Founded in 1576 as a boys' school, it has been co-educational since 1983. The school occupies about 100 acres on the slopes of a high ridge overlooking the Weald and above a beautiful and safe village. There is excellent accommodation, delightful gardens and extensive playing fields and a new sixth form centre and sports hall. Modern teaching facilities are first-rate. The separate junior school is on a 20-acre site in the neighbouring village of Chart Sutton. The school has a reputation for close pastoral care and produces good academic standards and examination results. Pupils from a broad academic range aim high and achieve well. Flourishing music and art departments; strong in drama. An impressive range of games and sports in which high standards are achieved (30 plus representatives at county, regional and national level). A very large number of clubs and societies provides for most conceivable needs. There is a strong commitment to local community schemes.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 530 pupils, 405 day (260 boys,145 girls), 125 boarding (90 boys, 35 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used. All-rounders looked for; Anglican foundation but others accepted. Many pupils from own junior school (enquiries to the Head, Sutton Valence Preparatory School, Chart Sutton, Maidstone, Kent ME17 3RF; tel 01622 842117, email head@svprep.svs.org.uk).
Scholarships, value up to 20% fees: academic, sport, music, art, drama, design technology. Bursaries according to need (which may also supplement a scholarship). Forces bursaries. Parents expected to buy textbooks; 400 maximum extras, plus music lessons and lunch.
30% in the professions. 45+% in industry or commerce. 70+% live within 30 miles; 12% live overseas.
Headmaster: Joe Davies, appointed 2001. Educated at Cambridge University (history). Previously Deputy Head at St John's Leatherhead and Housemaster at Tonbridge. Also a rugby blue and played for the London Welsh RUFC. Teaching staff: 67 full and part time.
GCSE: 90 pupils in fifth, 93% gaining least grade C in 5+ subjects (average in 8.2). A-levels: 63 in upper sixth, passing an average of 3.3 subjects.
90% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course. Others typically go on to employment of other higher education courses.
GCSE, AS and A-levels: 22 examination subjects offered. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, A-level general studies and key skills. 30% take science A-levels; 24% arts/humanities; 46% both. Vocational: Work experience available - one week for all sixth formers. Special provision: Specialist support for mild dyslexics; ESL classes for non-English speakers. Languages: French, Spanish and German offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges. Music and art tours (France, Benelux countries, Italy and Eastern Europe). Some European pupils in sixth form. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject in all years and across the curriculum (eg DTP in humanities, databases in history). 130 computers for pupil use, all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: 45% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 11 musical groups including 3 choirs, orchestra, concert orchestra, string and wind ensembles, jazz band, big band, guitar ensemble. GCSE, AS and A-level offered. Drama and dance: GCSE, AS and A-level drama offered. LAMDA exams are taken. Drama workshop and stage make-up for junior years. Dance offered as an extra-curricular activity. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 12 AS/A-level. Design, sculpture, photography (including digital photography), painting, printing, mixed media also offered.
Sport: Choice from rugby, cricket, hockey, netball, swimming, tennis, athletics, cross-country, rounders, badminton, squash, basketball, shooting, golf, judo, fencing. County, regional and national representatives in rugby, hockey, cross country, tennis, cricket. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF optional for 3 years at age 13+, community service optional at 15+. Up to 30 clubs, eg shooting, art, model-making, chess, photography, typing, fencing.
Uniform: School uniform worn; special sixth-form uniform. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses for sport. Prefects, head of school appointed by the Headmaster and head of sixth form. Religion: Church of England. Chapel twice weekly and services on Holy Days. Social: Debates, dances, business conferences, choral activities with local schools. Organised exchanges to Europe. Day pupils allowed to bring own car to school. Meals self-service. School shop.
Pupils failing to produce homework once would expect to do extra work in lunchtime detention; repeated failure to produce work in fifth and sixth forms punished by Headmaster's detention (7-9pm Saturday). The school is committed to a strict policy in respect of smoking and drugs: those using drugs on the premises should expect expulsion.
Most sixth formers have own study bedroom, others share with up to 3-4. Single-sex houses of approx 50; separate mixed junior house, for age 13 and under. Resident qualified nurse. Central dining room. Flexible boarding, including weekly and day boarding, options are available.
c/o the school.
Sir Charles Groves (conductor); Peter Fairley (TV science journalist); Sydney Wooderson (runner); Robert Fisk (journalist); Robert Ferley (England cricket); Stephen Hopkins (director); Peter Polycarpou (actor).
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