Independent Senior Schools in Kent

Walthamstow Hall is an independent day school for girls aged 2 to 18, located in Sevenoaks, Kent. Established in 1838 to educate the daughters of missionaries, it is one of the oldest schools of its kind in the United Kingdom. The campus combines an Arts and Crafts-inspired main building and Victorian vaulted dining room with modern facilities, including the Ship Theatre and a specialist Sixth Form Centre. The school provides an all-through education that emphasises academic breadth alongside a rich co-curricular programme in sport, music, and the performing arts.

Earlscliffe is an independent, co-educational sixth-form boarding school located in Folkestone, Kent. Housed in a Victorian building dating from 1870, the school is situated in the town's West End, close to the sea and the Leas promenade. Earlscliffe provides a personalised education for students aged 15 to 19, with a curriculum focused on A-levels and university foundation programmes. The academic approach is defined by small class sizes and a system of weekly progress testing. Now part of Dukes Education, the school supports a diverse, international community of students.

Bethany School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, set within 60 acres of the Weald of Kent near Goudhurst. Founded in 1866 by Reverend Joseph James Kendon, the school maintains a Christian ethos and focuses on the development of individual character. Facilities include a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, a climbing wall, and a high ropes course. The school provides a broad curriculum of GCSEs, A-levels, and BTECs, supported by a specialist learning support department and a programme of over 50 extracurricular activities.

Benenden School is an independent boarding school for girls aged 11 to 18, situated within the 250-acre Hemsted Park estate near Cranbrook, Kent. Founded in 1923, the school is centred on Hemsted House, a Victorian mansion built in the 1860s. Its educational approach follows a 'Complete Education' model, which integrates academic study with professional skills and personal development. Facilities include a dedicated science centre, a professional-standard theatre, and a music school with a concert hall. The expansive grounds accommodate a variety of activities, including lacrosse, hockey, and equestrian sports.

Radnor House Sevenoaks is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 2 to 18, situated on the historic Combe Bank estate in Kent. Housed in a Grade I listed Palladian mansion set within 27 acres of parkland, the school provides a continuous education from nursery to sixth form. Facilities include a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, a STEM centre, and a performing arts theatre. Formerly known as Combe Bank School, the institution emphasises a core ethos of excellence, respect, courage, and perseverance across its academic and extracurricular programmes.

The Dulwich School Cranbrook is a co-educational day and flexi-boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 16, situated within a 50-acre estate in the Kent countryside. Formerly known as Dulwich Prep Cranbrook, the school recently expanded its curriculum to offer a senior provision through to GCSE. The campus comprises specialised blocks for science, art, and music, alongside extensive sporting facilities including an on-site swimming pool and floodlit astroturf. Established in 1938 as a wartime evacuation camp, the school maintains a strong emphasis on both academic breadth and outdoor learning.

Tonbridge School is an independent boarding and day school for boys aged 13 to 18, set within 150 acres of grounds in Kent. Founded in 1553 by Sir Andrew Judde, the school retains historical links with the Worshipful Company of Skinners. The campus features a blend of Victorian Gothic architecture and contemporary facilities, including the Barton Science Centre and the EM Forster Theatre. Academic life is complemented by a wide extracurricular programme and sporting provision; the Tonbridge School Centre was used as a training base for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Sackville School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in Hildenborough, Kent. Housed in Foxbush House, a Victorian building dating from 1866, the school is set within scenic grounds in the Kent countryside. It operates as a small, non-selective community that focuses on individual growth and tailored academic support. The curriculum spans GCSE and A-Level courses, complemented by facilities such as a sports hall and fitness suite. The school’s ethos emphasises personal development and collaboration within a supportive, family-like environment.

Dover College is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, located in Dover, Kent. Founded in 1871, the school occupies the historic site of the 12th-century Benedictine Priory of St Martin. Its campus features remarkable medieval architecture, including a Grade II* listed refectory and a chapel converted from the former priory guest house. The college follows a "Thinking School" approach, encouraging independent enquiry and creative problem-solving. Facilities include an AstroTurf pitch, a fitness suite, and a dedicated music room housed within the original priory gatehouse.