WELCOME TO THE PREP
Sevenoaks Prep is an independent co-educational prep school for boys and girls aged 2 to 13, where academic excellence is combined with award-winning pastoral care. Founded in 1919 and nestled in 25 acres of beautiful grounds on the edge of Knole Park, our school provides the perfect environment for children to learn, explore and grow.
At Sevenoaks Prep we don’t just deliver outstanding results – we shape confident, kind and capable young people. With a dynamic curriculum and expert teaching, supported by exceptional pastoral care, we guide pupils to discover and develop their talents. Our pupils thrive both academically and personally, securing places at top senior schools and becoming resilient, thoughtful individuals ready to shape their own futures.
Discover how we
Way of life
Underpinning the School’s success is our ‘Way of Life’ – an ethos that flows through everything we do – encouraging pupils to be responsible, kind and empathetic. Our children leave confident, well-mannered and with essential life skills including the ability to work as part of a team, solve problems and think creatively – attributes frequently noted by the head teachers of our destination schools.
Benefits of a Co-education
At Sevenoaks Prep, girls and boys learn, play and grow together within a happy, balanced and inclusive community. Our long-standing co-educational environment helps pupils develop confidence, empathy and strong social awareness from the earliest years. Working side by side motivates ambition across all subjects, encourages healthy competition and builds mutual respect.
As they collaborate in the classroom, on the sports field and in leadership roles, pupils learn to communicate effectively and appreciate different perspectives. These shared experiences prepare them for the diverse, collaborative world they will move into – ensuring they leave The Prep confident, well-rounded and ready for the next stage of their journey.
Confidence
A CULTURE OF KINDNESS
We believe children thrive when they feel genuinely known, supported and happy. At Sevenoaks Prep, every pupil is part of a nurturing community where wellbeing is woven into daily school life. Our nurturing community, small class sizes and excellent adult-to-child ratios ensure every pupil is known as an individual and given the attention and encouragement they need. Strong relationships underpin daily life, with pupils confident that they can speak to any adult about any worry.
Our dedicated Wellbeing Team works closely with staff and families to help children develop resilience, confidence and healthy habits. Through buddy systems, leadership opportunities and thoughtfully designed wellbeing activities, pupils learn to support one another and build a strong sense of belonging. When children feel secure and cared for, they approach learning with joy, curiosity and confidence.
Belonging
ACADEMIC APPROACH
We feel children are at their best within a happy, diverse community of learners. We make sure they are stretched at the appropriate time, producing their best without unnecessary pressure. All pupils benefit from subject specialist teachers, with this increasing as they progress through the school. Our teachers ensure that every pupil is motivated, challenged and prepared for examinations and scholarships to both independent and local grammar schools.
Our pupils achieve excellent academic results and are successful in gaining entry into schools of their choice for both Year 7 and Year 9. Many of our pupils earn academic, music, drama and sport scholarships to leading independent schools including Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Caterham and Hurstpierpoint College. Each year, our pupils gain places at grammar schools such as Judd, Tonbridge Grammar, Cranbrook and Weald of Kent.
Curiosity
THE PREP COMMUNITY
Sevenoaks Prep is a place where every child, parent, and member of staff feels a genuine sense of belonging. Our strong, close‑knit community is shaped by families from the surrounding areas, many of whom form lifelong friendships through the school. Supported by a wide range of events throughout the year that bring everyone together, this sense of connection is at the heart of school life. Set on the edge of the stunning Knole Park estate, pupils enjoy expansive outdoor space while still being just moments from central Sevenoaks. With a convenient minibus service from Sevenoaks Station, the school remains easily accessible for working parents, ensuring Sevenoaks Prep is a vibrant, welcoming environment where children and families truly thrive.
Community
“We feel fortunate enough to be part of such a welcoming and happy community.”
Current Parent
#shapingpupilsstories
A fantastic set of scholarship results for our Year 8 pupils heading to Sevenoaks School.
This week, our Year 8 pupils received the results of their scholarship assessments at Sevenoaks School and we are incredibly proud to share that four of our pupils have been awarded scholarships — two in art, one in sport and one in drama. This builds on the two academic scholarships already awarded to our Year 6 pupils earlier this year.
Sevenoaks School is a key destination for our leavers, with over a third of our Year 6 and Year 8 pupils making the move this September. These achievements reflect not only the pupils’ commitment and talent, but also the strength of the academic preparation and opportunities offered here at Sevenoaks Prep.
A wonderful achievement — very well done to all involved.
#SevenoaksPrep #ScholarshipSuccess #AcademicExcellence #KentSchools #shapingpupilsstories
This half term has seen a brilliant start to the tennis season at The Prep.
The courts have been busy, with popular group coaching sessions led by MatchPoint Tennis, alongside individual lessons helping pupils build confidence and technique.
Our new Summer Box League is well underway, with matches being played across mixed year groups in red, orange, green and yellow ball competitions. It has been fantastic to see pupils taking real ownership—checking fixtures, arriving ready to compete, calling scores clearly and showing great sportsmanship throughout.
We have also seen strong performances in external competitions, including the Kent Primary and Senior Tennis Championships and the LTA League. Congratulations to our Years 7 & 8 girls on their latest league win, and best of luck to the boys’ team in their match tomorrow.
#SevenoaksPrep #SchoolTennis #PrepSchoolSport #TennisSeason #Sportsmanship #SchoolLife #IndependentSchool #shapingpupilsstories
Prep Idol returned in full force this year, bringing with it an evening packed with energy, nerve and unforgettable moments.
With 19 acts taking to the stage, the breadth of talent on show was remarkable - from soulful solos to high-energy bands, each performer completely owning their moment in the spotlight. It is one of those evenings that reminds us just how remarkable our pupils are and how willing they are to step outside their comfort zones. There’s something special about Prep Idol that is hard to capture in words. Perhaps it is the transformation of our hall into a full-scale performance space, or the buzz as the lights go down. Or perhaps it is simply the courage of our pupils - stepping forward, performing live and giving it their all in front of a packed audience.
Our guest judge, Mark Sylvan, offered thoughtful feedback and encouragement to every act, helping to make the evening both supportive and inspiring - thank you Mark. Huge thanks go to Avenue Services for once again creating the ‘Godden Green Arena’ and to the many staff who quietly worked behind the scenes to make the night run so smoothly - and who even took to the stage in a surprise performance! And of course, Mr Collings, without whom there would be no Prep Idol – we will be counting the sleeps until next year!
#BattleOfTheBands #LiveMusic #prepidol #sevenoaksprep #shapingpupilsstories
Last week, our choir travelled to Benenden School, where we had the opportunity to perform as part of a 300-strong children’s choir, joining other talented students from schools across the county for the IAPS Choral Festival.
The trip was an inspiring celebration of music. From the first notes of the powerful and technically demanding piece Zadok the Priest to the fun and playful sea shanty medley, our choir members demonstrated exceptional commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism. Their voices blended beautifully with those of their peers, creating a performance that was both powerful and harmonious.
Throughout the event, the children represented our school with pride. Their energy and passion for singing were evident in every piece, leaving a lasting impression on both the audience and fellow performers. It was a wonderful event for our amazing choir.
Thank you to Benenden School for hosting a brilliant event.
#SevenoaksPrep #PrepLife #SchoolChoir #IAPSMusic #ChoralSinging #shapingpupilsstories #YoungMusicians
We were delighted to welcome Fizz Pop Science, who delivered an exciting programme of hands‑on workshops and shows for all of our Pre‑Prep children. From rainbow bubble‑making to becoming Crazy Chemists, the children were fully engaged, bursting with curiosity, and had a fantastic time exploring science through fun and practical activities.
#sevenoaksprep #shapingpupilstories #science
Our whole school community enjoyed a wonderful day celebrating the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough.
Pupils took part in a “Wear It Wild” fundraiser for WWF, arriving in fantastic wildlife-inspired outfits - many cleverly created using repurposed or second-hand materials, reflecting Sir David’s message of sustainability. Throughout the day, children explored the natural world and considered how we can all play a part in protecting it.
In the Pre-Prep, pupils enjoyed a special “Sir David Atten-bear’s Picnic”, with teddy bears joining them for lunch, while Prep pupils watched some of his most memorable wildlife moments, joined a global live assembly, and made personal pledges to reduce their carbon footprint.
Each year group also voted to adopt an endangered animal through WWF - including snow leopards, orangutans and polar bears - helping to support conservation efforts and learn more about these species over the year ahead. Many Prep pupils made birthday cards for Sir David Attenborough and Eco Club’s plant stall was a great success, selling out in under half an hour.
It was a fantastic day of learning, fun and appreciation for the wild world around us, in honour of a truly remarkable man.
#shapingpupilsstories #davidattenborough #100birthday #sevenoaksprep
Our Kindergarten children loved selecting, experimenting with and playing a wide range of musical instruments during their free musical play last week.
Through hands‑on exploration, music supports early maths skills such as repeated patterns and sequencing, as well as phonics – helping children listen carefully and identify subtle differences in sounds like “b” and “p”.
During their play, the children interacted with one another, mirroring and responding to their friends, building confidence, communication and listening skills – all while having lots of fun!
Play‑based learning like this nurtures the whole child, encouraging curiosity and confidence from the very start of their school journey.
#SevenoaksPrep #EarlyYears #KindergartenLife #LearningThroughPlay #shapingpupilsstories
Year 1 had a fantastic day exploring Wakehurst Place.
The children took part in a nature trail where they learned about different types of trees and identified their various parts, using careful observation skills as they explored the beautiful surroundings. They also enjoyed a planting workshop, where each child planted their own sunflower seed to take home.
To finish the day, the children took part in a creative drama activity, imagining themselves as tiny seeds growing into tall, beautiful sunflowers. It was a fun-filled day of learning, discovery, and excitement!
#Year1 #WakehurstPlace #SchoolTrip #LearningOutdoors #sevenoaksprep #shapingpupilsstories
Year 7 recently visited Bough Beech Reservoir to learn about the journey of water from rainfall to tap.
Pupils began with a talk exploring the origins of the reservoir and why the site was chosen and then enjoyed a guided tour of the reservoir and water treatment plant, finding out how water is purified and transported to our homes.
To finish the visit, pupils took part in an interactive display focused on water security and the importance of protecting our water supply for the future.
#year7 #watertreatment #environmentalawareness #sevenoaksprep #preplife #schooltrip
