Dover Grammar School for Girls

Grammar school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Girls only · Sixth form

Frith Road, Dover, CT16 2PZ

01304 206625 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedNo overall gradeInspected 4 March 2025
Grade 5 or above in English and maths75%England 45% · 2024/25
2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover.
Higher than 93% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils847Room for 885 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 890 in 2019, 914 in 2021, 910 in 2022, 882 in 2023, 875 in 2024, 872 in 2025, 847 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.3178 for 140 places, September 2026
1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover.
Higher than 85% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

At the inspection that started on 4 March 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

113 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.

Dover comparisons use the 3 of its 6 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 3 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.

StatementThis schoolDoverEngland
My child is happy at this school
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dover.
Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
88% 94% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dover.
Higher than 61% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
89% 96% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dover.
Higher than 43% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
75% 91% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 27 parents whose child had been bullied
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dover.
Higher than 56% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
52% 63% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 84 parents who had raised a concern
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dover.
Higher than 57% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
73% 86% 76%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 25 parents of children with SEND
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dover.
Higher than 87% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
80% 80% 68%
I would recommend this school to another parent
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dover.
Higher than 62% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
84%said yes 94% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 13%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Dover figures pool parents at the Dover schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

133 pupils in this year group.

75% — 28 points above the Kent average, and 30 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolKentEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 75% 47% 45%
Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. 59.9 46.7 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 5.8 4.2 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 78%This school 2023/24: 72%This school 2024/25: 75% This school England 45% 2022/23 78% 2023/24 72% 2024/25 75%

Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.

Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After Year 11

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

143 pupils in this year group.

99% — 6 points above the Kent average, and 7 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 80%14%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolKentEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 99% 93% 92%
School sixth form 80% 56% 34%
Sixth form college 0% – 13%
Further education college 14% 28% 37%
Apprenticeship 2% 3% 3%
Work 1% 2% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
98%99%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

114 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolKentEngland
Average A level grade B- C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 25% 26% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 52% 53% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 35.0 34.9 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 36.5This school 2023/24: 34.6This school 2024/25: 35.0 This school England 35 2022/23 36.5 2023/24 34.6 2024/25 35.0

A level subjects, 2024/25

24 subjects, 325 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Psychology 44 5% 5% 19%
English Literature 33 9% 21% 23%
Mathematics 33 15% 30% 40%
Biology 24 0% 4% 27%
History 20 0% 15% 23%
Film Studies 18 6% 28% 17%
Physics 18 17% 33% 31%
Sociology 18 6% 22% 20%
Geography 17 6% 12% 23%
Chemistry 13 8% 38% 30%
Mathematics (Further) 13 31% 38% 59%
Art and Design 12 42% 58% 34%
Religious Studies 12 17% 58% 22%
Business Studies:Single 11 9% 36% 16%
Economics 8 13% 38% 26%
Art and Design (Photography) 7 57% 71% 26%
Classical Civilisation 6 0% 33% 23%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: French, Design and Technology (Product Design), Physical Education / Sports Studies, Computer Studies / Computing, Russian, History of Art, Polish.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

115 students in this year group.

89% — 9 points above the Kent average, and 10 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolKentEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 89% 80% 79%
Apprenticeship 3% 6% 7%
Work 22% 30% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
86%89%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

97 students in this year group.

67% — 9 points above the Kent average, and 7 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolKentEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 67% 58% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 18% 20% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
75%67%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Admissions

Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Kent. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in?

For the September 2026 intake there were about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.

Places offered140
Families who put it first178
Of those, offered a place137 (77%)
Families who listed it at all330

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.3 · 2026: 1.3

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

This is a grammar school: places depend on passing an entrance test (the 11 plus), usually taken in September of Year 6.

Admissions dates and schools in Kent

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolKentEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover.
Higher than 29% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
19.3% 25.1%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover.
Higher than 7% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
0.9% 2.8%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover.
Higher than 8% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
6.5% 11.5%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover.
Higher than 46% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
10.8% 12.7%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Dover.
Lower than 75% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
6.9% 8.0%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Dover.
Lower than 68% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
19.6% 22.9%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
4th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover.
Lower than 69% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
8.5 13.6 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
2nd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover.
Lower than 80% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
3.3% 6.0% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils 0.00% 0.03% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover.
Higher than 26% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
15.6 16.9 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover.
Higher than 70% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.7 12.0 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover.
Higher than 44% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
12.3% 13.6%* 14.2%*

Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Dover Grammar School for Girls's Ofsted rating?

At its inspection in 4 March 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

How did Dover Grammar School for Girls do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 75% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 30 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Dover Grammar School for Girls?

84% of the 113 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Dover Grammar School for Girls to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Dover Grammar School for Girls oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 178 families put Dover Grammar School for Girls as their first choice for 140 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 137 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.