Dane Court Grammar School (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

​Dane Court Grammar School is a co-educational selective grammar school located in Broadstairs, Kent. Established in 1957, it provides exceptional education to 1,200+ students aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Recognised as one of the best grammar schools in UK, Dane Court Grammar School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. Its Ofsted Rating is "Good," reflecting the high academic standards and supportive environment maintained by the staff.

Distinguished as an Apple Distinguished School, Dane Court Grammar School uniquely offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes exclusively in its Sixth Form. This globally-minded curriculum is complemented by its status as a Confucius Classroom, fostering advanced linguistic skills and digital innovation for future-ready students.

In this guide, I apply 6+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate Dane Court Grammar School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with confidence.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar / Academy Converter
  
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
  
• Gender Type: Mixed (Co-educational)
  
• Religion: None
  
• Age Range: 11–18 years
  
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1200+
  
• GCSE Results (2025): The school achieved an Attainment 8 score above 65, with 94% of students securing a grade 5 or above in both English and Maths.
  
• A-Level / IB Results (2025): The average score on the IB Diploma was 34.4 points, which is equivalent to A*A*A at A-Level and exceeds the global average.

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Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
  
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 165
  
• Exam Board: GL Assessment (Kent Test)
  
• Number of Stages: 1
  
• School Catchment Area: Yes. (See below for more details)
  
• Sibling Policy: Yes. (See below for more details)
  
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%(Standardized score of 332)

Planning for the Dane Court Grammar School open day and the assessment timeline demands careful organization. I have compiled the official Dane Court Grammar School 11 plus exam dates, aligning with the Kent Test schedule, to guide your application.

These milestones cover the 11+ Exam date and deadlines, ensuring you stay ahead of the critical 11 plus exam dates.

Admission to Dane Court Grammar School for Year 7 in September 2026 is administered through the Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme. Parents looking at grammar schools in Kent must navigate the two-step 11 plus exam process outlined below.

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How to Register for 11+ Exam

There is no direct registration with the school; you must register with the county council first. This 11 plus exam registration is mandatory for all applicants.

The Kent Test Registration

• Register your child for the Kent Test via the Local Authority Admissions Portal.
  
• The online registration window opens on Monday 2 June 2025 and closes at midnight on Tuesday 1 July 2025.
• Registration is essential for your child to be invited to sit the 11+ Exam in September 2025.

The School Application (CAF)

• Apply for a school place using the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF) provided by your home Local Authority.
  
• You must explicitly name Dane Court Grammar School as a preference on this form.
  
• The deadline for submitting the SCAF is Friday 31^st October 2025.
  
• Always refer to the official Dane Court Grammar School Admissions Policy for oversubscription criteria.
  

The Dane Court Grammar School Catchment Area is not defined by a fixed list of postal districts. Instead, the school utilizes the proximity of the child’s home to the school as a key oversubscription criterion.

As detailed in the Dane Court Grammar School Admissions Policy, eligible students are ranked by distance. Consequently, the effective Dane Court Grammar School Catchment Area radius expands or shrinks annually depending on the applicant pool.

Allocation and Distance Criteria

• Eligibility: A child must first pass the 11 plus test to be considered for a place.
  
• Measurement: Distance is measured in a straight line from the child’s permanent address using National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) address point data.
  
• Priority: Sibling links supersede the standard School catchment area requirements.
  
• Variability: The 11+ exam catchment distance is dynamic and purely based on the number of qualified applicants.
  

As stated in the Dane Court Grammar School Admissions Policy, the school participates in the Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme. The Dane Court Grammar School 11 Plus Test is essentially the Kent Test (PESE). This examination is managed by GL assessment.

The assessment consists of two distinct papers and an untimed writing exercise. Students aiming for September 2026 entry will sit this exam in September 2025. The Published Admission Number (PAN) for Year 7 is 165 pupils.

The final score is an aggregate of the three sections, standardised against age. The writing task is not numerically scored but is critical for Headteacher Assessment panels in borderline cases.

Entrance Examination Details

Parent’s Top 2 Queries

Does the school set its own exam?

No, Dane Court Grammar School uses the Kent test 2025, which is coordinated by Kent County Council.

Is there a pass mark?

Yes, admission depends on achieving an aggregate score (usually 332+) across 11+ English, Maths, and Reasoning, with no single score below 108.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

The GL assessment 11 plus uses a separate answer sheet. Students must mark their answers with a horizontal line in the correct box. Stray marks or incomplete erasures can cause errors during machine scanning, so accuracy is vital.

​Admission to Dane Court Grammar School depends on performance in the Kent eleven plus exam. To be eligible, students must reach the "assessed suitable" threshold set annually by Kent County Council.

Historical Kent Test Thresholds

• 2025 Entry: Total score 332+ (no single paper below 108).
  
• 2024 Entry: Total score 332+ (no single paper below 107).
  

​​Meeting this standard does not guarantee a place if the school is oversubscribed. Aiming for high 11 plus test results ensures your child scores comfortably above the required pass mark.

Dane Court Grammar School is a premier co-educational selective school in Broadstairs, famed for its International Baccalaureate curriculum. However, relying solely on one option in the competitive Thanet catchment is risky. Many high-potential students miss out due to the narrow margins of the Kent Test.

I have advised parents in Kent for over 18 years. I consistently see families focus exclusively on Dane Court, only to struggle when catchment distances shrink. I strongly recommend a strategy of applying to three grammar schools and two private schools. This ensures your child secures a place in an academically rigorous environment, regardless of the initial offer day outcome.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

When families target Dane Court Grammar School, they often look locally to Ramsgate or Sandwich, and further afield to Canterbury. Here is how the top alternatives compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives to Dane Court

• Sir Roger Manwood’s School: This is the primary co-educational alternative for parents wanting a traditional A-Level pathway. Unlike Dane Court’s exclusive IB diploma, Manwood’s offers a familiar curriculum in a historic Sandwich setting.
  
• Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School: Located in Ramsgate, this is the closest geographical alternative. It often captures students who pass the Kent Test but may live just outside the tight Dane Court catchment.
  
• Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar: For parents willing to commute to Canterbury, this school offers a significant academic step up. It is ideal for high-flyers seeking a single-sex environment with exceptional STEM facilities.
  
• St Lawrence College: Situated minutes from Dane Court, this independent school offers small class sizes and holistic care. It is a vital backup for families prioritizing local access and strong pastoral support.
  
• Kent College, Canterbury: This school provides a seamless mix of academic rigour and extra-curricular breadth. It is an excellent private option for students who enjoy the co-educational atmosphere found at Dane Court.
  

According to the National School Census, competition for places at Dane Court Grammar School remains intense. For the last three years (2022–2024), there have been approximately three to four applications for every single available place.

With a Pupil Admissions Number (PAN) of 165, this high volume of applicants highlights the need for serious preparation.

Source: National School Census.

As stated in the Dane Court Grammar School Admissions Policy, the school faced a 50% oversubscription rate in 2025.

How hard is it to get into Dane Court Grammar School?

​Parents often ask me, "Is Dane Court Grammar School hard to get into?" given the competitive statistics. Despite the high volume of applicants, success is manageable with a solid, targeted strategy for the eleven plus exam.

Keep reading to uncover the exam format and preparation strategy you need to secure your child's place.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Our analysis of the Kent test practice papers reveals a distinct topic weighting for Dane Court Grammar School. This breakdown clearly shows that Numbers and Geometry account for over half of the expected questions (58%) in the 11 Plus Test.

Try our 11+ maths topics wise Questions with more than 15,000+ Questions to master these areas. It includes the complete 11+ past papers planner, worksheets, and Formula Sheets.

Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

Based on our analysis, Reading Comprehension (45%) and Vocabulary (35%) are critical areas for the 11 plus english papers. Proficiency in these topics is essential for securing a high score.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Verbal Reasoning topics

Analysis of 11 plus verbal reasoning past papers for Dane Court Grammar School shows that Maths and Word meanings are primary focus areas. These topics collectively account for approximately 75% of the total marks.

Elevate your score with our Verbal Reasoning resources, featuring over 1,400+ topic-wise questions. This pack includes a complete verbal reasoning 11 exam planner and worksheets covering key topics.

Analysis of 11+ Exam Non - Verbal Reasoning topics

Analysis of 11 plus non verbal reasoning papers shows that Odd One Out and Analogies are critical focus areas. These topics carry significant weightage, meaning every section is equally important for the reasoning paper.

Prepare for success with 1,900+ targeted questions across 95+ expert-designed practice papers. Our resources help students master logical patterns found in 11 plus exam papers.

Which are the Best 11+ Practice Papers for Dane Court Grammar School?

Our targeted 11 plus test papers are based on the actual questions of top schools. These help students familiarize themselves with the exam pattern well before time.

We recommend the following resources for Dane Court Grammar School. These packs consist of detailed step-wise solutions to help you score top marks.

Success in the Dane Court Grammar School 11 plus mock exam requires focused preparation. Sitting 11 plus mock tests helps students familiarise themselves with the challenging format. This practice is vital to identify weak areas and refine speed under strict conditions.

As the school uses GL Assessment (The Kent Test), we recommend these specific resources:

Parents can check our free 11 plus mock test to assess initial progress. Booking an 11 plus mock test Kent session helps children handle the pressure of the real exam.

• Autumn Half Term 1: 03^rd September 2026 to 22^nd October 2026
  
• Autumn Half Term 2: 02^nd November 2026 to 18^th December 2026
  
• Spring Half Term 1: 04^th January 2027 to 12^th February 2027
  
• Spring Half Term 2: 22^nd February 2027 to 25^th March 2027
  
• Summer Half Term 1:12^th April 2027 to 28^th May 2027
  
• Summer Half Term 2: 07^th June 2027 to 20^th July 2027
  

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Dane Court Grammar School Official Website.