Dover Grammar School for Boys 11+ Guide

About Dover Grammar School for Boys

Dover Grammar School for Boys is a selective secondary school in Kent. For children to get into Dover Grammar School for Boys they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Dover Grammar School for Boys is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the heart of Dover, Dover Grammar School for Boys is a beacon of academic excellence, providing an exceptional educational experience for boys aged 11-16 and a co-educational Sixth Form. The school's state-of-the-art campus, recently enhanced through significant investment, features advanced laboratories, a well-equipped sports hall, and modern computer facilities, creating an environment conducive to learning and growth.

At Dover Grammar School for Boys, students embark on a transformative educational journey, guided by a meticulously crafted curriculum that caters to individual learning styles and fosters resilience in the face of academic challenges. From the realms of technology and the arts to the intricacies of personal, social, and health education (PSHE) and the wonders of science, pupils are immersed in a diverse array of subjects that ignite their passions and prepare them for the rigors of higher education.

Beyond the classroom, the school nurtures a strong sense of community and personal development. The thriving Combined Cadet Force instills leadership skills and fortitude, while an array of extracurricular activities, including badminton, cooking, chess, table tennis, Dissection Club, and coding, enrich the educational experience. Students also have the opportunity to expand their horizons through exciting trips and expeditions.

Dover Grammar School for Boys is committed to fostering a positive and supportive environment where students and staff alike are encouraged to strive for excellence. Sixth Formers, in particular, are empowered to embrace their curiosity and graduate with an unshakable sense of self-confidence and the tools necessary to navigate the challenges of higher education and beyond. The school's unwavering dedication to academic achievement is matched by its focus on character development, instilling in its students the values of determination, drive, and a lifelong love for learning.

With a consistent record of outstanding achievements across various disciplines, including academics, sports, music, and the arts, Dover Grammar School for Boys has earned its reputation as a top-performing institution. Recognized as "Good" by Ofsted, the school continues to set the standard for educational excellence in the region, shaping the minds and characters of future leaders and innovators.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Dover Grammar School for Boys together with their admissions contact details.

Dover Grammar School for Boys is a boys only school. It is also a local authority maintained school, meaning the local authority oversee the funding, admissions, and overall performance of the school.

In total 835 pupils attend Dover Grammar School for Boys and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Philip Horstrup.

Dover Grammar School for Boys Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Dover Grammar School for Boys for the 2022-23 academic year.

Kent 11+ Test Information

In order to get into Dover Grammar School for Boys, children need to pass the Kent 11+ Test. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

Kent 11+ Test Subjects & Structure

The Kent 11+ Test requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning
• Spatial Reasoning

The Kent Test is the entrance examination for boys seeking admission to Dover Grammar School for Boys. This assessment, provided by GL Assessment, comprises two multiple-choice papers that evaluate the candidate's abilities across various subjects.

The first paper, which lasts for one hour, focuses on English and maths. The questions in this section are based on the Key Stage 2 national curriculum, ensuring that the content aligns with the students' current level of education.

The second paper, also an hour in length, assesses the candidate's skills in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and spatial reasoning. These subjects are not typically taught in schools, so applicants may be less familiar with the question formats. However, these sections aim to gauge the student's innate problem-solving abilities and potential for academic success at Dover Grammar School for Boys.

Other Schools using Kent 11+ Test

As well as Dover Grammar School for Boys, several other schools also use Kent 11+ Test. These are:

• Barton Court Grammar School
• Borden Grammar School
• Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School
• Cranbrook School
• Dane Court Grammar School
• Dartford Grammar School
• Dartford Grammar School for Girls
• Dover Grammar School for Girls
• Gravesend Grammar School
• Highsted Grammar School
• Highworth Grammar School
• Invicta Grammar School
• Maidstone Grammar School
• Maidstone Grammar School for Girls
• Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend
• Oakwood Park Grammar School
• Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School
• Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School
• Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys
• Sir Roger Manwood's School
• The Folkestone School for Girls
• The Harvey Grammar School
• The Judd School
• The Norton Knatchbull School
• The Skinners' School
• Tonbridge Grammar School
• Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School
• Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys
• Weald of Kent Grammar School
• Wilmington Grammar School for Boys
• Wilmington Grammar School for Girls

Kent 11+ Test Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Dover Grammar School for Boys is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

Kent 11+ Test Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Kent 11+ Test changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Dover Grammar School for Boys, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Kent 11+ Test Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the Kent 11+ Test tests (to get into Dover Grammar School for Boys) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Dover Grammar School for Boys as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Dover Grammar School for Boys was last inspected by Ofsted on 02/02/2016 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 29/02/2016, declaring that the school was 'Good'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Dover Grammar School for Boys per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are all available past 11+ papers for Dover Grammar School for Boys. Please note that this may include past 11+ papers, past familiarisation booklets, past practice materials published by third parties and past 11+ exam guides written by the school. These materials are provided 'as-is' and may no longer reflect the subjects, format, structure or exam board that Dover Grammar School for Boys currently uses.

The exam board that Dover Grammar School for Boys chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Kent 11+ Test Ensure you double-check with Dover Grammar School for Boys which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.