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What it's like

Founded in 1432 by Sir William Sevenoke (Mayor of London and friend of Henry V), it is one of the three oldest lay foundations in England. The school has an attractive 100 acre campus, adjoining Knole Park on the edge of town. There have been numerous recent additions, including a sixth form centre, all-weather athletics track, sports centre and state-of-the-art performing arts centre. It is inter-denominational and, since 1984, fully co-educational. The staff:pupil ratio is about 1:9. It has a reputation for exploring new ideas. It has taught the International Baccalaureate for 30 years and, with its international boarding houses and proximity to the Channel, it has a broad European and worldwide outlook. Examination results are consistently very good. A wide range of languages is offered (both European and other). Music is outstanding and the drama department produces an array of plays throughout the year in the school's own theatre. High standards are attained in a wide variety of sports and games, particularly in rugby, cricket, athletics, hockey, cross-country, sailing, shooting and tennis, with many representatives at county and national level each year. There is a wide range of co-curricular activities and a large and flourishing CCF contingent. The school was a pioneer of school-based community services in Britain; there is now a federal unit comprising over 30 local schools with 600 volunteers, 250 from Sevenoaks. It also has a remarkable record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 11-18; 992 pupils, 657 day (329 boys, 328 girls), 335 boarding (161 boys, 174 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance at 13, or own exam at 11 and 13. For sixth form entry, strong GCSE performance (grade A in most, including sixth form subjects). All special skills and all faiths welcomed. State school entry: 15% main intake plus 10% at 16. Feeder schools include Amherst, Hazelwood, Holmewood House, New Beacon, Russell House, Sevenoaks Prep, St Michael's, The Granville, Windlesham House.

Scholarships & bursaries

Up to 50 pa scholarships (academic, music, sport, art) awarded to entrants at 11, 13 and 16; value ranges from major scholarship (normally 20% of day fee) to music exhibition (tuition on one instrument). Also sixth-form sports scholarship for a local state school pupil (up to 100% of fees). Means-tested bursaries available, with preference usually given to local candidates.

Parents

65% live within 30 miles; 10+% live overseas.

Head & staff

Head: Mrs Katy Ricks, appointed 2002. Educated at Camden School for Girls and Oxford University (English). Previously Deputy Head at Highgate and Head of English at St Edward's, Oxford. Teaching staff: 115 full time, 29 part time.

Exam results

GCSE: 139 pupils in Year 11: all gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. IB: 218 in upper sixth, achieving an average IB score of 39.2 (6% achieved maximum points).

Pupils' destinations

99% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (22% after a gap year), 19% to Oxbridge and 8% to US universities. 7% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 20% in science and engineering, 3% in law, 62% in humanities and social sciences, 7% in art and design, music, sport, drama and architecture.

Curriculum

GCSE, IB Diploma. 31 subjects offered. 4000 word essay and Creative, Action and Service programme are an integral part of IB Diploma. Special provision: Some made. Languages: French, German, Russian and Spanish are main languages offered at GCSE and IB level; wide range of extra languages also offered to IB including Dutch, Italian, Norwegian, Japanese, Mandarin, Hindi. 50+% take GCSE in more than one European language. Regular exchanges to France, Spain, Germany, Russia. Around 13% are overseas pupils, predominantly European. Participates in Model United Nations at the Hague; European work experience for fifth formers. Regular tours (such as sport, drama); talks from MPs, MEPs, embassy officials, and international evenings. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum (areas include data logging, simulations, digital music, artistic design). Some 300 computers for pupil use (12+ hours a day), plus many others; all networked and with email, internet and intranet access. Many pupils (and most boarders) have laptops with wireless connection.

The arts

Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken, as can GCSE and IB music. Musical groups include 9 choirs, vocal ensembles, 3 orchestras, a wind band, blues band, percussion group, 2 jazz bands, numerous chamber groups, wind quintet, string ensembles, recorder, saxophone, guitar groups. Regular finalists in national schools chamber music competition; concerts in London, Sevenoaks and overseas. Drama: GCSE drama, IB theatre arts, Guildhall and LAMDA exams may be taken. Large numbers take part in at least one of 4-5 major annual productions; 1 taken to Germany every 2 years. Art and design: On average, 40 take GCSE and 20 IB; design, sculpture, fine art, ceramics, printmaking, photography and video also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Major sports are hockey, netball, tennis, athletics; rugby, soccer, cricket. Optional: racquet sports, cross-country, swimming, sailing, shooting. Sixth form only: riding, golf, weight training, aerobics. Regular national representatives in a number of sports (rugby, cricket, athletics, hockey, cross-country, sailing, shooting, tennis particular strengths); sailing team regularly wins national and international competitions; U14 boys' swimming team recently set new national record. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF optional; includes sub-aqua training, rock climbing, abseiling, shooting, canoeing, sailing. Community service compulsory at age 14-15 then optional (but integral to IB Diploma programme). A variety of clubs, including photography, Model United Nations, cultural awareness, debating, art, poetry, film, astronomy, sub aqua diving, rock climbing, basketball. Scholars' lecture programme.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Houses/pastoral groups in upper, middle and junior divisions. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects - appointed by Head in conjunction with sixth form and staff. School Council. Religion: Inter-denominational. Compulsory assemblies, some with religious content. Services largely voluntary including communion services; annual confirmation. Social: Occasional ventures with other schools, such as the Young Enterprise Scheme. Pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. School shops for refreshments, stationery, second-hand clothes. No alcohol allowed.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect verbal reprimand; very strict drug punishment.

Boarding

Many upper sixths have single rooms (some ensuite); other boarders share. 11-12 year olds in dormitories in separate (co-ed) house; others in single-sex houses of approximately 50. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own food. Flexible weekend policy for leave weekends but houses close at half term. Visits to local town allowed with appropriate permission.

Association of former pupils

is run c/o the school.

Former pupils

Professor Oliver Taplin (classics); Professor Jonathan Bate (academic and author); Jonathan Evans (Director-General of MI5); Paul Greengrass (film director); Joe Stilgoe (jazz singer and pianist); Emma Johnson (international concert clarinettist); Glen Inanga (international concert pianist); Plum Sykes (novelist); Emma Hope (shoe designer); Robby Swift (windsurfer); Andy Titterell (England and British Lions rugby player); Ian Walker, Christina Bassadone (Olympic sailors); Chris Tavaré, Paul Downton (England cricketers).