Dover College
Catchment Area, Exam Results and Reviews

"> Both of our sons have been educated by Dover College and I cant recommend the school high enough. Dover College has grown the confidence of our sons to a very high level and I am certain they will do well in their future life. At its heart, the school is an environment which encourages all children to be the best they can. Our eldest son has gone on to university in the USA and our youngest son is now Head Boy. We can't thank Dover College enough!

"> Our daughter has been attending Dover Priory since the age of 3 when she was enrolled at the Early Years part of the Junior School. We researched a wide range of schools before choosing Dover College and even trialled another private school at nursery level as far away as Ashford. She has absolutely thrived at Dover College and in fact this played a large part in our deciding to move to the area so that we could live close to the school. So far, the school has demonstrated a wonderful combination of family atmosphere, encouragement, education and extra-curricular activities. The headmaster is driven, committed and ambitious for the school and is highly visible in his efforts. Any qualms based on historical data or anecdotal comments should not concern prospective parents. With an older sibling having attended another (arguably more high profile) private school in the area, I can honestly say that the experience of Dover College has exceeded my expectations in comparision. The teachers are caring, conscientious and blessed with small class sizes so they can give each pupil the individual attention they need. Our daughter cannot get enough of school - she loves going in the morning and enjoys every activity right up until home time. Even at Reception level she began to receive homework every day, which quickly accelerated her reading and mathematics skills and encouraged us as parents as we could see her development first hand. On a final note, it was heartwarming to see her class enjoying a music lesson on the grass in “The Close” back in the summer, all singing while seated around the music teacher with his guitar. It struck me then, as in many other instances, what a unique and fantastic opportunity she is able to enjoy as she studies at Dover College and hopefully continues to do so in such a unique environment and location for many years until she is 18 years old.

"> By all accounts the school has been transformed since the arrival of the latest Headmaster. Standards have been driven up and whilst pupils have been worked harder the quality and commitment of the teaching is excellent. Pastoral care is given equal status and extra curricular activities are very good. My son is now in the sixth form as a day pupil and has thrived in the environment. He was worried when he started as he is "arty" rather than sporty but he has been encouraged in the sports he can master, and he now enjoys swimming and cross country running! The current head is personable and high profile. He is clearly very ambitious for the school and this is reflected in everything happening there. Oh, and the food is excellent!!

"> Excellent school. Our daughter has been at Dover College for three years, now in Year 9. Her total lack of confidence when she started has now blossomed into a self sufficient young lady. I do not recognise the school described in the one star review at the bottom of this page. The teaching staff are excellent, pastoral care is excellent, and the food is excellent. The HeadMaster leads from the front encouraging thoughtfulness for others, and ambition to achieve potential. There is a huge drive underway developing various sports, and a feeling of happiness and optimism over the entire school. Don't take my word for it, simply read the latest Inspectors Report. Five BIG stars and Highly Recommended if you are looking for a school to develop a happy, caring and rounded person.

"> The school has real family community feel and has a high quality of teaching which pays off with the college's fantastic exam results baring in mind it is a non - selective school. The Science department and Business being strongest, I am a pupil and this school has really boosted my knowledge.

"> Both of my kids are in the junior school. Since my son and daughter started at DC, I am very happy with the results – not only academic but also their confidence has improved totally. DC might not be selective but the education my son is getting has been enough to pass the Kent test and a grammar test. The new headmaster has made a lot of changes in the junior school: year 5 and 6 now have specialist teachers for Science and DT which I think it is great, and the amount of homework they have is much more than in other schools and very consistent. I have loved all the Christmas plays so far and the informal concerts are great, seeing my little girl singing in front of parents and pupils have been fantastic and playing hockey was lovely.

"> I was a foreign student there for two years and had a mixed time. Some days I wanted to leave there was bullying, the music teacher was a bully to me and I was sad. The house was okay but for the money not good enough and the food was terrible I went and bought Chinese every day so I can eat properly, sorry I can't be more positiv.

"> Disappointing school, took my child out after 5 years of us struggling to afford the fees. The school has good pastoral care but academically its under the radar. The teachers are mixed but there is absolutely no work ethic or drilling into the children that working hard pays off. There is hardly any homework and not enough tests. If it wasn't for her friendships, I would have taken my child out of the school sooner. The new headmaster appears to be more concerned about bringing in new students and not about the progress of its existing ones. In my experience, nothing creative ever happened at the school. No shows, no plays, apart from some ridiculously poor concerts and a fairly good one at the end with borrowed adult musicians from nearby grammars - a reflection of the inability of music teachers to inspire talented students. Very poor at sports, DC always came last. Exam results below the national average. Some housemasters are great, but that is not enough to sustain your child's overall education and create an individual able to stand up and compete in a demanding world.