Senior school search

[BigALittleA]

Hi there, anyone out there have any thoughts/info/first hand experience of Sutton Valance School??
Many thanks

I don't have first hand experience of SVS but it is becoming very popular in this area.

I know plenty of people who have sent their boys there both family and school friends and are very happy indeed with the school.

The pastoral seems to be excellent especially.

Thanks so much for the reply jazzandh!! Good to know :)

Jazzandh I noticed from an old post that you have kids at Somerhill, is that still the case??
We are moving back to Kent summer 2019 after a stint overseas and trying to weigh up the pros and cons of putting DS into a prep school for years 7&8 or trying to get him straight into a senior school. Very interested in Somerhill as also have DD due to go into year 3.
Would to hear your thoughts :)

Yes, still have two there. One Y8 one Y2.

In hindsight unless you are after Tonbridge (or another school 13+ only) I wouldn't start at a prep for the last two years. Clearly it is all geared towards CE (not sure how much longer that will keep going) however many of the schools are doing their own examinations anyway and pre-test etc. SVS for example is oversubscribed - so at the end of December announced that they would hold examinations to secure places at 13+, thus rendering CE for setting purposes only! It all feels a bit of a muddle if I'm honest.

My son has finished the CE syllabus and it seems to now be revision until June! I think it's rather boring, and starting with a generally larger cohort at 11+ and having a couple of years of enjoying school without constant revision would have been better.

Somerhill has been a great school and although DS1 is moving on to a school with a prep dept. we will keep DS2 where he is!

God it's a minefield isn't it?!? Trying to get my head around it all and cover all scenarios!!
Thank you so much for the info.
With SVS for example, when is the pre-testing done for Yr9 entrance?
Bit concerned as we'll only be back in Kent after DS has finished yr6.
Sorry for so many questions! Bet you wish you hadn't responded now!

The pre-testing for SVS for Yr9 is normally in February of Yr8 I think. Normally it would go on CE results but as they are oversubscribed they are running an exam next week.

All the schools are quite good on their websites and I have found admissions to be good at explaining what's what, especially if you aren't actually at a prep already.

I have to say however, if I were you, I would be looking for 11+ entry point if available and for your DD to enter prep at the same location! I think most of the schools take into consideration overseas applications - so it should be possible.