Private school Sutton Valence School

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The traditional, classical Sutton Valence Senior School is a boarding school for co-education of boys and girls aged 11 to 18 years.

The school was founded in 1576 by William Lambe, which makes it one of the oldest schools in the UK. Sutton Valence is located on the outskirts of Maidstone, Kent, in southeast England, about an hour's drive from London. Heathrow International Airport is a 45-minute drive away.

At school, they try to give high-quality, comprehensive academic training, as well as to develop children in other areas: sports, creative, moral, ethical, psychological, communicative. Small classes and professionalism of teachers allow each student to give personal attention, which positively affects the results. Sutton Valence School enjoys an excellent reputation and respect from colleagues from around the world.

The school has about 560 students.

Director (stand 2026)

James Thomas, Education - St Paul's School; University of Cambridge; University of London, MA in Educational Leadership.

Famous school graduates

• John Brewer, documentary filmmaker
• Terence Cuneo, artist
• Paul Anderson, sailor, Olympic champion, holder of the Order of the British Empire
• Cecile Bacon, illustrator
• Ali Bongo, magician
• Ashley Jackson, hockey player, Olympic champion
• Ben Brown, journalist
• Joseph Friedman, inventor (including the erroneous drinks ducts)
• Mark Benson, athlete (cricket)
• Peter Fairley, TV reporter
• Peter Polycarpou, actor and musician (film "Evita")
• Robbie Joseph, athlete (cricket)
• Robert Fisk, journalist
• Sydney Wooderson, Athlete, Olympic Champion
• Suzanne Townsend, hockey player, Olympic champion
• Reginald Fuljames, Aviator
• Jack Gannon, athlete (cricket)

Key factors

• Each student is valued as a person with his own feelings and potential.
• The school emphasizes the importance of responsibility, leadership, kindness and friendship among students.
• Pupils come from different walks of life. Most students are of British descent and reside in the UK, many of whom live in Kent and south-eastern England. A minority (about 5%) came from abroad.
• The possibility of leadership qualities exists in all areas of school life. Here, students are actively placed in critical positions where they can learn what it means to be a leader, learn to lead and serve the community.
• The school provides support to students for whom English is an additional language (EAL).
• The school offers a number of academic, sports, artistic, musical and theatre scholarships for gifted and talented students.
• The school is part of prestigious organizations and associations: The Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS), The Headmasters 'and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC) and others.
• An additional plus is the balanced curriculum: traditional British education, tested over the centuries and the latest pedagogical developments, methods and teaching aids.
• The school has a cadet corps where you can undergo specialized training in the Navy, learn how to shoot and improve your own physical fitness, strength, and endurance.
• Participation in the fight for the Duke of Edinburgh Award is possible.

EQUIPMENT

The Sutton Valence School campus is surrounded by picturesque green English landscapes. On an area of ​​40.5 hectares are:

• educational buildings with bright classrooms and lectures with the necessary equipment,
• boarding houses for living,
• library,
• modern scientific and practical laboratories,
• sports complex,
• numerous all-weather fields for playing sports (indoor and outdoor),
• indoor pool,
• own theatre,
• superbly equipped Arts Centre and much more.

PROGRAM

Academic performance is of utmost importance at Sutton Valence School. The school offers an individual curriculum with a clear focus on achievement; here, serious academic work is combined with pleasure. Careful monitoring ensures that all students excel at school.

GCSE

A two-year program for obtaining a certificate of general secondary education. Required to study 6 subjects, 4 subjects are studied by choice.
What is the difference between IGCSE and GCSE programmes?

A-level

A two-year university preparatory program. Pupils choose 3 or 4 subjects for in-depth study.
Find out more about A-level program

The school organizes visits to the admissions office in Cambridge and Oxford (Oxbridge). Both students and parents are invited here, they talk about the application process and entry requirements. University visits are also organized. Oxbridge is a highly competitive arena, and Sutton Valence wants students to receive full support in their endeavours. Students who wish to apply for Oxbridge are assigned a subject tutor to deepen their knowledge of the subject, as well as attending weekly meetings with other candidates.

ACCOMMODATION

Full board at Sutton Valence is a special, rewarding and life-changing experience. It can be considered as an extremely important springboard between the house and the outside world.

Pupils benefit from supervised preparatory classes and the use of all school facilities. Here, students form friendships that will last a lifetime.

In the school, in addition to 1 house for younger students and 4 houses for senior students in full-time education, there are 4 cosy boarding houses. High school students are offered 1-bed rooms, and for younger students - rooms for 2-3 people. The houses have a shared kitchen, self-study classes, a games room with board games, a living room for socializing and relaxing.

SPORT

The school offers a variety of types of physical activity:

• golf
• basketball
• cricket
• badminton
• netball
• swimming
• rugby
• tennis (large and table)
• athletics
• football
• squash, etc.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

In addition to the curriculum, the school offers many opportunities to enrich and support their talents. More than 60 clubs, circles and sections on interests work here - for everyone there is an opportunity to reveal their potential and abilities:

• chess
• judo
• school choir
• school orchestra
• choreography studio
• musical groups and ensembles of various kinds
• drama club
• electronic music
• art (several directions).

High school students are happy to take part in the struggle for the Duke of Edinburg Prize (Duke of Edinburg: sports, community service, expeditions and campaigns), are engaged in the Combined Cadet Force (CCF).

COST, 2026-2027

£16,295 - £18,168 per term (depending on age).
There are 3 terms in the school year.

Included in cost

• Teaching
• Accommodation and meals

Extra paid

• Air travel

• Transfers to/from/airport

• Visa

• Educational company services

• Selecting a guardian, which is a mandatory requirement of a British school

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