Nearly six centuries separate William Sevenoke's legacy from today, yet his original vision of intellectual independence and merit-based opportunity endures. Founded in 1432 by a foundling who rose to Lord Mayor of London, Sevenoaks has evolved from a free grammar school into one of England's most intellectually demanding independent schools, with IB results consistently outpacing global norms by approximately nine points.
Situated on 100 acres in Kent, just 30 minutes from London and Gatwick, Sevenoaks educates 1,200 mixed-gender students aged 11 to 18, with roughly 40% boarding from over 75 countries. The school's 2017 ISI inspection awarded Excellent across all measures of academic achievement and personal development. In June 2025, it secured the rare accolade of being named Sunday Times Independent School of the Year. Most recent IB results place the school in the elite tier in England, with 39.4 points average (nine points above the world average), 61% of students scoring above 40 points, and approximately 15% of graduates securing Oxbridge places. GCSE and IGCSE results similarly exceed global benchmarks, with 86% achieving grades 9-7 (A*/A).
This is a school where academic rigour coexists comfortably with genuine breadth. The IB Diploma forms the cornerstone for sixth form, complemented by a custom Sevenoaks School Certificate programme in middle school. Over 70 clubs operate alongside in England competitive sports and a 500-seat performing arts venue. Bursaries ensure meaningful access, with approximately 50 day students receiving full or partial support annually, plus additional scholars. Entry is selective but balanced; the admissions process values character and potential alongside ability. Tuition fees exceed £11,000 per term for day students (including VAT) and approach £20,000 for boarders, positioning this among England's most costly schools.
The environment feels simultaneously ambitious and unstuffy. Students describe a place where intellectual curiosity is rewarded, where failure leads to resilience rather than shame, and where a child from Singapore or São Paulo feels as at home as one from Surrey.
The red-brick Palladian buildings facing the High Street date to the 1730s, when contemporary architects including Lord Burlington influenced their austere beauty. Kentish ragstone and symmetrical proportions create a sense of permanence. The campus spreads across 100 acres, bordered by Knole Park; newer additions, The Space performing arts centre, the Sennocke sports facility, recently completed science and sixth form buildings, sit comfortably alongside heritage structures without overwhelming them.
Headmaster Jesse Elzinga arrived in September 2020 from the United States, bringing a refreshingly direct leadership style. His appointment signals institutional confidence in looking beyond traditional models. Under his stewardship, investment has continued in facilities and the student experience remains unquestionably central. Early during his tenure, he implemented mobile phone restrictions for younger students, a deliberate choice to protect attention and relationships in an age of digital distraction.
The ethos emphasises what the school terms "intellectual ambition without arrogance." Students are visibly comfortable with ideas and capable of articulate expression. Teachers are approachable, willing to be challenged on curriculum decisions, and focused on developing independent thought rather than compliance. The IB framework, taught here for over 40 years, longer than any other major independent school, shapes everything: the curriculum prizes breadth alongside depth, values service alongside achievement, and encourages students to see themselves as "global citizens."
International diversity is genuine, not marketing. Nearly 75 nationalities study together. Boarders from Europe, Asia, and beyond integrate into day student life through shared classes and extensive weekend programming. The boarding houses function as anchors of community; housemasters live on-site with families, and pastoral care extends beyond the academic calendar. For overseas students especially, the experience is one of genuine belonging within a cosmopolitan setting where cultural difference is expected and celebrated.
The school maintains a quiet commitment to accessibility. Though fees are substantial, the bursary programme demonstrates serious intent: approximately 50 day students annually receive partial to full fee support, determined entirely by parental income. Scholarship awards (offering typically 10-25% reduction) supplement this in music, art, drama, and sport. This combination ensures genuine socioeconomic diversity within the predominantly affluent intake.
Female leadership exists; indeed, the school's first female Head, Katy Ricks, served until 2020, breaking 570 years of tradition. Senior staff appointments reflect a commitment to inclusive practices without tokenism, they appear genuinely embedded in the institution's thinking.
In 2024 GCSE and IGCSE examinations, 86% of entries achieved grades 9-7 (A*/A equivalent), placing Sevenoaks among the strongest performers in the independent sector. The school ranks 60th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the elite tier (top 2%), and first locally among secondary schools in the Sevenoaks area. This consistency is notable: since moving away from A-levels to the IB in the sixth form, the school has maintained rigorous middle school assessment through IGCSE (International GCSE) and its own Sevenoaks School Certificate, ensuring students develop examination discipline and subject rigour before the more coursework-intensive IB.
Performance in Mathematics, English, and Science is particularly strong, with cohorts routinely achieving 90%+ top grades in these disciplines. The school emphasises depth in STEM subjects, reflected in strong uptake of further mathematics and separate sciences at IGCSE.
This is where Sevenoaks truly distinguishes itself. The 2025 cohort achieved an average of 39.4 points out of 45 (approximately nine points above the world average of 30 points). Eleven students achieved the maximum score of 45 points; 61% scored above 40. These results place the school 11th in England for A-level/IB combined performance (FindMySchool data) and rank it among the world's top IB schools.
The IB curriculum demands breadth: students must select courses across six subject groups (languages, humanities, sciences, mathematics, arts, electives) while completing the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) requirements. Sevenoaks' success here reflects the school's conviction that intellectual maturity develops through exposure to diverse disciplines. A student studying mathematics also engages seriously with literary criticism and philosophy; a languages scholar completes rigorous science coursework. This breadth, combined with small class sizes (typically 10-15 in sixth form) and specialist teaching, enables exceptional outcomes.
The Extended Essay programme, requiring independent research over 4,000 words, deserves particular mention. Sixth formers produce work of publishable quality on topics ranging from the ethics of artificial intelligence to historical analysis of the Russian Revolution. Staff mentorship during this process is intensive; students report receiving detailed feedback and genuine intellectual engagement from supervisors who treat the essay as a gateway to university-level independent inquiry.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
95.23%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
86.4%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum reflects the school's IB commitment but extends well beyond it. Middle school students study:
Teaching quality is consistently high. Inspectors noted that staff possess excellent subject knowledge and willingness to allow pupils to take initiative, particularly visible in sixth form seminars where discussion and debate drive learning. A Theory of Knowledge lesson might explore the nature of mathematical truth or the limits of historical evidence; students challenge assertions and construct arguments with confidence. Teachers facilitate rather than pontificate.
Assessment philosophy has recently evolved. The school is implementing continuous feedback models (comments and discussion-based) rather than relying solely on end-of-unit grades. This aligns with IB principles of formative assessment and supports students' metacognitive development.
Sevenoaks leavers progress almost exclusively to higher education. In 2024, 64% entered university (with 5% entering employment and others pursuing further education or apprenticeships, a notably high proportion seeking immediate work or further study reflects individual choice rather than inability to access university).
The Russell Group representation is substantial, though exact recent figures are not published by the school. Historical data indicates consistent placement at Imperial College London, University College London, Durham, Edinburgh, and Warwick alongside Oxford and Cambridge entries. The school's location within commuting distance of London ensures strong connections to Russell Group institutions in the capital.
Oxbridge achievement is a genuine strength. In the most recent measurement period, 20 students secured Oxbridge places (9 Cambridge, 11 Oxford). This represents an acceptance rate of approximately 87% of offers made, a notable conversion ratio reflecting careful guidance on application strategy and realistic self-assessment. Twenty students from a cohort of roughly 245 represents approximately 8%, placing Sevenoaks within the top tier in England for Oxbridge entry.
An increasingly international dimension characterises recent leaver destinations. The school supports approximately 20% of graduates to universities beyond the UK, particularly to Ivy League institutions and leading American universities (given the British academic pedigree combined with IB qualifications, American admissions teams view Sevenoaks applicants favourably). This reflects the school's international outlook and the genuine diversity of student aspiration.
Medical school entry is notably strong, with 18+ students securing places annually in recent years. The school provides dedicated support through Science clinics, interview preparation workshops, and mentorship from successful alumni working in healthcare.
Total Offers
23
Offer Success Rate: 23%
Cambridge
10
Offers
Oxford
13
Offers
The school's co-curricular offer is genuinely extensive. With over 70 clubs and societies running, supplemented by major contingents competing in national sport, drama productions, and music ensembles, the breadth of engagement is remarkable.
Over 750 individual music lessons occur weekly, taught by specialist staff and visiting practitioners. Participation rates are exceptional; approximately 60% of the student body learn an instrument. Named ensembles include:
Recent production highlights include visiting specialist musicians from orchestras, masterclasses with international soloists, and regular trips to London concert venues. The recent establishment of The Space, a 500-seat performing arts centre with professional-standard acoustics and lighting, has elevated performance opportunities dramatically.
The school produces multiple major productions annually, each of substantial scale. Recent notable productions:
The Drama syllabus supports these endeavours; IGCSE Drama students engage in practical performance, design, and analysis. Sixth-formers can pursue Theatre Studies, engaging critically with dramatic texts and performance theory.
Performance facilities have transformed dramatically with The Space. Prior to this facility, school drama competed with music for limited performance venues. The dedicated theatre has enabled scheduling of multiple productions without logistical compromise.
The Sennocke Centre, named after the school's founder, houses professional-grade facilities: indoor courts, gymnasium, climbing wall, swimming pool. Outdoor provision is extensive: multiple rugby, hockey, and cricket pitches; tennis courts; an all-weather astroturf; a boathouse on the River Medway for rowing.
Twenty sports are offered, spanning traditional public school activities and more contemporary pursuits. Named teams and achievements:
Swimming, badminton, basketball, climbing, and golf complete the roster. The school operates teams at multiple ability levels, ensuring participation is genuine and not merely representative. Success is celebrated, but so is personal improvement and commitment.
Coding and Robotics: Student-led teams engage in competitive programming and robotics challenges. The school encourages participation in external competitions (e.g., UK robot competitions, hackathons).
Science Societies: Named groups include specialized interest clubs focused on specific disciplines, neuroscience discussions, mathematics problem-solving societies, physics seminars.
Engineering and Design: Design Technology is embedded within the curriculum, with practical projects supporting learning in materials, mechanics, and digital design.
The Institutes: The school has established specialized Institutes integrating enrichment into the curriculum. These include an Institute for Service and Partnerships and an Institute of Teaching and Learning. These structures signal institutional commitment to embedded enrichment rather than bolted-on activities.
Debating societies are particularly active. The school maintains active teams competing in regional and national debating tournaments. Model United Nations engagement is extensive, with annual delegations attending international conferences.
Visual Arts: Specialist teaching in painting, drawing, sculpture, digital media, and photography. Recent pupil work is displayed throughout the school and external exhibition space.
Student Publications: The school magazine and student-led publications provide outlets for creative writing and journalism.
Film and Media: Student filmmaking is encouraged; a Media Studies option attracts strong uptake.
Day Student Fees (2025/26, inclusive of VAT):
Boarding Student Fees (2025/26, inclusive of VAT):
These figures include lunch daily, textbooks, and exercise books. Additional charges apply for optional activities (music lessons, drama tuition, sporting extras), estimated at £1,500-3,000 annually depending on choices.
From January 2025, VAT is applied at 20% to all fees. The school has published its fee schedule explicitly showing pre-VAT and VAT-inclusive costs, ensuring transparency.
Bursary Programme: Approximately 50 day students receive means-tested bursaries annually, with some paying no fees whatsoever. Eligibility is assessed by household income and committed to demonstrate genuine commitment to widening access.
Scholarships: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, and Sport scholarships offer 10-25% fee reduction, awarded on merit. Scholarship families typically pay significantly less than full fees but are not universally eligible for additional means-tested bursary support (though in hardship cases, combinations are considered).
Fees in Advance Scheme: Families can reduce costs by making lump-sum advance payments (6-term or full-year prepayment discounts available).
A significant proportion of families utilise the bursary and scholarship programmes, indicating that while Sevenoaks is expensive, it is accessible beyond the purely affluent. The school publishes commitment to this and actively recruits from state schools, ensuring the intake reflects wider society than might be assumed from the fees alone.
Fees data coming soon.
Entry is selective at three key points: 11+ (reception into Year 7), 13+, and 16+ (sixth form). Assessment balances academic ability with character and potential.
Candidates sit entrance examinations in English, Mathematics, and Verbal Reasoning. The school also operates an Early Decision pathway beginning in Year 6, allowing candidates to secure places before Year 7. Competition is significant but not as severe as the most selective grammar schools; the school seeks intellectual ability combined with genuine interest in the international IB curriculum.
Assessment includes ISEB Common Pre-Tests (online) followed by written examinations in core subjects and group interviews. Performance at common entrance or previous school exams informs decisions, but the school values growth potential alongside current attainment.
Entrance examinations in subjects students plan to study at IB Higher Level, plus general English and Mathematics tests, and group interviews. The school seeks evidence of genuine subject enthusiasm and the self-motivation required for IB study.
International candidates receive dedicated support through visa sponsorship processes and tailored guidance regarding IGCSE/GCSE qualification equivalencies.
Roughly 20-25% of the intake comprises international day students, with additional boarding places reserved for overseas applicants. This ensures genuine diversity without compromising the day student cohesion essential for a mixed day-and-boarding community.
The pastoral system is unusually comprehensive. Each student has a personal tutor, a staff member who knows them individually, monitors academic progress, and provides emotional support. Tutors remain consistent across years, enabling genuine relationship-building.
Heads of Division oversee larger cohorts; in the middle school, Heads track both academic and pastoral wellbeing. Sixth form offers additional support through a dedicated Higher Education team assisting with university planning.
Boarding contributes significantly to pastoral strength. Housemasters and housemistresses live on-site; boarding houses function as self-contained communities with meals, study facilities, recreational spaces, and evening programming. Pastoral staff actively monitor wellbeing; the school has invested in training regarding mental health awareness and maintains sensitive protocols around adolescent anxiety and stress.
Counselling support is available; the school employs specialist wellbeing staff and partners with external providers for additional psychology support. A holistic approach prevails, the school recognises that academic success and personal wellbeing are symbiotic.
Behaviour expectations are clear and consistently applied. The school operates from a position of trust; rules exist to enable community functioning rather than to exert control. Students report feeling respected and that fairness characterises discipline, a notable contrast to some boarding environments where hierarchy is emphasised.
School Hours:
Transport: The school is accessible via Sevenoaks railway station (South Eastern Main Line from London Charing Cross, approximately 45 minutes; Thameslink from London Blackfriars via the Darent Valley Line). Some parents arrange private cars; the school coordinates informal carpools among local families. Boarding students arrive and depart at formal transport weeks (beginning and end of term).
Facilities: The campus offers extensive facilities: libraries (main library recently renovated with reading spaces and research areas), science laboratories (including specialist Chemistry and Physics labs), art studios, theatre, sports centre, boathouse, chaplaincy, health centre with nursing staff, and boarding accommodation.
Academic Intensity: This is a genuinely demanding school. The IB Diploma is rigorous; students typically study six subjects alongside the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and CAS requirements. For students who thrive on intellectual challenge, this depth is energising; for those who prefer breadth without depth, it may feel pressured. Year 12 (first year of IB) is genuinely demanding; time management and genuine subject interest are essential.
Boarding Culture: While day-only attendance is possible, the school's ethos is shaped significantly by boarding. Approximately 40% of students board; day students interact with boarders throughout the day and weekend activities include both populations, but the boarding community does create distinct sub-cultures within the school. For day students, boarding can feel like an "in-group"; for boarders, day students sometimes appear more connected to local social networks. This is not uncommon in mixed schools but warrants consideration for families uncertain about boarding's role.
Fee Level: At roughly £36,000-58,000 annually (depending on day vs. boarding and including VAT), this is genuinely expensive. While bursaries exist, only roughly 50 day students benefit annually; families without such support must be confident in the financial commitment. Property purchases to access catchment areas are not relevant (as there is no catchment for independent schools), but the opportunity cost of fees is substantial. Families should verify the school's financial stability and insurance arrangements to protect against fee increases.
International Student Integration: While the school celebrates diversity, language barriers and cultural adjustment can be real for younger international boarders, particularly those entering at 11+. The school provides support, but families should discuss specific protocols and pastoral care plans prior to entry.
Gender Balance: The school is roughly equally split between boys and girls. The environment feels genuinely co-educational; there is no sense that either gender dominates academically or socially. For some families, this balance is preferred; for those seeking single-sex education, Sevenoaks would not be appropriate.
Sevenoaks is among England's most intellectually rigorous independent schools, combining academic excellence with genuine breadth and serious investment in student wellbeing. The IB curriculum produces graduates ready for university study; the boarding community fosters resilience and global perspective; the pastoral systems are unusually supportive.
The school is best suited to:
The main considerations are:
For families seeking one of England's leading independent schools with unquestionable academic credentials, exceptional facilities, rigorous pastoral care, and genuine international diversity, Sevenoaks merits serious consideration. It is neither a "feeder" school nor a "hothouse", it is an intellectually ambitious community where students learn to think independently, contribute to others' success, and develop the resilience required for university and beyond. The school's 593-year history and continued innovation signal an institution secure in its values while genuinely responsive to contemporary educational thinking.
Absolutely. The 2017 ISI inspection awarded Excellent across all measures, including pupils' academic and other achievements (outstanding) and personal development (excellent). Recent IB results place the school in the elite tier in England (top 2%), with an average score of 39.4 points, nine points above the global average. GCSE and IGCSE results similarly exceed benchmarks, with 86% achieving top grades. The school consistently ranks among the world's top IB schools and is regularly cited in international rankings of leading independent schools.
For 2025/26, day student fees are £11,975 per term (£35,925 annually) for lower and middle school, and £12,186 per term (£36,558) for sixth form, both figures including VAT. Boarding fees are £19,590 per term (£58,770 annually) for middle school and £19,750 per term (£59,250) for sixth form, also including VAT. These figures cover lunch, textbooks, and core materials. Additional charges apply for optional activities such as music lessons, drama tuition, and sporting extras (typically £1,500-3,000 annually). Registration and acceptance deposits are required separately. Families should contact the school directly for detailed breakdowns and payment plan options.
Entry is selective but balanced. At 11+ (Year 7), approximately 20-25% of applicants are offered places following examination in English, Mathematics, and Verbal Reasoning combined with school references. The school operates both standard and Early Decision pathways. At 13+ and 16+ (sixth form), selection is similarly rigorous, assessed through subject-specific examinations, interviews, and previous school attainment. The school values intellectual ability combined with character and genuine interest in the IB curriculum rather than seeking only the highest scorers on entrance tests. International applicants are treated equally within the admissions process. Families should expect competition, particularly from other independent schools and able state school pupils, but not to the extreme extent of the most selective grammar schools.
Yes. Approximately 50 day students receive means-tested bursaries annually, with some families paying nothing and others receiving partial support determined by parental income. Additionally, the school awards Academic, Music, Art, Drama, and Sport scholarships offering 10-25% fee reduction based on merit and achievement. Some scholarship families also qualify for bursary support in cases of genuine financial hardship. The school actively encourages applications from talented students across socioeconomic backgrounds and publishes its commitment to widening access. Families should contact the Admissions office to discuss eligibility and begin the assessment process.
Sevenoaks has taught the International Baccalaureate for over 40 years, longer than virtually any other major independent school globally. The school transitioned entirely to IB in 1999 (moving away from A-levels), signalling institutional commitment to the programme's philosophy rather than treating it as an alternative option. This enables curriculum design fully aligned with IB principles across all year groups. The middle school utilizes IGCSE and the school's own Sevenoaks School Certificate (a custom IB-aligned qualification), ensuring continuity and preparation for sixth form IB study. Recent average IB scores of 39.4 points consistently exceed global norms. The school benefits from three decades of expertise in IB pedagogy, teacher training, and student support systems tailored to the programme's demands.
Approximately 400 students board across seven boarding houses (one mixed junior house for ages 11-13, and three boys' and three girls' senior houses for ages 13+). Houses are self-contained communities with independent dining, common rooms, study facilities, and evening programming. Housemasters and housemistresses live on-site with families, as do residential staff. Weekend activities are extensive and include sports, performing arts, social events, and trips. Exeats (family weekends) occur every three weeks, allowing boarders to return home or spend time with families locally. The school maintains robust safeguarding and welfare protocols; pastoral staff actively monitor pupil wellbeing. International boarders (approximately 30% of the boarding population) benefit from dedicated transition support and cultural adjustment assistance. The boarding community is genuinely integrated with day student life, shared through classes, meals, and weekend activities.
Get in touch with the school directly
Disclaimer
Information on this page is compiled, analysed, and processed from publicly available sources including the Department for Education (DfE), Ofsted, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, and official school websites.
Our rankings, metrics, and assessments are derived from this data using our own methodologies and represent our independent analysis rather than official standings.
While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee that all information is current, complete, or error-free. Data may change without notice, and schools and/or local authorities should be contacted directly to verify any details before making decisions.
FindMySchool does not endorse any particular school, and rankings reflect specific metrics rather than overall quality.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on information provided. If you believe any information is inaccurate, please contact us.
