Sevenoaks School

Focus

Open-minded and forward-thinking

Day fees

$36,900 - $41,900

Boarding fees

$59,200 - $64,200

Pupils

1,220

Ages

11–18

Academics

86 per cent of GCSE results are 7–9 grades.

Average IB score is 39.

Spear’s Review

Sevenoaks may be one of the UK’s oldest schools, but staff are nonetheless not afraid to innovate, being the first English public school to switch to the IB in 1978; A-Levels were dropped in 1999. The school hasn’t looked back: pupils consistently score 8 to 10 points above the world average. International in outlook, Sevenoaks School is deeply rooted in its local community and the Kent countryside.

Head teacher

Jesse Elzinga has been headmaster of Sevenoaks since September 2020. His aims for the school’s future include widening access to a Sevenoaks education through more financially assisted places. As a recipient of bursary support himself, he knows that access to exceptional education can transform life opportunities. 

He is also working towards the school becoming carbon neutral, developing partnerships with other leading IB schools and furthering Sevenoaks School’s global outlook.

Admissions

According to the school:

All students take entrance tests which include English, maths and verbal reasoning. In addition, there is a 40-minute group interview, and a reference will be requested from the applicant’s current school. Sevenoaks is a strongly academic school, and students are selected on the basis that they are likely to flourish in a fast-paced environment. The school is also keen to identify students who will benefit from a balanced and well-rounded education, and who will make a positive contribution to the life of the school. The character of students is therefore very important, and this is assessed at interview.

Feeder schools

The student body comprises 70 different nationalities; students apply from schools around the world.

University and college places

10–15 per cent to Cambridge or Oxford.

10 per cent to Ivy League universities.

Accessibility

Gatwick Airport; 30 minutes

Location

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