Dartford Grammar School
State Grammar School (Academy) · Est. 1576
Dartford Grammar is intensely competitive, brilliantly resourced, and globally focused. It perfectly suits a robust, ambitious boy who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is willing to throw himself into every aspect of school life — from mastering Mandarin to playing 1st XV rugby. There is no hand-holding here; the expectation is that boys will take ownership of their learning.
Kent's most fiercely contested grammar for out-of-county applicants — an IB World School and Language College with a phenomenal pipeline to Oxbridge and beyond, completely free of charge.
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West Hill, Dartford, Kent DA1 2HW
Tuition fees
£0
state-funded
Places available
180
Year 7
IB/A-Level A*/A
66.9
%
GCSE 9–7
80.7
%
Best For
Robust, ambitious boys who thrive in a fast-paced, competitive environment. DGS suits boys willing to embrace both academic intensity and school life — from mastering Mandarin to playing 1st XV rugby. Self-starters who take ownership of their learning will flourish here.
Watch Out For
The 'out-of-county bloodbath' is real — London boys from Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich need astronomically high Kent Test scores, not just a pass. The MFL emphasis is non-negotiable; boys who hate language learning will struggle. No hand-holding.
Entry Points
- Main entry at 11+ (180 places). Sixth Form entry for IB Diploma (co-educational). No 13+ entry.
The Complete Admissions Timeline
Every key date, deadline and decision point — with insider intelligence you won't find on the school website. Click any item to reveal verified insider knowledge.
The critical window: Registration closes in early July of Year 5 — no late registrations accepted. The Kent Test in September Year 6 is the sole determinant. For out-of-county applicants, a 'pass' is not enough; you need scores in the top percentiles to compete.
Registration opens
Registration officially opens for the Kent Test via the KCC portal. Register early — spaces are allocated on a first-come basis for test centres.
CRITICAL: Registration deadline
Absolutely no late registrations accepted. This is a hard deadline enforced by Kent County Council, not the school.
Kent Test examination day
Candidates sit the GL Assessment Kent Test: English & Maths MC paper, Reasoning MC paper, and 40-minute Writing Task (appeals only).
Kent Test results released
Standardised results emailed to parents. You'll receive a 'grammar school suitable' or 'not suitable' outcome plus raw scores.
CAF deadline
Local Authority Common Application Form deadline. You MUST explicitly name Dartford Grammar School on your form to be considered.
National Offer Day
Secondary school offers released. DGS confirms places based on Kent Test scores and zone allocation.
Key Dates — September Year 7 Entry
- 1
Registration opens
Early June (Year 5)
- 2
Registration deadline
Early July (Year 5)
- 3
Kent Test
September (Year 6)
- 4
Results released
Mid-October (Year 6)
- 5
CAF deadline
31st October (Year 6)
- 6
National Offer Day
1st March (Year 6)
The Kent Test — What DGS Looks For
Admissions to DGS are entirely governed by the Kent Test, administered by GL Assessment. All boys take two multiple-choice papers and a writing task. The MC papers determine the outcome; the writing task is only assessed on appeal.
English & Maths
~50 minutes · Multiple choice
Spending too long on hard questions; careless reading under pressure; not returning to flagged questions.
Reasoning
~50 minutes · Multiple choice
Unfamiliarity with question types; overthinking obvious answers; running out of time on spatial questions.
Writing Task
40 minutes · Handwritten creative/persuasive essay
Over-investing preparation time; believing this will 'save' a weak MC performance; generic, formulaic writing.
Topic Difficulty & Weight
Difficulty (%) and exam weight by topic area
Key takeaway: Combined MC paper testing comprehension, SPaG, arithmetic, and mathematical reasoning. Speed and accuracy are everything — no partial credit.
Topic Breakdown
Known Exam Traps — English & Maths
Every question carries equal weight. Move on quickly and return if time allows.
Underline key words in the question. What is it actually asking?
The pattern: Spending too long on hard questions; careless reading under pressure; not returning to flagged questions.
If you can only improve in one area, make it
Speed and accuracy
What this means in practice:
Dedicate 60%+ of prep time to this area
Practice under timed conditions regularly
Review mistakes immediately after each session
Track progress weekly to spot patterns
All focus areas ranked by impact:
#1
Speed and accuracy
English & Maths
#2
Pattern recognition
Reasoning
#3
Appeals safety net only
Writing Task
Results & League Table Position
DGS consistently ranks among the top co-educational schools in England. These figures are benchmarked against national averages so you can see the full picture.
A-Level A* Rate
23%
National rank #70
A-Level A*/A Rate
66.9%
Use the narrative summary below.
GCSE Grade 9-7
80.7%
National rank #99.
A-Level A*-B Rate
89.8%
Consistently ranked in the top 100 state schools for both GCSE and IB Diploma results nationally.
A-Level Results vs National Average
DGS vs England average (%)
What this means: 66.9% A*/A equivalent from IB Diploma places DGS among the elite state schools nationally — exceptional for a school with zero fees.
GCSE Grade Distribution
DGS vs National distribution (%)
What this means: 80.7% grades 9–7 at GCSE reflects the highly selective intake. National average is just 23%.
University Destinations
Where DGS leavers go — % of cohort
Notable Academic Achievements
66.9% A*/A equivalent at IB Diploma (National Rank #70=)
Exceptional IB Diploma results rivalling fee-paying schools — achieved at zero cost to families.
80.7% grades 9–7 at GCSE (National Rank #99)
Top 100 nationally for GCSE results among state schools. Strong foundation for IB success.
IB World School — Kent's only boys' grammar offering IB
Sixth Form exclusively offers the International Baccalaureate, creating globally minded graduates.
Historic Language College specialism
Massive emphasis on Modern Foreign Languages, bilingualism, and international exchanges.
League Table Position: Consistently ranked in the top 100 state schools for both GCSE and IB Diploma results nationally.
Interview Process
Dartford Grammar School does NOT conduct interviews as part of the standard 11+ admissions process. Entry is determined entirely by Kent Test performance and zone allocation.
Format
No interview — exam-only admissions
Duration
Role in Admissions
Part of a holistic assessment, not a pass/fail gate
What Makes a Strong Impression
Compiled from parent reports (2023-2025)
The pattern:
What Actually Wins Offers
- 1Focus entirely on Kent Test preparation — there is no interview to 'rescue' a weak test score
- 2For out-of-county applicants, aim for scores significantly above the pass mark
- 3Ensure CAF lists DGS explicitly and in the correct preference order
Insider Intel: What Other Parents Don't Know
These are the verified insights you will not find on the school website, in Good Schools Guide, or from any single tutoring agency. Each insight is compiled and cross-referenced from 71+ sources including official documents, parent reports, and tutoring industry data.This is the intelligence that gives ClassAce families an edge.
The 'Out-of-County Bloodbath' is real
DGS is arguably THE most fiercely contested grammar for out-of-county applicants. For London boys from Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, or South East London, a simple Kent Test 'pass' is NOT enough. You need an astronomically high score to compete for the limited out-of-area places.
Zone A boys are heavily prioritized
The school operates a zone system — Zone A (local Dartford parishes) boys who pass are prioritized by distance. Out-of-area places go to the absolute highest scorers regardless of location. If you're out-of-county, you're competing against the entire South East.
The Writing Task is appeals-only
The 40-minute writing task is only assessed if a boy misses the pass mark by a single point AND the primary school headteacher launches an appeal. Focus preparation on the MC papers — the writing task is a safety net, not a scoring opportunity.
Modern Foreign Languages are non-negotiable
DGS is a historic Language College — there's a massive emphasis on bilingualism, international trips, exchanges, and MFL study. A boy who hates language learning will find the curriculum heavily demanding. Embrace it or reconsider.
IB Diploma only in Sixth Form — no A-Levels
The Sixth Form exclusively offers the International Baccalaureate. This creates a highly collaborative, mature environment but means boys must be prepared for the broader IB workload, not A-Level specialisation.
Common Mistakes Parents Make
The errors we see most often from families preparing for Dartford Grammar School. Avoid these and you're already ahead of the majority of applicants.
Assuming a Kent Test 'pass' is enough for out-of-county applicants
For boys from Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, and South East London, a simple pass is nowhere near sufficient. You need scores in the top percentiles to compete for limited out-of-area places.
Over-preparing the Writing Task at the expense of MC papers
The Writing Task is ONLY marked on appeal if you miss the pass mark by one point. Focus ruthlessly on the MC papers — they determine everything.
Missing the July registration deadline
Kent County Council enforces the deadline absolutely. There is no appeals process for late registration. Set a calendar reminder in June.
Not naming DGS explicitly on the CAF
You must list Dartford Grammar School on your Common Application Form to be considered. Preference order matters for tie-breaking.
Underestimating the MFL commitment
DGS is a Language College — boys must embrace Modern Foreign Languages. A boy who hates language learning will find the curriculum demanding.
Assuming A-Levels are available in Sixth Form
The Sixth Form exclusively offers the IB Diploma. Boys must be prepared for the broader IB workload, not A-Level specialisation.
DGS vs Competitor Schools
How does Dartford Grammar School compare to the schools your child is most likely also applying to? This analysis covers the key factors that actually matter to families.
Important context: Dartford Grammar competes with elite Kent grammars and attracts massive out-of-county interest from South East London. Its IB-only Sixth Form and Language College status distinguish it from A-Level-focused rivals.
| Factor | FeaturedDartford Grammar School | Bexley Grammar School | Judd School | Skinners' School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | State Grammar (Boys) | State Grammar (Co-ed) | State Grammar (Boys) | State Grammar (Boys) |
| Co-educational | ||||
| VR in Exam | ||||
| Annual Fee | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| 11+ Difficulty | Very Hard (out-of-county) | Very Hard | Very Hard | Hard |
| Interview Style | None | None | None | None |
Why Parents Choose DGS
- IB World School — globally minded educationSixth Form exclusively offers the IB Diploma, creating internationally-minded graduates prepared for global universities.
- Historic Language College specialismMassive emphasis on MFL, bilingualism, and international exchanges — unique among Kent boys' grammars.
- Elite sports programme (especially rugby)Notoriously strong rugby programme and excellent sports facilities for all-rounder boys.
- Phenomenal Oxbridge and Russell Group pipelineExceptional university destinations at zero cost — rivalling fee-paying schools.
Points to Consider
- Out-of-county competition is brutalA simple Kent Test 'pass' is not enough for London boys. You need top percentile scores.
- IB-only Sixth Form — no A-Level optionBoys who prefer A-Level specialisation must look elsewhere for Sixth Form.
- MFL commitment is non-negotiableBoys who dislike language learning will find the curriculum demanding.
Scholarships & Financial Support
Dartford Grammar School is state-funded with zero tuition fees. There are no scholarships in the traditional sense, but support is available for eligible families.
| Scholarship Type | Value | Available Places | Selection Method | Stackable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pupil Premium Support | Various | Eligible students | Automatic for eligible students (free school meals, Looked After Children). | No |
| Bursary Fund | Varies | Limited | Hardship fund for uniform, trips, and equipment. Contact school directly. | No |
* As a state school, DGS has no tuition fees. Pupil Premium and bursary support available for eligible families.
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Intelligence Score
Updated April 2026 · 71 sources
Coverage
Measures how much of the admissions picture is directly evidenced rather than inferred from comparable schools or legacy material.
Freshness
This edition was last checked April 2026. Recency scores fall when public evidence ages or current-cycle detail is sparse.
Use it well
Treat lower-scoring areas as prompts to verify with admissions, not as automatic red flags. The score is about evidence quality, not school quality.
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Near DGS
Schools nearby
Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, Dartford
Primary · 441m away
Westgate Primary School
Primary · 480m away
Dartford Grammar School
Secondary · 662m away
Dartford Grammar School for Girls
Secondary · 834m away
Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Dartford
Primary · 843m away
West Hill Primary Academy
Primary · 854m away