Admissions to current year groups

Until January, Year 7 students who wish to come to Dane Court Grammar School must have taken the Kent Test. As from January in Year 7, students can take the school’s own admissions test according to the procedure set out below. Currently, the school does not have any places in Year 7.

Admissions for Year 8 to Year 10

Dane Court Grammar School is oversubscribed with a waiting list in most year groups and holds a waiting list. The waiting list ranks potential students according to its admissions criteria. This puts looked-after children first; secondly, students with a specific disability and for whom Dane Court is the most appropriate school; third, siblings; and fourth, students nearest to the school as the crow flies. It is not based on the length of time spent on the waiting list. Students are required to take two languages at KS3. Please take this into consideration if your son/daughter has only taken one language at his/her current school. We typically receive large numbers of requests from parents who have children who are unhappy at their current school. We would strongly advise working with the current school to resolve the problem because a change of school can seriously disrupt a child’s education.

To apply for Dane Court or any other secondary school, Please complete an In-Year Admissions Form

The Selection Test
If you would like your son/daughter to be considered for admission to Dane Court from Year 8 to Year 10, he/she needs to sit the school’s selection test. The test takes under two hours and will assess verbal, quantitative and non-verbal skills. We do not advise moving schools after September of Year 10 because of different examination board specifications, missed coursework and examinations which are a vital part of the GCSE assessment. Because of the nature of the curriculum and timetable at Dane Court, it is not possible to guarantee that a student will be able to follow exactly the same GCSE options at Dane Court as in their previous school.

Testing Dates and Procedures for Year 8 to Year 10.
Tests at Dane Court are arranged according to demand, and usually take place twice a term.

Please telephone or email the school office if you would like your son/daughter to take the test. If you email, please make sure that you have a reply, to confirm that your email has been received. We will need to know your child’s full name, date of birth, current school, a contact telephone number, home address and which languages have been studied in order to register for a test. We regard dealing with admissions as a high priority and it is important we have your name and contact details correct.

Results
We endeavour to give you the results of the test as soon as possible the following day. The school cannot offer a place to a student, without passing the test.

Appeals
If a place is not offered because of oversubscription or failure to pass the test, parents have the right to appeal. This should be done by submitting a letter to the school stating your case and any supporting information. You will then be invited to make your case to an independent appeals panel. An appeal hearing can take up to a term to be heard because an appeal panel has to be appointed and a venue booked. You will have the opportunity to present your case virtually at the hearing as well as on paper. A representative from the school will also attend the hearing, stating the reason why admission has been refused. The school does not have a role in making the final decision in an appeal because it is entirely at the discretion of the independent panel.

Admissions to Year 11

Changing schools midway through GCSE study is not advised because students will have missed some public examinations, coursework assignments and a large proportion of exam preparation. Year 11 is always over-subscribed, so even if a student successfully completed the tests in Year 11, a place could not be offered.

How to apply
To apply for a place at Dane Court, please complete the In-Year admissions form and email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Admissions to the Sixth Form for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and International Baccalaureate Career-related Certificate

Dane Court Grammar School is delighted to receive applications for the Sixth Form. Dane Court offers the International Baccalaureate Programme. Applicants will be admitted to Year 12 if there is a vacant place, having obtained the Sixth Form entry requirement of eight GCSE passes at grade 5 or above, including English, Mathematics and a Modern Language with at least six at grade 6 or above for entry to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Five GCSEs at grade 5 or above with three at grade 6 or above for entry to the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme. The Sixth Form has been oversubscribed in previous years so an early application is encouraged for September entry. Please contact the school if you would like a prospectus. The Open Evening is usually held in November and includes a presentation about the Sixth Form, student life and future options. The evening will also provide an opportunity to visit departments and ask questions of subject staff and current IB students. Entry to the Sixth Form is dependent on places being available. Priority will be given to those already at the school.