SVS is a member of The United Westminster and Grey Coat Foundation (educational charity no. 1181012)
age: 2 to 4
4 to 11
School age: 11 to 18
Religion
Founded 1576
Teacher to student ratio 1:9
Girl to boy ratio % 40:60
Location
Rural setting with good transport links: London Gatwick Airport: 45 miles
London Heathrow Airport: 70 miles
Memberships
Pupils have been inspired by the beautiful surroundings of Sutton Valence School since 1576. We are very proud of our history but we also look keenly to the future.
From the school’s opening until now, our greatest strength is our community. The relationships enjoyed between staff, pupils and parents allow us to craft an educational journey that is individually suited to every pupil. If we feel supported, cared for and recognised for what we are, then we will feel comfortable pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zone to discover the limits of our ability – these are our primary aims. It is only through this process that we can truly achieve.
Through the high expectations and standards we set, all our young people are encouraged and helped to go further than they had thought possible in their academic, co-curricular, community and leadership journeys. We want them to become confident and open-minded individuals who possess a love of learning and a strong sense of self-discipline.
Each will have taken a slightly different journey by the time they finish their school education, but our ultimate destinations for all are the same: they will work hard to fulfil their true potential and add value to their lives.
James Thomas Headmaster
Mr James A Thomas MA (Cantab) MA (London) NPQH Headmaster
Headmaster, James Thomas, was educated at St Paul’s School, London, before completing his undergraduate degree at Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge. He holds an MA in Educational Leadership from UCL and the National Professional Qualification for Headship. His career includes leadership roles such as Head of Department at Dulwich College and Wellington College, Director of Studies at Harrow International School in Hong Kong and Head of the Senior School at the British School in Tokyo.
His extensive experience working overseas has provided invaluable insight into the unique challenges and rewards of international education. This experience has strongly influenced the School’s approach to its international student provision. Striking the right balance between embracing cultural diversity and preserving the core values that define a British education remains central to the School’s approach to international recruitment.
Mr Thomas warmly welcomes informal conversations with prospective international families, whether to explore the opportunities the School offers or to discuss the transition to schooling in the UK more generally.
With easy links to the biggest airports in the UK and various public transport options, Sutton Valence School is very accessible. London Heathrow Airport is around a one hour twenty minute drive from the School and London Gatwick Airport is approximately one hour.
The School is around a ten minute taxi journey from Headcorn station, which provides trains to London in just over an hour. Other than first arrival transport, our boarding staff are pleased to assist with travel arrangements and can book taxis to and from the station or airport.
Home from home. Since 1576.
We recognise the contribution that international boarders continue to make to Sutton Valence School and they are warmly welcomed. We value diversity in our community, respecting and celebrating differences in ethnic background, culture, language and religion to provide all pupils with a global perspective. We offer our international boarders a fantastic learning environment, excellent pastoral care and opportunities to make connections with pupils overseas.
We are open to overseas pupils joining the School at a range of different admissions points. For short-term stays of a year or less, students can be accepted into any year group from the First Form (Year 7) to the Upper Sixth. For those looking to stay for longer than a year, we accept students into First Form (Year 7), Second Form (Year 8), Third Form (Year 9), Fourth Form (Year 10) or the Lower Sixth (Year 12).
It is an increasingly popular option for students to join us for a year or less. A short-term stay is a fantastic opportunity for pupils who wish to experience a British boarding school and improve their English, without the longer-term commitment to examinations. And for pupils looking to join the Fifth Form (Year 11), who would like to study for GCSEs, we now offer a one-year bespoke GCSE course. Further information about the subjects available is included on page xx.
We aim to make the admissions process as simple as possible for agents and families:
Applicant families should make an initial enquiry with the Admissions Office and we will confirm the availability of a place;
Families are then asked to complete an online registration form at svs.org.uk/admissions/senior/svs-registration-form and pay a nonrefundable £120 registration fee;
The applicant will then be asked to undertake an entrance test (unless they are staying for 1.5 terms or less, in which case there is no requirement to sit an entrance assessment). For students staying for two terms or more, they will be asked to sit Password entrance tests in Mathematics and English/Knowledge, unless they are planning to visit the School during their application, in which case, they will have the option to sit paper tests at the School.
An online video interview will be arranged with the applicant, which parents and the agent are welcome to join. The interview will be conducted in English with the Headmaster or the Head of Senior School. If the family is planning to visit the School during their application, we will arrange an in-person interview, rather than an online one.
Once all of the above has been completed and the Headmaster has approved the application, an offer will be made. The family will be sent a digital acceptance form, which we would ask that they sign and return, alongside the deposit payment (one term’s full fees).
1576.
Sutton Valence School has two boarding houses, one for female students, Westminster, and one for male students, St Margaret’s.
Boarders are cared for by an experienced Housemaster or Housemistress, along with a team of dedicated matrons and tutors. They pride themselves on guiding the students, whilst at the same time encouraging them to become more independent. Boarding staff provide targeted support to ensure academic potential is met, with supervised study, homework and prep time scheduled into boarding life.
Benefitting from a wonderfully diverse culture, the students in each House are encouraged to bond, explore each other’s backgrounds and support one another. This is invaluable in helping new students to settle in, adapt to their new environment and ensure they feel valued within the House.
Boarders are fully catered for, with three daily meals, but also have the option to cook for themselves and make snacks at other times in the fully-fitted House kitchens. Students often return to the boarding House to find it filled with the welcoming aroma of the matrons’ freshly-baked treats. They enjoy comfortable rooms and each House benefits from its own common rooms and social spaces for the household to come together once they have completed their prep work. And boarders also have supervised access to the superb on-site facilities, such as the sports centre and swimming pool.
The boarding houses enjoy a healthy competitive rivalry with each other, organising sporting fixtures and events that allow our wider boarding community to come together. Weekend activities may also include trips to:
• A cinema
• A theatre production
• London
• Brighton
• Canterbury
• Local attractions such as Leeds Castle
• Ice skating
• Trampolining
Sutton Valence School offers the following programmes for study:
Our Third Form curriculum prepares students for entry to a British examination programme. Students study a broad curriculum, including English (English as an Additional Language (see page xx for further information), Mathematics, Sciences, History, Geography, ICT, a selection of creative subjects, a modern foreign language, Religious Studies, Games, Physical education and CCF (Combined Cadet Force).
Students who wish to join us in Fourth Form will study English (English as an Additional Language), Mathematics, ICT and Games, together with six selected optional subjects. For those students who choose to complete a two-year programme, staying with us for Fifth Form, GCSE examinations will be taken at the end of the courses.
Students in the Fifth Form study the same compulsory subjects as Fourth Form students.
We also offer a one-year GCSE programme for those who wish to stay with us for a full academic year and complete a limited number of GCSE or IGCSE examinations within a shorter length of time. Students will experience a broad and balanced curriculum which gives the opportunity to study a variety of subjects which will develop their English skills and enable them to achieve five qualifications (see page xx for further details of this course).
Students joining our Sixth Form usually select three subjects from a broad variety of optional subjects to study at A level. For those students who choose to complete a two-year programme, staying with us for Upper Sixth Form, A Level examinations will be taken at the end of the courses, providing a pathway to Further and Higher Education or employment. As well as their chosen subjects, students will participate in physical education activities and tuition in practical life skills such as first aid, cookery classes and finance management. Independent learning is developed through independent study periods.
Our one-year GCSE programme offers students in our Fifth Form to achieve the following five qualifications:
IGCSE English as an Additional Language Board: CIE IGCSE
Three examinations will be taken at the end of the year’s course:
• Speaking (20% 15 minutes) – a general discussion about interests and hobbies and a discussion about a specific topic with five prompts.
• Listening (20% 50 minutes) – all answers will be written in English or will be multiple choice.
• Reading and Writing (60% Two hours) – the first three sections are reading and note-taking tasks. The last three sections assess the pupil’s ability to write in English.
Topics covered include:
• Travel and tourism
• Shopping and the consumer society
• Science and nature
• Health, fitness and sport
• Family and lifestyles
• Media and films
• Technology
• Environmental issues
Modern Foreign Languages (MFL): French and Spanish Board: AQA
Four examinations will be taken at the end of each year’s course:
• Speaking (25% 10 to 12 minutes) – role play, picture stimulus and conversation to cover two themes.
• Listening (25% 45 minutes) – questions require a mixture of English, French or Spanish and non-verbal answers.
• Reading (25% One hour) – questions in English and in French or Spanish. There will also be a 50-word translation from French or Spanish into English.
• Writing (25% One hour 15 minutes) – the three sections are a structured writing task with four compulsory bullet points, an open-ended writing task with two compulsory bullet points and a 50-word translation from English into French or Spanish.
The three main themes covered in all sections of the GCSEs are:
• Identity and culture
• Local, national, international and global areas of interest
• Current and future study and employment
Mathematics Board: Edexcel IGCSE
The course is assessed by two examinations (50%, two hours and with the use of a calculator each) taken at the end of the course.
Pupils will be examined on number, algebra, ratio, geometry, probability and statistics. Pupils will sit either the Higher or Foundation tier. Grades awarded are from 1-9 with 9 being the top grade available.
Photography Board: OCR GCSE
The course is internally assessed, with external moderation, by:
• Coursework Portfolio (60%)
• Externally Set Project (40%) which includes a controlled test.
Pupils are exposed to a wide range of digital and chemical photographic techniques, including image manipulation in Adobe ‘Photoshop’ and traditional darkroom practice.
Candidates must have good analytical skills and show clear evidence of the ability to develop and refine imaginative ideas. Photographic equipment (including Nikon DSLR cameras) is provided.
In addition to the courses above, students will also participate in the following unexamined activities:
All of our one-year students will join our CCF as cadets.
The CCF involves cadets rotating through the three services (army, navy and air force). It offers a range of exciting opportunities including, gliding, flying, sailing and shooting. Cadets can also attend courses in signals, rock-climbing, kayaking and canoeing and achieve a first aid qualification. They can also attend leadership courses with all three services.
All students are encouraged to become proficient in a range of sporting activities, so PE and Games feature strongly in our curriculum. Students in fifth Form have two Games sessions every week, together with a lesson of PE.
Students can also represent the School in fixtures and tournaments.
Our EAL department supports students who do not speak English as their first language. As well as learning topicbased vocabulary, grammar and preparing for examinations, students learn about British culture and values.
If the student has English as an Additional Language, they will attend EAL lessons in place of First Language English. They will only be moved out of EAL in exceptional circumstances and they will sit the IGCSE in EAL rather than the English Language and Literature exams.
We endeavour to assist our students to study towards an external qualification in English, such as the Cambridge First Certificate (FCE), Preliminary (PET), IGCSE or IELTS. This also helps them access the academic curriculum by learning subject-specific vocabulary and improving study skills such as summary writing, note-taking and essay writing. This supports our international students to adapt quickly to life at Sutton Valence School, as the challenge of a language barrier becomes less of an issue.
For the competitors. Since 1576.
Despite being steeped in history, our site boasts impressive facilities, all set in beautifully maintained grounds and gardens.
Sutton Valence School is proud of its sports facilities and all students are encouraged to try new activities and to challenge themselves within these.
Our sports facilities include:
• an indoor, heated, six-lane swimming pool
• an all-weather floodlit AstroTurf pitch
• multiple rugby pitches as well as netball and tennis courts
• a county-standard cricket pitch
• indoor and outdoor cricket nets
• an all-weather, Olympic-standard athletics facility on site, in partnership with Maidstone and Medway Athletics Club
• a large sports hall suitable for a range of sports including badminton, netball and basketball
• a cardiovascular suite and a strength and conditioning suite.
Creative expression is extremely important at the School and our inspiring teachers allow creative freedom with spectacular results. Creativity is developed in:
• Groves Hall, our Music School, with lesson rooms and a performance venue for both formal and informal concerts
• Gulland Hall Art Centre, the stunning converted chapel in the heart of Sutton Valence village, in which our Art department inspires our pupils
• a purpose-built Design and Technology centre, also based in the village, which boasts a range of traditional and technologically-advanced equipment
• the 200 seat, fully equipped Baughan Theatre where students can perform and learn skills of directing, lighting, stage management or sound engineering.
Additional facilities include:
• Large Library
• Medical Centre, staffed during school hours and with an on-call nurse available for boarders
• Refectory, providing meals for day and boarding pupils, often with an international flavour
• Modern wellbeing centre
• Shooting range and other CCF (Combined Cadet Force) facilities
• Sixth Form study area
• Sixth Form self-service café
In September 2024 Lukas joined Year 11. Having initially chosen to stay at the School for two terms, Lukas quickly decided to extend the stay to complete a full academic year with us and complete a GCSE programme. Lukas chose Sutton Valence School for its proximity to London (which he has travelled to several times) and the balance of academic focus and sporting opportunities. Lukas enjoys life in the boarding house, especially playing table tennis and watching Champions League football with other boarders. During his time at SVS, Lukas has learned to be open to new opportunities and he has made good friends who he will still keep in touch with when he returns to Germany.
Junia joined our Lower Sixth Form in September 2025 to study A Levels in Business, Art and Design and Psychology. Within just a few weeks she has remarked that ‘it starts to feel like family’. She expected it to be more difficult to make friends, but she has been surprised by how connections have been made so quickly. Junia shares a room in the boarding house with another student from Germany and has enjoyed the opportunity to stay for a weekend at the home of one of her new British friends. For Junia, keeping in contact with her family is very important and she likes to call them at the weekends and tell them about her new experiences. She has also enjoyed a visit to Canterbury, making use of the gym, playing badminton and watching movies with other boarders at the weekends. When asked if her experience so far is what she expected Junia replied, ‘It is so much better’.
Carmen is hoping to develop greater independence. She and her family liked the School’s balance of academic focus and sport, together with great boarding facilities. Before she started at the School, Carmen had a video call with the boarding house. She found it useful to be able to ask any questions, to meet some of the boarders and it helped her to be more relaxed about the transition. Even so, at first, Carmen experienced a little homesickness but boarding staff helped her to settle by spending time talking to her and making sure she was comfortable in her room. She joined Year 10 and has found the main challenge is learning the subjectspecific vocabulary for her lessons but she now feels confident and notices how quickly her English has developed. The best thing is the new friends she has made within her classes.
Kaiwen joined the School in 2022 to begin GCSE courses in Year 10 although his advice would be to ‘come in Year 9 to start GCSEs in line with everybody else’. However, he had excellent support from his teachers and school lesson resources to cover the missed content. Teachers have also provided a Chinese – English subject specific dictionary to help with technical vocabulary, good EAL support and he has appreciated their advice regarding revision techniques. Following success in his examinations, he is now embarking on A level courses in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics. Kaiwen enjoys life in the boarding house, particularly the weekend supermarket visit, movie nights and the paintballing trip.
All international students will require a guardian whilst studying at Sutton Valence School. Legislation protects the rights of children and makes ‘proper and appropriate care’ a compulsory requirement.
During term time the School is responsible for each pupil’s welfare and undertakes parentally designated responsibility. However, there are times (e.g. School holidays, or if a pupil is excluded by the School) when the School must be able to hand over parental responsibilities to the Educational Guardianship Organisation or guardian appointed by the parent and approved by the School. The parents will remain the child’s legal guardian.
It is the responsibility of the parents to nominate an Educational Guardianship Organisation or a guardian that meets the requirements of the School and that satisfies UKVI (United Kingdom Visas and Immigration) guidelines, to act on their behalf.
Our preference is for parents to appoint a reputable Educational Guardianship Organisation that is accredited by AEGIS (the Association of Educational Guardians for International Pupils). The contact details for AEGIS are:
aegisuk.net
+44 (0)1453 821293 info@aegisuk.net
If an unaccredited guardian is nominated by the parents, they must satisfy the following requirements:
• Be over 25 years of age
• Reside in the UK at all times
• Reside within 2 hours’ travelling distance of the School
• Provide relevant ID (e.g. copy passport details), copy driving licence details and proof of address (e.g. recent utility bill, council tax bill)
• Be a 24 hour point of contact for parents, pupil and the School
• Act with delegated parental authority in the case of emergency or crisis
• Provide pastoral and educational support
• Make appropriate arrangements for medical treatment whilst the pupil is under their care
• Liaise with the School over holiday, weekend and travel arrangements
• Provide appropriate overnight accommodation and care.
• Complete a Letter of Undertaking to confirm their agreement to and suitability for the guardianship role.
If the nominated guardian does not meet the School’s requirements, parents will be asked to appoint an AEGIS accredited Educational Guardianship Organisation.
On acceptance of a place, parents will be required to complete a Guardianship Nomination Form. The School will then seek to obtain a Letter Of Undertaking from the guardian. This is required prior to the issuing of a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) by Sutton Valence School. Therefore, any delay in obtaining either the completed Guardianship Nomination Form or the completed Letter of Undertaking will delay our ability to issue a CAS.
(First and Second Forms) Exempt Items
Boarding Fees
Additional Fees
GCSE and A level examinations
Educational trips
Transport costs
Admissions Fees
Registration Fee £120.00
Deposit Required O ne term in advance
What’s included
All meals, plus snacks in the boarding house
Bed linen
Laundry
In-House activities
Payments can be made via our website, by direct bank transfer or by monthly or termly direct debit.
MR WILL RADFORD
Director of Admissions and Development radfordw@svs.org.uk
Mr Radford manages our team, which includes all international admissions. Working with colleagues driving recruitment, his role oversees the conversion of applicants to students.
MRS HEIDI SKINNER
Admissions Officer skinnerh@svs.org.uk
Mrs Skinner is the first point of contact for agents enquiring about places at Sutton Valence School and for all queries regarding the Admissions process.
MRS DONNA CHILD
Admissions Assistant childd@svs.org.uk
Mrs Child is also able to answer any queries you have along the admissions process, as well as send any documentation you will need to complete for each child.
Main Contact Details admissions@svs.org.uk +44 (0)1622 845200
Sutton Valence School North Street
Sutton Valence
Maidstone
Kent ME17 3HL
+44 (0)1622 845200
admissions@svs.org.uk
SVS.ORG.UK A member of The United Westminster and Grey Coat Foundation
Charity No. 1181012 Founded in 1576 by William Lambe