The Academy

Admissions

We welcome applications from students from all backgrounds and based all over the world. We accept students for direct entry into years 7 – 11.

We understand that choosing the right school for your child is a very important decision. We aim to make our admissions process as smooth and easily navigable as possible, allowing you to get as much information as possible about the school and as much support as possible with the application.

Entry for September 2021

Registration for entry in September 2021 with open 1 April 2021. 

Selection Criteria

Dartford Excelsior Academy is an academically selective school. However, we are interested in a lot more about potential students besides their academic level – we are interested in welcoming young people who are enthusiastic about their education and want to have an immersive and dynamic educational experience. We are looking for young people that would like to contribute their talents and energy to the life of the school, connecting with other students and their tutors to shape their educational journeys.

We are also looking for families who have a deep commitment to internationalism. Though our curriculum is steeped in the British tradition, we are enhancing that tradition by taking a more global and expansive approach to our subject teaching. We are therefore looking for families that want their young people, through their education, to develop a deep understanding and care for peoples and environments beyond their own personal experience.

Selection

The offer of a place at the Academy is made on the basis of:

  • the written and oral exam;
  • an interview
  • a report from the Head of the candidate’s present school,

and is subject to the Academy’s Standard Terms and Conditions.

Written Exam

Students will sit three papers, one in Maths, one in English and a General Paper. The General Paper will assess student’s analytical skills.

Oral Exam and Interview

Candidates who show promise in the Written Exam will be invited to an Oral Exam and Interview. In the examined portion, students will be assessed on argumentation and logic. The interview portion aims to give students and teachers a chance to get to know each other and for students to give further evidence of their academic strengths and an indication of what they will contribute to the general life of the school.