Expat Families

At DOYRMS, students choose from a wide range of GCSEs, A-Levels and BTECs, plus enrichment opportunities which universities and employers highly value.

The results speak for themselves: in 2025, 88% of students moved on to university, over half to Russell Group institutions. At GCSE we are ranked in the top 5% of schools nationally, with students making exceptional progress.

We pride ourselves on offering small class sizes, averaging fewer than 20 at GCSE and just 10 at A Level.

As a non-selective school, with only Sixth Form students requiring to meet a minimum entry criteria, our curriculum is accessible to all and covers a range of interests from academics, to the Arts and sport.

Boarding at DOYRMS is about far more than accommodation, it’s about belonging to a supportive family. Students feel safe, cared for, and encouraged to thrive.

Each House has a Houseparent, Tutors, and Pastoral Leaders who provide wraparound support. Vertical tutor groups (mixed Years 7–11) foster role modelling and peer mentoring, while trained peer listeners add an extra layer of guidance.

At Sixth Form, students benefit from separate university-style accommodation with en-suite rooms. This allows for independence at this critical examination stage and provides a stepping-stone to university or life after school.

Some schools limit pastoral care to house staff alone. At DOYRMS, teachers work in the boarding houses, making sure students are known in all aspects of school life. This ensures every child has multiple trusted adults and peers to turn to at any time.

An exeat weekend is when students must leave school and return home. At many boarding schools, these are compulsory and can be disruptive for families and students living overseas.

DOYRMS does not require compulsory leave during exeat weekends. students can stay in their House, enjoying stability and continuity. Around 70% of students remain in school, keeping Houses lively and supportive.

During exeat weekends, students make use of our extensive 150-acre parkland estate, on-site facilities, and spending time with their friends.

Distance shouldn’t mean disconnection. Parents receive regular academic reports, news updates, and access to the parent app to track achievements, prep, and sanctions. Parent consultations run in a hybrid model, allowing online participation, and staff respond quickly to emails.

All students have Wi-Fi access on personal devices, enabling them to stay in touch with family regularly.

At other schools, overseas parents can feel “out of the loop.” At DOYRMS, families always know how their child is progressing and thriving.

Students, affectionally knows as Dukies, also remain connected with each other as life at a boarding school provides continuity of friendships. At DOYRMS, our thriving Dukie Alumni network is testament to this, with many former expat students continuing to be in contact with Dukie friends throughout university and beyond.

At many boarding schools, weekends can feel empty, with most students going home. At DOYRMS around 80% of students stay in, creating a lively, welcoming community.

Weekends are filled with trips, sports, activities, and social time, while teachers and House staff provide individual pastoral support.

Overseas families can take comfort knowing their children are never left isolated and they enjoy weekends with their friends within our Dukie family.

Set in beautiful Kent countryside, our parkland estate combines safety with accessibility. We are close to Eurotunnel, ferry ports, and London airports for straightforward travel.

Transport to Dover Priory station is provided at the end of terms and half-terms, when students return home. Transfers direct to airports can be arranged too. For late departures, reasonable overnight boarding is also available, ensuring students are safely looked after before travel.

Students enjoy exceptional facilities, such as a modern fitness suite (“the Duke Box”), indoor heated swimming pool, Olympic-standard athletics track, extensive sports pitches, and a floodlit astro pitch.

Facilities are available during lessons, co-curricular activities, and free time, allowing students to explore talents and hobbies fully. Some schools facilities are at different sites or closed in the evenings. We open our facilities as much as possible to students.

Students benefit from over 60-weekly clubs and societies, regular productions, and a high-performing sports programme—all at no additional cost. We also proudly offer sporting links with professional clubs such as the Ealing Trailfinders though our Sports Scholarships. 

DOYRMS offers one of the most affordable full-boarding experiences in the UK, with fees covering accommodation, meals, exam costs, and nearly all co-curricular activities. Each student also receives a school-provided laptop.

Other schools often charge extra for essentials, creating unpredictable costs. Our inclusive approach gives families peace of mind and ensuring equality of access for all. We believe a students experience should never depend on a family’s ability to pay for add-ons.

All students must have two nominated guardians in the UK. Families without relatives nearby can appoint guardians through one of the many professional UK guardianship companies. We support families with this process.

This ensures children always have trusted adults available for guidance and support outside of school.

DOYRMS provides comprehensive healthcare on site, with a medical centre staffed by trained clinicians where GP clinics are run regularly, plus medical escorts for offsite appointments.

Pastoral and wellbeing staff are available at all times, ensuring students are supported academically, physically, and emotionally.

This level of care gives overseas families reassurance that their child’s health and wellbeing are always a top priority.