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Drone pictures show transformation at Dover Grammar School for Boys as demolition work continues

By: Chantal Weller cweller@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 14:00, 11 February 2023

Updated: 17:40, 11 February 2023

Drone pictures reveal how a historic school has been completely transformed.

All but one of the 1930s buildings at Dover Grammar School for Boys (DGSB) have now been demolished.

All original buildings at Dover Grammar School for Boys are set to be torn down by November. Picture: Mark Hamilton

The site, which overlooks the port town, has been overhauled with a £25 million expansion after it was discovered that its original buildings had began slipping down a hillside.

It was also riddled with asbestos and crammed with twice as many pupils it was meant for.

The new, state-of-the-art expansion opened last year.

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And now, drone pictures have captured the continued work happening at the site, off Astor Avenue, and show the dramatic change in its appearance.

But residents have been left with mixed feelings about the replacement school, with one suggesting it looks like a detention centre.

The £25 million extension was necessary, with the old school slipping down the hillside. Picture: Mark Hamilton

"The new one is really ugly. Looks like a prison," one resident said.

"I know the boys needed a new more modern school but it was part of Dover - shame they couldn’t keep the façade like with the old market building," another said.

Others have welcomed the makeover, saying it is "not the end of the world" and they hope the pupils have a great education in the "fit-for-purpose replacement".

The £25 million extension was vital in order to secure the future of the school and its pupils.

As well as the structural issues, the grammar school was only designed to accommodate 400 pupils but ended up with about 850. This meant some students had to spill out into extensions, adaptations and mobile classrooms.

The former buildings were also too small for the number of pupils at the school. Picture: Mark Hamilton
One of the former buildings at the school

The Department for Education's Priority School Building programme was used to pay for the work.

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DGSB made a successful application for this in 2014 and Kent County Council gave planning permission in December 2019.

Construction took place from June 2020 and pupils were able to move into it at the end of last year.

The school now boasts carpentry workshops, food technology rooms, art rooms, laboratories, computer hubs, a gym, sports hall, activities room for weight training and an outdoor sports court for games such as basketball and tennis.

The old building's most treasured artefacts have been salvaged and brought to the new centre such as the 1932 pipe organ, honour boards and stained glass windows.

An old postcard, which could have been taken before the Second World War, showing Dover Grammar School for Boys. Picture: Paul Wells/Dover History Pages
The new building as seen from the Western Heights

Headteacher Philip Horstrup said students and parents have been "immensely impressed" with the new facilities and the opportunities they give to pupils.

"To date, most of the main buildings have been demolished with the 'Old Tower' set to be brought down when there is nobody in school later this month," he said.

"Scheduled completion of the landscaping and car parking on the site of the old school, and the installation of the bridge to link the school to this area is due in November this year.

"The most noticeable change has been the increase in natural light coming into the new school and the improved view of the tree line and the downs.

"Artefacts including all the honours boards, organ (still functioning), and stained-glass windows are in the new building.

Headteacher Philip Horstrup
New outdoor sports areas were added as part of the expansion
The new woodwork hall at the grammar school

"Furthermore, Kier and Goody Demolition very kindly saved the 'Fiat Lux' plinths from the 'New Tower' and the centenary clock, both of which will be restored and displayed.

"We are now starting to let our facilities to local sports and community groups which is benefiting the wider Dover area."

All the original buildings are expected to be gone by November this year.

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