A selective girls grammar school in Dartford, Kent, serving ages 11-18 with a sixth form and around 1,248 pupils on roll.
Dartford Grammar School for Girls
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At a glance
Dartford Grammar School for Girls is a selective girls' grammar school on Shepherds Lane in Dartford, educating students from 11 to 18. The school dates its provision of education for able girls to 1904, and its public identity is unusually clear: Respect, Responsibility, Excellence, Dedication and Creativity are repeated across the headteacher welcome, sixth form and vision pages. Around 1,248 pupils are on roll, including a sixth form that also includes a small number of boys.
The school presents itself as both traditional and forward-looking. Its vision is working together to achieve academic excellence and personal potential, and the headteacher's welcome stresses challenge, stimulation and a lasting love of learning. That is a helpful summary of the academic character: high expectations, but with creativity and personal development made explicit rather than left implicit.
Co-curricular life is treated as part of the education. The school says an extensive extracurricular programme enriches and extends the curriculum, and the sixth-form pages describe a personal, values-led environment with wider opportunities and strong A-level performance. Published examination information reports 2025 GCSE results with 75.63% of grades at 7 to 9, and describes A-level outcomes as placing DGGS among leading providers in Kent.
Year 7 entry is through the Kent Test, with 180 published places for 2027 entry. The test route includes English, mathematics and reasoning papers, with the writing exercise used for headteacher assessment where needed. The admissions policy reserves 100 places for girls living in the named priority area, after looked-after and Pupil Premium priority categories, before remaining eligible girls are ranked. Published measures show Ofsted Outstanding, +0.82 Progress 8, 97.2% grade 5+ in English and maths and 19.9% AAB or better at A level.
Creative writing is tested in this school's current 11+ assessment.
A weak creative writing piece can leave a child short of qualification. 11 Plus Writing Coach helps families build steadier practice and clearer feedback.
From our 11 Plus Writing Coach site
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.
January 2025 school census
Whole-school roll of 1,248 pupils; 1,243 had a recorded ethnic group.
| Recorded group | Share | Category | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|
| African | 38.3% | Black | 478 |
| Indian | 14.7% | Asian | 184 |
| Any other Asian background | 11.5% | Asian | 143 |
| White British | 7.8% | White | 97 |
| Bangladeshi | 5.8% | Asian | 73 |
| Chinese | 4.7% | Asian | 59 |
| Any other mixed background | 4.3% | Mixed | 54 |
| Any other White background | 4.2% | White | 53 |
| Pakistani | 2.9% | Asian | 36 |
| Any other ethnic group | 2% | Other | 25 |
| White and Asian | 1.3% | Mixed | 16 |
| Caribbean | 0.9% | Black | 11 |
| White and Black African | 0.6% | Mixed | 7 |
| Unclassified | 0.4% | Unclassified | 5 |
| Any other Black background | 0.2% | Black | 3 |
| Irish | 0.2% | White | 2 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.2% | Mixed | 2 |
DGGS offers 180 Year 7 places for 2027 entry through the Kent PESE route. The school reserves 100 places for priority-area residents, with pupil premium and looked after priorities applied ahead of that local category.
There are 100 priority-area places for girls living in the Borough of Dartford or the named parishes: Ash-cum-Ridley, Hartley, Crockenhill, Hextable, Eynsford, Horton Kirby and South Darenth, Farningham, Swanley, Fawkham, and West Kingsdown. Within each oversubscription criterion, girls are ranked by aggregate Kent Test score, with distance used only to break tied scores.
Looked after and previously looked after children
Girls who satisfy the selection requirements and are looked after or previously looked after are first in priority.
Pupil premium applicants
Girls eligible for pupil premium are next in priority if the supplementary information form and evidence are returned by 1 November 2026.
Priority-area residents
100 places are reserved for girls living in the Borough of Dartford or the named parishes listed in the policy.
All remaining eligible girls
The remaining places are available to girls regardless of address. Within each criterion, applicants are ranked by aggregate Kent Test score, then distance if scores are tied.
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.
Shared exam route
Dartford Grammar School for Girls uses the shared Kent Test route. Use these common practice resources for the route, then check the full consortium guide for the complete set and current test guidance.
View all Kent Test practice papersPaper 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
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
Kent Test registration window
During June 2026
Parents must register with Kent Local Authority during June 2026.
Pupil premium supplementary form available
From September 2026
The supplementary information form is available from the school website from September 2026.
Pupil premium supplementary form deadline
1 November 2026
Return the form and proof of eligibility directly to the school by this date.
Local authority allocations
March 2027
Parents are notified in March 2027.
Waiting list closes
31 December 2027
The waiting list is maintained until 31 December 2027.
National offer day
Monday 1 March 2027
Register for the Kent PESE tests
Parents of girls in Year 5 must register online with Kent Local Authority, or request a paper form, during June 2026.
Open Year 7 admissionsSit the Kent Test
Girls who reach the required Kent PESE standard are eligible to be considered for a place.
Review admissions policySubmit your secondary application
Name Dartford Grammar School for Girls on the local authority secondary application form.
Check the admissions routeReturn the supplementary information form if you are applying under pupil premium
Download the supplementary form from the school website from September 2026 and return it with proof of eligibility by 1 November 2026.
Check pupil premium instructionsLatest official destinations data currently covers 2022/23 study leavers.
Recent trend
This follows the school's published overall GCSE score across the subjects pupils take. Higher is better.
| Year | This school | Grammar schools | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 78.3 | 74.2 | 49.4 |
| 2022/23 | 75.2 | 71.8 | 47.0 |
| 2023/24 | 75.3 | 72.1 | 46.7 |
| 2024/25 | 75.5 | 72.3 | 46.8 |
Recent trend
This follows the published average A-level result for the school's sixth form. Higher is better.
| Year | This school | Grammar schools | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | B+ average (42.7 points) | 44.0 points | 37.5 points |
| 2022/23 | B average (39.0 points) | 40.5 points | 33.7 points |
| 2023/24 | B average (41 points) | 41.3 points | 34.5 points |
| 2024/25 | B average (39.8 points) | 41.8 points | 35.0 points |
Recent trend
This follows the share of pupils moving into a sustained destination after Year 11, such as education, apprenticeships, or employment.
| Year | This school | Grammar schools | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 99% | 99.1% | 94.1% |
| 2022/23 | 100% | 98.9% | 93.9% |
| 2023/24 | 99% | 99.0% | 93.3% |
| 2024/25 | 100% | 98.7% | 91.8% |
Latest year breakdown
| In education | 99% |
|---|---|
| In apprenticeships | 1% |
| In employment | 0% |
Latest inspection: 20 October 2021
Local rivals appear first, followed by nearby alternatives where the journey and admissions route are still comparable.
Same Kent area with a comparable local commute
Same Kent area with a comparable local commute
Same Kent area with a comparable local commute
Same Kent area with a comparable local commute
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
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Compare 32 Kent grammar schools for 2026: GCSE ranking table, Ofsted, Kent Test route, admissions rules, competition, and school profiles.
Best Girls' Grammar Schools in the UK
Explore the best girls 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 by A-level Results
Explore the best grammar schools by A-level results in the UK, ranked by the published share of students achieving AAB or better at A level.
Related guides are still being added.
FAQ
Dartford Grammar School for Girls currently uses CEM.
1. Register for the Kent PESE tests: Parents of girls in Year 5 must register online with Kent Local Authority, or request a paper form, during June 2026. 2. Sit the Kent Test: Girls who reach the required Kent PESE standard are eligible to be considered for a place. 3. Submit your secondary application: Name Dartford Grammar School for Girls on the local authority secondary application form. 4. Return the supplementary information form if you are applying under pupil premium: Download the supplementary form from the school website from September 2026 and return it with proof of eligibility by 1 November 2026.
Kent Test registration opens: Monday 1 June 2026. Kent Test registration closes: Wednesday 1 July 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. Kent Test registration window: During June 2026. Pupil premium supplementary form available: From September 2026. Pupil premium supplementary form deadline: 1 November 2026. Local authority allocations: March 2027. Waiting list closes: 31 December 2027. National offer day: Monday 1 March 2027
Dartford Grammar School for Girls is currently rated Outstanding following the latest published inspection dated 20 October 2021.