Grammar schools in Dronfield
There are no grammar schools in Dronfield.
Grammar schools are state secondaries that select by ability, usually through an 11+ test. Only 46 of the 226 local authorities in the UK still have any, and Derbyshire is not one of them, so every state secondary in Dronfield admits without a selective test.
The nearest is Heckmondwike Grammar School, about 29.4 miles away in Kirklees. Most grammar schools accept out-of-area applicants, though distance is often a tie-breaker when a school is oversubscribed.
Nearest grammar schools to Dronfield
Straight-line distance from the centre of Dronfield — not a travel time.
| School | Area | Distance | Intake | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heckmondwike Grammar School | Heckmondwike | 29.4 miles | Mixed | Good |
| The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough | Gainsborough | 29.8 miles | Mixed | Good |
| The Crossley Heath School | Halifax | 33.0 miles | Mixed | Good |
| Saint Ambrose College | Altrincham | 35.2 miles | Boys | — |
| Stretford Grammar School | Manchester | 35.4 miles | Mixed | Good |
| Sale Grammar School | Sale | 35.6 miles | Mixed | Outstanding |
Published admissions priorities
These are extracts from school-specific arrangements for the entry years shown, in priority order. They are not the full policy or a prediction of an offer. Check the linked arrangement for test eligibility, deadlines and all remaining priorities.
Heckmondwike Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Looked After/Previously Looked After Children (in or outside England) of selective ability (published source)
- Pupil Premium children of selective ability (published source)
- Children of selective ability resident in the catchment area (published source)
The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough — 2026 entry
- Looked after and previously looked after children who reach the qualifying standard (published source)
- Children with a brother or sister on roll (published source)
- Children of staff (published source)
The Crossley Heath School — 2026 entry
- Looked After, Previously Looked After, or Special Guardianship children (published source)
- Pupil Premium and Service Premium children (published source)
- Remaining places by combined order of merit (English + Maths), until PAN (180) is reached (published source)
Saint Ambrose College — 2026 entry
- Baptised Catholic boys who are looked after or previously looked after (published source)
- Baptised Catholic boys with a brother at the school (published source)
- Baptised Catholic boys living in a nominated Local Pastoral Area (all WA14, WA15, M31 and M33 postcodes, and the listed parishes) (published source)
Stretford Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Looked after and previously looked after children, including those adopted from state care outside England (published source)
- Children in the catchment area receiving the Pupil or Service Premium (published source)
- Children with a sibling at the school in Years 7–11 (published source)
Sale Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Looked after and previously looked after children (published source)
- Up to 15 Pupil Premium children: first those in the priority area (nearest first), then those at a Trafford state primary living elsewhere in Trafford (in score order) (published source)
- Children living in the priority area (M33, plus Trafford addresses in M23, WA14 and WA15) — nearest first (published source)
Schools in Dronfield
Dronfield has 14 open schools. Browse all Dronfield schools with Ofsted ratings, catchment areas and admission criteria, or see them on the map.
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