Dover College occupies the grounds of the Priory of St Martin in the centre of Dover. The College Close is surrounded by a successful blend of medieval and modern buildings creating for boys and girls an attractive, enclosed and peaceful environment in which to work. Pupils use the original refectory and the school Chapel is a fine 12th century building. The school has been fully coeducational since 1975, and was founded in 1871.
Dover College is a successful family school catering for both local children and for those from overseas. It has a significant component of pupils from continental Europe. Dover College is the independent school which encourages individual excellence and success through a modern international perspective. The academic curriculum includes a wide range of GCSE and A level courses. There is an emphasis placed upon the acquisition of the essential skills required for work in the 21st century: namely IT skills, modern language skills, business skills, numeracy and literacy.
The College prides itself on its 'value-added' successes at both GCSE level and A level. A strong tutorial system ensures that individual pupils are given constant support and advice throughout their career at the College. Academic progress is monitored by regular grading (effort and achievement) in both the Lower School and Sixth Form. The teacher:pupil ratio is low at 1:10. Classes are small; typically about 15 pupils for GCSE level sets and 10 for A level sets.
Pastoral care for both day pupils and boarders is of the highest quality because the College is relatively small; it is based upon a strong House system. A considerable amount of effort is devoted to the personal development of pupils. This includes leadership training, which is a formalised aspect of the education received.
The major games played at Dover College are rugby, hockey, soccer, cricket and tennis for boys; and hockey, netball, rounders and tennis for girls. Athletics, badminton, golf and squash are also played and the College has a particularly strong sailing tradition.
The College is next to Dover Priory Station. The Channel Tunnel has sped up links with the continent. The M2 and M20 motorways provide easy access by road. As the closest HMC Boarding School to continental Europe, Dover College is easily accessible to expatriate and Service families working there.
Dover College is a Charitable Trust which exists to provide high quality education for boys and girls.
