FROM THE HEADMASTER
IN JUNE 2024, the Chair of Governors challenged me to define a Sevenoaks education. Many of the governors at our annual away day that summer reflected that there is a‘ fairy dust’ to Sevenoaks. In countless experiences and conversations this year across our school community, I reflected on this challenge from our Chair: what makes a Sevenoaks education so special? And in our Open Days and Group Visits, which take place most Saturdays, this year I attempted to describe a Sevenoaks education, which has been an enjoyable yet elusive challenge.
One Trustee and Old Sennockian suggested that a Sevenoaks education is quite a simple equation: you just have to look at our exceptional results, amazing co-curricular offering, strong pastoral care and convenient location – near London and the airports. This is an interesting start, but many schools could be described in a similar manner. Sevenoaks is much more than this.
What is unique about Sevenoaks is that we are one of the largest and highest achieving International Baccalaureate Diploma schools in the world. And because of this exceptional reputation and track record, we attract students from around the globe: this year we have more than 75 different passports in our student body.
This leads to a healthy tension for me: in some ways we are a traditional English independent school with nearly 600 years of history, and 800 local day students, who will always keep us grounded in the
2 SEVENOAKS SCHOOL 2024-2025