Sutton Valence School
Sutton Valence School is a co-ed boarding and day school in Maidstone, Kent, educating pupils aged 2 - 18 and founded in 1576. Boarding fees are £14,744 - £16,521 per term. Our advice on this school is independent and free.
- Type
- Co-ed boarding & day
- Boarders from
- 11 - 18
- Ethos
- Anglican
- Guardian required
- Yes
About Sutton Valence
The story, ethos and character of Sutton Valence.
- Setting
- Rural
- Ethos
- Anglican
- Head
- Mr James Thomas
We are very proud of our community, in the heart of the Kent countryside, where each cares for all and individuality is cherished. There is no standard Suttonian, but we hope that all demonstrate confidence, kindness and commitment in all they do.
As a result of the high expectations and standards we expect and instil, we are delighted that our examination results have improved year on year for the last six years and that we have been recognised for adding value to the academic and all-round education we provide.
School history Sutton Valence School was founded in 1576 by William Lambe, who was born in Sutton Valence village. He moved to London and subsequently became extremely wealthy and a significant philanthropist, funding such projects as Lambe's Conduit, to improve the city's sewage removal.
He became a chorister in Henry VIII's Chapel Royal and later the Master of the Clothworkers' Company. Lambe provided that the School should be run by the Clothworkers' Company after his death, which it did from 1580 until 1910. At this time, ownership was transferred to the United Westminster Schools Foundation.
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Academics at Sutton Valence
What pupils study at Sutton Valence — and where it takes them.
in every discipline leading to GCSE choices which are bespoke to them. From the start of the Lent Term of the Third Form, pupils begin most of their GCSE courses. This enables classes to complete the course content well before the start of the Summer Term and offer plenty of opportunity for consolidation, exam technique and revision.
By starting some GCSEs courses slightly early, we also allow pupils to have a very good taste of the subjects on offer and this will help them to decide which to continue, alongside the core subjects, into the Fourth Form. GCSE Options The Core Curriculum (studied by all): English Language; Mathematics; One Science; Religious Studies (short course); ICT; Games, PE and PSHE.
Programmes offered
Subjects offered
Where our leavers go
Out of a cohort of 75 pupils, 64 Sutton Valence pupils gained places at university this year. Forty-four successfully achieved their first choice and seven their second choice.
Twenty-eight of our pupils have accepted places at universities such as Cardiff, Durham, Exeter, Edinburgh, Imperial, Manchester, Southampton, UCL, Warwick and York, all of which are Russell Group universities. Pupils also gained places at the prestigious St Andrews University.
Three pupils successfully gained places to study Medicine and two students are pursuing careers in the Navy The choice of university courses has been as varied as ever, including Aeronautical, Electronic and Marine Engineering, Equine Studies, Business Management, Finance, Criminology, History of Art, Geography, International Development, Law, Neuroscience and Medicine, English, Nursing, Real Estate, Photography, Broadcasting, Maths and Physics.
Figures are indicative — contact us for the latest results.
Boarding at Sutton Valence
Day-to-day boarding life and pastoral care at Sutton Valence.
- Boarding houses
- Girls 1, Boys 1, Mixed 0
- Exeat weekends
- Yes
- Guardian required
- Yes
- Saturday lessons
- No
which bring boarders from all the houses together. At the weekends, boarders will find that there is, as well as Saturday lessons and fixtures, plenty of time to pursue their own interests, or to participate in organised activities. There is also a weekly minibus service to the local supermarket, which tends to leave at 16:00 on Saturday afternoons.
In addition, each term, the School does arrange a number of boarders' outings. These have included Paintballing, Thorpe Park (theme park), day trips to the seaside at Brighton, cultural trips to the London Philharmonic and London theatres, shopping in London's Covent Garden and the vast retail and leisure centre at Bluewater, as well as regular House BBQs in the summer months.
Boarders occupy a special in our community, their presence being much valued for the richness and diversity they bring. The opportunity for students to live and work at school affords enormous academic and personal benefits. Our boarders come from a variety of backgrounds, with many from Kent and the South East of England.
Others are from overseas, adding an international dimension to the School. Those parents who work abroad identify the friendly, studious yet holistic atmosphere at the School as the natural for their children. Boarding at Sutton Valence is a special, rewarding and life changing experience.
We can arrange trusted UK guardianship for international families.
Sutton Valence admissions
How children join Sutton Valence, and how we make it simple.
Tell us about your child
Share their age, interests and what you're looking for. Our advice is completely free.
We shortlist & introduce
We match you to the right schools and make the introductions to their admissions teams.
Assessment, offer & enrolment
We guide you through entrance assessments and interviews, and handle visas and guardianship if needed.
What you'll typically need
- Recent school reports or transcript
- Passport copy
- English-language evidence (if applicable)
- Completed registration form
- A reference from the current school
Special notes to agents about entry to the school Please note that Sutton Valence does not offer one year GCSE courses or pre-A Level. Regrettably, due to the hilly nature of the School site, we are unable to accommodate wheelchair users, or those with limited mobility.
Further to guidance in the new UK General Practitioner (GP) contracts, students joining the School must be in possession of an EHIC (if living in the EU) or other health cover, entitling them to GP and hospital services, whilst at the School.
As your advisors we manage the application end-to-end at no cost.
Sutton Valence fees & funding
What Sutton Valence costs, what's included, and how we help with funding.
What termly boarding fees include
- Tuition
- Boarding accommodation
- All meals
- Pastoral & house care
- Most academic materials
Funding & scholarships
Registration deposits, EAL tuition, uniform and trips are usually charged separately. Many schools offer academic, sport, music and art scholarships plus means-tested bursaries — ask us and we'll send a full, current breakdown for Sutton Valence.
Fees change year to year and by entry point. As your independent advisors we hold up-to-date figures and can compare Sutton Valence against similar schools so you know exactly what to budget.
Figures shown are the latest we hold — we'll confirm current fees on enquiry.
Sutton Valence location & travel
Where Sutton Valence is, and how to get there.
Travel details Address North Street, Sutton Valence, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 3HL, England Airport transfer By taxi Travel time to London by train Less than 1 hour Telephone +44 (0)1622 845200 Website https://www. svs. org. uk/ Most convenient airports Airport Distance (miles) Drive time (minutes) 1.
London Gatwick 45 50 2. London Heathrow 65 70 Most convenient train stations Station Distance (miles) Drive time (minutes) 1. Headcorn (into Charing Cross, via London Bridge and Waterloo East) 4 8 2. Maidstone East (into Victoria, London) 10 30 3.
Sutton Valence — frequently asked questions
Where is Sutton Valence?
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When was Sutton Valence founded?
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What qualifications does Sutton Valence offer?
Does Sutton Valence support SEN or EAL students?
How many boarding houses does Sutton Valence have?
Are there compulsory exeat weekends at Sutton Valence?
Does Sutton Valence have Saturday lessons?
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Does Sutton Valence accept international students?
How much does Sutton Valence cost?
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Are scholarships or bursaries available?
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