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Are you considering applying to Dover Grammar School for Boys? We've collated all the information you need to know about 2024 entry to Year 7. Keep reading to learn about key dates, the admissions process, and how to help your son excel in the Kent Test!
About Dover Grammar School for Boys
Dover Grammar School for Boys is a selective state school for boys aged 11–18 with a mixed sixth form in Dover, Kent. It was founded in 1905 as the Dover County School and continued to grow over the last century; in 2022, the school moved to a brand new building boasting more light, space and excellent facilities.
The school values intellectual curiosity, engagement, empathy, aspirational thinking and a keen desire to learn and improve. Boys study a broad, balanced and personalised curriculum that offers a variety of choice; GCSE options include three languages and studies in computer science, media and sociology.
Address: Dover Grammar School for Boys, Astor Avenue, Dover, Kent CT17 0DQ
Local authority: Kent County Council
School type: boys' grammar with mixed sixth form
Headteacher: Philip Horstrup
Number of pupils: 750+
Key info for Year 7 admissions
Admissions contact: [email protected], 01304 206117
Number of places in Year 7: 150
Open events: TBC
11 plus registration opens: Thursday 1st June 2023
11 plus registration closes: Monday 3rd July 2023 at midnight
11 plus exam date: Thursday 7th September 2023
11 plus exam type: The Kent Test
Common application form (CAF) deadline: 31st October 2023
National school offer day: 1st March 2023
Dover Grammar School for Boys term dates
The term dates at Dover Grammar School for Boys for 2023–2024 are:
Autumn term: 4th September – 15th December 2023
Half term: 23rd–27th October 2023
Spring term: 3rd January – 28th March 2024
Half term: 12th–16th February 2024
Summer term: 15th April – 19th July 2024
Half term: 27th–31st May 2024
How to apply to Dover Grammar School for Boys
1. Register for the Kent Test
Dover Grammar School for Boys uses the Kent Test to select pupils for entry in Year 7. The Kent Test is an 11 plus exam taken by 32 grammar schools in the county and aims to identify children in the top 25% of the ability range in their year group. Boys who are successful in the Kent Test will be assessed as suitable for a grammar school.
Registration for the Kent Test will open on Thursday 1st June 2023 and close on Monday 3rd July 2023 at midnight. You will be able to complete your child's registration on the Kent County Council website. If you are also considering grammar schools in Medway, you will need to register separately because these schools do not use the Kent Test.
If your child is considered as 'looked after' or 'previously looked after', or if they are eligible for the pupil premium, they may be prioritised for places under the school's admission criteria. You will need to provide proof of eligibility and complete a supplementary information form (SIF) – available in the appendix in the school admissions policy – to indicate this.
2. Apply for a school place
You will receive your son's results in the Kent Test after 4pm on Wednesday 18th October 2023. If they have achieved the pass mark in the exam, they will be eligible for a grammar school place. You can then name Dover Grammar School for Boys as one of your preferred schools on your common application form.
Make sure to check the admissions policy for Dover Grammar School for Boys before you complete your common application form. Passing the Kent Test will not be a guarantee of a place as more children reach the qualifying standard each year than there are places available. We've summarised the key points in the admission policy below.
The application form must be submitted to your home local council by 31st October 2023. The form must be completed for your home local authority – i.e. if you live in Kent you will need to complete the form on the Kent County Council website. If you live in a different local authority, make sure to apply through the relevant website for that council.
What's on the Kent Test?
Boys applying for Year 7 entry to Dover Grammar School for Boys will take the Kent Test on Thursday 7th September 2023. If your child attends a primary school outside of Kent, they will take the test on the weekend of the 9th September 2023.
The Kent Test consists of two multiple-choice papers, each taking around one hour to complete. The subjects tested are:
Paper 1: English and maths
Paper 2: verbal and non-verbal reasoning
Children taking the Kent Test also complete a creative writing exercise. This isn’t formally marked and doesn’t form part of the total scores, but it may be used by a local headteacher panel in borderline cases or in an appeal. 40 minutes will be allowed for the writing task, including 10 minutes of planning time.
Find out more in our comprehensive guide to the Kent Test and access free 11 plus resources to help your child prepare.
What is the pass mark for the Kent Test?
Your child will receive four scores on the Kent Test. The results from the English, maths and reasoning sections will all be age-standardised to produce three separate scores, in addition to one overall (aggregate) score.
Children typically need a total score of 332 or more out of the total 423, with no single score lower than 108, to be eligible for a place at a grammar school in Kent.
However, achieving a particular score doesn't guarantee a place at a grammar school, as schools are usually oversubscribed with qualified candidates. We always recommend researching the admission policies for your target schools, looking at their oversubscription criteria and their catchment area. We've included the admission criteria for Dover Grammar School for Boys below.
Dover Grammar School for Boys admission criteria
Dartford Grammar School has 150 places available in Year 7. Children who have a statement of special educational needs (SSEN) or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which names the school and who have been assessed as suitable for a grammar school will automatically be allocated a place. The number of remaining places will then be reduced accordingly.
If the number of eligible children who have applied for Dover Grammar School for Boys is greater than the number of places available, the school will use oversubscription criteria. Places will be allocated in the following priority order:
Children in or previously in local authority care, internationally adopted children, and children previously in state care outside of England
Boys in receipt of pupil premium
Boys who have a brother or sister already attending Dover Grammar School for Boys
Boys who have a medical, health or special access reason for attending the school
Sons of staff at Dover Grammar School for Boys
Nearness of the child's permanent home to the school, measured in a straight line
There is no designated catchment area for Dover Grammar School for Boys.
How to help your child prepare for the 11 plus
Here are our top tips on how to best prepare your child for the Kent Test.
Cover all the content
The 11 plus assesses a large breadth and depth of learning objectives across the Key Stage 2 national curriculum and beyond.
We recommend that your child starts revising content at least one year before the test. Setting aside study periods using a 'little and often' approach will give them time to build the skills and knowledge they need. When preparing, avoid falling into the trap of over-focusing on either the topics your child enjoys or the topics they find hardest.
Atom Nucleus is an 11 plus online course that tailors your child's personalised learning journey to cover all elements of the Kent Test at the right pace for them.
No surprises
Your child will encounter lots of unfamiliar types of questions in the 11 plus exam. Building exam technique with 11 plus test papers will help your child to feel fully confident with the styles of questions they'll encounter in the exam, reducing the potential for stress on the day.
Celebrate their progress
Setting regular goals and celebrating achievements will help keep motivation high. Atom Nucleus offers data-driven insights into your child’s progress towards mastering the 11 plus curriculum, making it easy to see where they need to focus next.
Personalised 11 plus prep for your child
Wondering how to make sure your child covers the depth and breadth of the entire 11 plus curriculum, stays on track with their progress, and gets help when they're stuck? Online learning is a particularly efficient, cost-effective (and fun) way to do this!
Atom Nucleus is the award-winning online 11 plus practice platform that gives your child everything they need to prepare for grammar school exams.
Children work independently through over 90,000 interactive practice questions in English, maths and reasoning. Teacher-created helpsheets and videos help them discover new concepts and consolidate their learning.
Atom's algorithm keeps children on their ideal learning path, tailored to their unique learning style and pace to keep them challenged and motivated.
Kent Test 11 plus practice papers
Atom Nucleus gives children access to online 11 plus practice papers. Our online tests are designed to mirror the format and style of the real Kent Test, so your child will go into the exam knowing exactly what to expect.
And what's more, everything is automatically marked for you.
Try Atom Nucleus free for 5 days
Begin your child's journey to Dover Grammar School for Boys today. Use the full features of Atom Nucleus free for 5 days – cancel anytime.
Personalised 11 plus support for you
We know how keen you are for your child to do well in the 11 plus, to give them every chance of securing a place at their school of choice. Our dedicated team of Education Experts are on hand to support you and your family every step of the way:
Ask us anything
We're happy to help with any questions you may have about admissions processes and helping your child prepare for entry to Kent grammar schools.
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