Valence School

Valence School has shown significant improvement, now achieving a good standard of education across various domains. The school creates a welcoming and supportive environment, where pupils feel safe and are encouraged to showcase their talents. Notably, the school's focus on personal development is outstanding, ensuring pupils develop confidence and independence, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Parents have expressed high satisfaction with the school's efforts in this area, highlighting its community involvement and the pupils’ achievements in various fields.

Strengths

• Pupils' behaviour is exemplary and bullying is extremely rare.
• The school provides outstanding support for personal development.
• Staff know pupils incredibly well and build strong relationships.
• The quality of education has improved significantly.
• Reading and communication are prioritized effectively.
• Pupils receive highly personalized support for independence.
• Leadership is ambitious for pupil success and well-coordinated.

Areas for Improvement

• Some subjects lack detailed planning and coherence.
• Assessment in foundation subjects is not well developed.
• Leadership does not have a clear overview of learning across all subjects.

In 2024–25 pupils at Valence School attended 84.8% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 60.7% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.8% of pupils at Valence School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Valence School had 5.5 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 22.0% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 Valence School had 129 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: physical disability.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Valence School received £62,367 and spent £60,541 for each of its 129 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £875,000 (£6,780 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Sevenoaks · Kent local authority: places and applications

What is Valence School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Valence School is Good, from an inspection in September 2025.

When was Valence School last inspected by Ofsted?

Valence School was last inspected in September 2025.

How many pupils does Valence School have?

Valence School has 129 pupils on roll.

What age range does Valence School cover?

Valence School for pupils aged 4 to 19.

What are Valence School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Valence School?

Valence School is at Westerham Road, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1QN.