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
National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships 2026
We took 14 of our students to compete in the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships at The Copper Box Arena which is the biggest junior indoor rowing event in the UK, with over 2,000 participants!
Each student raced against their own year group in either a 2-minute or 3-minute event, and we couldn’t be prouder of how they performed. Their effort, determination and sportsmanship were outstanding throughout the day.
All of the students exceeded the personal scores they had set in PE and Rowing Club and a special congratulations goes to our top performers - including three of our girls who secured top‑five finishes in their respective events.
Every single student was a credit to the school, representing us brilliantly both on and off the rowing machines. Most importantly, they had a fantastic time and embraced the experience with enthusiasm and positivity.
Well done to all involved – we are incredibly proud of you!
#NJIRC2026 #IndoorRowing #JuniorRowing #SchoolSport #ThePrep #SevenoaksPrep #shapingpupilsstories #sevenoaksprep
Just before we broke up, our Year 2 pupils took part in a fantastic mini rugby tournament, putting into practice the skills they have been learning in their games lessons. They played a series of mixed‑team matches, with plenty of tries scored and lots of smiles on the pitch!
A huge thank you to our wonderful parents for braving a particularly chilly spring day to cheer from the sidelines - your support always makes such a difference.
#PrepLife #shapingpupilsstories #SchoolCommunity #IndependentSchool
#Year2 #MiniRugby
Reception have had the most fantastic end to their `Dig up Dinosaur` topic!
As part of their ‘Fabulous Finish’, they welcomed TeachRex for an action‑packed, interactive day. The children met Jam the T‑Rex, created dinosaur‑themed animations using green screen, met the baby dinosaurs, and even posed for photos. The facilitators were full of praise for our pupils’ gorgeous manners, brilliant engagement and wonderfully curious questions.
To round off the topic, Reception also put the finishing touches to their very own dinosaur sculpture, created in art with Mrs Dickinson using wire, newspaper and papier‑mâché. Their dinosaur has now proudly moved into his new home in the classroom — the perfect way to end an exciting few weeks of learning.
A brilliant finale to a brilliant topic!
#shapingpupilsstories #sevenoaksprep #reception #PrepLife #CuriousMinds
From geography quiz and maths tournament successes, World Book Day celebrations, British Science Week, Mental Health Week and even the arrival of our ducklings, to inspiring visits from authors Sophy Henn, Megan Hopkins, Simon Mole and nutritionist Ellie Olds, curiosity has certainly been thriving.
Our pupils were also inspired by a very special coaching session with rugby legend George Gregan, while in the arts we enjoyed the amazing Year 5 & 6 production of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and our choir took to the stage for Young Voices at the O2.
Sport has been non‑stop, with numerous rugby and netball successes, regular fixtures, cross‑country races and teams improving week by week. Towards the end of term, the girls enjoyed football sessions while the boys developed new hockey skills. We have also celebrated scholarship successes across several schools - a huge well done to our senior pupils.
Learning has been brought to life through vibrant theme days including Egyptian Day, Aztec Day and Superhero Day, as well as a brilliant range of trips, including Year 1’s visit to Hever Castle, Year 3’s trip to Horniman Museum and not forgetting Year 6’s unforgettable residential in Paris. And today, we waved goodbye to our Years 7 & 8 pupils as they set off on their ski trip to The Dolomites.
Parents have been busy too, with seminars and social events such as our annual Quiz Night and Burns Night - all adding to the wonderful sense of community.
It has been a fantastic term from start to finish.
Wishing all our families a wonderful Easter break; we look forward to seeing everyone next term for more excitement.
#shapingpupilsstories #sevenoaksprep
This week, we fell down the rabbit hole to join Alice and a host of eccentric characters in our Middle School production of Alice in Wonderland Jr!
Our Year 5 and 6 pupils created a magical performance full of colour, energy and enthusiasm, with a fantastic, vibrant set providing the backdrop. Year 5 sang clearly and confidently as the deck of playing cards terrified by the Queen of Hearts. Year 6 brought a host of familiar favourites to life, including the notoriously late White Rabbit, a tangled Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, some grinning Cheshire Cats and, of course, Alice in all her different stages of Wonderland.
We are incredibly proud of everyone involved from the leading roles and ensemble to the set design and hardworking stage crew.
Well done everyone!
#SevenoaksPrep #SchoolProduction #AliceInWonderland #PerformingArts #CreativeCurriculum #Year5 #Year6 #middleschoolplay #shapingpupilsstories
Matthew Wood, Deputy Head of @caterham_school, delivered a captivating and thought‑provoking lecture on political change and the forces that shape it. Drawing on a wide range of historical examples, he explored how societies evolve, what prompts significant shifts in leadership and the circumstances that allow new ideas to take hold.
Throughout the talk, he encouraged pupils to consider the qualities that define a strong and effective leader, inviting them to reflect on different leadership styles, the theories and ideologies that underpin them, and the impact these have had across time. His engaging approach ensured that all pupils were actively involved, prompting meaningful discussion and insightful questions.
Mr Wood also highlighted the continuing importance of politics in our everyday lives. In a rapidly changing global landscape, he emphasised why understanding political systems, decision‑making processes and the motivations behind leaders’ actions is more relevant than ever.
Thank you very much Mr Wood for such an inspiring lecture. Pupils left with a deeper appreciation of how political change occurs—and why it matters to each of us in an increasingly complex and fast‑moving world.
#SevenoaksPrep #ThePrep #CaterhamSchool #CriticalThinking #HistoryAndPolitics #InspiringEducation #PrepSchoolLife #shapingpupilsstories #Year7and8 #engagingspeakers
Our Kindergarten children had the most wonderful time this morning on their very own bus adventure, inspired by our Literacy focus story, Naughty Bus. Just like the mischievous bus in the book, we set off to explore and see where our journey would take us!
Tickets in hand, the children excitedly checked in with our very own bus driver (Mrs Pearce) before climbing aboard, fastening their seatbelts, and setting off through Sevenoaks.
Along the way, they loved spotting familiar landmarks out of the windows — from The Bucks Head and Pizza Express to Waitrose and even the double‑decker buses at the big town bus stop! The chatter and excitement on board were infectious, with the children eagerly pointing out everything they could see.
It was a joyful morning full of curiosity, imagination and adventure — what a brilliant experience for our Kindergarten explorers!
#SevenoaksPrep #ThePrep #KindergartenAdventures #EarlyYearsFun #shapingpupilsstories #LiteracyInAction
We were very excited to take part in our first inter‑schools Geography Quiz @caterham_school on Friday.
Our Year 5 team of six joined 14 schools for an afternoon packed with geographical challenges - from identifying flags and capital cities to recognising famous landmarks and even constructing a model earthquake!
In a very close competition, our pupils finished in an impressive third place, just four points behind the leaders. They represented The Prep with great teamwork, enthusiasm and curiosity throughout.
It was a brilliant experience for the team and we will look forward to coming back next year. Thank you to Caterham School for hosting such a fantastic event.
#SevenoaksPrep #ThePrep #GeographyQuiz #InterSchoolEvent #Year5 #YoungGeographers #TeamworkInAction #CaterhamSchool
Excitement was sky-high at The Prep last week with the arrival of our duck eggs and even higher when all five eggs hatched right in front of an eagerly watching group of pupils. Since then, the ducklings have settled beautifully into life in the Science Lab, quickly becoming little celebrities with visitors from every year group popping in to see them!
Our pupils have loved learning about how the ducklings grow and what they need to stay warm, safe and healthy. They have also shown such care and gentleness when handling them, making sure our tiny guests feel calm and cosy.
The ducklings head off to their new family home tomorrow and we will certainly miss them, it has been wonderful watching their journey from tiny cracks in their shells to fluffy little waddles.
