Dover Grammar School for Boys
Our School • 11-18 selective boys’ grammar school with girls in the sixth form • High quality education for all • Excellent reputation for pastoral care • Sporting and creative talents encouraged and celebrated • Wide variety of extra-curricular activities and trips • Extensive grounds with spectacular views
WELCOME from the head teacher Dover Grammar School for Boys is a forward-looking grammar school with a strong academic tradition. We encourage our students to achieve beyond their expectations and aspire to careers in any field that they choose. We foster a real sense of community and belonging that the students call ‘Team DGSB’. Both staff and students are extremely proud of our school and the part that each of us plays in adding to its long and impressive history. Our school is a happy, successful, well-disciplined community in which every student is expected to develop a strong sense of moral purpose, together with qualities including patience, humility, tolerance, courage, ambition and enthusiasm. We respect individuals and individuality, but we share common goals, beliefs and values, irrespective of age, gender or background.
We aim to stimulate and challenge the minds of our students through both their academic studies and the wealth of enriching extra-curricular experiences in which they can participate. We value, and encourage, all talents and interests from sporting and theatrical, to musical and entrepreneurial. As a result, our students leave school as confident young adults with a strong work ethic and the skills, knowledge and understanding to enable them to take their place in society.
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LEARNING OUR CURRICULUM A zest for knowledge and an enquiring mind are great attributes for a purposeful life. We therefore encourage our students to stretch the boundaries of their individual ability. Under the watchful eye of their form tutor, every student will develop study habits that will stand them in good stead in life. In Years 7 & 8, students study the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum. As part of this, they study two languages in both years to prepare them well for their language studies at GCSE.
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A key part of our approach to ensuring that our students are challenged sufficiently is to commence Key Stage 4 and their GCSE examination courses in Year 9. Students will continue to study to GCSE: the core academic subjects – English, Mathematics, Science and Religious Education; at least one humanity – Geography or History and at least one Modern Foreign language. In addition, they will have the opportunity to choose additional subjects from a wide range of options including Art, Music, Design Technology, Media Studies, Computing and Physical Education. Throughout all three years of their KS4 studies, students will undertake non-examination courses in Physical Education, Citizenship and Personal, Social and Health Education.
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WHOLE STUDENT PASTORAL SUPPORT At Dover Grammar School for Boys we want every child to realise their full potential. As students make their way through the school, our aim is to help them achieve this by encouraging and facilitating a wide range of experiences in and out of school. Students are placed into tutor groups and each group is led by a form tutor. Tutors are responsible for monitoring the academic progress of the students in the form, and for ensuring that they are well cared for. Students are also able to access support from specialist non-teaching members of the pastoral team. Parents receive regular formal assessments allowing them to keep a close eye on progress. We track the students in order to reward excellence and improvement as well as ensuring that no student is left behind.
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OUR TALENTED STUDEN Extra-Curricular Opportunities At DGSB, learning does not just take place in the classroom; we also encourage and celebrate our students’ creative, physical and spiritual growth. From the first year students can participate in a wide variety of sporting activities at local and national level. This range of sporting activities, the school’s Combined Cadet Force, students’ participation in the annual UKMT Junior Maths Challenge, and a plethora of other enriching activities all combine to enhance their educational experience. A good education cannot be provided in the classroom alone. The extra-curricular activities are intended to give our students invaluable insights into the world beyond school. Regular trips to France, Spain, Germany and even Iceland broaden students’ experience of the world. Educational visits linked to the curriculum, such as those in Geography and Science, bring their learning alive.
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It is our aim that these activities help students to become self-aware, tolerant, positive and enquiring young adults with interests and passions. Individual music lessons are also available via the school’s Music Department, and all students have access to the school Library where they can enjoy recreational reading. Above all, our extra-curricular activities are designed to help our students develop their personal qualities and to encourage them to meet the challenges they face with determination, mental and physical dexterity. Rather than leaving the school unprepared, we want to give them the experience they need to make informed and sensible life choices.
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ENTERING ADULTHOOD DGSB SIXTH FORM The expectation is that our students will progress into our Sixth Form. Sixth Form students lead the school in example and responsibilities, with many taking on substantial duties as prefects. A Sixth Form Common Room is provided, along with two dedicated study areas, and expert advice is given in relation to university applications and careers. A separate Sixth Form prospectus, with full course details, is produced on an annual basis.
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Dover Grammar School for Boys
Dover Grammar School for Boys
Astor Avenue, Dover, Kent CT17 0DQ Tel: 01304 206117 Fax: 01304 206074 Email: office@dgsb.co.uk
www.dgsb.co.uk