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School profile Verified 11 September 2026

Kent Kent 11+

Dover Grammar School for Boys

Astor Avenue, Dover, CT17 0DQ

A selective boys grammar school in Dover, Kent, serving ages 11-18 with a sixth form and around 899 pupils on roll.

Grammar school Boys Foundation school Ages 11-18 Sixth form GL Assessment
UK rank
UK Rank #134
Year 7 places
150
Competition ?
Moderate
Ofsted ?
Good
11+ route
GL Assessment
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On this page

At a glance

Key facts

GCSE rank
UK Rank #134
Sector
Grammar school
Admissions
Boys only
Assessment
GL Assessment
Places in Year 7
150
Competition ?
Moderate
Catchment
You can apply from any area. There is no defined catchment or local-priority area, although distance may still affect allocation or a tie-break.
Ofsted ?
Good

Overview

Dover Grammar School for Boys is an 11-18 selective boys' school with about 899 pupils and a mixed sixth form. The school motto, Fiat Lux, gives a useful shorthand for its self-image: a grammar school rooted in intellectual curiosity, engagement, empathy and aspiration, but also one that wants pupils to be happy and purposeful.

The curriculum is supported by computing, design and technology, creative arts, music, literacy work and a sixth form with careers, work experience and super-curricular expectations. School life is notably varied for its size, with CCF, sport, music, drama, student leadership, trips and a technology-rich Future Space theme appearing in the school's own material.

Year 7 admission is unusual for Kent because boys can qualify through the Kent Test or the Dover Boys Test. The published admission number is 150 for 2027 entry. The Dover route covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and mathematics, and Pupil Premium applicants need the supplementary information form if using that criterion.

For families in east Kent, DGSB offers a boys' grammar with a clear local identity and two recognised qualification routes. Public data records Ofsted Good, strong GCSE English and maths performance and positive Progress 8, while sixth-form outcomes are more modest than some larger super-selective schools.

Key points
Assessment route
GL Assessment across a 2-stage process, covering Verbal reasoning, Non-verbal reasoning, English and Maths.
Places and demand
150 places in Year 7 and Moderate
Catchment
You can apply from any area. There is no defined catchment or local-priority area, although distance may still affect allocation or a tie-break.
Results
97.4% grade 5+ in English and maths and 65.4 Attainment 8
Sixth form
Sixth form available with 5.6% AAB or better and 63% in higher education.

GCSE benchmark

Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with Kent and England.

School Local authority England
GCSE benchmark comparison Latest GCSE benchmark measures for Dover Grammar School for Boys, Kent, and England. 0 50 100 Att. 8 5+ E&M EBacc APS EBacc %
Attainment 8
65.4
Grade 5+ English and maths
97.4%
EBacc APS
5.94
EBacc entry
71.9%

Attainment 8 trend

Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Kent and England.

School Local authority England
Attainment 8 trend line Attainment 8 over time for Dover Grammar School for Boys, Kent, and England. 70 60 50 40 21/22 22/23 23/24 24/25

Destinations

Latest 2024/25 Year 11 destination mix compared with Kent and England.

Education Apprenticeships Employment Other / unknown
Destinations stacked bar comparison Year 11 destinations for Dover Grammar School for Boys, Kent, and England across education, apprenticeships, employment, and other or unknown destinations. 0 50 100 School Local auth. England

School details
Sector
Grammar school
School type
Foundation school
Application
Local authority CAF
Gender
Boys only
Age range
11-18
Headteacher
Mr Philip Horstrup
Pupil roll
899 pupils
Sixth form
Yes
FSM ?
20.9%
EAL ?
7.5%
EHCP ?
0.7%

Facilities

Library

Extracurriculars

Combined Cadet Force Sport

Ethnicity

Pupil ethnicity

Whole-school roll of 899 pupils; 883 had a recorded ethnic group.

White 86.9% Asian 5.4% Mixed 4.2% Black 1% Other 0.7% Unclassified 1.8%

Location and contact

Address

Address
Astor Avenue, Dover, Kent
Postcode
CT17 0DQ
Area
Kent
Exam area
Kent 11+

School leadership

Headteacher
Mr Philip Horstrup

School contact

School email
office@dgsb.co.uk
School phone
038701924245971058

Admissions contact

Admissions team
Admissions and Administration Officer
Admissions contact
Mrs Tessa Cook
Admissions email
admissions@dgsb.co.uk
Admissions phone
01304206117
Open in Map Open school website

Admissions
Year 7 places
150 places (2025 entry)
Applications listed
373 applications (2025 entry)
First preferences
198 first preferences (2025 entry)
Competition ?
Moderate
Who can apply
You can apply from any area. There is no defined catchment or local-priority area, although distance may still affect allocation or a tie-break.
Pass mark note
Eligibility can come through either the Dover Boys Test or Kent Age 11 selection. The Dover Boys Test standard is intended to predict readiness for the school curriculum and to sit at roughly the top 25% nationally; no single final offer score is stated.

Year 7 PAN is 150 for September 2027. Eligibility can be gained through the Dover Boys Test or the Kent Age 11 assessment before oversubscription criteria are applied.

There is no fixed catchment boundary. After priority categories, eligible boys are ranked by straight-line distance from the permanent home address to the school if places are oversubscribed.

Oversubscription and eligibility

  1. 1

    Looked after, previously looked after, and internationally adopted children

    Eligible boys in local authority care, previously in care, or adopted after state care are first in priority.

  2. 2

    Pupil premium applicants

    Eligible boys registered for free school meals at any point in the last six years are considered next if the supplementary form and evidence are returned by 31 October 2026.

  3. 3

    Current family association

    Boys with a brother or sister attending at the time of entry are next; siblings from multiple births can be admitted above PAN if needed.

  4. 4

    Health or special access reasons

    Priority applies where professional evidence shows a significant medical, health, social, or access need connected to this school.

  5. 5

    Children of staff

    A child of staff can be prioritised where the staff member has two years' service at application or was recruited for a demonstrable skill-shortage post.

  6. 6

    Distance from home to school

    Remaining eligible boys are ranked by straight-line distance from the permanent home address to the school using NLPG address points.

Admissions policy

DGSB admissions policy 2027-2028

2027 entry

Exam and test format

The GL Assessment 11+ entrance test format

Year 7 eligibility can come through either the Kent Test or the Dover Boys Test. The Dover Boys Test covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and mathematics.

Assessment route
GL Assessment
Papers and stages
2 papers
Format
Mixed format

Official exam resources

Past papers and practice materials

No released past entrance-test papers are currently verified here. The resources below are labelled by type.

Kent Test test guide

Papers and rounds

  1. Paper 1

    Verbal reasoning, Non-verbal reasoning, English, Maths

    Dover Boys Test

    The Dover Boys Test includes verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and mathematics papers for the school route.

  2. Paper 2

    English, Maths, Verbal reasoning, Non-verbal reasoning

    Kent Age 11 assessment route

    Applicants can also qualify through the Kent Age 11 assessment before admissions criteria are applied.

What the test includes

English, Maths, Verbal reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning are included in the published format.

Science is not listed in the current published format.

Included

  • English

  • Maths

  • Verbal reasoning

    The Dover Boys Test includes verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and mathematics papers for the school route.

  • Non-verbal reasoning

    The Dover Boys Test includes verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and mathematics papers for the school route.

Not listed

  • Science

Application

Key dates

Get date reminders
Find open days and plan a visit

  1. Kent Test registration opens

    Monday 1 June 2026

    Past

  2. Kent Test registration closes

    Wednesday 1 July 2026

    Past

  3. Secondary applications open

    Tuesday 1 September 2026

    Past

  4. Kent primary pupils test day

    Thursday 10 September 2026

    Past

  5. Out-of-county Kent Test weekend

    Weekend of 12 and 13 September 2026

  6. Kent Test results

    Thursday 15 October 2026

  7. Secondary application deadline

    Monday 2 November 2026

  8. National Offer Day

    Monday 1 March 2027

  9. Dover Boys Test

    Saturday 12 September 2026

    Past

    The school test is normally the Saturday immediately after the Kent Test.

  10. Pupil-premium supplementary form deadline

    Saturday 31 October 2026

    Return the form and evidence if applying under the pupil-premium criterion.

  11. Year 6 open evening

    1 October 2026

    5pm-7pm; no registration required.

  12. Open morning

    6 October 2026

    9.15am-11am; registration required.

  13. Open morning

    7 October 2026

    9.15am-11am; registration required.

How to apply

  1. 1

    Choose a selection route

    Applicants can qualify through the Dover Boys Test or through the Kent Age 11 assessment.

    Open admissions
  2. 2

    Register for the chosen test route

    Use the school application form for the Dover Boys Test, or the Kent County Council route for the Kent Test.

    Check test route
  3. 3

    Submit the secondary application

    Name Dover Grammar School for Boys on the home local authority secondary application by the published deadline.

    Read admissions policy
  4. 4

    Return the pupil-premium SIF if relevant

    If applying under the pupil-premium criterion, return the supplementary information form and evidence by 31 October 2026.

    Open policy and SIF

Official admissions documents

Admissions policy

DGSB admissions policy 2027-2028

2027 entry

Results

Inspection
View report
Good

Latest inspection: 16 October 2019

Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Good
Sixth form provision
Good

Quick summary

  • Overall effectiveness: The 2025 inspection judged Dover Grammar School for Boys Good across education, leadership and sixth form, with outstanding behaviour and personal development. Pupils thrive in an ambitious, inclusive school, though some curriculum sequencing still affected later achievement.
  • Quality of education: The curriculum is broad and ambitious, with EBacc study, new facilities and subjects such as drama and food technology. In many subjects sequencing is strong, but weaker planning in a few areas leaves some sixth-form knowledge insecure.
  • Behaviour and attitudes: Behaviour was judged outstanding. Relationships are kind and caring, diversity is celebrated, attendance is high and pupils trust staff to respond quickly if bullying or other concerns arise.
  • Personal development: Personal development is extensive, with jazz band, film club, trips, Combined Cadet Force, student parliament, Fiat Lux scholars, PSHE on consent and healthy relationships, and a strong DGSB Futures careers programme.
  • Leadership and management: Leaders are ambitious and staff feel well supported through professional development, workload consideration and wellbeing support. Governors meet statutory duties and challenge leaders, while the school continues work on curriculum sequencing from Year 7 to 13.
  • Sixth form provision: Sixth-form students can choose from a range of academic subjects linked to their interests and career plans. The report notes that outcomes were weaker than key stage 4 where earlier curriculum sequencing had left some knowledge insecure.

Similar schools and comparisons

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Closest comparable alternatives with a similar academic profile, so parents can weigh local fit and results together.

Shortlist comparisons

Compare Dover Grammar School for Boys with The Norton Knatchbull School Compare Dover Grammar School for Boys with Borden Grammar School Compare Dover Grammar School for Boys with Oakwood Park Grammar School

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Related pages and guides

Guides and related reading

Related guides are still being added.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What assessment types does Dover Grammar School for Boys use?

Dover Grammar School for Boys currently uses GL Assessment.

How do I apply to Dover Grammar School for Boys?

1. Choose a selection route: Applicants can qualify through the Dover Boys Test or through the Kent Age 11 assessment. 2. Register for the chosen test route: Use the school application form for the Dover Boys Test, or the Kent County Council route for the Kent Test. 3. Submit the secondary application: Name Dover Grammar School for Boys on the home local authority secondary application by the published deadline. 4. Return the pupil-premium SIF if relevant: If applying under the pupil-premium criterion, return the supplementary information form and evidence by 31 October 2026.

When are the key dates for Dover Grammar School for Boys?

Kent Test registration opens: Monday 1 June 2026. Kent Test registration closes: Wednesday 1 July 2026. Secondary applications open: Tuesday 1 September 2026. Kent primary pupils test day: Thursday 10 September 2026. Out-of-county Kent Test weekend: Weekend of 12 and 13 September 2026. Kent Test results: Thursday 15 October 2026. Secondary application deadline: Monday 2 November 2026. National Offer Day: Monday 1 March 2027. Dover Boys Test: Saturday 12 September 2026. Pupil-premium supplementary form deadline: Saturday 31 October 2026. Year 6 open evening: 1 October 2026. Open morning: 6 October 2026. Open morning: 7 October 2026

What does the latest inspection picture look like for Dover Grammar School for Boys?

Dover Grammar School for Boys is currently rated Good following the latest published inspection dated 16 October 2019.