Sevenoaks (founded in 1432) is a co-educational day and boarding school for students aged 11 to 18. Just half an hour from Central London and Gatwick International Airport, its superb 100-acre campus is set in the Kent countryside.
Sevenoaks is one of the world’s leading IB schools, having taught the International Baccalaureate for over 40 years.
Sevenoaks is among the top schools in the UK. It is the Sunday Times Co-educational Independent School of the Year 2023 and Spear's School of the Year 2022. The UK Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) awarded Sevenoaks the rare accolade of ‘Exceptional’ for its pupils’ achievement.
In 2022, its average IB Diploma score was 40.3 points, about eight points above the world average, and consistent with previous years. The Higher Education department supported successful applications to universities in the UK, USA, Canada, Europe and Hong Kong. An outstanding 92 per cent progressed to their firm choice university.
Sevenoaks proudly publishes the university destinations of leavers every year. Given its global perspective, it supports about 20% of students to universities in another country, with increasing numbers going to North America, specifically Ivy league and top universities in the United States.
The majority go to Oxbridge, London universities or other top universities in the UK, such as Bristol or Durham.
Sevenoaks students have access to world-class facilities for co-curricular pursuits, including sport, music, drama and art, at least 70 clubs and societies, a wide range of study trips and exchanges, and a well-established community service programme.
There is a strong emphasis on the co-curriculum, from sport to music, drama and art. Pupils are regularly selected for regional and national orchestras and choirs, the NYT, and compete at county, national and international level in a number of sports.
Sevenoaks was one of the first UK schools to incorporate voluntary service as a compulsory element of the co-curriculum, pioneering a local Voluntary Service Unit in the 1960s and continuing with a strong service programme today. There is also a CCF and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme; with Gold expeditions abroad as well as in the UK.
In 2017 the school launched its Middle School Diploma for Year 9, which records pupils’ academic and co-curricular achievements in creativity, action and service as well as in the enriching Sevenoaks core courses, Ten Ideas That Changed the World and Critical Perspectives.
There are lessons and sport for all pupils on Saturdays and a full programme of activities for boarders on Sundays.
The facilities are first-class. In 2018, a state-of-the-art science and technology centre opened, uniting the four core fields of science, with an innovative new Sixth Form Global Study Centre alongside, providing the school’s first dedicated space for the IB and higher education. Other recent developments include a sports centre providing outstanding facilities and an award-winning, world-class performing arts centre.
With seven distinctive and comfortable boarding houses, and a new girls’ boarding house opening in 2023, its boarding community is fun, friendly and busy.
The school’s international outlook promotes the principles of tolerance and open-mindedness. Ambitious but principled, confident and compassionate, Sevenoaks pupils are prepared for leadership in an ever more complex world.
Admission. The main points of entry to the school are at 11, 13 and 16 years. A small number are admitted at other levels. At 11+, pupils are admitted on the basis of a competitive examination held in January, an interview and school report. At 13+, candidates take part in an assessment process in May of their Year 7. A reference from their current school is also required. Academic and Co-Curricular scholarship examinations are held in the May of Year 8. At 16+ students are admitted into the Sixth Form based on their performance in interview and academic entrance tests, and on the strength of their current school reports. All applications for entry should be addressed to the Director of Admissions (regist@sevenoaksschool.org). Fees per term (2023-2024). Boarders £15,595; Day Pupils £9,709 (including lunch). Fees for pupils entering directly into the Sixth Form are £16,919 (boarding) and £11,206 (day).
Scholarships and Bursaries. Sevenoaks offers scholarships to students joining at 11+, 13+ and 16+. These scholarships honour and celebrate exceptional talent in academia, music, sports, drama and art.
In recent years we have reduced the financial element of our scholarships, as we have embraced a principle of awarding financial assistance according to need. We are now taking the final step and removing the financial element entirely for all candidates applying from 2022 onwards, although Music Scholars will still receive free tuition on one instrument.
This move will enable us to direct all our financial resources to supporting families who otherwise could not afford for their child to benefit from a Sevenoaks education. We firmly believe this is the right and equitable thing to do. Over the years, many families of scholars have taken the same view and waived their fee reduction to donate it to our financial assistance fund; we are most grateful to them.
Financial Assistance. Currently more than 60 pupils are in receipt of financial assistance with fees, with some receiving additional support to cover the cost of uniform, trips and other extras. It is a key priority to significantly increase the number of students receiving financial assistance over the coming years.
All awards of financial assistance are means-tested, which requires parents to answer detailed questions and provide evidence of their financial circumstances.
Families interested in applying for financial assistance are invited to read about the eligibility criteria and process here Financial Assistance with Fees Policy Financial Assistance with Fees Policy. Further details can be obtained from Lorna Dolan, Director of Admissions, Sevenoaks School, High Street, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1HU. Tel: 01732 467703; Email:regist@sevenoaksschool.org Charitable status. Sevenoaks School is a Registered Charity, number 1101358. Its aims and objectives are the education of school children.
Governors & Staff:
Governing Body:
Chair: A Beckett
Vice-Chair: C Gill
Governors:
K Allen
R Best
J Davies
A Eastman
E Ecclestone
C Houghteling
G Innes
J London
P Luxmore
M McInerney
M Merson
A Timms
A Yuravlivker
Interim Bursar and Clerk to the Governors: D Davies
Academic Staff:
Senior Leadership Team:
Headmaster: J R Elzinga
Senior Deputy Head: C Ives
Deputy Head (Pastoral): J Lidiard
Deputy Head (Academic): C Taylor
Deputy Head (Co-curriculum): S Walmsley
Deputy Head (Staff): H Tebay
Deputy Head (Boarding):N Haworth
Director of Admissions: L Dolan
Executive Director of Advancement: M Joyce
Director of Institute for Teaching & Learning: M Beverley
Director of Institute for Higher Education and Professional Insight: W Heydorn
Director of International Baccalaureate: T Haworth
Head of Sixth Form Admissions: S Coquelin
Head of Sixth Form: M Edwards
Head of Middle School: R McQuillin
Head of Lower School: M Capelo