About Us

Awards & Inspections

As an award-wining boarding school, The Duke of York’s Royal Military School has obtained a variety of accreditations and accolades. Below you will find information about these, as well as school inspections.

Good Schools Guide Review

‘Pupils surprise themselves, leaving with confidence, self-respect, good results and high ambitions’.

We were thrilled to welcome an Education Consultant from The Good Schools Guide to The Duke of York’s Royal Military School recently to undertake their first review of our school. This esteemed publication is relied upon by prospective families worldwide to provide an impartial, precise portrayal of UK schools – and notably, we are the only non-selective state school in Kent showcased within its pages.

The resulting review showered high praise on our school across all facets of school life. It was lauded as a place where ‘progress scores soar above the national average’, ‘pupils are respectful, candid and mature, with genuine curiosity’ and ‘feel confident that all are welcome’.

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School takes immense pride in its exceptional pastoral support, fostering a sense of belonging and pride among its students – as one pupil eloquently expressed, ‘your house is your guard,’ showing us their guard’s heart pin. ‘As soon as you start, you’re presented it which makes you feel you belong to something really special’. Moreover, parents appreciated that ‘the school never closes’, and that stability is maintained without the chaos of day pupils’.

‘Music is outstanding’ and ‘as far as the eye can see, there are sporting facilities’. Students remark ‘support is great’ while parents attest their children ‘achieve beyond expectations’.

The boarding experience exudes a ‘homely vibe’, featuring ‘large spacious dorms’ while the ‘cool sixth form boarding house gives a sense of independence – ‘a step between school and uni’ – girls on the upper floor and boys below (all ensuite)’.

The overarching sentiment is that ‘pupils surprise themselves, leaving with confidence, self-respect, good results and high ambitions’. The Duke of York’s Royal Military School is hailed as ‘a great school with military heritage.’

Muddy Stilettos Review

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School was recently reviewed by Muddy Stilettoes for their Best Schools Guide. Muddy Stilettoes ‘insider’ guides offer a genuine insight into each school they visit, with informal, super-useful advice from our editors who are parents themselves. All reviews are unique, independent, and honest.

The review found the school to be a home-from-home environment, as one student described, “You feel like the people you meet at school will be in your life forever” and the reviewer whose children attend a local independent school “questioning why she was paying the extra cost when The Duke of York’s has the facilities to equal any of its local peers.”

The school boasts a rich musical and drama program, offering various ensembles and theatre productions. It also provides free instrument lessons starting in Year 7 and free LAMDA acting tuition as part of its extensive extracurricular programme.

Academically non-selective, DOYRMS provides a well-rounded education with a strong emphasis on personal development. The school follows an independent model with Saturday classes and offers various academic clubs. As the headmaster Alex Foreman states, “We will do everything we can to support students on this journey.”

Boarding life at DOYRMS is full-time, with students enjoying a packed calendar of activities and trips, promoting independence, and preparing them for post-school life. One parent shared, “The Boarding Houses are like a second homes and are very welcoming.”

Parents and students praise the school for its welcoming environment, strong community, and approach to education. As one student aptly put it, “the best years of my life have been at this school.”

Wellbeing Award in Schools

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School has been honoured to receive the Wellbeing Award for Schools. This prestigious award recognises institutions committed to promoting the wellbeing of both students and staff. Schools receiving this accolade demonstrate a dedication to providing high-quality, ongoing professional development for staff, implementing clear strategies to support mental health, and fostering a supportive network throughout the entire school community.

Staff and Trustees share a passion for and commitment to supporting the wellbeing of students, helping them to develop resilience and strategies for managing their own mental health. They clearly know their pupils well and understand their needs.”

Artsmark Gold Award

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School holds the prestigious Artsmark Gold Award, the sole creative quality standard for schools accredited by Arts Council England. This award supports schools in enhancing and celebrating arts and cultural education, emphasizing creativity and wellbeing within the curriculum. Artsmark ensures that every young person has the opportunity to engage in a diverse, high-quality cultural education.

We are incredibly proud to have earned the Artsmark Gold Award and remain dedicated to providing exceptional arts and cultural education. We eagerly anticipate continuing our growth with Artsmark.

Accredited Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Centre

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School is proud to be an accredited centre for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, offering the prestigious Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. Our students have the opportunity to develop valuable skills, engage in physical activities, volunteer in the community, and undertake adventurous expeditions as part of this internationally recognised programme.

To learn more about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at our school and discover how it can benefit students personal growth and future opportunities, please visit Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Page.

Ofsted

 

Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. The Duke of York’s Royal Military School is regulated, as are all schools, and inspected to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. Please click the link below for more information on Ofsted.

Our latest Ofsted Inspection reports from February 2023 and June 2022 can be viewed here:

Boarding Inspection 2022 https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/1/SC023666

Education Inspection 2023 https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/136177

Our Boarding and Welfare provision was graded as ‘Good’ overall.

Our Education Inspection graded us as a ‘Good’ school, with ‘Outstanding’ in two areas.