Dartford Grammar School
100%
Capacity
1,543
Pupils
8.1x
Demand
About Dartford Grammar School
Dartford Grammar School is a highly sought-after boys' secondary school in Kent, and the numbers tell a clear story of its popularity. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 1,439 applications for just 177 places, giving it an oversubscription ratio of 8.13. Of those applications, 510 were first-preference choices, and 139 first-preference offers were made. While the data doesn't include a direct parent recommendation percentage, the sheer weight of demand is a powerful signal of the school's reputation among local families. The school is a state-funded boys' grammar with a non-religious character, and it has a large roll of 1,543 pupils, operating very close to its capacity of 1,550. It also has a relatively low proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals at 7.8 per cent, which is typical for a selective school in this area.
Academically, the school's performance is exceptional and backed by strong Ofsted and exam data. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022, it received Outstanding ratings across every category: overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. Its Progress 8 score of 1.11 is well above average, placing it first out of ten schools in the Dartford local authority and 43rd nationally out of 3,141 schools. This is a huge contrast to the local authority average Progress 8 score of -0.13. The school's Attainment 8 score is 78.4, and 100 per cent of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs. The EBacc entry rate is also 100 per cent, with 97.3 per cent of pupils achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above. In the sixth form, the school continues to perform at an Outstanding level.
The school offers a wide range of facilities, including a swimming pool, theatre, sports hall, astro turf, science labs, and a dedicated sixth form centre. There is a strong extracurricular programme with clubs such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, debating, coding, orchestra, and a range of sports from rugby to martial arts. The school also has a comprehensive SEND provision, supporting pupils with specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, autistic spectrum disorder, hearing impairment, and social, emotional and mental health needs. Given its high oversubscription and selective intake, this school is best suited to academically able boys who are prepared for a rigorous grammar school environment. Families should be aware that securing a place is extremely competitive, with over eight applicants for every available spot. The nearest similarly Outstanding school is Dartford Grammar School for Girls, just 0.2 km away.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Boys |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | West Hill, Dartford, Dartford, DA1 2HW |
| Headteacher | Julian Metcalf |
| Local Authority | Kent |
| Number of Pupils | 1,543 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 7.8% |
| School Capacity | 1,543 / 1,550 (100% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
6 Dec 2022Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 26 Jan 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+1.11)
43rd of 3,141
Nationally
5th of 461
In South East
1st of 10
In Dartford
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
Where school leavers go
2022/2383%
of A-level / Level 3 leavers go to higher education (cohort: 323 pupils).
Top-tier university progression
69%
Russell Group
80%
Top-third HE
4%
Oxford / Cambridge
Percentages of the whole cohort (not just HE-goers). Russell Group = 24 elite research universities. Top-third HE = top by mean UCAS tariff.
- University (HE)83%
- Employment7%
- Not sustained5%
- Apprenticeship3%
- Further education1%
Sources: DfE 16-18 destination measures (broad bucket); DfE KS5 student destinations file (Russell Group / top-third HE / Oxbridge). Level 3 cohort. “Sustained” means the pupil was in education, apprenticeship or employment for 6 months in the year following completion.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
13Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed177
1,439
Extremely High Demand
Very competitive - significantly more applications than places
510 families put this school as their 1st choice (35% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Lower-disadvantage intake compared to the national average (25%).
Among the highest 25% — a diverse linguistic intake.
Ethnic background
- Asian41.1%
- Mixed13.0%
- White British10.8%
- White (other)5.5%
- Black0.1%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
11
Total schools
10
Oversubscribed
7
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dartford Grammar School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
West Hill, Dartford
Dartford, DA1 2HW
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
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