Dartford Grammar School 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Dartford Grammar School.
How to get into Dartford Grammar School
Dartford Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Kent. To get into Dartford Grammar School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Dartford 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 admits 180 boys into Year 7 each September (see key dates). [1]
Families must register their sons for the Kent 11+ Test during the summer of Year 5 (see key dates). Boys who achieve a grammar school assessment become eligible for admission (see key dates). [1]
Boys require a total score of 332 or higher and no single score lower than 107 to qualify for grammar school assessment (see key dates). Children receive three standardised scores for English, maths and reasoning, plus one total aggregate score (see key dates).
Application Process
Families register for the Kent 11+ Test through Kent County Council between Monday 2nd June 2025 and Tuesday 1st July 2025 (see key dates). Registration happens during the summer of Year 5 for September 2026 entry (see key dates). [1]
Children take the examination in September 2025 and receive results by Thursday 16th October 2025 (see key dates). Families then submit their Secondary Common Application Form by Friday 31st October 2025 through their local authority website (see key dates).
Boys meeting Pupil Premium criteria must complete a Supplementary Information Form for 2025 admissions (see key dates). For specific queries, contact the admissions team at the school information section. [1]
Zone A Priority Area
The school prioritises half of its Year 7 places for children living in Zone A (see key dates). This means 90 places are allocated to Zone A applicants and 90 places to all other applicants (see key dates).
Zone A covers the Dartford Electoral Wards including Brent, Bean and Darenth, Castle, Greenhithe, Heath, Joyce Green, Joydens Wood, Littlebrook, Longfield, New Barn & Southfleet, Newtown, Princes, Stone, Sutton-at-Hone and Hawley, Swanscombe, Town, West Hill, and Wilmington (see key dates).
When the school receives more than 180 qualified applicants, oversubscription criteria apply with priority given to children who are or were in Local Authority care, followed by boys with Pupil Premium eligibility (see key dates).
Preparation Guidance
The Kent 11+ Test consists of two multiple-choice papers supplied by GL Assessment (see key dates). The first paper lasts one hour and assesses English and maths, with each section containing a 5-minute practice exercise followed by a 25-minute test (see key dates).
The second paper lasts one hour and tests verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and spatial reasoning (see key dates). These reasoning subjects are not taught in schools, so children may be unfamiliar with these question styles (see key dates).
Educational psychologists recommend daily learning sessions of 20-30 minutes for children aged 10-11 years (see key dates). The most effective preparation happens in short, consistent bursts to reinforce core skills without losing focus (see key dates). For free preparation resources, visit practice papers section and for tutoring support, see tutor recommendations.
Practical Advice
The exam tests identify children in the top 25% of the ability range (see key dates). Many children will find the test challenging as grammar schools provide for this high-achieving cohort (see key dates).
Achieving the Kent 11+ Test pass mark does not guarantee admission to Dartford Grammar School (see key dates). The school is highly competitive with recent data showing approximately 1,293 applications for 180 places in 2023 (see key dates).
Families should research backup school options in Kent and consider other grammar schools in the area. If unsuccessful, families have the right to appeal the decision to an Independent Appeal Panel (see key dates). For specific admission queries and contact details, visit the school information section.
The school encourages prospective families to attend Open Evening, typically held in June, where staff provide guided tours and the Head delivers presentations (see key dates). [1]
Kent 11+ Test Information
In order to get into Dartford 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 Dartford 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 evaluate the student's ability to think logically, recognize patterns, and manipulate shapes and figures mentally. Success in this part of the assessment demonstrates a child's aptitude for learning and problem-solving, which are crucial skills for thriving in a grammar school environment.
Other Schools using Kent 11+ Test
As well as Dartford Grammar School, several other schools also use Kent 11+ Test. These are:
- Barton Court Grammar School
- Borden Grammar School
- Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School
- Cranbrook School
- Dane Court Grammar School
- Dartford Grammar School for Girls
- Dover Grammar School for Boys
- Dover Grammar School for Girls
- Gravesend Grammar School
- Highsted Grammar School
- Highworth Grammar School
- Invicta Grammar School
- Maidstone Grammar School
- Maidstone Grammar School for Girls
- Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend
- Oakwood Park Grammar School
- Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School
- Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School
- Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys
- Sir Roger Manwood's School
- The Folkestone School for Girls
- The Harvey Grammar School
- The Judd School
- The Norton Knatchbull School
- The Skinners' School
- Tonbridge Grammar School
- Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School
- Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys
- Weald of Kent Grammar School
- Wilmington Grammar School for Boys
- Wilmington Grammar School for Girls
Kent 11+ Test Marking Process
The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Dartford 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.
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).
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 Dartford Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the Dartford Grammar School 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Dartford Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.
| Date | Event | Calendar Link |
|---|---|---|
| 02/06/2025 | Kent Test Registration Opens | Add Dates to Calendar |
| 01/07/2025 | Kent Test Registration Closes | |
| 11/09/2025 | Kent Test Date For Children In Kent Primary Schools | |
| Mid October | Kent Test Results Sent To Parents | |
| Late October | Secondary School Common Application Deadline | |
| 02/03/2026 | National School Offers Day |
Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Dartford Grammar School as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for Dartford 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 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 Dartford Grammar School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Dartford 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 Dartford Grammar School
Here are all available past 11+ papers for Dartford 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 Dartford Grammar School currently uses.
The exam board (or test supplier) that Dartford 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 Board | Subject | 11+ Past Paper |
|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for Dartford 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 Dartford 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 Dartford 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 Dartford Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for Dartford 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 Dartford Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for Dartford 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 Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | English |
11+ Practice Papers for Dartford 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 Dartford Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Dartford 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 Dartford Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. If Dartford 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 Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEM | Maths | |||
| CEM | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| CEM | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Dartford Grammar School by 11+ For You
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "11+ For You".
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Dartford Grammar School by Examberry
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "Examberry".
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Dartford Grammar School by Independent Junction
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by Independent Junction.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Dartford Grammar School by IPS
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by IPS (Internet Primary School Ltd).
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
11+ Practice Papers for Dartford Grammar School by Schofield & Sims
These 11+ practice papers were published by Schofield & Sims, a large UK educational publisher.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
School Information
Below you will find further information about Dartford Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | Dartford Grammar School, West Hill, Dartford, Kent DA1 2HW |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://www.dartfordgrammarschool.org.uk/ |
| Telephone | 01322223039 |
| Email Address | admissions@dartfordgrammarschool.org.uk |
| Gender | Boys only |
| Total Year 7 Places | 180 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1516 (225 Girls / 1291 Boys) |
| Headmaster | Mr Julian Metcalf |
Dartford Grammar School is a boys only 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 1,516 pupils attend Dartford Grammar School and it's led by the Headmaster, Mr Julian Metcalf.
Dartford Grammar School Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
Dartford Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 06/12/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 26/01/2023, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.
Last Ofsted Report Data
| Date Inspected | Inspection Duration (Days) | Reporting Date | Rating | Full Report | 06/12/2022 | 1 | 26/01/2023 | Outstanding | Full Report |
|---|
Ofsted Report Summary
Dartford Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 6 December 2022 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional performance in the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision.
The inspection report highlights the school's outstanding achievements across all aspects of its operations. Dartford Grammar School has shown itself to be a top-performing institution that provides an excellent learning environment for its students.
The Outstanding rating is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the school's staff, students, and leadership team. Dartford Grammar School serves as a shining example of what can be achieved through a commitment to high-quality education and a focus on the overall development of its students.
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Dartford Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.
| GCSE Subjects Offered |
|
|---|---|
| A-Level Subjects Offered |
|
GCSE & A-Level Performance
Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Dartford 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)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
| Art & Design | 12 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 4 | 4 | - | 3 |
| Biology | 159 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 12 | 35 | 37 | 74 |
| Chemistry | 159 | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 3 | 22 | 50 | 82 |
| Chinese | 95 | - | - | - | 3 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 27 | 23 | 23 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 90 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 8 | 9 | 27 | 45 |
| English Language | 184 | - | - | - | 1 | 4 | 25 | 46 | 36 | 38 | 34 |
| English Literature | 184 | - | - | - | 2 | 3 | 11 | 44 | 38 | 41 | 45 |
| French | 63 | 2 | - | 1 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 14 |
| Geography | 167 | - | - | - | 3 | 3 | 15 | 22 | 46 | 50 | 28 |
| German | 62 | - | - | - | 4 | 1 | 11 | 7 | 16 | 10 | 13 |
| History | 139 | - | - | 1 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 29 | 30 | 25 | 35 |
| Japanese | 93 | - | - | 1 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 16 | 24 | 21 | 16 |
| Latin | 31 | 1 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Mathematics | 184 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 17 | 29 | 61 | 71 |
| Music | 23 | - | - | - | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Physics | 159 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7 | 24 | 33 | 95 |
| Religious Studies | 61 | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 20 | 24 |
| Spanish | 30 | 1 | - | - | - | 3 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 8 | - |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | 23 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 3 | - |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 35 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 3 |
| Science: Double Award | 25 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Biology | 122 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Chemistry | 80 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 49 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Economics | 146 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Geography | 92 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Government and Politics | 43 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| History | 39 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Logic / Philosophy | 21 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 38 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Physics | 37 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Psychology | 79 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Other Classical Languages | 14 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
FAQ
Is Dartford Grammar School hard to get into?
Yes, Dartford 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 Dartford Grammar School a private school?
No, Dartford Grammar School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is Dartford Grammar School free?
Yes, Dartford Grammar School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Dartford Grammar School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into Dartford Grammar School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Dartford 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.
Is Dartford Grammar School a boys-only school?
Yes, Dartford Grammar School is a boys-only school.
