Dartford Grammar School: Admissions, Exam and Catchment
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Dartford Grammar School: Admissions, Exam and Catchment
Dartford Grammar School is a selective state secondary school for boys aged 11–18, located on West Hill in Dartford, Kent. It is one of the area’s established grammar schools and admits pupils into Year 7 through the Kent Procedure for Entrance to Secondary Education (PESE), commonly known as the Kent 11+.
For September 2027 entry, the school has a published admission number of 180 boys. However, passing the Kent Test does not automatically guarantee a place. The admissions process uses a priority-area system and additional oversubscription criteria to decide how places are allocated.
Parents researching grammar schools in the area can also explore our guide to the best grammar schools in the UK to compare selective schools and understand their different admissions arrangements.
Where Is the School Located?
Located on West Hill, Dartford, Kent, DA1 2HW, the school provides education for boys from Year 7 through to sixth form. It offers an academically focused curriculum and is part of the wider group of selective secondary schools serving Dartford and the surrounding areas.
Families may also want to consider Dartford Grammar School for Girls, a separate selective school with its own admissions policy.
When comparing the two schools, parents should look beyond their locations and consider their individual entry requirements, priority areas, academic environments and travel arrangements.
Admissions and Year 7 Places
Admission to Year 7 is based on the Kent PESE 11+ assessment. Boys must receive a grammar assessment through the Kent Test before they can be considered for a place.
For September 2027 entry, the published allocation of 180 places is divided into two main categories:
| Admissions category | Number of places |
|---|---|
| Category 1 – Priority Area | 130 |
| Category 2 – All applicants regardless of address | 50 |
| Total | 180 |
These categories are subject to the school’s admissions policy, including its rules for children in care and eligible Pupil Premium applicants.
Category 1: Priority Area
The first 130 places are allocated to eligible boys living within the defined priority area.
Applicants are ranked according to their Kent Test scores and the additional criteria in the admissions policy. For the standard score-based category, applicants generally need to achieve at least 40 points above the Kent Test qualifying threshold.
Up to 13 places are also reserved for eligible Pupil Premium applicants who achieve at least 20 points above the qualifying threshold.
Category 2: Applicants from Any Address
The remaining 50 places are available to eligible boys regardless of where they live.
Applicants must still receive a grammar assessment through the Kent Test. Places are then allocated according to the published criteria, with test scores used to rank eligible applicants.
Up to five places in this category are reserved for eligible Pupil Premium applicants who achieve at least 20 points above the Kent Test threshold.
Applicants from the priority area are also considered in Category 2 if they are not offered a place through Category 1.
Parents should read the official admissions policy for September 2027 for the complete allocation rules.
The 11+ Exam: What Does the Kent Test Assess?
The school uses the Kent Procedure for Entrance to Secondary Education (PESE), commonly called the Kent Test, to assess academic suitability for grammar school.
The assessment includes English, mathematics and reasoning. Test results are age-standardised, and only children who receive a grammar assessment can be considered for a place.
What Subjects Are Included?
The Kent Test includes several areas of assessment:
- English: assesses language skills and understanding.
- Mathematics: tests numerical ability, calculations and problem-solving.
- Verbal reasoning: examines patterns and relationships involving words.
- Non-verbal reasoning: assesses the ability to identify patterns and solve visual problems.
- Spatial reasoning: tests how children understand and manipulate shapes and visual information.
Children also complete a piece of writing under test conditions. This is not marked as part of the standard test score but may be considered during the Headteacher Assessment stage.
What Score Is Needed to Qualify?
There are two different score requirements parents need to understand.
First, a child must achieve the Kent Test grammar assessment to be eligible for consideration.
Second, the school applies additional score-based criteria when allocating places. For September 2027 entry, its priority-area score category requires at least 40 points above the Kent Test qualifying threshold. Eligible Pupil Premium applicants have separate reserved-place criteria.
For applicants in Category 2, the remaining eligible boys are ranked by their total Kent Test score, subject to the published priority criteria.
This means there is no single score that guarantees admission for every applicant. The requirements depend on the admissions category and the number of eligible applicants.
Catchment Area and Priority Rules
The priority area is particularly important for families applying through Category 1.
For September 2027 entry, the school’s priority area includes Dartford electoral wards that pay council tax to Dartford Borough Council, alongside a number of named parishes.
These include:
- Ash-cum-Ridley
- Crockenhill
- Eynsford
- Farningham
- Fawkham
- Hartley
- Hextable
- Horton Kirby and South Darenth
- Swanley
- West Kingsdown
The relevant Dartford electoral wards are also included in the priority-area arrangements.
Does Living in the Priority Area Guarantee a Place?
No. Living within the priority area does not automatically guarantee admission.
Applicants must first receive the required grammar assessment. The school then applies its admissions criteria, including the relevant score requirements and available places.
For the standard score-based priority-area category, the published 2027 policy requires a score at least 40 points above the Kent Test qualifying threshold. Where applicants have tied scores, distance from the school is used as a tie-breaker.
Can Children Outside the Priority Area Apply?
Yes. The school reserves 50 places for applicants regardless of their home address.
Children living outside the priority area must still receive a grammar assessment through the Kent Test. Eligible applicants are then ranked according to the Category 2 criteria.
This means families living outside Dartford may still consider the school, although competition for places can be significant.
How to Apply for Year 7 Entry
Parents applying for Year 7 must complete the Kent Test registration process and submit a secondary school application through their home local authority.
For September 2027 entry, the Kent Test registration and assessment stages took place during 2026. The main secondary school application deadline is 2 November 2026.
The main application steps are:
- Register for the Kent Test: complete registration through Kent County Council within the published registration window.
- Complete the assessment: your child takes the Kent PESE 11+ tests.
- Review the result: check whether your child has received a grammar assessment.
- Submit the secondary school application: list the school through your home local authority’s Secondary Common Application Form.
- Complete additional forms if required: applicants using the school’s Pupil Premium criteria must submit the relevant supplementary form and supporting evidence.
For September 2027 entry, the Pupil Premium supplementary form deadline is 31 October 2026. This form is only required for families applying under the relevant Pupil Premium criteria; it does not replace the main local authority application.
Offers are scheduled for March 2027.
For the latest instructions, visit Kent County Council’s Kent Test and grammar school admissions guidance.
Exam Results and Academic Performance
Academic performance is another important consideration for families comparing grammar schools.
The school publishes information about its GCSE results and wider academic achievements. Parents should consider these results alongside the curriculum, teaching environment, extracurricular activities and pastoral support.
What Do the GCSE Results Show?
The Department for Education publishes several measures that help parents compare secondary school performance.
These include:
- Attainment 8: measures pupils’ average achievement across a group of GCSE subjects.
- English and mathematics: shows the proportion of pupils achieving key grade thresholds in these core subjects.
- EBacc: provides information about achievement across a defined group of academic subjects.
- Progress measures: where available, these indicate how pupils have progressed compared with others with similar prior attainment.
For the latest available figures, visit the Department for Education’s school performance tables.
Parents can also read the school’s own GCSE results and academic news for updates on pupil achievements.
Dartford Grammar School for Girls: An Alternative Option
Families researching the boys’ school may also want to consider Dartford Grammar School for Girls.
Although the two schools are located in the same town, they are separate selective state schools with different admissions arrangements.
The boys’ school admits male pupils, while the girls’ school admits female pupils. Both use the Kent Test as part of their Year 7 admissions process, but their individual oversubscription criteria and priority arrangements should be checked separately.
For September 2027 entry, the girls’ school has also published 180 Year 7 places.
Parents can find further information through the official Dartford Grammar School for Girls admissions page.
How to Prepare for the Kent 11+
Preparing for the Kent Test involves developing a strong understanding of the different question types and building confidence under timed conditions.
Rather than concentrating only on practice papers, children should develop their underlying skills across mathematics, English and reasoning.
Build a Strong Foundation
Start by identifying your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Mathematics and verbal reasoning may require different preparation approaches, so it is useful to understand which areas need the most attention.
Practise Different Question Types
Introduce questions covering verbal, non-verbal and spatial reasoning alongside English and mathematics. Familiarity with different formats can help children feel more comfortable when they encounter unfamiliar questions.
Introduce Timed Practice
Once children understand the question types, introduce timed exercises to develop speed and accuracy. Avoid making every practice session a full mock examination.
Review Mistakes and Identify Weak Areas
Go through incorrect answers and identify why they happened. Understanding mistakes can help children improve their problem-solving approach and avoid repeating the same errors.
Parents can explore Think Academy’s 11+ practice questions to help identify areas for improvement and support a structured preparation routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dartford Grammar School a Boys’ School?
Yes. It is a selective state secondary school for boys aged 11–18. Dartford Grammar School for Girls is a separate school for girls.
How Many Places Are Available for Year 7?
For September 2027 entry, the published admission number is 180 Year 7 places. These are divided into 130 priority-area places and 50 places available to applicants regardless of address.
What 11+ Exam Does the School Use?
The school uses the Kent Procedure for Entrance to Secondary Education, commonly known as the Kent Test. It assesses English, mathematics and reasoning skills.
Do You Have to Live in Dartford to Apply?
No. There are 50 Category 2 places available to eligible applicants regardless of their address. However, applicants must still receive a grammar assessment through the Kent Test.
Does Passing the Kent Test Guarantee a Place?
No. Passing the assessment makes a child eligible for consideration, but places are allocated according to the published oversubscription criteria, priority areas and available places.
What Is the Priority Area?
The priority area includes Dartford electoral wards that pay council tax to Dartford Borough Council and a number of surrounding parishes, including Swanley, Hartley, Hextable and Eynsford. Parents should consult the official admissions policy and its priority-area map for the full boundaries.
Is the Boys’ School the Same as Dartford Grammar School for Girls?
No. They are separate schools with different admissions policies. One admits boys, while the other admits girls.
Final Thoughts
This selective boys’ secondary school has 180 Year 7 places published for September 2027. Its admissions process is based on the Kent Test, but the priority-area system and score-based oversubscription criteria are equally important when considering an application.
Families should check whether their home address falls within the priority area, understand the difference between Category 1 and Category 2 places, and make sure all application deadlines are met.
For children preparing for a future Kent Test, consistent practice across English, mathematics and reasoning can help build confidence and develop the skills needed for selective school entry. Always check the latest admissions policy and Kent County Council guidance before applying.
