Dartford Grammar School admits on the 11+ Secondary Transfer Test first; the catchment area is used to rank children who have already qualified. Living inside it improves your priority but does not by itself win a place, and living outside it does not exclude you. Catchment boundaries and oversubscription rules are republished for every admissions round, so check the school's own policy for the year your child applies rather than any map you find online.

Roughly one family in six missed their first-choice secondary school for September 2026: 83.6% were offered it. — DfE, School applications and offers, 2026

If you're a parent in the Dartford area and you're considering sending your child to Dartford Grammar School, understanding the catchment area is crucial. This blog post will provide you with detailed information about the Dartford Grammar School catchment area, helping you determine if your residence falls within the eligible zones for admission.

What does Dartford Grammar School Overview offer?

Dartford Grammar School is renowned for its academic excellence and selective admission process. Here, we'll explore the specifics of its catchment area and what that means for potential applicants.

What are catchment area details?

Dartford Grammar School's catchment area is primarily based on the location of the child's permanent residence. It encompasses a broad region, including:

- Dartford

- Gravesend

- Sevenoaks

What are admission criteria?

Admission to Dartford Grammar School is contingent upon academic ability. The school assesses this through:

- The 11+ Secondary Transfer Test (STT)

- Proximity of the applicant's residence to the school, using the nearest point of your property to the school gate as a measure.

What is the eligibility and admission process?

Understanding the eligibility criteria and the admission process can significantly impact your child's chances of securing a place at Dartford Grammar School.

What does living inside the catchment area involve?

To be considered for admission, your child must either:

- Reside within the school's designated catchment area.

- Live within a reasonable distance from the school, as defined by the school's admission policy.

What are options for those outside the catchment area?

If your residence is outside the catchment area, your child can still apply, provided they:

- Successfully pass the 11+ STT.

- Note that passing the STT does not guarantee admission, as placements are offered based on the school's comprehensive admission criteria.

What should you do next?

In summary, while residing within the Dartford Grammar School catchment area, including Dartford, Gravesend, and Sevenoaks, enhances your child's eligibility for admission, it does not assure a place at the school. Admission is predominantly based on the child's performance in the 11+ STT. As a parent, it is advisable to begin preparation early to optimize your child's chances of success in the competitive entrance examination.

What else is worth reading?

What can this guide not tell you about a particular school?

There is no national 11+ exam. Each school or local authority sets its own test, dates and admissions criteria, and republishes them every year, so the detail here can go out of date within a cycle. Confirm against the school’s own admissions policy and gov.uk school admissions before you rely on any date.

Every school publishes its own rule, and the national position is short:

“All schools have admission criteria to decide which children get places.” — gov.uk, School admissions

Where can you check this at source?

There is no national 11+ exam. Each grammar school or local authority sets its own test, dates and admissions criteria, and publishes them in an admissions policy that changes year to year. Always confirm with the school directly, then check the national rules: