Dartford Grammar School Review 2026: Nearly 450 Years of Academic Excellence

Mick Jagger learned chemistry here. So did Dick Taylor, who would later found The Pretty Things. Historian Jeremy Black studied these halls, as did poet Sidney Keyes and novelist Terence Frisby. Founded in 1576 by three philanthropic merchants, Dartford Grammar School has spent four and a half centuries developing the confident, curious, globally-minded citizens who populate its distinctive six-house vertical system. Today, under the leadership of Mr Julian Metcalf, the school combines its ancient foundations with cutting-edge pedagogy. The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme runs through Years 7-9; GCSE examinations follow; sixth form students choose between A-levels and the full IB Diploma. The results are exceptional: 57% of GCSE grades achieve the top marks of 9-8, with 78% reaching grades 9-7. At A-level, 25% of grades are A*, while 89% sit at A*-B. The school ranks 118th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking, top 3%), placing it among the most academically selective state schools in the nation. Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in December 2022 and confirmed this status again in 2024 without the need for a full re-inspection. This is a school for boys aged 11-18, with girls welcomed into the sixth form, drawn from Dartford, Kent, Greater London, and increasingly from Essex.

The Victorian red-brick Hardy Building still dominates the campus on West Hill, though it has been substantially joined by modern additions. The Mick Jagger Centre for Performing Arts (named for the Rolling Stones founder who walked these corridors) contains two auditoria seating 200 and 350 respectively, eight music practice rooms, a recording studio, and a drama studio. The Stephenson Building houses modern science laboratories. The Becket Sports Centre provides a 60-metre all-weather running track with a 6-lane pit, competition-grade throwing cage, and indoor netball courts. The Kaika Sixth Form centre offers dedicated teaching space for post-16 students. The John Field Suite, named in honour of a former chair of governors, provides additional teaching rooms. Together, these spaces create an environment where academic rigour sits comfortably alongside creative ambition.

The school operates a vertical house system, unusual in modern selective schools. Six houses—D'Aeth, Gwyn, Havelock, Vaughan, Wilson, and the newly-created Gemili House (named after Old Dartfordian Adam Gemili, the Olympic sprinter)—each contain boys and girls from across all year groups. This structure fosters mentorship and cross-year friendships. The house system drives inter-house competitions in sport, academic challenges, music, and community service. House tutors know their pupils intimately.

Mr Julian Metcalf arrived as Head Teacher in 2024, bringing fresh energy to an institution already performing at the highest level. The school describes itself as "a learning community developing international citizens." This mission is not window-dressing. The curriculum is anchored in the International Baccalaureate framework; language learning begins in Year 7; the school hosts the Wells Language Hub, a national centre for excellence in modern foreign languages; students study Mandarin Chinese or Japanese alongside traditional European languages; and exchange trips span Europe, China, and Japan.

At GCSE in 2024, the school achieved exceptional outcomes. 57% of all grades awarded were at the top level (9-8), with a further 21% at grade 7. This means 78% of entries reached the highest academic bands. Across the EBacc (English Baccalaureate) measure, 94% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above—well above the England average. The attainment 8 score of 78.4 reflects the school's consistent high performance. Progress 8 (measuring progress from starting point) was +1.11, indicating that pupils make well-above-average progress. The school ranks 1st locally in Dartford and 118th in England for GCSE results. This places Dartford Grammar in the top 3% of England's secondary schools (FindMySchool ranking). Across the Kent consortium of grammar schools, Dartford ranks among the very highest.

Individual strengths appear across the curriculum. History, English, sciences, and languages consistently achieve exceptional proportions of top grades. The mandatory study of two Modern Foreign Languages (one from Mandarin Chinese or Japanese, the other from French, German, Latin, or Spanish) means that all pupils develop genuine bilingual competence, a skill that becomes increasingly valuable for competitive university entry.

A-Level Performance

At A-level in 2024, 25% of all grades were A*, with 44% achieving grade A. This means 69% of entries were at the top two grades. When the A*-B band is considered, 89% of all A-level entries reached this level. The school offers over 26 A-level subjects and benefits from dual-track provision: sixth form students following the traditional A-level route receive academic challenge alongside those choosing the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The average UCAS tariff score is exceptionally high, reflecting the calibre of students and quality of teaching.

The school ranks 92nd in England for A-level performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 4% of sixth forms. Among Kent's grammar schools and independent schools, Dartford stands among the very highest.

The curriculum distinguishes itself through its commitment to the International Baccalaureate framework. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) runs through Years 7-9. When the school became the first state school in Britain and the first state school in the world to offer the IB Middle Years Programme in 2007, it signalled a radical shift in pedagogy. Rather than isolated subject teaching, the MYP emphasises inquiry-based learning, interdisciplinary connections, and the development of thinking skills. Students engage in "Creativity Weeks" twice annually, when normal lessons pause and full year groups work on cross-disciplinary projects. These weeks develop independence and autonomy.

Years 10 and 11 follow GCSE qualifications across a broad spectrum of subjects. Core study includes English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Sciences (either double award or separate Biology, Chemistry, Physics), and two Modern Foreign Languages. Students then select optional subjects from History, Geography, Religious Studies, Art, Drama, Music, Computer Science, Design Technology, Engineering, and Physical Education. This breadth ensures that selective students encounter subjects beyond their natural specialism.

The sixth form offers a genuine choice between A-level courses and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The A-level route follows traditional single-subject study; the Diploma pathway comprises six subjects (three at Higher Level, three at Standard Level), plus Theory of Knowledge, an Extended Essay, and a requirement for 150 hours of Creativity, Activity and Service. Many A-level students voluntarily undertake the CAS requirement, valuing its emphasis on self-discipline and enterprise.

Teaching is characterised by high expectations, intellectual rigour, and engagement with contemporary pedagogy. Staff include specialists with genuine expertise in their subjects. The school prioritises continuing professional development, and evaluation of teaching is regular and formative. Lessons employ varied approaches: debate, group investigation, experiment, independent inquiry, and direct instruction all feature, calibrated to learning objectives and student need. Students appear genuinely engaged, and the pace of teaching is brisk without feeling rushed.

The academic pipeline is exceptional. 82% of the 2024 sixth form cohort progressed to university. Of those, well over 70% secured places at Russell Group universities—the UK's most selective research-intensive institutions. Five students secured places at Oxbridge (Oxford and Cambridge), with four accepting places at Oxford and one at Cambridge. Popular non-Oxbridge destinations include Durham, Imperial College London, University College London, Edinburgh, Warwick, and Bristol. Medical school entry is strong, with approximately 18 students gaining places in 2024.

For those not pursuing university, apprenticeships account for approximately 2% of leavers, with a further 10% entering employment directly. The school provides excellent careers guidance, with a dedicated careers team and links to universities, employers, and professional networks.

This is the school's most distinctive pillar, and merits extended examination. Dartford Grammar recognises that selective, high-achieving students require outlets for curiosity beyond the examination syllabus.

Music: A Central Pillar

The school achieves "high standards in music" with multiple ensembles. The Orchestra, Wind Band, Chapel Choir, and Chamber Choir all perform to audiences. Smaller ensembles flourish: informal rock and pop bands, vocal groups, and specialist instrumental combinations meet regularly. The department employs full-time teaching staff supported by visiting instrumental tutors. All students have access to instrumental tuition on orchestral and band instruments and voice. The Mick Jagger Centre houses seven dedicated practice rooms. Students engage in the Bronze Arts Award in Music. A partnership with Trinity College of Music London provides master-classes and learning opportunities. The school runs an annual Steinway piano competition for gifted pianists. Music performances feature prominently in the school calendar, with regular concerts in the Mick Jagger Centre's 350-seat auditorium.

Drama & Theatre Arts

The Drama Department produces an annual school musical. Recent productions have included Guys and Dolls, Bugsy Malone, Beauty and the Beast, and West Side Story. Each production involves substantial casts and orchestras, requiring coordination across multiple departments. The Shakespeare Schools Festival provides opportunities for students to interpret classical drama competitively. The school's new drama performance space, redesigned in summer 2025, provides professional-standard facilities. Key Stage 3 Drama Club and departmental productions give all students opportunities to perform. Trips to the West End and workshops with touring theatre companies (including Vamos Theatre, Frantic Assembly, and Les Enfants Terribles) enrich the curriculum. The National Theatre offers playwriting workshops.

Athletics & Sport

Athletics holds particular prominence. The school hosts the National Schools’ Cup (junior and intermediate) — a prestigious inter‑school competition. Facilities include a 60-metre all-weather running track with six lanes and a competition-grade throwing cage, upgraded in 2018. England athletics shirts hang framed in the Becket Sports Centre, testament to representative honours. The school competes in at least 16 different sports, with teams regularly gaining county and regional recognition. Teams compete weekly against other schools as well as in county championships and national competitions.

Rugby is played across the autumn and spring terms, with five pitches at the school field. Year 7 and 9 cohorts complete annual tours; the girls' rugby team travels to Cambridge for an annual tour. Senior rugby tours have ventured to Barbados and Dubai. Cricket plays during the final two terms, with winter nets year-round. Badminton, basketball, netball, and football all field competitive teams. Indoor netball courts allow year-round practice. Horsemanship and equestrian activities feature. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is notably strong: nearly all Year 10 pupils complete the Bronze Award; the majority progress to Silver; Gold expeditions take place both domestically and internationally, with some opportunities through Operation Wallacea to undertake expeditions in far-flung destinations.

STEM & Academic Enrichment

The school's Wells Language Hub designation as a National Hub of Excellence in Modern Foreign Languages and its status as a National Hub of Excellence for Computer Science reflect the depth of technical provision. Computing and STEM clubs flourish. The Reiwa Tien Japanese Garden, created in 2019 with a legacy donation, serves as both a cultural space and outdoor ecology classroom. The 1576 Ecology Classroom provides field-based learning opportunities. The school shop, renovated in 2018, offers supplies to students at affordable cost.

Science clubs include robotics and specialist investigation activities. The school's partnership with universities and engagement in research activities positions STEM as intellectual rather than merely vocational. Young scientists benefit from access to well-equipped laboratories and expert staff.

Service & Citizenship

The Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) element of the IB Programme is "well embedded throughout the school." Students engage in community service through various schemes. Older students mentor younger pupils. Service projects extend beyond school: students volunteer in local community organisations, participate in charity fundraising, and contribute to social action initiatives. This instils a sense of collective responsibility and breaks down the traditional separation between school and community.

Clubs & Societies

Beyond the major pillars, specific clubs include the Debating Society (described as "always a popular activity"), Chess Club, Science Club, Rocket Club (aligned with STEM competitions), Computer Club, Scribbler's Magazine (student publication), and the Gardening Club (supporting allotment beds and greenhouse maintained by the school). The school's Confucius Classroom designation and partnership with Japan Foundation support language-specific enrichment. A Mandarin Excellence Programme and Japanese Excellence Programme provide intensive language learning, cultural trips, and deep engagement with East Asian culture.

The co-curriculum fair at the start of the school year, called the CAS fair, invites students to register for lunchtime and after-school activities. The breadth and depth of opportunity ensures that pupils with diverse interests find meaningful engagement.

Dartford Grammar is a state grammar school accessed through selective examination. All students joining Year 7 must pass the Kent Test, a standardised assessment administered to identify children in the top 25% of the ability range. Entry is competitive: in recent admission cycles, approximately 1,439 applications were received for 180 places, creating an 8:1 oversubscription ratio.

The Kent Test comprises two multiple-choice papers and a writing task, assessing English, Mathematics, and Reasoning (verbal, non-verbal, and spatial). Children require a minimum total score of 332 and no single score lower than 107 to qualify for any Kent grammar school. Dartford Grammar then ranks candidates by score, applying additional criteria where necessary: looked-after children receive priority, followed by children receiving pupil premium (free school meals), then candidates within the Priority Area (Dartford Electoral Wards and specified rural parishes), and finally all remaining candidates. When scores are tied, distance from the school, measured in a straight line, determines allocation.

The school admits a total of 180 boys to Year 7, with no formal catchment but an expectation of geographical reasonableness. Six forms of entry mean approximately 30 pupils per tutor group. The school deliberately maintains this structure to ensure that size remains manageable while recruiting from a sufficiently wide pool.

For the sixth form, entry is available to both internal Year 11 students (who progress automatically if they achieve a minimum point score of 52 for their best eight subjects) and external applicants. Girls are welcomed as external sixth form entrants. Approximately 150 external sixth form places are offered annually. Entry requirements are rigorous: students should hold a minimum grade 5 in English and Mathematics, with higher standards (grade 8) if proposing Mathematics at Higher Level in the Diploma. For those considering the IB Diploma, an average of grade 7 across their proposed Higher Level subjects is expected.

No tuition fees apply. This is a state school, funded through public resources. Pupil Premium funding (free school meals eligibility and related disadvantage factors) is used to provide targeted support. Sixth form bursaries are available for students demonstrating financial need, supporting progression of disadvantaged learners.

School days run from 8:50am to 3:20pm. The school operates a 30-period week, with each period lasting 50 minutes. There is no wraparound care provision (breakfast club, after-school care) as the school is designed for secondary-aged students independently accessing transport. Dartford Railway Station lies approximately 15 minutes walk away. The school is located 18 miles south-east of Central London, with excellent transport links via the M25, M20, and A2/M2 motorways. Parking is available on campus, though spaces are limited during the school day. Uniform is compulsory, as is participation in the house system.

The school takes wellbeing seriously. A dedicated pastoral team operates from the Pastoral Centre. Each year group has a Curriculum Manager who oversees academic progress and personal development. Form tutors meet their tutor groups daily and provide one-to-one support. The house system, described above, provides a second layer of pastoral oversight through house leaders and house tutors.

The school's safeguarding arrangements are robust. Formal child protection procedures are in place. Counselling support is available for students experiencing emotional difficulties. Mental health and wellbeing are prioritised through the PSHE curriculum, peer support programmes, and staff training.

Behaviour is calm and respectful. The school culture emphasises mutual consideration and responsibility. Where concerns arise, the school responds promptly. Students report feeling safe and valued.

Selectivity and Entrance Pressure. This is a selective grammar school. Securing a place requires passing the Kent Test and competing against a large pool of similarly able candidates. For many families, preparation for the 11+ examination becomes a multi-year endeavour, with external tutoring common. While the school does not recommend tutoring and has redesigned the test to reduce preparation advantage, the reality is that the cohort will have experienced significant academic pressure. This suits some families perfectly; others prefer a non-selective environment.

Male-Only Schooling (Until Sixth Form). The school remains boys-only through Year 11. While girls join at sixth form and perform excellently, this single-sex structure in early secondary may not suit all families. For families seeking immediate co-education, this is an important consideration.

Independent Transport Expectations. The school does not provide before and after-school care. Pupils are expected to travel independently from Year 7 onwards. Families located beyond reasonable walking or public transport distance may find daily commuting challenging.

Academic Pace. The school moves quickly. The decision to accelerate examinations (taking Year 9 national tests early, taking some GCSEs early) means the curriculum is compressed. Pupils are expected to keep pace with rigorous teaching. Those who struggle with the academic intensity may experience stress.

Distinct IB Identity. The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme is central to the school's identity. This provides genuine benefits (emphasis on independent learning, global perspectives, interdisciplinary thinking), but it is a departure from traditional primary to secondary transition. Families uncertain about IB philosophy should research the approach carefully.

Dartford Grammar School is one of England's finest secondary schools. It combines academic excellence—demonstrated through GCSE and A-level results that rival independent schools, at no cost—with a genuinely distinctive educational philosophy grounded in the International Baccalaureate. The school is not an exam factory; results flow from genuine intellectual engagement, carefully structured support, and high expectations applied with kindness.

Nearly 450 years of history have created institutional stability and purposefulness. The vertical house system, unusual in modern schools, builds community and mentorship. The breadth of co-curricular opportunity—from national-standard athletics to professional-standard performing arts—ensures that selective students find outlets for diverse talents. Language learning is exceptional, and international perspectives permeate the curriculum.

The school suits selective, academically able boys (and girls entering at sixth form) who thrive on intellectual challenge and value a broad education. It is best suited to families within reasonable geographical proximity to Dartford who value academic rigour, who are comfortable with single-sex education through age 16, and who embrace the international-minded philosophy the school espouses.

The primary challenge is admission itself. Competition is fierce. For those who secure places, the education that follows is genuinely outstanding.