The school has occupied its present site for most of its 600-year history. Nestled next to a thousand-acre deer park, the campus benefits from abundant gardens, inspiring views of Knole and the North Downs and award-winning facilities. Positioned at the top of Sevenoaks High Street, it is easily accessible and beautifully situated.
“A wonderfully happy location!”
Sevenoaks student, quoted in The Good Schools Guide
A stunning location in the heart of Kent
Our campus of some 100 acres sits in a splendid setting on the edge of Sevenoaks in west Kent. Surrounded by trees, it is a pleasant environment in which students can feel at home. The outdoor spaces are attractive, green and spacious, enhanced by sustainable planting, while the variety of buildings, learning areas and social spaces is characteristic of this historic but forward-looking school.
A striking blend of old and new architecture
The school grounds stretch behind the upper High Street of Sevenoaks and are bisected by the ancient path to Knole. The centre of the campus comprises Old School (1732), the oldest extant school building and home to the Mathematics department, flanked by the Sevenoaks Almshouses, which were founded with the school. The unusual Palladian buildings, constructed with Kentish ragstone and ragstone galletting, were based on a design by Lord Burlington.
Hear from our people
Our campus
At the northern end of the campus lie the Classics, Geography and Psychology departments and the Lower School common room, hall, playground and lawn.
The central campus area is completed with the Johnson Library and the Swanzy buildings (English and Drama), around a courtyard of benches, birches and olive trees. Nearby are the Dining Hall, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Economics and the Middle School Common Rooms. These surround our oldest quadrangle, Jockey’s Platch.
A modern quadrangle, the Flat, landscaped with trees and benches, sits below Jockey’s Platch, enclosed by the state-of-the-art Science and Technology Centre, the Sixth Form Global Study Centre, Art department, The Space (our award-winning performing arts centre) and The Sennocke Centre for PE and Sport. Behind these are the Duke’s Meadow pitches, running track and cross-country trail, bordering Knole Park. Further pitches are at Solefields a short distance away.
Two boarding houses can be found in this area: Sennocke House and GIH, both within their own gardens. The remaining houses in our boarding community can be found on the other side of the A225 Tonbridge Road: Park Grange, Aisher House, the IC and New House close to the main campus, while Johnsons and School House are a short walk away.
Despite the size of the campus, a busy, friendly, informal atmosphere prevails throughout. Students of all age groups feel comfortable together and new pupils quickly find their way around.
30
buildings, 100+ classrooms, 14 sports pitches, 12 lawns, 6 ponds, 1000s of trees
The gardens
Eleven beautiful gardens are looked after by our dedicated Grounds and Gardens team. They plant new trees every year and maintain a range of shrubs, lawns, herbaceous borders, flowerbeds and ponds. The trees, plants and green spaces at Sevenoaks contribute to biodiversity and enrich the lives of all students and staff. We also have an allotment on campus, tended by students. Sevenoaks School was awarded a Certificate of Excellence by RHS South East in Bloom.
The town
Sevenoaks School is situated at the top of the bustling historic High Street, within walking distance of shops, coffee bars and restaurants. Behind the school is Knole, one of England’s largest country houses, set within a thousand-acre deer park and managed by the National Trust. The park is open to the public for walking, running and recreation, and is accessible from the school grounds. Sevenoaks station is one mile from the school, and a minibus service is provided for day students arriving by train.
Sevenoaks is a very attractive town and its safe and friendly environment makes it an ideal place for students to study, develop some independence and contribute to the community.
Transport links
An advantage of Sevenoaks is its transport links. The town is located not far from the A21 and M25, and is only 30 minutes from Central London by train, with excellent rail links to London Charing Cross, Waterloo and London Bridge. Gatwick Airport and the Channel Tunnel are both within a 45-minute journey by car, making travel very easy. Sevenoaks is also less than an hour away from the magnificent Kent and Sussex coastline and the popular towns of Rye, Hastings and Eastbourne.
