Wasn’t Dartford West the one round the back of Halfords that is now a college? I seem to remember it was a comp and possibly had separate boys and girls schools on the same site, whereas the grammar schools are a bit nearer Crayford with a bit more distance betwixt them?
the Leigh academy used to be called the Downs - its the one by Princes Roundabout. Dartford West Boys known for being a bit 'ard....Dartford Grammar school boys and Dartford Grammar School Girls never had the word "West" in title. I have a vague recollection that the Dartford West Boys or Girls did have central in the title. I'll check with my mum!
I played for Chis & Sid in the mid 70s in a cricket final against Dartford West. Their captain, opening bowler and opening batsman was one Graham Dilley - and Umpire for that matter because he seemed to be making most of the decisions on behalf of the master standing at the end he was bowling from!
Checked with Mum (was signed in my son's account earlier) and she thinks Dartford West was called Dartford West Central at some point. Did some on line research and whilst there are so few references it looks probable it was called this at some point. Hope that helps
The Grammar School, Dartford founded nearly 500 years ago originally nearer Erith but in West Dartford for 200 plus years at least. Boys school is the original. Latterly one of the very best state schools in the country. The girls school across the road is the Jenny come lately but nearly as successful
Dartford West boys school was the sump tank for the thickos of the area that became so unpopular with parents they couldn’t attract sufficient 11 year olds to keep it open. The girls school nearby with the tasteful brown uniform produced nearly as many babies as O levels thru the 80s but then went Academy and was turned around there was never a west Dartford grammar school Both Dartford Grammars are to the west of the town but that could only confuse a stupid person
The Grammar School, Dartford founded nearly 500 years ago originally nearer Erith but in West Dartford for 200 plus years at least. Boys school is the original. Latterly one of the very best state schools in the country. The girls school across the road is the Jenny come lately but nearly as successful
Dartford West boys school was the sump tank for the thickos of the area that became so unpopular with parents they couldn’t attract sufficient 11 year olds to keep it open. The girls school nearby with the tasteful brown uniform produced nearly as many babies as O levels thru the 80s but then went Academy and was turned around there was never a west Dartford grammar school Both Dartford Grammars are to the west of the town but that could only confuse a stupid person
lol I think we'd moved on to whether Dartford West Boys was ever called Dartford West Central, and established it probably was. I think your assessment of why Dartford West Boys shut is probably spot on.
My son went to Dartford Grammar. One day Mick Jagger (being an ex pupil of DGS) was opening the new music wing. When my son got home from school, i said 'did you see Mick Jagger?', his response ...'Mick who?'.
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Dartford Grammar is the boys school. Dartford Grammar School for Girls is, well, the girls school.
What is the technology college called now?
I seem to remember it was a comp and possibly had separate boys and girls schools on the same site, whereas the grammar schools are a bit nearer Crayford with a bit more distance betwixt them?
I’ve always known it as Dartford West probably since 1992 - not sure before that.
RIP Graham
I'm looking for a West Central School in Dartford pre WW2.
So am I right to think it's now the Technology college?
The girls school is now the Dartford Science & Technology College (a non selective girls secondary school)
The boys school closed in 2000, and I think is now the Adult Education Centre
https://blocl.uk/schools/dartford-west-boys-school-118784
I wasn't living in Dartford then, so not sure why the boys school was closed, while the girls school stayed open
there was never a west Dartford grammar school
Both Dartford Grammars are to the west of the town but that could only confuse a stupid person