About Dartford Grammar School for Girls
Dartford Grammar School for Girls is a selective girls' grammar school in Dartford, Kent, admitting 180 girls per year. It is the girls' counterpart to Dartford Grammar School. Like all 32 Kent grammar schools, it uses the Kent Test (GL Assessment).
Dartford Grammar School for Girls provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 75.5%. A-Level A*–B: 68.5%.
About the GL Assessment 11+ Test for Dartford Grammar School for Girls
Dartford Grammar School for Girls is a girls state grammar school in England that selects pupils through the Kent Test (the Kent PESE 11+, set using GL Assessment papers) for Year 7 admission. The school admits approximately 180 Year 7 pupils each September, and applications must be made through your home Local Authority via the Common Application Form (CAF) — never directly to the school.
The GL Assessment 11+ is one of two main 11+ test providers in England (the other being CEM, now retired in many regions). The Bexley test typically consists of multiple papers covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Scores are standardised against the cohort age distribution, so younger pupils are not disadvantaged. Each school sets its own qualifying mark (pass mark).
For 2027 entry, the GL Assessment test is sat in Saturday 13 September 2026 and results are released to parents on Mid-October 2026 (via Bexley LA) — crucially, before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026, giving parents time to consider results before listing school preferences. National Offers Day is Monday 1 March 2027, when Local Authorities issue Year 7 secondary school offers.
Dartford Grammar School for Girls is academically selective — pupils must achieve the qualifying mark in the 11+ test to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the published admission number (180 places), the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Dartford Grammar School for Girls
Dartford Grammar School for Girls Admissions Criteria
Dartford Grammar School for Girls is a selective girls' grammar school in Dartford, Kent, admitting 180 girls per year. It is the girls' counterpart to Dartford Grammar School. Like all 32 Kent grammar schools, it uses the Kent Test (GL Assessment).
- ✓Register for the Kent Test via Kent County Council — opens June, closes July (Year 5).
- ✓Sit the Kent Test: two one-hour multiple-choice papers plus 40-minute writing task.
- ✓Achieve the qualifying threshold (total 332+, no subject below 106).
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- ✓Girls within the Dartford priority area who have achieved the qualifying standard.
- ✓All other qualifying girls, ranked by distance from school.
Dartford Grammar School for Girls Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the 180 Year 7 admission number, the Board of Governors / Trust applies the following criteria in priority order. Final ranking uses the standardised score achieved in the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test.
- Looked-after / previously looked-after children (highest priority by law)
- Children who achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test (above the qualifying standard set by Dartford Grammar School for Girls)
- Children eligible for Pupil Premium / Free School Meals Entitlement (FSME)
- Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school
- Children with sibling(s) currently attending the school
- Children of staff (where staff member has worked at the school for 2+ years)
- Children ranked by total standardised score (highest first) up to the published admission number
- Tiebreak: distance from home to school (straight-line measurement) for children with equal scores
Key Dates & Deadlines — Dartford Grammar School for Girls 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | Late April 2025 |
| 📌 Registration closes | late June 2026 |
| 📌 GL Assessment 11+ Entrance Test | Saturday 13 September 2026 (English + Maths + VR) |
| 📌 Test results released | Mid-October 2026 (via Bexley LA) |
| 📌 CAF deadline (apply via Local Authority) | Friday 31 October 2026 |
| 📌 National Offers Day | Monday 1 March 2027 |
How to Apply to Dartford Grammar School for Girls via the Common Application Form
Step 1 — Register your child for the GL Assessment 11+ Test
Register through your regional 11+ portal (e.g. Bexley) when registration opens. Closes late June 2026. There is no fee to sit the GL Assessment test.
Step 2 — Attend an Open Day at Dartford Grammar School for Girls
Visit during Year 5 or early Year 6 to meet staff and pupils and decide whether to list this school on your CAF.
Step 3 — Sit the GL Assessment Entrance Test
Your child sits the GL Assessment in Saturday 13 September 2026. The test typically covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised scores age-adjusted.
Step 4 — Receive your standardised test results
Test results are released to parents on Mid-October 2026 (via Bexley LA), BEFORE the Common Application Form deadline. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
Step 5 — Complete your Common Application Form (CAF)
List Dartford Grammar School for Girls as one of your preferences on the CAF submitted via your home Local Authority (not the school's LA, unless they are the same). You can usually list 3-6 preferences depending on your LA.
Step 6 — Submit the CAF by the deadline
Submit your CAF by Friday 31 October 2026. Late applications are processed only after all on-time applications have been allocated, dramatically reducing your chance of a place.
Step 7 — Receive your school offer on National Offers Day
Offers are issued via your Local Authority on Monday 1 March 2027. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Dartford Grammar School for Girls's waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at Dartford Grammar School for Girls
Dartford Grammar School for Girls selects through the Kent Test (GL Assessment), shared across Kent's grammar schools — two multiple-choice papers plus a writing task, age-standardised, with a qualifying total of around 332 and no score below 107.
- English & mathematics: comprehension and literacy alongside Key Stage 2 numeracy.
- Reasoning: verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
- Writing task: a short piece used mainly for borderline and appeal cases.
GL Assessment Practice Papers for Dartford Grammar School for Girls
Dartford Grammar School for Girls uses the GL Assessment 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Dartford Grammar School for Girls (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Dartford Grammar School for Girls has a long tradition of academic excellence, achieving consistently strong results at both GCSE and A-Level and supporting students to progress to leading universities. Alongside strong outcomes, the school is known for developing confident, capable and articulate young women.
- GCSE & A-Level: consistently strong results across a broad curriculum.
- Sixth form: a well-regarded sixth form with strong progression.
- Ethos: independent thinking, leadership and personal growth.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for Dartford Grammar School for Girls
Admission to Year 7 is through the Kent Test, produced by GL Assessment and used across Kent. It is two multiple-choice papers — one covering English and mathematics (each with a short practice exercise then a 25-minute test), the other verbal and non-verbal reasoning over about an hour — plus a writing task; each component is age-standardised (scores of 69–141), and a child needs a total of around 332 with no single score below 107 to qualify for a Kent grammar place.
The school offers 180 Year 7 places, of which 100 are reserved for girls living in its priority area (Dartford and a list of named parishes). After children with an EHCP naming the school, places are allocated to looked-after children, then Pupil Premium pupils, then the 100 priority-area places, then remaining applicants — ranked by Kent Test score, with ties decided by distance. Always confirm the current priority area and criteria in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Dartford Grammar School for Girls is a selective girls' grammar for ages 11–18 on Shepherds Lane in Dartford, Kent (DA1 2NT), with a long-standing tradition of academic excellence and a commitment to developing confident, capable young women. It offers a broad and balanced curriculum that supports strong results while encouraging independent thinking.
Alongside academic teaching, the school provides a wide range of enrichment activities including sport, music, the arts and leadership opportunities, helping students grow into well-rounded individuals ready for higher education and beyond. For the full list of activities and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dartford Grammar School for Girls
How do I apply to Dartford Grammar School for Girls for Year 7?
Applications to Dartford Grammar School for Girls are made through your home Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) — not directly to the school. Your child must sit the GL Assessment 11+ test (registration closes late June 2026), then list Dartford Grammar School for Girls on the CAF. The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2026.
Does Dartford Grammar School for Girls use the GL Assessment 11+ test?
Yes — Dartford Grammar School for Girls uses the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test for Year 7 admission, taken in Saturday 13 September 2026 (English + Maths + VR). The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised age-adjusted scores.
What is the pass mark / qualifying score for Dartford Grammar School for Girls?
Dartford Grammar School for Girls sets its own qualifying mark each year. Pupils must score at or above the qualifying mark to be eligible for a place. Final ranking is by total standardised score (highest first) up to the admission number of 180 places.
How many Year 7 places does Dartford Grammar School for Girls have?
Dartford Grammar School for Girls admits 180 Year 7 pupils each September. Demand for places typically exceeds supply, so the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places fairly.
When are GL Assessment results released in 2026?
For 2027 Year 7 entry, GL Assessment test results are released on Mid-October 2026 (via Bexley LA) — before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
When is National Offers Day for Dartford Grammar School for Girls in 2027?
National Offers Day for Year 7 secondary school places in England is Monday 1 March 2027. Offers are issued by your home Local Authority — not directly by the school. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Dartford Grammar School for Girls's waiting list.
Is Dartford Grammar School for Girls a state school or fee-paying?
Dartford Grammar School for Girls is a state-funded grammar school — there are no tuition fees. As a state grammar, it is academically selective via the GL Assessment 11+ test, but pupils who pass the test do not pay to attend.
How can my child prepare for the Dartford Grammar School for Girls 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers a complete GL Assessment 11+ preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question (covering all GL topic areas — English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning), and downloadable resources. Most parents start preparation 12-18 months before the September 11+ test.
Where can I find Dartford Grammar School for Girls's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Dartford Grammar School for Girls 2027 entry is published on the school's official website. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria, qualifying mark, supplementary forms (if any), and any school-specific application requirements.