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Schools in Dartford.

32 schools in Dartford, Kent. 5 rated Outstanding by Ofsted. See them on the map, or open any school for admissions, results and contact details.

32 Total
24 Primary
4 Secondary
4 Grammar
1 Independent

About schools in Dartford

Dartford has 32 schools listed on Schools in Kent, across every stage of a child's education, from nursery and reception through to sixth form. Families here can choose between 24 primary schools, 4 secondary schools, 4 grammar schools, 1 independent school and 5 schools with dedicated SEND provision such as a specialist setting, SEN unit or resourced provision, giving parents genuine flexibility whether they are moving to the area or simply weighing up next steps. Many schools in Dartford publish SEND information. Support varies by school, so check each school's SEND section and speak to the SENCO about your child's needs. Ofsted currently rates 97% of inspected schools in Dartford as Good or Outstanding, including 5 judged Outstanding.

Local highlights include Dartford Primary Academy, St Anselm's Catholic Primary School and Dartford Grammar School. You will also find 8 schools with a sixth form and Kent Test grammar options within Dartford, which is useful if you are planning for the longer term. Use the interactive map to see catchment areas at a glance, filter by phase, or open any school for admissions, results, term dates, contact details and the latest Ofsted or ISI report. Every entry is independent and free to browse.

What parents should know about Dartford

Dartford is Kent's closest large town to London and its schools reflect that: strong selective provision, high demand, and a steady flow of families relocating from south-east London boroughs. Ebbsfleet, Stone, Greenhithe and Swanscombe have all seen significant new housing, and new primary provision has followed.

Proximity to London also means competition for places at the most oversubscribed schools can be intense, and some Dartford families run parallel applications to Bexley and Bromley schools, which use their own selective tests on their own timetables.

Primary schools (24)

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Secondary schools (4)

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Grammar schools (4)

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Independent schools (1)

See all independent schools in Dartford →

Schools by village near Dartford

Villages and neighbourhoods in the Dartford area, with every school we list in each one.

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Parent FAQs

How many schools are there in Dartford?

There are 32 schools in Dartford covering 24 primary, 4 secondary, 4 grammar and 1 independent.

Which are the best-rated schools in Dartford?

Ofsted has judged 5 schools in Dartford as Outstanding: Dartford Primary Academy, St Anselm's Catholic Primary School, Dartford Grammar School, Dartford Grammar School for Girls and Wilmington Academy. Around 97% of inspected schools are rated Good or Outstanding overall.

Are there grammar schools in Dartford?

Yes — Dartford has 4 selective grammar schools (Dartford Grammar School, Dartford Grammar School for Girls, Wilmington Grammar School for Boys and Wilmington Grammar School for Girls). Entry is via the Kent Test, usually taken in Year 6.

How do school catchment areas work in Dartford?

Kent County Council does not use strict catchment areas for most community schools. Distance from home to the school is one of several oversubscription criteria, alongside siblings, looked-after status and, for faith schools, religious criteria. Always check each school's individual admissions policy.

Can I compare schools in Dartford side by side?

Yes. Tap "Add to compare" on any school card to line up Ofsted ratings, results, pupil numbers, admissions and facilities on our compare page.

Can I apply to both Kent and Bexley grammar schools from Dartford?

Yes, but they are separate tests. The Kent Test is run by Kent County Council; Bexley runs its own selective test with its own registration window. You would need to register for each one separately, then name the schools you want on your single home-authority application form.

Is Dartford a good area for commuting families?

Dartford has fast rail links to London Bridge, Charing Cross and, from Ebbsfleet, St Pancras. That makes it popular with commuting families, which keeps demand for the most popular schools high. Check each school's published distance data before assuming a place is likely.