Valence School
Westerham Road, Westerham, TN16 1QN
Pupils
132
Ages
4 to 19
Gender
Mixed
Age range
4 to 19
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
132
Headteacher
Mr Matthew Strange
Type
Specialist
Ofsted
Good
Local authority
Kent
Sixth form
Yes
Boarding
Yes
About Valence School
Valence School is a mixed special school based in Westerham for children aged 4 to 19. It has roughly 132 pupils on roll. It is a maintained school within the Kent local authority area. There is a sixth form on site, so students can stay on for post-16 study. Boarding places are offered alongside day places. Mr Matthew Strange leads the school.
Inspection at a glance
At its most recent Ofsted inspection on 18 June 2025, Valence School was judged Good. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.
How the school is performing
Overall absence stands at 15.2%, which is attendance of about 84.8% (2024/25). Around 32.0% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. Figures come from the Department for Education's published school performance data and are shown in full further down this page.
Getting a place at Valence School
Valence School is a special school, so places are arranged through the education, health and care plan process rather than the normal application round. Kent names the school in a child's EHCP after consulting it. Always check the current admissions policy on the school's own website before you apply, because criteria can change year to year.
SEND at a glance
Valence School is a specialist SEND setting, so every pupil on roll has identified additional needs. Named areas of need it supports include Physical disability. Recorded provision: Specialist school: OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability; PD - Physical Disability. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
Valence School contact details and location
You will find Valence School at Westerham Road, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1QN. The school office can be reached on 01959 562156. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Overall effectiveness
Last inspection: 03/12/2019
Quality of Education
How well pupils are taught and what they learn
Behaviour and Attitudes
How pupils behave and their attitude to learning
Personal Development
Support for pupils' wider growth and wellbeing
Leadership and Management
How well the school is run
Early Years
Quality of nursery and Reception
Sixth Form
Quality of post-16 education
Valence School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
Valence School does not run its own entrance test. Places are allocated by Kent County Council using published oversubscription criteria. Oversubscription criteria usually cover looked-after children, siblings, distance from the school, and (for faith schools) faith criteria. Boarding places have a separate application and interview process - start early.
Official links
Dates and criteria change each year - always confirm with the school and Kent County Council. KCC school admissions →
How to apply
1. Apply on the common application form (autumn term before Reception)
Complete the Primary Common Application Form on the Kent County Council website by mid-January - for September 2026 entry the window ran from Friday 7 November 2025 to Thursday 15 January 2026, and offers were emailed on Thursday 16 April 2026.
2. National Offer Day (mid-April)
You'll be told your allocated school by email - for 2026 entry KCC emailed offers on Thursday 16 April 2026 after 4pm, with offers visible online from 5pm.
3. Accept and, if needed, appeal
Accept your place by the given date. If you didn't get your preferred school, you have the right to appeal.
4. In-year admissions
Moving mid-year? Apply directly through Kent County Council's in-year admissions team, or in some cases direct to the school.
Didn't get a place? You can appeal
If Valence School is not offered on National Offer Day, you can appeal the decision. The appeal is heard by an independent panel and is free to submit.
How to appeal a school offerValence School results and attendance
KS2 results
A-Level results
Not published
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at Valence School
SEND setting
Specialist school
SEND provision
Specialist school: OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability; PD - Physical Disability
Specialisms
- Physical disability
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at Valence School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
Valence School term dates: Kent standard term dates for 2026/27
These are Kent County Council's standard term dates. Your school may use different dates and INSET days, so check the school's website before making plans.
Autumn 1 · 2026
1 Sep-23 Oct
Autumn 2 · 2026
2 Nov-18 Dec
Spring 1 · 2027
4 Jan-12 Feb
Spring 2 · 2027
22 Feb-25 Mar
Summer 1 · 2027
12 Apr-28 May
Summer 2 · 2027
7 Jun-21 Jul
Valence School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at Valence School?
Places at Valence School are arranged through the education, health and care plan (EHCP) process. Ask your SEN casework team at Kent to consult the school as part of your child's plan.
What is Valence School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated Valence School Good at its inspection on 18 June 2025. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
How big is Valence School and what ages does it take?
Valence School has around 132 pupils on roll and covers ages 4 to 19. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
What SEND support does Valence School offer?
Valence School is recorded as a specialist school. Named areas of need include Physical disability. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are Valence School's term dates and INSET days?
Valence School follows the standard Kent pattern for 2026/27, set out term by term on this page. INSET days are set by the school itself, so confirm them on the school's own calendar.
Where is Valence School and how do I contact the school?
Valence School is at Westerham Road, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1QN. The office number is 01959 562156. A map and directions are on this page.
About this information. Compiled from published sources including the Department for Education, Ofsted and the school's own website. Last reviewed Summer 2026.
Report an update →Do you run a business for families in Westerham?
Local businesses, tutors, clubs and nurseries can have a full profile page here, in front of the parents already reading about Westerham schools.
Get my profile builtSchools near Valence School
The closest schools to TN16 1QN, measured from each school's own location.
Sevenoaks · Independent · 4.3 miles
Laurel House School
Edenbridge · Independent · 5.2 miles
The View School
Tonbridge · Independent · 7.0 miles
Hilden Park
Tonbridge · Specialist · 9.0 miles
Nexus Foundation Special School
Sevenoaks · Specialist · 9.6 miles
Grange Park School
Swanley · Independent · 10.0 miles
The Annex School House
Help us keep this page accurate
Spotted something wrong?
Tell us what needs updating on Valence School and we'll review it before the page changes.