages 11 to 18 on West Hill in Dartford, with a co-educational sixth form. Founded in 1576, it is one of England's oldest schools, but the modern identity is strongly international: the school's public motto-line is "a learning community developing international citizens", and its curriculum is built around International Baccalaureate principles rather than a conventional A-level sixth form.
That IB identity runs through the whole academic model. In Years 7 to 9, pupils follow the Middle Years Programme approach, developing subject knowledge through inquiry and the IB Learner Profile. GCSE study remains broad, with English, mathematics and science at the core, and the language curriculum is unusually prominent: all pupils start an Oriental language in Year 7, add a European language or Latin in Year 8, and continue both languages to Year 11. In the sixth form, students take the IB Diploma only, with no A-level route.
The wider offer supports the same international and whole-person emphasis. The school points to music, performing arts, languages and sport in sixth-form admissions material; its pastoral pages emphasise students being well known and supported; and recent school news describes a rich co-curricular programme with trips, national athletics success, sport, music, drama, art and clubs. A contemporary Sixth Form Study Centre gives the post-16 curriculum a dedicated base.
Year 7 entry is through the Kent Test, with 180 places. The school's 2027 procedure divides places into a priority-area category and an open category, with pupil-premium sub-priorities within each; boys must be assessed suitable for grammar school through Kent PESE before these rules apply. Recent outcomes are notably strong: the school reported 80.7% of 2025 GCSE grades at 9-7, while GOV.UK shows Ofsted Outstanding, +1.11 Progress 8 and 100% grade 5+ in English and maths.
Upload a photo, PDF or typed practice piece to get personalised feedback, specific improvements and the next skill to practise.
Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with Kent and England.
Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Kent and England.
Latest 2024/25 Year 11 destination mix compared with Kent and England.
Whole-school roll of 1,543 pupils; 1,527 had a recorded ethnic group.
Year 7 entry is through Kent PESE. For 2027, 130 places are allocated in the priority area and 50 places are available regardless of address; both categories use pupil-premium sub-priorities and score ranking, with distance as tie-breaker.
There are 130 Priority Area places and 50 places for applicants regardless of address. Both groups are ranked by Kent Test score, with pupil-premium sub-priorities in each category.
Category 1 Priority Area looked-after children
Within the 130 Priority Area places, looked after and previously looked after boys who live in the Priority Area are considered first.
Category 1 Priority Area pupil premium places
Up to 13 Priority Area places are reserved for pupil-premium boys with a Kent Test score at least 20 points above the Kent threshold.
Category 1 Priority Area score ranking
Remaining Priority Area places go to eligible boys whose total Kent Test score is at least 40 points above the threshold, ranked by total score with distance as tie-breaker.
Category 2 looked-after children regardless of address
Within the 50 all-address places, looked after and previously looked after boys are considered first.
Category 2 pupil premium places
Up to 5 all-address places are reserved for pupil-premium boys with a Kent Test score at least 20 points above the Kent threshold.
Category 2 remaining score ranking
Remaining all-address places are allocated to eligible boys by total Kent Test score, with distance used where scores are tied.
Admissions policy
Admissions policy 2027
2027 entry
Information booklet
Year 7 admissions FAQs September 2027
2027 entry
Score cut-off
Cut-off scores March 2026
2026 entry
2026
403
Initial offer score
Year 7 entry uses the Kent Test: multiple-choice English, mathematics and reasoning papers plus a writing exercise used only for headteacher assessment where needed. Scores are age-standardised.
Official exam resources
No released past entrance-test papers are currently verified here. The resources below are labelled by type.
Kent Test test guideFree parent account
Create a free parent account to open the official papers, sample questions and guidance listed here.
Paper 1
English, Maths
Kent Test English and mathematics paper
The first Kent Test paper has multiple-choice English and mathematics sections, each with a short practice section followed by a timed test.
Paper 2
Verbal reasoning, Non-verbal reasoning
Kent Test reasoning paper
The second Kent Test paper is a multiple-choice reasoning paper covering verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
Paper 3
Writing task
Writing exercise
A 40-minute writing exercise is not marked for the standardised score but may be used by a local headteacher panel.
English, Maths, Verbal reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning are included in the published format.
Science is not listed in the current published format.
English
Maths
Verbal reasoning
The second Kent Test paper is a multiple-choice reasoning paper covering verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
Non-verbal reasoning
The second Kent Test paper is a multiple-choice reasoning paper covering verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
Science
Kent Test registration opens
Monday 1 June 2026
PastKent Test registration closes
Wednesday 1 July 2026
PastSecondary applications open
Tuesday 1 September 2026
PastKent primary pupils test day
Thursday 10 September 2026
PastOut-of-county Kent Test weekend
Weekend of 12 and 13 September 2026
Kent Test results
Thursday 15 October 2026
Secondary application deadline
Monday 2 November 2026
National Offer Day
Monday 1 March 2027
Pupil-premium supplementary form deadline
Monday 2 November 2026
Email the form and eligibility evidence if applying under a pupil-premium criterion.
Waiting list maintained
Until August 2028
Year 6 open evening
24 September 2026
Booking details are due in the week commencing 14 September.
Register for the Kent Test
Register through Kent County Council during the 2026 test-cycle registration window.
Open Year 7 admissionsSit the Kent PESE assessment
Year 7 eligibility depends on gaining the grammar classification through the Kent PESE 11+ process.
Check test routeSubmit the secondary application
Name Dartford Grammar School on the home local authority secondary application by the published deadline.
Read admissions policySend the pupil-premium supplementary form if relevant
If applying under a pupil-premium criterion, email the supplementary form and eligibility evidence by 2 November 2026.
Open supplementary formLatest inspection: 7 December 2022
Local rivals appear first, followed by nearby alternatives where the journey and admissions route are still comparable.
Same Kent area and similar boys' selective route
Same Kent area and similar boys' selective route
Same Kent area and similar boys' selective route
Same Kent area and similar boys' selective route
Closest comparable alternatives with a similar academic profile, so parents can weigh local fit and results together.
Nearby option with similar Attainment 8 and Progress 8
Nearby option with similar Attainment 8 and Progress 8
Nearby option with similar Attainment 8 and Progress 8
Best Grammar Schools in Kent
Compare 32 Kent grammar schools for 2026: GCSE ranking table, Ofsted, Kent Test route, admissions rules, competition, and school profiles.
Best Boys' Grammar Schools in the UK
Explore the best boys grammar schools in the UK with a national ranking parents can filter by county and Ofsted before comparing schools by route and journey.
Best Grammar Schools in the UK
Explore the best grammar schools in the UK with a national ranking that can be filtered by county, school type, and Ofsted before moving into local admissions detail.
Best Grammar Schools Rated Outstanding by Ofsted
Explore grammar schools rated Outstanding by Ofsted in the UK and narrow them by GCSE strength, county, and school type before comparing schools by route and journey.
Best Grammar Schools in Kent
Compare 32 Kent grammar schools for 2026: GCSE ranking table, Ofsted, Kent Test route, admissions rules, competition, and school profiles.
Best Boys' Grammar Schools in the UK
Explore the best boys grammar schools in the UK with a national ranking parents can filter by county and Ofsted before comparing schools by route and journey.
Best Grammar Schools in the UK
Explore the best grammar schools in the UK with a national ranking that can be filtered by county, school type, and Ofsted before moving into local admissions detail.
Best Grammar Schools Rated Outstanding by Ofsted
Explore grammar schools rated Outstanding by Ofsted in the UK and narrow them by GCSE strength, county, and school type before comparing schools by route and journey.
Guide
Grammar School Appeals Explained
A parent guide to grammar school appeals after refusal, including offer day, waiting lists, appeal deadlines, evidence, and what an appeal panel considers.
Guide
Grammar School CAF Strategy
A clear guide to ordering grammar school preferences on the Common Application Form without relying on myths about first choice, pass marks, or tactical ranking.
Guide
How Many Grammar Schools Should You Apply For?
A practical guide to deciding how many grammar schools to register for or name on the CAF, with route, journey, policy, and backup checks.
Guide
How to Choose Grammar Schools
A practical editor's guide to choosing grammar schools by route, admissions rules, journey, fit, and outcomes instead of reputation alone.
Guide
What Score Is Needed for Grammar School?
A parent guide to qualifying scores, ranks, pass marks, distance rules, and why one 11 plus score rarely tells the whole admissions story.
Article
How to Use Grammar School Rankings Without Letting Them Mislead You
An editor's briefing on using grammar school rankings for discovery while still checking admissions rules, journey, school fit, and official sources.
Article
What Parents Often Miss Before 11 Plus Registration Opens
A registration-season briefing on the school, route, access-arrangement, and CAF checks families need before an 11 plus form opens or closes.
Article
What to Check Before the Kent Test Registration Deadline
A practical Kent Test registration checklist for parents before the 1 July 2026 deadline for September 2027 entry.
FAQ
Dartford Grammar School currently uses GL Assessment.
1. Register for the Kent Test: Register through Kent County Council during the 2026 test-cycle registration window. 2. Sit the Kent PESE assessment: Year 7 eligibility depends on gaining the grammar classification through the Kent PESE 11+ process. 3. Submit the secondary application: Name Dartford Grammar School on the home local authority secondary application by the published deadline. 4. Send the pupil-premium supplementary form if relevant: If applying under a pupil-premium criterion, email the supplementary form and eligibility evidence by 2 November 2026.
Kent Test registration opens: Monday 1 June 2026. Kent Test registration closes: Wednesday 1 July 2026. Secondary applications open: Tuesday 1 September 2026. Kent primary pupils test day: Thursday 10 September 2026. Out-of-county Kent Test weekend: Weekend of 12 and 13 September 2026. Kent Test results: Thursday 15 October 2026. Secondary application deadline: Monday 2 November 2026. National Offer Day: Monday 1 March 2027. Pupil-premium supplementary form deadline: Monday 2 November 2026. Waiting list maintained: Until August 2028. Year 6 open evening: 24 September 2026
Dartford Grammar School is currently rated Outstanding following the latest published inspection dated 7 December 2022.