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Foreword

When we in the Forces take the decision to send our children to boarding schools, there are always doubts. Will the school we have chosen provide the stability that we believe our children requiremore

Introduction

"We in the Services have three options: our children have a disruptive education; we board; or we live apart from our families. None of these is ideal for most people". Such was a recent indictment of the choice facing Service parents starting to educate theirmore

Articles
The Education of Service Children - the boarding option - Introduction Service Children's Education (SCE) CEAS Boarding? Choosing a School Government Funded Boarding Schools Boarding at an Independent School Types of boarding School Specialist Schools The Sixth Form Whatever next? Overseas Pupils and parents
Paying the fees

Paying the school fees ranks second only to paying one’s mortgage and, as such, this is a real attention-grabbing subject. Sending a child off to a fee-paying school means not only a major financial 2006: more

Special Awards

Looking specifically at grants and awards for children of those in the Armed Forces the ISBI lists some 200 schools. The following list has been specifically researched from the Independent more

From the editor

Ian Jones' career includes eleven years as Head Master of Bedford School, two years as the Director of Studies at Britannia Royal Naval College more

Useful information
 

Ministry of Defence funded schools

Charles Johnson, Headmaster at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School

‘A most ingenious paradox’

t the heart of any good school lie high expectations. We are proud of our pupils’ consistent success in their GCSEs, A- levels and in their applications to universities. Just about all of our sixth form leavers go on to university, the vast majority of them being accepted at their university and course of first choice.

The school was originally founded in 1801 to take the sons and daughters of soldiers who had died fighting for their country in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The school moved to Dover in 1909 to escape the pollution of the city, and it has continued to thrive. In 1994 girls were re-invited to join the school and it is now a full boarding school for children whose parents are serving in the British Armed Forces. It is fully funded by the Ministry of Defence so those who are serving pay far less per term (currently £550) than they would at state boarding or independent schools.

This has been a very important year for the Duke of York’s. The year 2009 celebrates the centenary of the school’s move to Dover from Chelsea. The children have participated in many special events to celebrate the centenary move to Dover. The school marching band was again invited to play at the Army Rugby Championships in Aldershot in March and was also invited to play at Lord’s for the cricket match England vs West Indies on 7 May and at the Armed Forces Day held at the Chatham Historic Dockyard on the 27 June. The centenary launch took place in February, hosted by illustrious Old Boy the Lord, Bishop of Liverpool in the House of Lords and a special centennial parade took place through the streets of Dover in June. Our centenary year also marks the start of the first stage of a multi-million-pound upgrade of our boarding facilities.

Questions and answers for Service personnel

Q Why should you choose boarding?

A Boarding can offer the opportunity for continuity of high-quality education. QVS and DYRMS are fully coeducational and cater for pupils from 11– 18.

Q But there are lots of different sorts of boarding schools, ranging from independent boarding to state boarding schools. Why should Service personnel choose the two Ministry of Defence schools?

A As an MoD establishment, we understand the special needs of our client base. Both schools were set up for the purpose of educating Service children. Many of our teachers are ex-military and have a very real understanding of what military life means. For example, we are very conscious of the need for our children to be secure, safe and kept busy. Unlike many schools that purport to offer full boarding, every pupil at the school is a full boarder and we continue to operate every weekend (including leave-outs).

Q What will we have to pay?

A As a serving member of the Armed Forces, you will pay a contribution of £550 per term at DYRMS. If you are no longer serving, or resign during the period your child is with us, then we would expect you to pay fees that are linked to those of state boarding schools.

Q How do I apply?

A Contact the Registrar at DYRMS or QVS, and you will be guided through the process.

Contact details

The Registrar
Duke of York’s Royal Military School
Dover
Kent CT15 5EQ
Civ 01304 245024
ATN 94284 5024

Charles Johnson joined the Duke of York’s Royal Military School as Headmaster at the start of the academic year September 2007, having previously been Deputy Headmaster of Shiplake College. He started his teaching career at Stowe, where he was Head of Politics and Senior Housemaster.