
Sutton Valence School
Sutton Valence School
Sutton Valence, Maidstone, England
The Sutton Valence School is one of the traditional English boarding schools and, founded in 1576, is among the oldest on the island. Its beautifully green campus lies on the edge of the town of Maidstone in the county of Kent. With its historic brick buildings, turrets, and courtyards, it evokes the image of a classic English boarding school straight out of a storybook. At Sutton Valence, great importance is placed on both the academic and personal support of each individual pupil. The school is especially strong in the areas of design and technology, music, and sport.

The Details
The Academics
In 2024, about one third of the students achieved top grades (A Grades) in their A-Levels, and over one third of GCSE results were in the highest range (grades 9 to 7). The curriculum is broad, covering traditional subjects as well as areas like agriculture, media, sports, and photography. Around 90% of graduates secured a place at their preferred university, including destinations such as Exeter, Durham, or Oxford Brookes. Some also choose dual study programs or start a sports career, particularly in hockey or rugby.
Languages Taught
English as a Foreign Language, French and Spanish.
The Boarding
Approximately one third of the students board full-time or weekly, spread across three houses. Around one fifth of boarders come from abroad. Boys live in St. Margaret’s or Westminster, girls in Sutton. Each house is run by dedicated house parents and tutor teams who support and guide the students in their daily lives. From age 13, two students typically share a room; from 16, students generally have single rooms—sometimes already at 15, depending on availability. The boarding houses feature spacious common rooms, kitchens for snacks, and some even have direct access to excellent sports facilities and the swimming pool.
On weekends, the school organizes numerous outings, such as trips to the cinema, theater, or shopping.

Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Despite its venerable age, Sutton Valence presents itself as a modern and relaxed school. Its proximity to London has not affected the pleasantly normal, friendly atmosphere – something not every school in the region can claim.
Sutton Valence impresses with an incredibly diverse sports program. Rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis, and netball are the main sports, alongside activities such as riding, golf, shooting, football, and badminton. The school boasts its own athletics track and a performance-focused support program for particularly ambitious athletes. Whether competitive or recreational, everyone finds their place here.
Musically, the school offers solid foundations with choir, orchestra, and chamber music – regular concerts in the chapel are part of the program. Some students even take advantage of the proximity to London to receive additional lessons from top teachers. Notably, extracurricular engagement is a fundamental part of school life – whether in the Investment Club, CCF (a British cadet program with military roots), community service, or creative projects.
Weaknesses
The language options are limited: currently, only French and Spanish are offered.
Location
Sutton Valence may be somewhat tucked away, but it is well connected. The livelier town of Headcorn is just a ten-minute drive away, and from there you can catch an hourly train to London in just 45 minutes. For international families, Gatwick Airport is reachable within an hour.
Heathrow Airport - 1hr 30 mins by car
Maidstone - 15 mins by car
Sutton Valence is ideal for pupils who want a balanced mix of academic support and a varied extracurricular program – all within a friendly, down-to-earth environment.
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