Dover College – Be Your Personal Best
The non-selective day and boarding school accepts children from nursery (age 3) to 18 and is determinedly focused on creating an environment where students can achieve their own personal best, whatever that happens to be. There are no entrance tests and no academic judgements at the door; the school sees and values each and every child on their own merit. Nestled away, just a few minutes’ walk from Dover Priory station, Dover College occupies a grand, yet serene site on the grounds of a 12th Century Priory. It could be easy to get lost in the history around you as you traverse the grounds, but here the focus is firmly fixed on writing your own story.
From Prep to Sixth Form, Dover College life is a digital-first one and the school is committed to preparing young people for life and work in a digitally driven society. From opportunities to become literate in multiple operating systems, to taking steps towards learning to code, the school recognises the transformational effect that well-used technology can have on the educational experience.
In 2021, Dover College embarked on a 1:1 iPad scheme for all pupils from Prep 3 to Upper Sixth and this continues to have a positive effect in driving collaboration and independence.
The welfare of each of the pupils is at the heart of everything Dover College does. Settling into school life is made easy with the robust pastoral structure, delivered through the house system. There is also a dedicated tutor team who support the residential staff in each house. The school offers a rich and exciting co-curricular programme of sport, academic societies, adventure, arts and charitable service. With over 50 activities spread out over the week and more at the weekends, there is something to motivate, thrill and develop every pupil.
The ’regular’ curriculum cannot deliver everything needed to prepare for life beyond school, and Dover College embraces the challenge of delivering an all-round readiness for life’s next steps. Co-curricular activities form a crucial part of the experience at the school.
Sport is a particular area of importance for Dover College. With so much provision being cut across the education sector, the school strives to create a vast number of sporting opportunities, with a focus on equal opportunity, full participation and fair play. Sport is not only valued for the health benefits it can provide, but for the positive impact on mental health, teamwork and interpersonal skills.
Dover College is a Roundsquare school and takes pride in embodying the qualities of the organisation- Adventure, Democracy, Environmentalism, Internationalism, Leadership and Service. The thriving boarding community integrates seamlessly with the day pupils, providing opportunities for students from many different countries and cultures to collaborate academically, creatively and in their leisure time.
