The quality of teaching and the achievement of pupils at Dover Grammar School for Boys - especially in maths - should be better, according to Oftsed inspectors.

In their latest report, the inspection team said the school had gone down from grade one - outstanding - at the last inspection in 2010 to grade three this year. And they will be back within the next two years to carry out a further full inspection.

The report says that while the pupils’ behavioour and safety and the school’s leadership and management are good, students are capable of making faster progress in mathematics and although the majority of teaching is good or better, some requires improvement, especially in mathematics.

“Sometimes work in lessons is not challenging enough for students and the pace is too slow,” said lead inspector Helen Hutchings.

“Teachers’ marking is inconsistent in checking on students’ understanding and improving their presentation skills.

“Students are not given enough opportunities to apply and consolidate their mathematics skills in other subjects.”

The inspectors said the sixth form was good, students’ achievement has improved well over the last three years and is now good. “This is the result of the stronger monitoring and support which address any difficulties students may have promptly.

“Students enjoy school as shown in their above average attendance. They take responsibility for their own learning, behave well and are considerate of others’ views and opinions.

“The school’s strong promotion of reading is reflected in consistently excellent English results."

Headteacher Dr Richard Moxham told the Mercury: “The Inspectors have expressed confidence in DGSB’s leaders and governors to continue taking the school in the right direction.

“It’s pleasing to note their view that there’s ‘a strong strategic lead’ from managers who ‘know the school’s strengths and weaknesses well’, and that this is ‘effectively bringing about improvement’.

“The areas for development highlighted in the report were already identified in our action planning, and we shall continue to work on them. In the meantime the full document is available on our website, and I hope people will take the time to read it.”