Apply to Dane Court Grammar School, in plain English.
Dane Court is a mixed selective grammar in Broadstairs. Entry to Year 7 requires the Kent 11+ (PESE). When there are more applicants than places, 5 tiers decide — and inside each tier, straight-line distance to the school decides. The sixth form runs the International Baccalaureate (IBDP and IBCP), not A Levels.
The three things to know first.
If you read nothing else on this page, read these. They're the bits that catch parents out.
Your child needs the Kent 11+ (PESE).
Only pupils with a selective Kent Test result are admitted to Year 7 at Dane Court. In-year applicants who didn't take the Kent Test sit the school's own Cognitive Ability Test instead.
You apply through your council, by 31 October 2026.
List Dane Court on your council's SCAFSecondary Common Application FormThe single form you submit to your home council listing up to six schools in order of preference. by 31 October 2026, even if you don't live in Kent. The school does not take direct applications.
Health/Special Access ranks above Pupil Premium.
The order at Dane Court is LAC → Health → PP → Sibling → Distance. PP is tier 3, and only counts if you also send the SIF to admin@danecourt.kent.sch.uk by 31 October 2026.
Five steps, spread over a year.
From registering for the test to your child starting Year 7. Steps 3 and 4 both close on 31 October 2026.
If too many pupils pass the 11+, these 5 tiers decide.
EHCPs naming the school are admitted first (reducing the 165 PAN). Every other eligible child is sorted into the highest tier that applies, then distance to school decides inside each tier. Tap any tier to see the document's exact wording.
In plain English: Children currently in council care (LAC), or who left care via adoption, child arrangements or special guardianship orders (PLAC), including those adopted from state care outside England (IAPLAC).
What the document says: Children in Local Authority Care or Previously in Local Authority Care: a 'looked after child' (LAC) or a child who was previously looked (PLAC) after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, child arrangements, or special guardianship order. This includes children who have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted (IAPLAC).
In plain English: Children with a demonstrable medical, health or special-access need that means Dane Court in particular is the right school. Or where a parent/guardian's physical/mental health or social need means the child has a demonstrable and significant need to attend Dane Court. Written evidence from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner is required, showing the special connection to this school specifically.
What the document says: Medical/health and special access reasons: this will be applied in accordance with the school's legal obligations in particular those under the Equality Act 2010. Priority will be given to children under this criterion whose health or physical impairment means they have a demonstrable and significant need to attend Dane Court Grammar School. Medical/health and special access reasons must be supported with written evidence from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner who can demonstrate a special connection between these needs and Dane Court Grammar School.
In plain English: Children eligible for Pupil Premium — registered for FSM at any point in the last 6 years (Universal Infant FSM doesn't count). Complete the SIF (Appendix 1 of the policy) and attach proof of FSM entitlement; return to the school by 31 October 2026.
What the document says: Students in receipt of Pupil Premium: A child is eligible for Pupil Premium where they have been registered for free school meals (FSM) at any point in the last 6 years. Parents wishing to apply under this criterion must ensure they have completed a Supplementary Information Form (SIF). Parents wishing to apply under this criterion must attach proof of eligibility to their Supplementary Information Form and return it all to the school by the 31st October in the year of application.
In plain English: If your child will have a brother or sister (including step- or foster-siblings) already at Dane Court in September 2027 — any year group, including the sixth form — they get sibling priority.
What the document says: Children with a sibling, currently on roll who will be in school at the time of entry: in this context brother or sister means children who live as brother or sister in the same house, including natural brothers and sisters, adopted siblings, stepbrothers or sisters and foster brothers and sisters.
In plain English: Distance from your home to a fixed point at the school site (Broadstairs Road), measured as a single straight line. Routes, bus times and travel difficulty are not considered. If two children can't be separated by the 5 criteria, the school uses random allocation as the tiebreaker — independently verified.
What the document says: On the basis of distance/nearness of the children's home to the school, with those living nearer to the school receiving priority. We use the distance between the child's permanent home address (defined in KCC's annual admissions prospectus) and the school, measured in a straight line using the National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) address point. In the case of 2 or more applications that cannot be separated by the oversubscription criteria outlined above, the school will use random allocation as a tie breaker to decide between applicants in a fair and clear manner. This process will be independently verified.
Straight line, not driving time.
Inside each tier — and again to fill the last few places — Dane Court uses the straight-line distance between your home and a fixed point at the Broadstairs Road site. Routes, bus times and travel difficulty are not considered. The closer the home, the higher the rank.
Distance uses the National Land and Property GazetteerNLPGThe official UK address database. Distance is measured as a straight line between two address points: your home and a fixed point at the school. address point. For new-build homes not yet in that database, KCC uses planning coordinates.
See the approximate catchment on the GrammarBound mapInside tier 5, distance decides.
Both children passed the Kent Test, neither claims PP, neither has a sibling at the school, neither has medical priority. They both sit in tier 5. House A's straight-line distance is shorter, so it ranks higher. If two children tie on all criteria, the school uses an independently verified random allocation as the tiebreaker.
International Baccalaureate, not A Levels.
Dane Court's sixth form runs two IB pathways: the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) and the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP). Minimum external PAN is 30. Internal Year 11 transfers get priority for places on courses available in Year 12.
Eight GCSEs at grade 5+, including English, Maths and a Modern Foreign Language.
For the IB Diploma Programme: 8 GCSE passes at grade 5 or above, including English, Mathematics and a modern foreign language. 6 of these 8 passes must be at grade 6 or above.
Five GCSEs at grade 5+; English and Maths at grade 4+.
For the IB Career-related Programme: at least 5 GCSEs at grade 5 or above (including English and Mathematics at grade 4 or above), with 3 of these passes at grade 6 or above. Oversubscription within external applicants uses the same 5 Year 7 criteria.
If your predicted grades suggest you'll meet the standard but you fall short on results day, the school will consider you alongside applicants who beat their predictions; the waiting list is also ranked using the oversubscription criteria.
You have two routes, and you can use both.
Waiting list
If you're not offered a place, ask to be added to the waiting list — held until 31 December of the admission year. The list is re-ranked using the same 5 oversubscription criteria every time a child is added. Priority is not given on the basis of how long a child has been on the list.
Appeal
Set out the grounds for your appeal in writing and send to admin@danecourt.kent.sch.uk. The school's appeals timetable is on the website: danecourt.kent.sch.uk/parents8/applying-for-years-7-11.
Apply via Kent's In-Year Admissions form and send to admin@danecourt.kent.sch.uk. If your child has already passed the Kent Test or the school's CAT and there's space, they'll be offered a place. Otherwise the application goes onto the waiting list, re-ranked by the 5 criteria. If your child hasn't taken any selective test, contact the admissions officer to arrange the school's CAT.