Dover Grammar School for Girls: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

School Name: Dover Grammar School for Girls
Address: Frith Road, Dover, Kent, CT16 2PZ
Phone: 01304 206625
Website: www.dggs.kent.sch.uk
Head Teacher: Mr Dan Quinn
Type: Community Grammar School for Girls (11-16)
Sixth Form: Joint with boys (16-18)
Admissions: Dover Assessment Test required

About Dover Grammar School for Girls

Dover Grammar School for Girls has established itself as a leading educational institution in Kent, providing exceptional academic opportunities for girls aged 11-16. Located in the historic town of Dover, the school combines traditional grammar school values with modern teaching methods to create an environment where students excel academically whilst developing strong character and leadership skills.

The school's commitment to academic excellence is evident in its consistently high examination results and university entrance rates. DGGS offers a broad curriculum that challenges students intellectually whilst nurturing their individual talents and interests. The school's ethos centres on developing confident, articulate young women who are well-prepared for the challenges of higher education and beyond.

What sets DGGS apart is its strong sense of community and pastoral care. The school maintains high expectations for both academic achievement and personal conduct, creating an atmosphere where students support one another in their educational journey. The transition to the joint sixth form with Dover Grammar School for Boys provides excellent preparation for university life and mixed-gender environments.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Dover Grammar School for Girls uses the Dover Assessment Test as part of its selective admissions process. This examination is designed to identify students who will thrive in the school's academically rigorous environment. The assessment takes place during the autumn term of Year 6, typically in September or October.

The Dover Assessment Test evaluates students across four key areas:

• Verbal Reasoning: Assessing comprehension, vocabulary, and logical thinking skills
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Testing spatial awareness, pattern recognition, and visual problem-solving
• Mathematics: Covering numerical reasoning, arithmetic, and mathematical problem-solving
• English: Evaluating reading comprehension, grammar, and written expression

The school sets high standards for entry, and successful candidates typically demonstrate strong performance across all four assessment areas. Parents should note that preparation for this examination requires consistent effort throughout Year 5 and early Year 6 to ensure students are familiar with the question formats and timing requirements.

How to Apply

The application process for Dover Grammar School for Girls begins with registration for the Dover Assessment Test. Parents must complete the online registration form, which typically opens in late spring for the following September entry. Registration usually closes in early summer, so it is essential to check the school's website for exact dates.

Key steps in the application process:

• Register online for the Dover Assessment Test by the specified deadline
• Submit the Common Application Form (CAF) to Kent County Council
• List Dover Grammar School for Girls as one of your preferences
• Ensure your child sits the assessment test on the designated date
• Await results and offers in early spring

Parents should be aware that meeting the pass mark for the assessment does not guarantee a place, as the school is highly oversubscribed. Places are allocated based on test scores and the school's admissions criteria, which include distance from the school and whether the child has siblings already attending.

Preparing for the Dover Grammar School for Girls 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Preparation for the Dover Grammar School for Girls 11+ tends to go best when it starts early and stays steady, and most families who work with us begin between twelve and eighteen months out. Our tutors, who have prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, plan the work backwards from the school's own assessment format and registration deadline.

The tutors we match to 11+ preparation are drawn from a pool in which more than half hold Qualified Teacher Status, around three in five hold a master's degree or doctorate, and which includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools. Every tutor who works with children holds an enhanced DBS check.

Families work with us online from anywhere in the UK or abroad, and in person in central London. Fees start from £50 per 50-minute session and depend on tutor level and subject, with no registration fee and a free initial consultation to talk through your child's current level and the timeline to the 11+. Families receive progress reports after sessions and have a dedicated point of contact, and we reply to enquiries within one working day with tutor recommendations.

Read more about our 11+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.