Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11+ Guide

About Dartford Grammar School for Girls

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

Nestled in the heart of Dartford, Kent, Dartford Grammar School for Girls is a beacon of academic excellence and holistic education. This selective establishment caters to approximately 1,000 students, providing them with an enriching learning experience across a picturesque campus equipped with spacious facilities. The school's commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals is evident in its comprehensive curriculum, which encompasses a wide array of subjects, from design technology and languages to science, PSHE, and religious studies.

Beyond the classroom, Dartford Grammar School for Girls offers an extensive extracurricular programme designed to help students explore their passions and develop their non-academic skills. From culinary arts and classic film appreciation to philanthropic endeavours and dance, the school's diverse range of activities encourages girls to discover new talents and cultivate their unique strengths. By fostering a learning environment that prioritizes personal growth and healthy ambition, the school empowers its students to thrive both academically and personally.

The school's dedication to student welfare is exemplified by its personalized support and specialist services, ensuring that each learner receives the guidance they need to reach their full potential. Moreover, Dartford Grammar School for Girls actively engages with parents and the wider community, forging partnerships that inspire character development and prepare students to become responsible global citizens with a clear vision for their future. With a track record of students securing places at prestigious universities and an "Outstanding" rating from Ofsted, Dartford Grammar School for Girls is a testament to the power of a well-rounded education in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Dartford Grammar School for Girls together with their admissions contact details.

Dartford Grammar School for Girls is a girls 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 1,248 pupils attend Dartford Grammar School for Girls and it's led by the Headteacher, Mrs Sharon Pritchard.

Dartford Grammar School for Girls 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 Dartford Grammar School for Girls for the 2022-23 academic year.

Kent 11+ Test Information

In order to get into Dartford Grammar School for Girls, 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 for Girls is known as the Kent Test. This assessment, provided by GL Assessment, consists of two multiple-choice papers that evaluate a child's abilities in various subjects.

The first paper, which lasts for one hour, focuses on English and maths. The questions in this section are based on the national curriculum taught in Key Stage 2. The second paper, also one hour long, assesses a child's skills in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and spatial reasoning. These subjects are not typically taught in schools, so children may be less familiar with the question styles encountered in this section.

By testing a range of abilities, the Kent Test aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of a child's academic potential and suitability for the challenging curriculum offered at Dartford Grammar School for Girls.

Other Schools using Kent 11+ Test

As well as Dartford Grammar School for Girls, 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
• 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 for Girls 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 for Girls, 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 Dartford Grammar School for Girls) 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 Dartford Grammar School for Girls as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Dartford Grammar School for Girls was last inspected by Ofsted on 21/06/2016 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 01/09/2016, 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

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Dartford Grammar School for Girls 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 Dartford Grammar School for Girls. 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 Dartford Grammar School for Girls currently uses.

The exam board that Dartford Grammar School for Girls 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 Dartford Grammar School for Girls which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.