OneSchool Global UK - Maidstone Campus
Same Kent area with a comparable local commute
School profile
Verified 18 August 2026
Sutton Valence School is a private secondary-stage school in Maidstone, Kent, with a published age range of 2-19.
Private school Co-ed Ages 2-19 Sixth form Boarding school
- Application ?
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 2-19
- ISI ?
- Standards met
- Boarding ?
- Boarding school
Sutton Valence School
1
On this page
At a glance
Key facts
- Sector
- Private school
- Gender
- Mixed
- Application ?
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 2-19
- Boarding ?
- Boarding school
- Route check
- Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
- ISI ?
- Standards met
Overview
Overview
Sutton Valence grows across two rural settings: the senior community in Sutton Valence and the preparatory school and nursery in nearby Chart Sutton. The journey runs from nursery and prep through the Senior School and Sixth Form, with green space, sensory gardens, sports fields and playgrounds woven into daily life. The registered senior establishment is co-educational, with boarding and sixth-form provision.
Senior education begins in the First Form, equivalent to Year 7, and combines academic stretch with enrichment and leadership. A broad and balanced curriculum is paired with careers guidance and co-curricular activity, giving pupils room to build confidence and character while moving through the academic stages.
Boarding is centred on three houses within the main campus. House staff, tutors and matrons support study and daily routines, while facilities, social events and weekend trips keep boarders connected with the wider community. International boarders receive additional help settling in, and day pupils share the same academic, sporting and co-curricular programme.
First Form entry uses the ISEB Common Pre-Tests in English, mathematics, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, alongside a report on academic and social progress. Later senior and sixth-form routes are separate. That combination of two sites, a full age journey and house-based boarding makes the practical shape of Sutton Valence as important as its curriculum.
Key points
Key points
- Assessment route
- Applications are made directly to the school. Check the school's own admissions pages for registration dates, entrance assessment stages, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
- Places and demand
- Published Year 7 place numbers and applicant-per-place data are not included in GIAS for this private-school seed profile.
- Catchment
- Private-school eligibility is not controlled by the local-authority grammar catchment model; check boarding, day-pupil, transport and any sibling or faith rules on the school site.
- Results
- 0% grade 5+ in English and maths and 27.2 Attainment 8
- Sixth form
- Sixth form available with 11.8% AAB or better.
GCSE benchmark
Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with Kent and England.
School Local authority England
- Attainment 8
- 27.2
- Grade 5+ English and maths
- 0%
- EBacc APS
- 1.96
- EBacc entry
- 0%
Attainment 8 trend
Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Kent and England.
School Local authority England
School details
School details
- Sector
- Private school
- School type
- Other independent school
- Funding
- Independent fee-paying
- Application
- Apply direct to school
- Gender
- Mixed
- Age range
- 2-19
- Headteacher
- Mr James Thomas
- Pupil roll
- 826 pupils
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Boarding
- Boarding school
Location and contact
Location and contact
Address
- Address
- North Street, Sutton Valence, Maidstone, Kent
- Postcode
- ME17 3HL
- Area
- Kent
School leadership
- Headteacher
- Mr James Thomas
School contact
- School phone
- 01622845203
Admissions contact
- Admissions team
- Admissions
- Admissions phone
- 01622845203
Admissions
Admissions
- Application route
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 2-19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Boarding
- Boarding school
- Day fees
- £9,345.60-£11,218.80 per term for junior and senior tuition (2026/27, including VAT)
- Boarding fees
- £15,164.20-£18,168.20 per term for junior/senior full or part boarding (2026/27)
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Scholarships available
- Entrance details
- Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
- Admissions note
- GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.
GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.
Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
Oversubscription and eligibility
Use the official admissions policy for the current priority order and eligibility rules.
Exam and test format
Exam and test format
Entrance route and assessment
Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
- Assessment route
- Apply direct to school
- Papers and stages
- 3 stages
- Format
- Interview stages
Papers and rounds
-
Round 1
First Form (Year 7, 11+) deferred-entry ISEB Common Pre-Test
Secondly, please register with the Independent Schools Examination Board (ISEB) in order for them to sit the Common Pre-Test. Entry Requirements All prospective pupils looking to join our First Form are required to sit the Independent Schools Examination Board (ISEB) Common Pre-Tests during the Michaelmas Term whilst in Year 6.
-
Round 2
Third Form (Year 9, 13+) deferred-entry ISEB Common Pre-Test
The prospective pupils will be required to sit the Independent Schools Examination Board (ISEB) Common Pre-Tests during the Michaelmas Term of Year 6 and, based upon those results, we will make deferred offers for guaranteed entry. Entry Requirements Pupils wishing to join our Third Form are required to sit the Independent Schools Examination Board (ISEB) Common Pre-Tests during the Michaelmas Term whilst in Year 6.
-
Round 3
Interview
Lower Sixth (Year 12, 16+) entry interview
Your child will also need to have a short interview with a member of the Senior Management Team . If you have not already met with the Headmaster, we will contact you to make the necessary arrangements for an interview. Please be aware that the interview forms part of the selection process and must be completed by the
Published assessment components
Interview is listed across the school's published assessment routes.
Published
-
Interview
Your child will also need to have a short interview with a member of the Senior Management Team . If you have not already met with the Headmaster, we will contact you to make the necessary arrangements for an interview. Please be aware that the interview forms part of the selection process and must be completed by the
Application
Application
Key dates
Get date reminders-
13+ / Third Form registration deadline for September 2029 deferred entry
Wednesday 21 October 2026
Route: 13+ / Year 9; entry year: 2029.
-
13+ / Third Form ISEB Common Pre-Tests for September 2029 deferred entry
Michaelmas Term 2026 while in Year 6
Route: 13+ / Year 9; entry year: 2029.
-
16+ / Lower Sixth scholarship application deadline for September 2027 entry
Friday 8 January 2027
Route: 16+ / Lower Sixth; entry year: 2027.
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16+ / Lower Sixth scholarship assessments for September 2027 entry
Sport: Friday 4 December 2026 or Friday 29 January 2027; Art: Monday 25 January; Design and Technology: Wednesday 27 January; Drama and Music: Saturday 30 January 2027
Route: 16+ / Lower Sixth; entry year: 2027.
How to apply
- 1
Apply direct to the school
Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.
Check school admissions
Results
Results
Attainment snapshot
- Attainment 8 ?
- 27.2 Attainment 8
- GCSE results
- 0% grade 4+ in English and maths
- Grade 5+ English and maths ?
- 0% grade 5+ in English and maths
- EBacc average point score ?
- 1.96 EBacc APS
- A-level results
- 11.8% AAB or better
- A-level average points
- 37.64 A-level points per entry
Inspection
Inspection
Standards met
Latest inspection: 25 February 2025
- Leadership, management and governance
- Standards met
- Quality of education, training and recreation
- Standards met
- Physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Standards met
- Social and economic education and contribution to society
- Standards met
- Safeguarding
- Standards met
Quick summary
- Latest ISI report: Routine Inspection - 2025 records an inspection beginning 25 February 2025. The report says the relevant standards were met.
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Shortlist comparisons
Explore this school in context
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Related pages and guides
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Area and ranking pages
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Guides and related reading
Related guides are still being added.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How does Sutton Valence School handle admissions?
Sutton Valence School handles applications directly. Check the school website for registration dates, entrance assessments, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
How do I apply to Sutton Valence School?
1. Apply direct to the school: Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.
When are the key dates for Sutton Valence School?
13+ / Third Form registration deadline for September 2029 deferred entry: Wednesday 21 October 2026. 13+ / Third Form ISEB Common Pre-Tests for September 2029 deferred entry: Michaelmas Term 2026 while in Year 6. 16+ / Lower Sixth scholarship application deadline for September 2027 entry: Friday 8 January 2027. 16+ / Lower Sixth scholarship assessments for September 2027 entry: Sport: Friday 4 December 2026 or Friday 29 January 2027; Art: Monday 25 January; Design and Technology: Wednesday 27 January; Drama and Music: Saturday 30 January 2027
What does the latest inspection picture look like for Sutton Valence School?
Sutton Valence School is currently rated Standards met following the latest published inspection dated 25 February 2025.