Knole Academy Review 2026: Academic Breadth with Grammar Ambition

Knole Academy emerged in 2010 from an ambitious civic decision: to bring together Wildernesse School (traditionally for boys) and Bradbourne School (traditionally for girls) into a single co-educational campus in suburban Sevenoaks. That merger created something unusual, a comprehensive secondary with a distinct grammar stream, serving pupils aged 11-19. The school occupies an extensive campus of modern facilities alongside heritage buildings, hosting over 1,400 students who pursue either the traditional GCSE and A-level route or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at sixth form. Under the leadership of David Collins since 2019, Knole was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022, with inspectors praising the inclusive atmosphere, strong staff-pupil relationships, and genuinely ambitious curriculum design for pupils across all academic pathways. The school ranks 2,595th in England for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the national-typical band, whilst sixth form results rank 894th (FindMySchool ranking), reflecting solid and consistent achievement.

Pupils arriving at Knole encounter a school unafraid of traditional structures, house systems, a combined cadet force, Duke of Edinburgh schemes, and inter-house competition at sports days, yet simultaneously progressive in its curricular ambition and inclusive ethos. The inspectors found that "pupils and students enjoy coming to this inclusive school," a finding grounded in observable detail: staff know pupils well, relationships are demonstrably strong, and the school deliberately maintains high expectations regardless of academic pathway or background.

The buildings tell the school's story of merger and evolution. The modern central campus, completed in 2015 as part of a £17.5 million development, houses specialist teaching spaces alongside heritage structures from the predecessor schools. The architectural language is contemporary rather than nostalgic, this is a school looking forward, not dwelling on the distinctions of its single-sex past.

Headteacher David Collins, appointed in 2019 from a London independent school headship, has maintained Knole's trajectory of stable improvement. Staff happiness matters here; Ofsted noted that "staff are happy working at this school" and "typically feel well supported by leaders." In the sixth form, there is explicit focus on pastoral development: students are helped "to mature into young adults" and "given opportunities to think broadly about global issues and develop enquiring minds."

The school motto, drawn from the heritage of Bradbourne School's arts specialism, emphasises "Creativity in Learning" and "Confidence to Achieve", values embedded throughout the curriculum and co-curricular offer.

GCSE Performance

Knole's GCSE results reflect a school of consistent, if modest, middle-tier performance in England. The Attainment 8 score of 42.7 sits just above the England average of 45.9, indicating pupils collectively achieve broadly in-line results across their eight best qualifications. The school ranks 2,595th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the solid middle 35% of schools (national-typical band). Within Sevenoaks, Knole ranks 5th, a respectable position in a town with selective alternatives.

Progress 8 scores paint a different picture. At -0.49, pupils here make below-average progress from their starting points, a gap of half a grade point below the England average. This suggests that whilst pupils achieve acceptable GCSE outcomes, they do not gain the value-added progress expected in relation to their earlier performance. This is material context for families: Knole delivers competent GCSE education, but not exceptional acceleration of learning.

Entry to English Baccalaureate subjects is limited; only 9% of pupils entered the full EBacc suite (English, maths, sciences, languages, humanities), well below the 41% England average. This reflects the school's commitment to choice and breadth rather than a prescriptive model, allowing pupils to specialise earlier in vocational or elective pathways if preferred.

A-Level Performance

At sixth form, A-level results show marginal improvement on the GCSE base. 57% of entries achieved A*-B grades, above the England average of 47%, positioning the school in solid performance territory. The school ranks 894th in England (FindMySchool ranking), again placing it in the national-typical band. Locally, Knole ranks 3rd in Sevenoaks for A-level outcomes, a position reflecting its mixed-ability intake compared to selective alternatives.

The school's commitment to student-centred progression is evident in the diversity of post-16 pathways available. International Baccalaureate Diploma candidates can follow a globalist, inquiry-led programme, whilst A-level students pursue traditional academic specialisation. Vocational options, hairdressing, culinary skills, BTEC music, applied law, and enterprise entrepreneurship, provide genuine alternatives for those whose strengths lie outside academic exams.

The curriculum is genuinely ambitious and deliberately non-prescriptive. Pupils choose from a wide subject range at GCSE, including traditional academic subjects alongside vocational qualifications. Knole's commitment to both breadth and specialism means the grammar stream sits alongside comprehensive intake without hierarchy or track-based separation in physical space.

Teaching quality, according to Ofsted, is competent and purposeful. Staff understand their pupils well, and "the curriculum is well-designed and builds pupils' knowledge and skills." For pupils with SEND, the school has made explicit commitment to equally ambitious curricula; inspectors noted the curriculum is "equally ambitious for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities." This inclusive approach extends to learning support delivered within mainstream classes rather than in isolated spaces.

The sixth form offers a distinctive model. Those pursuing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme gain exposure to the IB's inquiry-based pedagogy and global perspectives curriculum, preparing them for universities worldwide. A-level students benefit from specialist subject teachers working in smaller teaching groups. All sixth formers are helped to develop broader thinking: the IB philosophy of creating "globally thinking young people who recognise their shared humanity and contribute to the improvement of the world" permeates sixth form education.

Post-16 destination data from the 2023/24 cohort (89 leavers) reveals the school's pluralistic outcome: 33% of leavers progressed to university, 44% entered employment directly, 7% began apprenticeships, and 1% continued into further education. This distribution reflects Knole's intentional positioning as a school serving multiple pathways rather than exclusively university-focused. For families seeking sixth form progression toward higher education, the headline figure, one in three, is notably modest by selective school standards, though realistic within the broader Kent context where significant proportions of school-leavers enter apprenticeships and direct employment.

For those pursuing university, the sixth form prospectus notes that "many of our students go on to a selection of prestigious universities across the country," with particular mention of competitive placements and strong careers support. The school provides active careers guidance and maintains partnerships with universities for mentoring and information sessions.

Knole Academy's extracurricular landscape is genuinely diverse, reflecting the school's arts heritage from Bradbourne School and its mathematics specialism from Wildernesse School. The breadth of offer, from performing arts to STEM clubs to military-style training, provides genuine opportunity for all students to find belonging beyond the classroom.

Music and Performing Arts

The Oaks Theatre, seating 232 with adjustable hydraulic staging and retractable bleacher seating, serves as the physical centrepiece of creative life. It hosts student-led productions throughout the year, with past work including major ensemble pieces and contemporary drama. The school's relationship with Sevenoaks School provides mentoring and artistic partnerships, elevating production ambition.

Formal music ensembles include symphony orchestra, chamber groups, and smaller wind and string ensembles that perform termly. The chapel choir maintains a touring tradition, with regular performances in the school's own chapel space. Jazz band and swing ensembles provide opportunities for improvisation and popular music performance. The recording and recital room, a dedicated facility within Knole Enterprises, enables pupils to capture performances professionally, supporting both portfolio building and confidence in high-quality audio environments.

Drama extends beyond theatre productions. The school offers LAMDA Speech and Drama qualifications at both GCSE and vocational level, with trained specialists delivering exam preparation and performance coaching. Student-led dramatic societies, including character improvisation and sketch comedy groups, provide informal performance opportunities.

Sports, Athletics & Physical Development

The sports campus is genuinely impressive. A floodlit 3G all-weather pitch serves rugby, football, hockey, and five-a-side games throughout the year. The competition-grade outdoor climbing wall with abseil station, located beside the main entrance, features five pitches with both novice (colour-coded) and advanced routes, serving rock climbers from complete beginners to experienced lead climbers. A MUGA (multi-use games area) complements pitch provision.

Indoor facilities include a fully equipped sports hall with four badminton courts, full-size basketball court, and four cricket nets. The dance studio, with sprung flooring and mirrors, supports dance lessons, performance rehearsal, and fitness classes. A modern fitness suite features cardio machines (treadmills, rowing machines, cross-trainers), strength training (benches, free weights, squat racks), functional fitness equipment, and notably a Synergy 360 system for sport-specific and dynamic training with kettlebells and battle ropes.

Competitive sport is strongly encouraged through inter-house competition, school teams in football, rugby, netball, hockey, basketball, and cricket, and annual sports days that rank among the school's flagship events. The PE curriculum rotates through gymnastics, badminton, table tennis, trampolining, basketball, football, handball, rugby, netball, hockey, health-related fitness, outdoor activities, rock climbing, athletics, tennis, and softball, a genuinely comprehensive diet. The Knole Sports Partnership extends reach to local primary schools and sixth form athletes, building community.

STEM & Technology

The original Wildernesse specialisation in mathematics and computing persists. Dedicated STEM activities include coding clubs, with opportunities to work on robotics projects and programming in Python and other languages. The school's IT facilities include computer labs with industry-standard equipment supporting A-level Computer Science and Digital Learning pathways.

Science takes place in specialist labs separated by discipline, with dedicated physics, chemistry, and biology spaces. A-level chemistry and physics practicals operate in these facilities, supporting the hands-on learning essential for university progression. Enrichment opportunities include university partnership projects and STEM competitions.

Military & Personal Development

The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) ranks as significant pathway, offering military-style training, drill, fieldcraft, and personal development to interested pupils. Activities include weekend camps, ceremonial duties, expedition training, and overseas exchanges. Participation is voluntary but culturally embedded, with strong uptake across year groups.

Duke of Edinburgh Award schemes run from Bronze through Gold level, with expeditions, skill-based challenges, and service components taking pupils outdoors and into volunteer work. The programme serves all ability levels, from those completing Bronze to ambitious pupils pursuing Gold in preparation for university applications.

Additional Clubs & Societies

House systems fuel inter-house competition through cultural, sporting, and academic challenges. House competitions reward achievement across domains, fostering both individual aspiration and collective spirit. Student leadership roles, house captains, student council representatives, academic mentors, provide governance and voice.

Academic enrichment includes subject-specific societies: debating, creative writing, coding, maths clubs, and subject clubs aligned to A-level pathways. The Knole Scholar programme recognises sustained achievement and mentors high-potential pupils toward competitive university admissions.

Service opportunities include Knole Enterprises, the school's community-facing business arm offering hair and beauty services, catering, and venue hire, activities that employ sixth form students in real work environments, developing employability skills alongside fundraising for school improvements.

School hours run from 8:40am to 3:20pm (Monday to Thursday) and 8:40am to 2:50pm (Fridays). The school operates on a two-campus model: the main Bradbourne Vale Road site houses secondary and sixth form; a second campus on Wilderness Road formerly housed Wildernesse School and now hosts Trinity School and Weald of Kent Grammar School Annex. Most pupils attend the Bradbourne site.

Parking is available with approximately 100 spaces on the Bradbourne campus. Public transport serves the location via bus routes 308 and 402B from Sevenoaks town, with a journey time of approximately 10 minutes from the station. Dedicated school bus services operated by Go Coach Hire serve surrounding areas including Shoreham, Otford, Edenbridge, and Orpington, with routes timetabled to academy start times. Kent Travel Saver cards provide subsidised transport at £550 per term for eligible students.

The sixth form occupies dedicated accommodation within the main building, with separate common rooms, study areas, and social spaces that foster sixth form identity whilst remaining integrated within the wider academy.

Lunch provision operates through a school restaurant on campus, catering to pupils eating on-site. The hair and beauty salon, recording studio, and recital room open for hire to the community, generating revenue that supports school facilities and provides student employment and work experience.

The school operates as non-selective at main entry (Year 7), accepting pupils in order of application without academic test. A grammar stream of approximately 150 pupils per cohort is identified through screening, offering accelerated curriculum and smaller teaching groups within the mixed community. Families can express preference for grammar stream entry; acceptance is based on achievement in Year 6 assessments or scores in the school's own screening.

Secondary entry is coordinated through Kent County Council's standard admissions process, with the school receiving applications between October and December for September entry. The oversubscription for primary entry (discussed below) reflects strong local demand.

For sixth form entry (Year 12), minimum grade requirements typically include grade 5 in English and mathematics, with subject-specific requirements for A-level and IB pathways. External candidates are welcomed, particularly for vocational and applied qualifications. The school follows the Kent Sixth Form Consortium application process, with conditional offers made in February for September entry.

The admissions waiting list, when relevant, operates through the local authority; families can appeal admission decisions through independent panels. Sixth form appeals follow the same statutory process.

Knole's pastoral model centres on tutor groups that meet daily, with form tutors as primary pastoral contacts. Staff knowledge of pupils is explicit and deliberate; inspectors found that "staff know the pupils well" and "relationships are strong between staff and pupils." This is supported by targeted communication, behaviour tracking, and regular check-ins with families when concerns arise.

Mental health and wellbeing support is embedded. The school runs a dedicated wellbeing area on its website with resources addressing anxiety, depression, bereavement, online safety, self-harm, LGBTQ+ issues, domestic abuse awareness, and exam anxiety. A trained school counsellor provides drop-in sessions and longer-term support for pupils experiencing emotional or personal difficulty.

Behaviour expectations are clear and consistent. The school operates a behaviour policy aligned to its values of Creativity, Confidence, and Respect. Serious incidents are rare; the atmosphere described by staff and pupils is calm and purposeful.

For pupils with special educational needs or disabilities, the school coordinates support through a dedicated SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) and inclusive learning team. SEND pupils are taught within mainstream classes wherever possible, with in-class support, adapted materials, and examination access arrangements provided. An estimated 15% of the pupil body receives SEND support.

Sixth form pastoral care shifts toward developmental maturity. A clear focus on helping students "mature into young adults" means pastoral time includes discussion of relationships, resilience, financial management, health, independence, and preparing for university or employment. Year 12 induction includes team-building and community work. Year 13 sees dedicated university support for those progressing, including personal statement review, interview coaching, and destination coordination.

Progress 8 gap: The school's Progress 8 score of -0.49 indicates pupils make slightly less progress from their starting points than the England average. Families should be clear that whilst Knole provides solid GCSE education, it does not dramatically accelerate learning for all cohorts. This is particularly relevant for pupils arriving with high prior attainment who may benefit from more intensive challenge.

Grammar stream transparency: Whilst the grammar stream offers smaller teaching groups and accelerated content, it operates within a comprehensive school. Families should seek clear information on streaming, curriculum differentiation, and the balance between academic and social integration. The school's inclusive ethos is genuine, but the grammar designation creates visible stratification that some families may welcome and others may question.

Multiple pathways, modest university progression: The 33% university progression rate, whilst reflective of Knole's commitment to genuine choice, means two-thirds of sixth form leavers pursue employment, apprenticeships, or further education. Families with strong higher education ambitions should have realistic expectations and seek evidence of university destination quality and support intensity.

Two-site operation: The secondary and sixth form occupy separate campuses (Bradbourne and Wilderness sites), though most teaching occurs at Bradbourne. This split can create logistical complexity for families, particularly those using school transport. Travelling between sites for some lessons is routine for sixth formers.

Knole Academy is a competent, inclusive secondary school that successfully merges comprehensive intake with ambitious grammar provision, serving Sevenoaks families with genuine educational breadth. The school's GCSE results are solidly middle-tier in England, its sixth form offers meaningful choice through traditional A-level, International Baccalaureate, and vocational routes, and its pastoral care is strong. The extensive facilities, from the Oaks Theatre to the climbing wall to the fitness suite, create a genuinely appealing physical environment. Staff are content and engaged; pupils report positive relationships and a calm, purposeful atmosphere. Best suited to families seeking a non-selective, comprehensive school with academic credibility and genuine extracurricular depth, particularly those with children interested in music, sport, or multiple academic pathways. The primary advantage is access without selection; the primary caveat is that progress acceleration is not guaranteed, and families with top-tier academic ambitions may benefit from schools with higher value-added metrics. For many Sevenoaks families, Knole offers the right balance of accessibility, breadth, and quality.