A selective boys grammar school in Dover, Kent, serving ages 11-18 with a sixth form and around 899 pupils on roll.
Dover Grammar School for Boys
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At a glance
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.
Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with Kent and England.
Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Kent and England.
Latest 2024/25 Year 11 destination mix compared with Kent and England.
January 2025 school census
Whole-school roll of 899 pupils; 883 had a recorded ethnic group.
| Recorded group | Share | Category | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|
| White British | 84.1% | White | 756 |
| Any other Asian background | 3.8% | Asian | 34 |
| Any other White background | 2.6% | White | 23 |
| Any other mixed background | 1.9% | Mixed | 17 |
| Unclassified | 1.8% | Unclassified | 16 |
| Indian | 1.2% | Asian | 11 |
| White and Asian | 1.2% | Mixed | 11 |
| African | 0.9% | Black | 8 |
| Any other ethnic group | 0.7% | Other | 6 |
| White and Black African | 0.7% | Mixed | 6 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.4% | Mixed | 4 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.2% | Asian | 2 |
| Chinese | 0.2% | Asian | 2 |
| Any other Black background | 0.1% | Black | 1 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.1% | White | 1 |
| Irish | 0.1% | White | 1 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
Health or special access reasons
Priority applies where professional evidence shows a significant medical, health, social, or access need connected to this school.
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.
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.
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.
Shared exam route
Dover Grammar School for Boys uses the shared Kent Test route. Use these common practice resources for the route, then check the full consortium guide for the complete set and current test guidance.
View all Kent Test practice papersPaper 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.
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.
English, Maths, Verbal reasoning and Non-verbal reasoning are included in the published format.
Science is not listed in the current published format.
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.
Science
Kent Test registration opens
Monday 1 June 2026
PastKent 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
The school test is normally the Saturday immediately after the Kent Test.
Pupil-premium supplementary form deadline
Saturday 31 October 2026
Return the form and evidence if applying under the pupil-premium criterion.
Choose a selection route
Applicants can qualify through the Dover Boys Test or through the Kent Age 11 assessment.
Open admissionsRegister 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 routeSubmit the secondary application
Name Dover Grammar School for Boys on the home local authority secondary application by the published deadline.
Read admissions policyReturn 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 SIFLatest official destinations data currently covers 2022/23 study leavers.
Recent trend
This follows the school's published overall GCSE score across the subjects pupils take. Higher is better.
| Year | This school | Grammar schools | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 57.6 | 74.2 | 49.4 |
| 2022/23 | 60.2 | 71.8 | 47.0 |
| 2023/24 | 59.1 | 72.1 | 46.7 |
| 2024/25 | 65.4 | 72.3 | 46.8 |
Recent trend
This follows the published average A-level result for the school's sixth form. Higher is better.
| Year | This school | Grammar schools | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | B average (38.9 points) | 44.0 points | 37.5 points |
| 2022/23 | C average (31.3 points) | 40.5 points | 33.7 points |
| 2023/24 | C average (30.3 points) | 41.3 points | 34.5 points |
| 2024/25 | C- average (28.2 points) | 41.8 points | 35.0 points |
Recent trend
This follows the share of pupils moving into a sustained destination after Year 11, such as education, apprenticeships, or employment.
| Year | This school | Grammar schools | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 97% | 99.1% | 94.1% |
| 2022/23 | 98% | 98.9% | 93.9% |
| 2023/24 | 94% | 99.0% | 93.3% |
| 2024/25 | 98% | 98.7% | 91.8% |
Latest year breakdown
| In education | 95% |
|---|---|
| In apprenticeships | 1% |
| In employment | 2% |
Latest inspection: 16 October 2019
Local rivals appear first, followed by nearby alternatives where the journey and admissions route are still comparable.
Same Kent area and similar boys' selective route
Same Kent area and similar boys' selective route
Same Kent area and similar boys' selective route
Same Kent area and similar boys' selective route
Closest comparable alternatives with a similar academic profile, so parents can weigh local fit and results together.
Nearby option with similar Attainment 8 and Progress 8
Nearby option with similar Attainment 8 and Progress 8
Nearby option with similar Attainment 8 and Progress 8
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Best Boys' Grammar Schools in the UK
Explore the best boys grammar schools in the UK with a national ranking parents can filter by county and Ofsted before comparing schools by route and journey.
Best Grammar Schools in the UK
Explore the best grammar schools in the UK with a national ranking that can be filtered by county, school type, and Ofsted before moving into local admissions detail.
Best Grammar Schools by A-level Results
Explore the best grammar schools by A-level results in the UK, ranked by the published share of students achieving AAB or better at A level.
Related guides are still being added.
FAQ
Dover Grammar School for Boys currently uses GL Assessment.
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.
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
Dover Grammar School for Boys is currently rated Good following the latest published inspection dated 16 October 2019.