Dover Grammar School for Boys
About Dover Grammar School for Boys
Dover Grammar School for Boys stands out sharply against the Kent local authority average for Progress 8. While the LA average for secondary schools sits at -0. 13, this school achieves a Progress 8 score of 0. 54, placing it well above average nationally and ranking it 2nd out of 8 schools in the Dover area. That gap of 0. 67 is significant and tells you this is a school where pupils make considerably more academic progress than their peers across the county. The school is also heavily oversubscribed: for 157 places in the 2025/26 intake, it received 373 applications, with 198 of those as first preferences. That oversubscription ratio of 2. 38 reflects a strong local reputation, and 154 of the 157 places went to first-preference applicants. It’s a boys’ grammar school with a non-selective intake in terms of faith, and 20. 9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is a higher proportion than you might expect for a grammar.
Key Details
The full report on this school
What 214 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
21 Jan 2025From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.
Source: Ofsted, 4 Mar 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:40 – 15:25
Source: dgsb.co.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dover Grammar School for Boys
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices