Dane Court Grammar School 11+ Guide

About Dane Court Grammar School

Dane Court Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Kent. For children to get into Dane Court Grammar School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Dane Court Grammar School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the picturesque coastal town of Broadstairs, Kent, Dane Court Grammar School is a beacon of academic excellence. This co-educational grammar school nurtures approximately 1,250 pupils aged 11-18, providing them with an enriching and well-rounded educational experience. With its prestigious status as a Specialist Language College, Dane Court invests heavily in promoting language learning within its community, fostering a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and global perspectives.

At the heart of Dane Court's educational philosophy lies a meticulously crafted curriculum, designed to empower students with the essential skills and knowledge they need to thrive in their chosen career paths. Core subjects such as English language, mathematics, and the sciences form the bedrock of each student's academic journey, while a diverse array of elective courses, including modern foreign languages (German, French, and Spanish), history, geography, philosophy, food preparation, and citizenship, allow students to explore their passions and broaden their intellectual horizons.

Beyond the classroom, Dane Court offers an abundance of extracurricular activities and enriching experiences. From captivating trips to far-flung destinations like Spain, Zambia, and Iceland, to engaging expeditions closer to home, students have ample opportunities to forge lasting friendships, develop their cultural awareness, and grow as individuals. The school's commitment to character development is encapsulated in its three guiding principles: being caring, open-minded, and principled. By fostering an atmosphere of compassion, understanding, and respect for diverse perspectives, Dane Court ensures that its students emerge as well-rounded, globally-minded citizens.

Recently, Dane Court has undergone an impressive £20 million rebuilding programme, equipping the school with state-of-the-art facilities that enhance the learning experience for all students. The school's sixth formers have the unique opportunity to pursue the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB), a rigorous and internationally recognized programme that prepares them for success in higher education and beyond. With its unwavering dedication to academic excellence, comprehensive support, and outstanding facilities, it is no surprise that Dane Court Grammar School has earned an 'outstanding' rating from Ofsted, cementing its position as one of the premier educational institutions in the region.

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 (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:

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.

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:

• Barton Court Grammar School
• Borden Grammar School
• Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School
• Cranbrook School
• Dartford 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 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.

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 Dane Court Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Kent 11+ Test Key Dates for your Diary

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

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.

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.

Last Ofsted Report Data

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 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)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are all available past 11+ papers for Dane Court Grammar School. Please note that this may include past 11+ 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 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.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

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.