Dartford Grammar School?

Hi, I was wondering if there's anyone here who goes to to Dartford Grammar (in Kent) or has any useful info about it? I applied there a while back and they've offered me a place, but I'm unsure on whether I should go or not since I'm not sure if the IB is for me. If I were to go I'd take:

English Literature HL
Biology HL
Chemistry HL
History SL
French SL
Maths Studies

I currently do history at GCSE and am not too fond on continuing it on after secondary school, but the school doesn't really have any other courses in group 3 that I'd replace it with? I'd love to do Psychology but its only offered at HL and I'm pretty sure on my HL subjects (wanting to be a dentist when older). I'm not very fond of French and Maths either...

Does anyone think I should still do the IB? I've heard that Dartford is a really good school so I wouldn't like to miss out on that opportunity. Or should I just stick with A-Levels? There is another college which does A-Levels that I wouldn't mind going too but it's quite far away :/

Your views would really help!!

Anyone please?

Original post by goldenshades

Anyone please?

Hi, I have friends that go to Dartford Grammar on Twitter. I'd be happy to give you their Twitter names, to tweet them, or their Facebook names to message them in private chat.

Reply 3

Cle1997

Hey, I go to dartford grammar girls and am thinking of going there next year too! (id be joining you for eng hl, french and maths studies) from what Ive heard the ib is a lot better than a levels and maths studies is a doddle :smile:

I thought they did psychology sl so maybe you should check again, and french is very valued by unis as they like languages, so go for it!

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Reply 4

goldenshades

Original post by Akpanudo

Hi, I have friends that go to Dartford Grammar on Twitter. I'd be happy to give you their Twitter names, to tweet them, or their Facebook names to message them in private chat.

Yea, that'd be great! You could message me them - thanks :]

Reply 5

goldenshades

Original post by Cle1997

I thought they did psychology sl so maybe you should check again, and french is very valued by unis as they like languages, so go for it!

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Haha cool

And I would've expected them to do psychology SL too but when I checked their subject choices booklet it said it was only available at HL :/ I'll check again though just in case

Reply 6

goldenshades

Original post by Cle1997

I thought they did psychology sl so maybe you should check again, and french is very valued by unis as they like languages, so go for it!

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Unfortunately it's still unavailable at SL :mad:

Reply 7

Cle1997

Original post by goldenshades

Unfortunately it's still unavailable at SL :mad:

Oh that really sucks- I bet loads of people want to do it! You should start a petition :tongue:

if you think you can live without psychology, I still think you should go!

Reply 8

Meedo The Trusty 1

Original post by goldenshades

Hey, I used to go to DGS for secondary school, I'm currently in Year 13 doing A-levels at another grammar school.

I can honestly say that it's a very good school and I loved it there. My friends that still go there genuinely enjoy it.

However, you need to decide if you want to do the IB over A-levels, it's a very rigorous but rewarding course.

Pros:
More breadth (you do 6 subjects in total)
Internationally recognised
Helps develop you into a global citizen (you gain amazing transferable skills from doing it)

Cons:
A LOT of work
More breadth (you might want to specialise - choosing 4 A-levels might be better)
All exams sat at the end of Year 13 (one chance, no resits)
Universities will look at your GCSEs, if you did A-levels they will look at your AS-levels (sat at the end of Year 12)

History is a much more academic and respected subject compared to Psychology. Rest assured the history department at DGS is incredible good, the resources and the teachers are amazing! Not to mention you have a few weeks after the start of term to change your choices.

Summary:
DGS:

6 subjects

Theory of knowledge (ToK)

Extended Essay

CAS (compulsory community, action & service)

A-level College:

4 subjects (you can drop one in Year 13)

Plenty of 'free'/study periods

I hope this helps, if you have any more questions about the school, let me know. :smile:

Reply 9

Frooty

Hi there I'm a current student at DGS and have been for 7 years. I'm sitting my final exams at the moment :smile:

The school has been expanding a lot recently for the 6th form, to accommodate A LOT of new students, so you will be one of around 150 external students joining in year 12.

The school has a good reputation for a reason, students are pushed hard but that's what comes with the IB. There's no escaping the work I'm afraid but there's plenty of support, and if you're aspiring to do dentistry you're going to have to put in the hours no matter where you are studying.

I do know a lot of people that have gone on from a-levels to do well, and success in your exams in 6th is going to come down to your own individual work on either course.

If youve got any questions about subjects or the school i'm happy to answer them