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Dover College, Dover, England

Oct 21, 2022

Dover College: Rankings, Courses, Admissions, Fees, and Scholarships

Dover College was founded on September 15, 1871, by a group of local businessmen led by Mayor Dr. Astley, who decided that Dover needed its public school. The College is situated on the grounds of a 12th-century Benedictine priory. The school understands that each student’s success is unique, and success is celebrated when it represents the student’s personal best. Dover College is a part of the Round Square network, which includes 150 schools from all around the world that are committed to offering a well-rounded education. It’s a co-educational Day and Boarding school for students aged 3 to 18.

The college values internationalism, democracy, environmental stewardship, adventure, leadership, and service. 

Dover College accepts students from all over the world, including Europe, Africa, Asia, and America, and encourages them to be sophisticated, interactive, and forward-thinking global citizens.

Why study at Dover College in England?

  • The family values are embodied at Dover College. They also instill confidence, promote curiosity, and recognize individual students’ accomplishments because of their small class sizes.
  • They take the time to get to know each student to provide the appropriate balance of challenge and support based on their individual needs.
  • Dover College recognizes that success is as unique as the person who achieves it, and it recognizes success when it represents the child’s personal best.
  • Their unique curriculum, which spans Early Years to Sixth Form, focuses not just on getting exceptional grades but also on fostering curious and creative minds that are ready for the challenges that lie ahead.
  • They encourage all students to participate in sports, music, and theatre because they understand how these activities foster leadership, teamwork, and self-confidence.
  • They have a strong Alumni and Old Dovorian network that can assist students in preparing for life after Dover College.
  • Their university and career counseling are outstanding, and they have strong ties to higher education institutions all over the world.
  • In 2021, they received A* or A grades in 53.2 percent of their A-Level results, significantly above the national average of 44.8 percent. A 100% pass rate was maintained, with 79 percent of all outcomes being B or higher.

Accreditation and Rankings of Dover College, Dover, England

  • ISI (Independent Schools Incorporate) inspected Dover College for compliance and educational excellence in school and residential provisions.
  • Dover College was nominated for the TES Awards in 2019 in the categories of Senior Leadership Team, Curriculum, Marketing, and Boarding School of the Year.
  • Dover College is Ranked #212 by Study in-Uk

Programs and Courses offered at Dover College

Pre-school

Dover College’s Prep School provides a loving and caring environment in which students can grow and develop while having fun, playing, and learning creatively. In essential courses, students are taught by highly competent class instructors, and they also have access to specialist subject teachers who utilize the campus’s extensive resources, encouraging them to develop a passion for studying. 

  • Muddy Knees Nursery– Their nursery benefits from a wide range of great facilities and expert instruction – covering languages, P.E., and Music, among other engaging activities – as well as being firmly rooted within the entire school community. Every day, Early Years students and teachers sit together as a family in the Refectory to have a delicious, nutritious, home-cooked dinner with the rest of the Prep School students.
  • Forest School – Forest School is all about learning about the great outdoors and the environment while getting closer to nature. It is based on a Scandinavian approach to outdoor learning. The Discovery Garden, which has been constructed over the previous eight years, has been used to integrate outdoor learning. Every week, they host a session that includes problem-solving, creativity, and the creation of sculptures and crafts. They occasionally build a big fire after the session and toast marshmallows, make hot chocolate, and speak about what they learned.
  • Connected Curriculum – The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum establishes a framework within which children can benefit from both child-initiated learning opportunities and organized learning and growth sessions. Outdoor play facilities, including their recently rebuilt Discovery Garden, are open to all children. The school also has many facilities, such as a sports hall, Astro pitch, music school, and theatre, that introduce the students to a wide range of experiences and opportunities.
  • The School Day – Only if they have attended their Breakfast Club in the Refectory, students start arriving at school at 8.15 a.m. Children assemble on the Prep school playground before the school bell rings at 8.20 a.m., signaling the start of the school day. After that, students from a queue before entering their classrooms for registration. The Prep School meets in the College chapel twice a week. One of these services, which is given by a member of staff and attended by the Headmaster and Prep School Deputy Head, honors the week’s accomplishments. In addition, students in Prep 3 and up to participate in a weekly service with the senior school.
  • Activities and Clubs – The Prep School provides a wide range of clubs and activities to help students improve their health, well-being, and confidence. Academic booster sessions, specialty sports classes, artistic efforts, and many more possibilities for holistic growth are all available at their famous after-school clubs.
  • Sports – Sport is very important at the Prep School, and students are given possibilities that are much beyond their wildest imaginings. The Prep School programs foster teamwork, community, compassion, and problem-solving skills. From Muddy Knees to Prep 6, specialized instruction is given, allowing parents to begin skill growth with their youngest children. Students compete in a variety of sports beginning in Prep 3, including football, rugby, cricket, hockey, netball, basketball, and tennis. All-year groups participate in swimming throughout the summer term. 

Senior and sixth

  • Pastoral care and wellbeing- The welfare of each of their students are paramount at Dover College, with fitting into College life made simpler by their excellent pastoral structure, delivered through their strong and established house system, which includes a dedicated tutor team supporting each house’s boarding team. Students can always turn to teachers for help and support because there are so many staff members on hand. Students’ progress is regularly monitored through their grading and reporting system, and this, combined with effective contact with parents, ensures that students feel supported throughout their academic journey.
  • Learning support – The Learning Support Department is a dedicated location where students from all around the College can get the help they need, gain confidence in their abilities, and create techniques to become self-sufficient learners. The Learning Support Department’s employees collaborate closely with subject teachers and parents, and all College staff are encouraged to take responsibility for the teaching of students with special needs.
  • The school day – To maximize students’ alertness and concentration, the Senior School day begins at 8.30 a.m. with registration in houses before teaching begins at 8.40 a.m. Each class lasts 40 minutes, with breaks in the middle of the day, during lunch, and in the afternoon.
  • Sports- Dover College strives for excellence in all sports while simultaneously emphasizing the value of equal opportunity, full participation, and fair play in both team and individual competitions. This method ensures that all children have the same opportunities while also instilling a competitive spirit in them. When they spot young athletes in school sports, they not only urge them to join local clubs to enhance their development, but they also enroll them in district or county trials, where they have had excellent success recently, with four students being selected for the Pre School Pumas.
  • Co-Curricular-Throughout the academic year, Dover College provides a comprehensive and varied co-curricular program. From sports to the performing arts, and an ever-expanding activity schedule, they have it all. Their competence allows a supportive atmosphere for learners at all levels, regardless of experience or aptitude, from the very beginning to the very top levels, thanks to the leadership of specialists in each subject.

Activities

  • Music and Drama
  • Art and Design Technology
  • Careers and Higher Education –Their Careers Library offers a variety of current and relevant publications aimed at providing printed and electronic access to all key information and guidance surrounding Higher and Further Education and Training. Students are strongly urged to use this facility, which is open to the public and is free.
  • Round Square – Round Square is a global network of 200 like-minded schools that connect and collaborate to provide world-class programs, experiences, and exchanges with the purpose of instilling global competence, character, and confidence in its students. Kurt Hahn, a German educational philosopher, identified six themes for the IDEALS (International Understanding, Democracy, Environmental Stewardship, Adventure, Leadership, and Service). They enable member schools to collaborate in the promotion of character education and hands-on learning.

Admission Process for International students at Dover College

Fill out the college’s application form, which can be found on Dover College’s official website. Alternatively, to ensure an error-free application process and enhance your chances of securing admission, apply via Gyanberry.

  • Admission Process for Prep-school Students
  1. In Prep-school, the College does not examine children academically for entrance to the Prep School. The School may request a written report on the child’s achievement, behavior, and social skills from their earlier environment.
  2. Prior to entry, all children and their parents must meet with either the Deputy Head (Academic) or Deputy Head (Pastoral) of Prep School (or, in their absence, a member of the Dover College SMT). All Prep-aged children are also invited to spend the day in College with their prospective year group, during which time informal assessments will be conducted. If a child is transferring from another school to Prep, their parent will be requested to submit their child’s two most recent school reports with registration, as well as examples of their child’s current work in Mathematics, English, and Reading to the Deputy Heads of Prep School.
  3. The child will also have a brief informal interview with either the Deputy Head (Academic) or the Deputy Head (Pastoral) of Prep School (or, in their absence, a member of the Dover College SMT) and will be requested to bring a small item/object from home to discuss during the interview (i.e. Show and Tell). It is also possible to request a confidential school reference.
  4. If a place is offered, parents are asked to accept the offer and pay the acceptance deposit within a month so that the spot can be offered to another family if necessary.
  5. All places, offers of places, and admissions details at this entry point are entirely at the discretion of the Headmaster, and his decision is final.

Admission Process for senior-school Students

  1. Between Shell and Remove, the College does not examine children academically for admittance to the Senior School, though it does require external students to take a short Maths and English exam (given by the Senior School’s Director of Studies) for academic placement purposes. The College may also request a confidential school reference from the student’s previous school.
  2. Before being admitted, all students and their parents must meet with the Headmaster (or, in his absence, a member of the Dover College SMT). Additionally, all children are invited to spend the day in College with their prospective year group, during which time informal assessments will be conducted. If a student is transferring from another school to Shell or Remove, their parents will be requested to send their student’s two most recent school reports, as well as examples of their child’s current work in Mathematics, English, Science, and their favorite subject to the Headmaster (if not one previously mentioned).
  3. In addition, the student will have an informal interview with the Headmaster (or, in his absence, a member of the Dover College SMT) and will be requested to bring a small item/object from home to discuss during the interview (i.e. Show and Tell).
  4. If an offered space is provided, parents must accept the offer and pay the acceptance deposit within a month, or decline the offer, so that the spot can be offered to another family if necessary.
  5. At this point in time, all spots, offers of places, and admissions details are at the sole discretion of the Headmaster, and the Headmaster’s decision is final.

Application Deadlines

There are no deadlines to apply for admission to Dover College. However, international students should ideally start their application process 6 months before the start of the term.

Term Dates

Lent Term 2021

Tuesday 4th January 08:45

12:00-16:00

Staff INSET

Boardres Return

Wednesday 5th January 08:30 Term Starts
Friday 11th February  16:30  Half Term Begins
Sunday 20th February 18:00 Half Term End
Thursday 24th March 16:30 Term Ends

Summer Term 2022

Tuesday 19th April 08:45

12:00-16:00

Staff INSET

Boarders Return

Wednesday 20th April 08:30 Term Start
Friday 27th May 16:30 Half-Term Begin
Sunday 5th June 18:00 Half-Term Ends
Thursday 7th July 16:30 Term-Ends

Michaelmas Term 2022

Monday 5th September 10:00 AM Staff INSET
Tuesday 6th September 10:00 AM Boarders Return
Wednesday 7th September NA Term Begins
Friday 14th October  4:30 PM Half-Term Begins
Sunday 30th October 6:00 PM Half Term Ends

Boarders Return

Friday 16th December 4:30 PM Term-Ends

Lent 2023

Tuesday 3rd January 10:00 AM Staff INSET

Boarder Return

Wednesday 4th January NA Term-Begins
Friday 10th February 4:30 PM Half Term Begin
Sunday 19th February  6:00 PM Half-Term Ends

Boarders Return

Friday 24th March 4:30 PM Term Ends

Summer Term 2023

Tuesday 18th April 10:00 AM Staff INSET

Boarder Return

Wednesday 19th April NA Term Begins
Friday 26th May 4:30 PM Half-Term Begins
Sunday 4th June 6:00 PM Half-Tern Begin
Thursday 6th July 4:30 PM Term-Ends

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Students that have completed their registration paperwork will be considered.
  2. A positive recommendation from the applicant’s current school’s principal is essential (if applicable).
  3. A serious and enthusiastic attitude toward learning is required of the student.   
  4. The student must have an open and enquiring mind.  
  5. If the student gave a satisfactory interview then he/she will be considered (if applicable).
  6. If there is a place available. Parents should note that the upper limit of Third Form (GCSE years) and Lower Sixth (A-Level years) external intake will be based, not on total Third Form and Lower Sixth numbers projected for those following academic years, but on the projected size of the teaching groups. Taking into account choices for GCSE / A Level study, applications will be refused where the College considers the size of teaching sets would be detrimental to the education of the group and it is not financially or educationally desirable for the Governors to alter the balance of the School’s staffing or to appoint additional staff.
  7. The applicant should be of the appropriate age and maturity.
  8. If the applicant meets the criteria.
  9. The present school reporting satisfactory attitudes and conduct on the part of parents and applicants (if applicable).
  10. If a student is unable to come to the UK in person, international students must take an English test and have a Skype interview. This will help to determine their EAL needs before starting at Dover College, as well as their eligibility for the GCSE/A Level course they desire to pursue. In order to be compliant with Tier 4 standards, visa nationals will need a guardian for the duration of their stay. A guardian is not necessary for EU citizens.

Document Required for International Students

  1. Dover College Registration Form must be completed by the student.
  2. The “Making Dover College a Better Place to Learn” Form must be completed.
  3. A 115 USD registration fee must be paid by the student.
  4. The last two school reports of the student are necessary (if applicable)
  5. The student must provide a photocopy of the passport’s personal information and photo page, or a photocopy of the birth certificate if no passport is available.
  6. The student must provide a passport photo.
  7. A certified copy of the student’s birth certificate has been translated into English.
  8. Both parents must sign a letter expressing their permission for their child to study in the UK.
  9. Covering Letter (If Applicable)
  10. It is necessary to submit a completed Scholarship Application Form (If Applicable)
  11. Documentation to back up your statements (If Applicable)

Tuition Fee and Annual Cost of Attendance for International Students

Registration fee is 115 USD

Termly Fees 2021/22 – 3 Terms per year

Particular  Age Group Fees
Muddy Knees and Pre-Prep  Age 3+, 4+ 3,521 USD
Prep 1&2 Age 5+ 3,770 USD
Prep 3&4 Age 7+ 4,180 USD
Prep 5&6 Age 9+ 4,695 USD
Shell and Remove  Age 11+ 5,585 USD
3rd form to sixth form Age 13+ 6,815 USD

Weekly Boarding Fees

Particular  Age Group  Fees
Shell&Remove  11+ 12,535 USD
Year 9 to Sixth form  13+ 14,030 USD

(For UK Based Parents up to 6 Nights)

Full Boarding Fees

Particular  Age Group  Fees
Shell&Remove 11+ 12,530 USD
3rd Form to Sixth Form 13+ 14,025 USD

Note: Fees can be paid with a UK cheque, direct transfer from a UK bank, or through Flywire for international students.

Scholarship for International Students

Dover College offers a variety of scholarships for students entering the 11th, 13th, and 16th grades. Applications for art, design technology, music, drama, and sports scholarships, in addition to academic awards, are encouraged. Scholarship days are held during the second half of the Michaelmas Term, and applications are accepted until the deadline.

In addition to scholarships, Dover College has historically supported senior school students who are unable to afford full tuition. The College’s Governors are committed to increasing access by providing means-tested bursaries to students who would otherwise be unable to attend. By presenting awards as a % of annual fees, they are protected from inflation.

All bursaries are subject to annual means testing and may be adjusted when parental circumstances change. A completed Confidential Statement of Financial Circumstances, which can be obtained from the Bursar, is used to determine awards.

Bursary funds are limited, thus students who have been awarded scholarships will be given precedence, as they are the ones who will benefit the most from attending the College. The candidate’s potential contribution to the larger School community, as well as the expected impact of the award on the candidate’s educational opportunities, will be considered. Applications are submitted directly to the Bursar, who makes the final decision.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Dover College’s Prep School provides a loving and caring environment in which students can grow and develop while having fun, playing, and learning creatively. The college offers preschool, senior and sixth programs with all co-curricular such as sports.

For Prep-school, the College does not examine children academically for entrance to the Prep School. The School may request a written report on the child’s achievement, behavior, and social skills from their earlier environment. For senior school students, does require external students to take a short Maths and English exam (given by the Senior School’s Director of Studies) for academic placement purposes

Dover College offers a variety of scholarships for students entering the 11th, 13th, and 16th grades. Applications for art, design technology, music, drama, and sports scholarships, in addition to academic awards, are encouraged. Scholarship days are held during the second half of the term, and applications are accepted until the deadline. Bursary funds are limited and are subject to change as per the college’s regulation

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