As a dedicated IB school, Sevenoaks consistently outperforms global averages in the diploma programme. This school, rich in tradition, offers modern facilities and progressive teaching — and it also shines in the performing arts.
Less than an hour from London, Sevenoaks School stands as one of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom, founded in 1432. It welcomes caring, inquisitive young people who share its ethos: a love of learning for learning’s sake. Today, it is recognised as one of the world’s leading IB boarding schools.
On its 40-hectare campus, historic buildings with quintessential British charm sit alongside striking modern additions. Both old and new reflect the progressive spirit that defines the school. When we visited, we were struck by its size — with over 200 students in each year group. Friendships are quickly formed, and a palpable sense of collaboration, communication, and teamwork creates a strong community spirit.
Akademis makes history – A Triple Award-Winning Consultancy (2023, 2024 & 2025) 🏆
Akademis has been recognised three years in a row by StudyTravel for excellence in the education sector:
2025 & 2024: Winners of the StudyTravel Secondary School Award (Best Western European Agency)
2023: Winner of the StudyTravel Star Award
(Best Western European Agency)
The StudyTravel Awards are among the most prestigious honours in international education, recognising outstanding quality, client focus and trusted partnerships. Being the first consultancy ever to win for three consecutive years is something we are deeply proud of. For us, these awards highlight our commitment to offering the very best guidance, personal service and long-term support for families embarking on this exciting journey.
Quick Overview
Age of pupils: 11–18
Number of pupils: 1,220
Boarding pupils: 33%
Sixth Form pupils: 463
Boarding fees per term (Sixth Form): £19,744–£21,420
Main sports in addition to traditional team games: netball, rugby, hockey, fencing, sailing, tennis, basketball
Nearest airports: London Gatwick (30 min), London Heathrow (1 hr), London City Airport (1 hr)
Key Strengths at a Glance
IB school
35-minute train connection to London
Outstanding performing arts facilities
Strong in sailing
Sevenoaks School – Photo Highlights
Sevenoaks School in Detail
Academic life
In 1978, Sevenoaks was among the first UK schools to offer the IB Diploma. Today, it ranks among the world’s top 20 IB schools. In 2025, its graduates achieved an impressive average of 39 points, well above the global average of 31. In the Sixth Form, students can choose from more than 60 courses, including Philosophy, Theatre, and Physics — the latter taught in the brand-new science complex. Art students’ work is showcased each year at a special exhibition in London. While the school rightly celebrates its outstanding exam results, it also instils in students a lifelong love of learning.
Sport
On Saturdays, sport takes centre stage for most of the students. Sevenoaks fields over 200 teams in 22 different disciplines, with some students competing at county and even national level. From futsal to sailing, rugby to table tennis, climbing and more — the choice is vast. Sailing is a particular strength, with the school winning the national schools’ championship 16 times in the past 20 years. Some fencers even compete internationally, and new professional climbing walls have helped the school achieve success in climbing competitions too.
Performing arts
The award-winning Performing Arts Centre, known as The Space, offers musicians and actors an inspiring creative hub with 14 practice rooms, a recording studio, a beautifully acoustic auditorium, a main theatre, and a smaller flexible drama studio. Young pianists can take to the stage with a Blüthner concert grand and a Steinway Model D, and there is even a Harrison organ. Choral singing has a proud tradition here, but there is a vibrant range of ensembles covering many musical styles. Sevenoaks students regularly reach the finals of the annual Pro Corda chamber music festival for schools, and for over 40 years the drama department has toured Germany every two years.
Beyond the classroom
The school offers an astonishing 77 clubs and activities — from chess and table tennis to Model United Nations and costume design. Middle School students can also take part in the unique Sevenoaks School Diploma, which celebrates the integration of academic, intellectual, personal, and emotional development. Students engage in eight areas — creativity and performance, service, sport and outdoor education, academic engagement, core courses, entrepreneurship, a research project, and tutor recommendation — documenting their achievements inside and outside the classroom to earn the diploma.
Our visit
On our visit, what impressed us most was the sheer scale of the school: more than 200 students take the IB here each year, and you feel the energy of a large cohort wherever you go. That it is a pure IB school is a true rarity. Behind the classic façades, we found a surprisingly modern school that equips its students to face the challenges of tomorrow.
Sevenoaks School Fees
Sevenoaks School’s fees are currently £19,744 per term, amounting to £59,232 per year.
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Conclusion Sevenoaks School
Sevenoaks School is a progressive IB school with a rich history, where students achieve excellent exam results while cultivating a passion for learning.
However, there are many other outstanding schools where your child can pursue the IB diploma. We strongly recommend that you seek tailored advice based on your specific wishes and expectations. Please do get in touch — thanks to our years of close contact with schools, we know their unique characteristics and can offer authentic, informed guidance.
We are also happy to advise you on other boarding schools in England. A full overview can be found on our Boarding Schools in England page.
Benefit from:
• our strong relationships with admissions offices
• interview preparation
• many years of placement experience
• authentic insights from first-hand visits
What Makes Akademis Stand Out?
- We remain your trusted contact throughout your child’s stay, well beyond the placement process.
- We provide support with guardianship, visa applications and recognition of qualifications within the German school system.
- We offer fully tailored advice. Our school recommendations are unique to each child and can run to 40 pages in length.
- Families receive our 30+ page boarding school guide, packed with practical tips and insights.
- We prepare your child thoroughly for entrance exams and interviews to maximise their chances of success.
- We arrange school visits, ensuring you have the opportunity to experience each school first-hand.
Every boarding school has its own character and ethos. Having personally visited more than 100 schools, we understand these nuances. We also work with schools that do not pay commission, ensuring that our advice remains independent and always in the best interest of your child.
Our roots lie in the UK. For years, we have placed 200–300 families annually into British boarding schools. While our portfolio now includes schools beyond Britain, the UK remains at the heart of what we do.
Our tailored approach results in exceptional acceptance rates. For example, in 2022/23, all seven students we placed at the highly selective Malvern College received offers – a 100% success rate.
We arrange for prospective families to speak with our current students to hear first-hand accounts of life at a UK boarding school.
