Dover Grammar School for Boys
Dover, CT17 0DQ · Kent · Grammar school
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11th of 99 secondary schools in Kent we can score, 103 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 9.6/10 against 896 of them, against 9.2/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 90.1 · 96 | 46% | 4.43 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.54 · 85 | 38% | 3.28 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 63.1 · 94 | 15% | 1.45 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Dover Grammar School for Boys overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 93.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 65.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.54 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (9.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 9.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join the Combined Cadet Force, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Gardening Club, Chess, Science, Film Club, Geography Society, and Christian Union. Sports include basketball, badminton, and cricket. Music groups include the Soul Group, Rebel Clefs, Rock Band, and Bass Clefs. Trips range from skiing in Italy and history visits to New York and Normandy to science trips to Cern in Geneva and the West End. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 960 pupils against a stated capacity of 905. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
What support is available for pupils aiming for top grades in Progress 8? How do the
What Ofsted said about Dover Grammar School for Boys
Overview
Pupils “thrive at this ambitious, inclusive school” where high expectations drive them to “rise to the challenge” and achieve highly. The report highlights “exemplary” behaviour underpinned by strong, kind relationships and a culture that celebrates diversity. While the curriculum is broadly ambitious and well-supported by expert staff, inconsistencies in sequencing across some subjects impact sixth-form outcomes.
Strengths
- Behaviour is “exemplary” due to “very strong” relationships, with pupils feeling safe and bullying concerns being addressed “swiftly and effectively”.
- Personal development is “extremely well organised”, offering extensive enrichment activities, leadership roles, and thorough preparation for future careers and university.
- Teachers are “experts in their subjects” who plan “thought-provoking and demanding activities”, ensuring pupils deepen their understanding and retain knowledge.
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and disadvantaged pupils is “swiftly and accurately” identified, enabling them to “achieve well across the curriculum”.
- Staff workload and well-being are valued, with leaders providing effective support and professional development.
Areas to improve
- Curriculum sequencing in “a few curriculum areas is not as advanced as it is in others”, leading to some students reaching the sixth form with “insecure knowledge and skills”.
- The school must ensure all aspects of the curriculum are “well sequenced from Year 7 to 13” so that pupils achieve well across all subjects, particularly in the sixth form.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective”.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 59.1 |
| 2024/25 | 65.4 |
| 2025/26 | 63.1 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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