Dover College
School summary
Founded in 1871 and set within the historic surroundings of a former priory, Dover College is a small Church of England independent school in Kent educating around 318 pupils from age 3 to 18. Both day and boarding places are offered, with fees ranging widely depending on the arrangement. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school good overall in its most recent inspection, while singling out pupils' personal development as excellent. With a notably high proportion of pupils receiving SEN support, it is a school geared towards individual attention rather than headline league-table positions.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
7%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
27%
National average 28%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- good
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 6 February 2024
Teaching & academics
Results sit below national benchmarks: 7% of GCSE grades reached 9-7 against a national average of 23%, and 27% of A-levels were graded A*-A, broadly in line with the national figure of 28%. The curriculum is broad, spanning GCSE, A-level, BTEC and the EPQ, which gives pupils with differing strengths several routes through. Sixth-form numbers are modest at 85, with Psychology, Mathematics, English Literature and Economics among the popular choices.
Languages
GCSE subjects
Headmaster · Mr Phil Tattersall-King
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 85
Popular A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Scholarships span academic, art, design and technology, drama, music, sport and all-rounder categories, signalling breadth beyond the classroom. Languages on offer include Spanish and Russian, the latter an unusual addition for a school of this size.
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1871
- Religious character
- C of E
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 38.49%
- EHC plans
- 0.69%
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £13,200 - £25,182
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £36,663 - £52,836
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Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A small, nurturing C of E school where personal development is judged excellent, best suited to families who value individual support and boarding alongside academics.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Dover College 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.