Dane Court Grammar School 11+

Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Dane Court Grammar School.

How to get into Dane Court Grammar School

Dane Court Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Kent. To get into Dane Court Grammar School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Dane Court Grammar School with all the important information you need to know.

Admission Requirements

Children born between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015 are eligible for Year 7 entry in September 2026 (see key dates). The school offers 165 places annually for Year 7 admission [1]. Families must ensure their child takes the Kent 11+ Test and lists Dane Court as a preferred choice on the Secondary Common Application Form [1].

To qualify for admission, children need a total score of 332 or more in the Kent 11+ Test, with no individual subject score below 106. Children who do not achieve the required scores can still be placed on the school waiting list if Dane Court is listed on their application form [1].

  • Register for the Kent 11+ Test through the online portal on the Kent County Council website
  • Complete the Secondary Common Application Form through the local authority [1]
  • Submit the supplementary information form by 31st October if the child has received Free School Meals in the last 6 years [1]
  • Contact details available in the school information section

Application Process

Registration for the Kent 11+ Test opens on Monday 2nd June 2025 and closes at midnight on Tuesday 1st July 2025 (see key dates). Families with children requiring special access arrangements must discuss these with their primary school's SENCO before the registration deadline.

The Secondary Common Application Form becomes available from early September and must be submitted by Friday 31st October 2025 (see key dates). This application is managed by the local education authority, not the school directly [1].

  • The Kent 11+ Test takes place on Thursday 11th September 2025 for children in Kent primary schools
  • Children in non-Kent primary schools sit the test on Saturday 13th-Sunday 14th September 2025
  • Test results are released on Thursday 16th October 2025 (see key dates)
  • School offers are announced by Kent County Council on 3rd March 2025 [1]
  • Waiting list requests must be completed by 17th March 2025 if not initially offered a place [1]

Oversubscription Criteria

Dane Court Grammar School is consistently and heavily oversubscribed. When more qualified children apply than places available, the school applies oversubscription criteria to prioritise the 165 available places.

Children are prioritised in this order: those with Education, Health and Care plans naming the school, children in or previously in Local Authority care, children with health and special access needs, children who received pupil premium funding in the last 6 years, children with siblings at the school, and finally other children ranked by distance from the school.

  • Looked after children or previously looked after children receive highest priority
  • Children with medical, health or special access needs supported by written evidence
  • Pupil Premium recipients with completed supplementary form and proof of eligibility
  • Children with siblings currently enrolled at the school
  • Distance from home to school measured using address point data
  • The school has no formal catchment area but prioritises children living closer to the school

Examination Format

Children must take and pass the Kent 11+ Test which covers English, maths, reasoning and includes a writing task. The tests are multiple-choice with separate answer sheets marked by computer.

The first test lasts one hour and covers English and maths, with each section including a 5-minute practice exercise followed by a 25-minute test. The second test lasts one hour and assesses reasoning abilities split into Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning sections.

  • Section 1: One-hour exam testing English and maths with practice exercises
  • Section 2: One-hour reasoning exam covering verbal, non-verbal and spatial reasoning
  • The writing task is not marked for scoring but may be used as evidence in borderline cases
  • Children receive three standardised scores for English, maths and reasoning plus a total aggregate score with age adjustments

Preparation Guidance

Grammar schools in Kent provide education for children in approximately the top 25% of the ability range. Study sessions should last no longer than 30 minutes for children aged 10-11.

Children should have good understanding of Year 6 content before attempting practice papers, using a 'little and often' approach for recapping content. Starting preparation early allows children time to familiarise themselves with question types and build confidence.

  • Begin preparation during Year 5 with regular short study sessions
  • Focus on mastering Year 6 curriculum content in all subjects first
  • Use practice papers to identify areas needing additional support
  • For free practice resources, see 11+ practice papers
  • For tutoring support, see 11+ tutoring services
  • Discuss your child's academic achievement with their primary school before deciding to register
  • Attend the school's annual open days and evenings, with details published on the website and sent to local primary schools [1]

Appeals and Waiting Lists

The waiting list ranks students according to admissions criteria, prioritising looked-after children first, students with specific disabilities for whom Dane Court is most appropriate, siblings, and students nearest to the school [1].

Appeals for September 2025 entry must be submitted between 3rd March and 31st March 2025 to guarantee hearing within the normal appeals timeframe [1]. Waiting lists are maintained until 31st December of the admission year with regular re-ranking when new names are added.

  • Places become available from the waiting list from 24th April 2025 onwards [1]
  • Families can request places on waiting lists for multiple schools [1]
  • Parents have the right to appeal refusal decisions by submitting a written case to the school for consideration by an independent appeals panel [1]
  • Families who do not list Dane Court on their original application cannot appeal until after 24th April, potentially delaying their appeal hearing [1]

Practical Advice

Passing the Kent 11+ Test does not guarantee admission to any specific Kent grammar school. Some Kent grammar schools give priority to applicants with the highest scores, particularly those likely to offer places to children from outside Kent.

Students who took the Kent 11+ Test in Year 6 cannot retake it for Year 7 admission, and the school cannot offer places based on KS2 SATs results [1].

  • Check Kent 11+ Test results with the primary school if families are unsure of scores [1]
  • Plan backup options among other Kent grammar schools and high-performing secondary schools
  • Ensure application forms are completed accurately and submitted before deadlines
  • Maintain regular contact with the primary school throughout the application process
  • For specific queries about admissions, contact details are available in the school information section
  • For further information about Kent school admissions, contact the Secondary Admissions Team on 0300 333 6472 or email kent.admissions@kent.gov.uk

[1]Dane Court Grammar School official website

Kent 11+ Test Information

In order to get into Dane Court Grammar School, children need to pass the Kent 11+ Test. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

Kent 11+ Test Subjects & Structure

The Kent 11+ Test requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

  • English
  • Maths
  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Non-Verbal Reasoning
  • Spatial Reasoning

The entrance examination for Dane Court Grammar School, known as the Kent Test, is a challenging assessment designed to evaluate the academic potential of prospective students. The test comprises two multiple-choice papers, each lasting one hour, which are provided by GL Assessment.

The first paper focuses on English and maths, with questions based on the Key Stage 2 national curriculum. This section assesses the candidate's proficiency in literacy and numeracy skills, which are essential for success in secondary education.

The second paper concentrates on verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and spatial reasoning. These subjects are not typically taught in primary schools, so candidates may be less familiar with these types of questions. This section of the test aims to identify students with strong problem-solving abilities and the capacity to think critically in novel situations.

Other Schools using Kent 11+ Test

As well as Dane Court Grammar School, several other schools also use Kent 11+ Test. These are:

Kent 11+ Test Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Dane Court Grammar School is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Most 11+ tests are multiple-choice and marked electronically but still some remain that are marked by teachers or examiners.
Most 11+ tests are multiple-choice and marked electronically but still some remain that are marked by teachers or examiners.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

Kent 11+ Test Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Kent 11+ Test changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Stop worrying! Once the 11+ marking has started the admissions process is out of your control.
Stop worrying! Once the 11+ marking has started the admissions process is out of your control.

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Dane Court Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Key Dates for the Dane Court Grammar School 11+ Entrance Tests

Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Dane Court Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.

DateEventCalendar Link
02/06/2025Kent Test Registration OpensAdd Dates to Calendar
01/07/2025Kent Test Registration Closes
11/09/2025Kent Test Date For Children In Kent Primary Schools
Mid OctoberKent Test Results Sent To Parents
Late OctoberSecondary School Common Application Deadline
02/03/2026National School Offers Day

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Dane Court Grammar School as they may well change.

11+ Tutor for Dane Court Grammar School

As the Kent 11+ Test entrance process is particularly gruelling, we would highly recommend using an 11+ private tutor.

Why use a private 11+ tutor?

Personal tutors have the experience and expertise to help children pass their 11+ exams. They know the requirements of the GL Assessment 11+ tests inside-out and can provide tailored support to give children the best possible chance of success. It's also important to bear in mind that plenty of other children will be using private tutors too.

11+ tutors don't need to be face-to-face, plenty of children use online 11+ tutors.

11+ tutors help ensure preparation work gets done!
11+ tutors help ensure preparation work gets done!

11+ tutors can also provide regular progress reports and feedback, helping parents to monitor their child's progress and make any necessary adjustments to their preparation.

Most importantly, using an 11+ tutor helps ensure that the preparation work gets done!

Private 11+ Tutors for the Dane Court Grammar School 11+ Tests

We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Dane Court Grammar School 11+ entrance tests. Please click here to be put in touch with a range of excellent 11+ private tutors from our friends at exams.courses.

11+ Past Papers for Dane Court Grammar School

Here are all available past 11+ papers for Dane Court Grammar School. Please note that this may include 11+ past papers, past familiarisation booklets, past practice materials published by third parties and past 11+ exam guides written by the school. These materials are provided 'as-is' and may no longer reflect the subjects, format, structure or exam board that Dane Court Grammar School currently uses.

The exam board (or test supplier) that Dane Court Grammar School chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.

As well as these past 11+ papers, you may find our extensive collection of 11+ practice papers helpful for your child's preparation.

Exam BoardSubject11+ Past Paper
GL AssessmentMixed

11+ Practice Papers for Dane Court Grammar School

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Kent 11+ Test Ensure you double-check with Dane Court Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.

This is just a sample of our extensive collection of 11+ practice papers. Please click here to see the full collection.

11+ Practice Papers for Dane Court Grammar School by Bond

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by Bond and cover and cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. As such they are very helpful for children hoping to pass the Kent 11+ Test to get into Dane Court Grammar School.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMixed

11+ Practice Papers for Dane Court Grammar School by GL Assessment

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by GL Assessment themselves. As with the Bond papers, they cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. They remain useful and we encourage parents to download and use them with their children to help them get into Dane Court Grammar School.

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMixed

11+ Practice Papers for Dane Court Grammar School by Exam Ninja

These Free 11+ Practice Tests by Exam Ninja are extremely useful. They are straight-forward 10-question tests in Maths and English, following the same GL Assessment style (and multiple-choice format) as the Kent 11+ Test.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentEnglish

11+ Practice Papers for Dane Court Grammar School by Owl Tutors

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by Owl Tutors. These too are written in a GL Assessment style and make useful practice for children hoping to get into Dane Court Grammar School.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentWriting
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Dane Court Grammar School by CGP

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. As with the Bond, GL Assessment and Exam Ninja papers, they're written for the GL Assessment style, in multiple-choice format and are helpful for children hoping to pass their 11+ tests and get into Dane Court Grammar School.

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. If Dane Court Grammar School ever used them then they don't anymore as grammar schools no longer use CEM for any of their 11+ entrance tests. However, as a general practice tool these 11+ tests remain useful.

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
CEMMaths
CEMVerbal Reasoning
CEMNon-Verbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Dane Court Grammar School by 11+ For You

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "11+ For You".

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Dane Court Grammar School by Examberry

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "Examberry".

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Dane Court Grammar School by Independent Junction

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by Independent Junction.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Dane Court Grammar School by IPS

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by IPS (Internet Primary School Ltd).

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMaths

11+ Practice Papers for Dane Court Grammar School by Schofield & Sims

These 11+ practice papers were published by Schofield & Sims, a large UK educational publisher.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMaths

School Information

Below you will find further information about Dane Court Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.

Dane Court Grammar School is a mixed gender grammar school (i.e. both girls and boys).
Dane Court Grammar School is a mixed gender grammar school (i.e. both girls and boys).
Address
Dane Court Grammar School,
Broadstairs Road,
Broadstairs,
Kent
CT10 2RT
School Website
Telephone01843864941
Email Addressadmin@danecourt.kent.sch.uk
GenderMixed (both girls and boys)
Total Year 7 PlacesUnknown
Total Pupils (Girls/Boys)1236 (647 Girls / 589 Boys)
Headteacher Mr Martin Jones

Dane Court Grammar School is a mixed (i.e. both girls and boys) school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,236 pupils attend Dane Court Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Martin Jones.

Dane Court Grammar School Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

Ofsted Information

Dane Court Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 10/05/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 06/07/2022, declaring that the school was 'Good'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Dane Court Grammar School obtained <strong>Good</strong> in their last Ofsted inspection in 2022.
Dane Court Grammar School obtained Good in their last Ofsted inspection in 2022.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Date InspectedInspection Duration (Days)Reporting DateRatingFull Report
10/05/2022106/07/2022GoodFull Report

Ofsted Report Summary

Dane Court Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 10 May 2022 and received an overall rating of Good. The school demonstrated a Good quality of education, with students exhibiting Good behaviour and attitudes. The personal development of students was also rated as Good, indicating that the school provides a supportive environment for their growth and well-being.

The leadership and management of Dane Court Grammar School were found to be Good, suggesting that the school is well-run and has effective strategies in place to ensure the success of its students. The sixth form provision stood out as Outstanding, highlighting the exceptional quality of education and support provided to students in their final years of secondary education.

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Dane Court Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

GCSE Subjects Offered
  • English Language (171 pupils)
  • Mathematics (170 pupils)
  • English Literature (169 pupils)
  • Statistics (166 pupils)
  • Spanish (104 pupils)
  • Science: Double Award (89 pupils)
  • Biology (80 pupils)
  • Chemistry (80 pupils)
  • Physics (80 pupils)
  • French (68 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (53 pupils)
  • Geography (52 pupils)
  • Business Studies:Single (45 pupils)
  • Computer Studies/Computing (41 pupils)
  • History (38 pupils)
  • Art & Design (Fine Art) (23 pupils)
  • Physical Education/Sports Studies (21 pupils)
  • Drama & Theatre Studies (16 pupils)
  • D&T Food Technology (15 pupils)
  • Music (12 pupils)
  • Art & Design (3d Studies) (8 pupils)
A-Level Subjects Offered
  • Psychology (97 pupils)
  • Biology (75 pupils)
  • Chemistry (35 pupils)
  • History (29 pupils)
  • Logic / Philosophy (19 pupils)
  • Sociology (19 pupils)
  • Physics (16 pupils)
  • Geography (15 pupils)
  • Film Studies (13 pupils)
  • Physical Education / Sports Studies (8 pupils)

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Dane Court Grammar School per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

SubjectTotal Pupils Grades Achieved
U123456789
Art & Design (Fine Art)23---23-6813
Art & Design (3d Studies)8----322-1-
Biology80---12811181525
Business Studies:Single45---527161122
Chemistry80---11516172020
Computer Studies/Computing41-1123712537
English Language171---131637432644
English Literature169---381136363639
D&T Food Technology15-----33531
French68--176117131211
Geography52---4431113116
History38--1--278713
Mathematics170--1-83131433422
Music12----114222
Physics801---21116201416
Religious Studies53----17201159
Spanish104--18153215121011
Drama & Theatre Studies16-----39121
Physical Education/Sports Studies21---2136621
Statistics166----92737324219
Science: Double Award89----------

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

SubjectTotal Pupils Grades Achieved
UEDCBAA*
Biology75-------
Chemistry35-------
Film Studies13-------
Geography15-------
History29-------
Logic / Philosophy19-------
Physics16-------
Psychology97-------
Sociology19-------
Physical Education / Sports Studies8-------

FAQ

Is Dane Court Grammar School hard to get into?

Yes, Dane Court Grammar School is hard to get into! Children need to pass their challenging 11+ entrance test (with a high pass mark) and there's tough competition with many other children trying to get a place for Year 7.

Is Dane Court Grammar School a private school?

No, Dane Court Grammar School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.

Is Dane Court Grammar School free?

Yes, Dane Court Grammar School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Dane Court Grammar School won't cost you any money.

How do I get my child into Dane Court Grammar School?

You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Dane Court Grammar School for how up to date information on how to apply (it may be automatic or it may require some forms to be filled in). More information on their 11+ entrance test can be found here.

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