Dover Grammar School for Boys, Astor Ave, Dover CT17 0DQ

Founded in 1904 as the County School for Boys and Girls, the school was originally mixed-sex but moved into the present building in 1934 from Frith Road, now home of the Dover Grammar School for Girls [1].

Former students of the school are known as Old Pharosians. Current students of "DGSB" are, of course, having their education affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. And the building itself is at risk of redevelopment in the near future (see below).

The school is an iconic local landmark adjacent to the Whinless Down Nature Reserve. This zoomed photo of 1300 yards was taken from the North Military Road (Western Heights):

I was a pupil at the Dover Grammar School for Boys from September 1962 until June 1967.

I belonged to Frith House and was in Forms 1B to 5B. Dickie Bird and Dizzy Denham were my two form masters; Michael Hinton was headmaster.

This is a section from the 1963 school photo. I am at bottom right above the yellow marker:

In a Letter to Parents - School Closure dated the 19th of March, 2020, DGSB said:

Re: Coronavirus update –school closureto most pupils

Following on from my last update, I am now writing to let you know that we have now been instructed to close the school to almost all children until further notice.

Extract fron Proposed DGSB Redevelopment

The Department for Education are working with Kier Construction and Dover Grammar School for Boys to deliver much needed modern teaching facilities fit for the 21st century, to provide a high quality teaching and learning environment for the school and secure it’s long term future at the site.

The project team is currently working on the wider strategy for development to identify the key issues and a preferred broad location for new teaching accommodation at the site.

Extract from Sadness as Dover Grammar School for Boys set for demolition:

There is concern and sadness in Dover as one of the town's iconic schools is set to be knocked down.

Kent County Council’s (KCC) planning committee met yesterday (December 4) and recommended the 1930s Dover Grammar School for Boys building should be demolished.

This decision is subject to Historic England determining the existing school buildings are eligible to be listed.

The location the main photo was taken from is marked as "P2" on the cycling route map and the school as "DGSB":

Original map and biometrics on this Polar Flow web page.

Abbreviated versions of this post are also on Facebook and Twitter

Permitted cycle ride under the UK Coronavirus lockdown rules.

[1] Dover Grammar School for Boys