Founder’s Vision

In 1432, William Sevenoke left a legacy to establish a school for his community which remains a powerful force in education today.

William Sevenoke bequeathed his London properties to the people of Sevenoaks to establish a free grammar school and almshouses for the poor. This was a very unusual bequest for the early fifteenth century when many people left their possessions to the Church. It makes Sevenoaks one of the oldest secular school foundations in England.

Sevenoke was a foundling, discovered in the parish of Sevenoaks and brought up by a local landowner. He rose to become Mayor of London in 1418.

William Sevenoke’s legacy ensured children from the local area had the opportunity to experience an education similar to his own and, as a result, a better life. Almost six centuries later, the school remains rooted in the local community and landscape, but we educate students from across the world, resulting in a student body that is globally engaged and truly open-minded.

We are committed to ensuring that equity, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our community. A major focus for the coming years is to make a Sevenoaks education more accessible for students from all backgrounds. It is not only the socially responsible and morally right thing to do, but it is proven to strengthen the Sevenoaks experience for every student, creating a ripple effect of positive impact through our school community and beyond.

We honour our founder’s vision by continuing to provide an exceptional education, developing excellence in the most inspiring spaces, and nurturing the talent, ambition and potential of students from as diverse a range of backgrounds as possible.