Set against the romantic backdrop of England’s famous white cliffs, Dover College offers a warm and welcoming environment where new students quickly feel at home.
Nestled on the southeast coast of England in a former 12th-century Benedictine monastery, the school enjoys a stunning and tranquil setting. During our visit, what struck us most was the kindness and positive spirit of the community. Dover College is known for its innovative teaching and cross-disciplinary thinking. It is a proud member of the Round Square network, a global alliance of schools that promote democratic values, service, and sustainability.
We were particularly impressed by the school’s strong commitment to charitable work. Every pupil here is encouraged to grow in confidence, leadership, and communication, all within a safe and nurturing environment. Experiential learning is at the heart of the school’s ethos. Teachers are sensitive and supportive, especially with students who need extra care. Outside the classroom, students can go horse riding, sailing, take part in theatre, or simply enjoy the surrounding countryside.
Before enrolling, every prospective student is invited to a taster day – a chance to see first-hand whether this small but vibrant and creative school feels like the right fit. Most find that it does.
Akademis makes history – A Triple Award-Winning Consultancy (2023, 2024 & 2025) 🏆
Akademis has been recognised three years in a row by StudyTravel for excellence in the education sector:
2025 & 2024: Winners of the StudyTravel Secondary School Award (Best Western European Agency)
2023: Winner of the StudyTravel Star Award
(Best Western European Agency)
The StudyTravel Awards are among the most prestigious honours in international education, recognising outstanding quality, client focus and trusted partnerships. Being the first consultancy ever to win for three consecutive years is something we are deeply proud of. For us, these awards highlight our commitment to offering the very best guidance, personal service and long-term support for families embarking on this exciting journey.
Quick Overview
Total number of students: 300
Boarding students: 90
International students: 80
Teacher-student ratio: 1:9
Boarding fees for senior school per term: £17,612
The most important sports on offer in addition to traditional team sports: rugby, badminton, swimming, football, hockey, cricket, canoeing, sailing, horse riding
Nearest airports: Stanwick, Gatwick – each approx. 1.5 hours. London is reachable by train in one hour.
https://www.dovercollege.org.uk/
Key Strengths at a Glance
Round Square school: particularly strong values
Highly active and adventurous: sailing is on the schedule for every student
Stunning seaside location
Family-like atmosphere
Dover College – Photo Highlights
Dover College in Detail
Adventure and Service
Two pillars of the Round Square programme – adventure and service – are taken seriously at Dover College. With canoeing, horse riding and sailing offered locally, plus expeditions to the Lake District or even Spain, students are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones and into experiences that build confidence, teamwork and leadership. International charity projects have included building schools and installing clean water systems. Closer to home, pupils regularly take part in bake sales, sponsored runs, Christmas shoebox appeals, and food drives. The school’s spirit of service and generosity left a deep impression on us.
Sport
Sport at Dover College is all about passion and potential. Everyone is encouraged to take part, regardless of ability. The school is keen to provide equal opportunities, whether for beginners or aspiring athletes. Boys’ main sports are rugby, football and cricket, while girls focus on hockey and netball. Sailing is always open to all. The co-curricular offer also includes swimming, golf, horse riding, badminton and basketball. While healthy competition is nurtured, just as much importance is placed on sport’s power to foster self-esteem, friendships and teamwork.
Academic Life
The school’s motto is Think Differently – and that mindset runs through the academic programme. Pupils are taught to be creative thinkers and problem-solvers, both independently and collaboratively, through innovative teaching methods. Dover College is proudly non-selective and dedicated to helping every pupil realise their own potential. With class sizes of around a dozen students, even the quietest voices are heard. The curriculum is broad and dynamic – mathematics, physics, design technology, languages (including Mandarin and, on request, Latin), photography and computer science are all on offer. A unique feature is the Thinking Differently Course, which blends topics like social issues, health, economics and personal development with study strategies and career exploration.
Arts and Enrichment
Creative subjects and design technology are an integral part of life at Dover College. Pupils take part in fashion shows, photography competitions, and group art projects. Artistic skills are nurtured across a wide range of media, from painting and textiles to ceramics and digital design using CAD software. The school’s drama department also invites pupils to explore new territory, whether on stage, behind the scenes, or through LAMDA courses that develop public speaking and acting techniques. Enrichment activities are equally broad – from launching start-ups to theatre outings and weekend trips.
Photos From Our Visit
Our Visit
We drove across wide, lush green meadows to the beautiful campus of Dover College. A broad smile greeted us as the housemistress opened the door to the boarding house. Warmth and joy met us at every step along the corridors. The staff know every child by name and have become close points of contact for the students. The children also welcomed us enthusiastically and openly, appearing very happy and well cared for at the school. Our personal experience reinforces this wonderful atmosphere: both of our students at Dover College extended their stay because they felt so completely at home.
A Word from the Headmaster
Simon Fisher
“As a small school with outstanding pastoral care, it’s especially important for us to work with agencies that reflect our values. That’s why our partnership with Akademis Internatsberatung is so special. They are experts in finding the right school for each family, and they really take the time to understand what a child needs. Over the years, we’ve welcomed many students from Akademis – every one of them has thrived here. We look forward to continuing this close and successful relationship for many years to come.”
Dover College Fees
Boarding fees at Dover College are £17,612 per term, which totals £52,836 per academic year.
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Final Thoughts
Dover College is a deeply caring school built on strong values. But of course, it’s not the only boarding school in the UK that offers an exceptional environment and diverse opportunities. We encourage you to explore further.
We’re always happy to advise you personally – our deep connections with UK schools and years of experience in educational placement mean we understand what makes each school unique.
With Akademis, You Benefit From:
- First-hand insights and honest opinions
- Excellent relationships with admissions departments
- Years of successful school placements
- Expert support with visa and application processes
What Makes Akademis Stand Out?
- We remain your trusted contact throughout your child’s stay, well beyond the placement process.
- We provide support with guardianship, visa applications and recognition of qualifications within the German school system.
- We offer fully tailored advice. Our school recommendations are unique to each child and can run to 40 pages in length.
- Families receive our 30+ page boarding school guide, packed with practical tips and insights.
- We prepare your child thoroughly for entrance exams and interviews to maximise their chances of success.
- We arrange school visits, ensuring you have the opportunity to experience each school first-hand.
Every boarding school has its own character and ethos. Having personally visited more than 100 schools, we understand these nuances. We also work with schools that do not pay commission, ensuring that our advice remains independent and always in the best interest of your child.
Our roots lie in the UK. For years, we have placed 200–300 families annually into British boarding schools. While our portfolio now includes schools beyond Britain, the UK remains at the heart of what we do.
Our tailored approach results in exceptional acceptance rates. For example, in 2022/23, all seven students we placed at the highly selective Malvern College received offers – a 100% success rate.
We arrange for prospective families to speak with our current students to hear first-hand accounts of life at a UK boarding school.
