In this Section

Sport Programme

In the First to Fourth Forms (Year 7 to Year 10), pupils play the major sport of the term (as listed below), so that we have time to teach and coach them to a good level of proficiency.

Boys’ Major Sports - First to Fourth Forms (Year 7 to Year 10)

Girls’ Major Sports - First to Fourth Forms (Year 7 to Year 10)

Fifth and Sixth Forms (Year 12 to Year 13)

If a pupil is not part of a team, they are encouraged to participate in a sport or activity that they can develop and improve upon, in order to promote an interest in the sport and to ensure knowledge and understanding in the areas of health and fitness. Depending on the season, as well as the main sport of the term for those in a team, the range of sports available throughout the year includes:

Athletics	Cross-Country	Shooting
Badminton	Dance	Strength and Conditioning Training
Basketball	Football	Swimming
Cardiovascular Fitness	Golf	Tennis

Alongside these, pupils can access a wide range of enrichment sports to broaden their experience and build all‑round athleticism

We also recognise that some pupils are committed elite athletes and we offer flexibility to support their individual training needs, enabling them to focus on their own sport while stepping outside the standard core sports schedule when required.

Breakdown of Main Sports

Athletics

In partnership with Maidstone and Medway Athletics Club, we have our own all-weather Athletics facility on site. With a full-sized 400m track fully equipped for all athletic disciplines, the track is available for pupils to use during their timetabled lessons and through our enrichment programme.

We have a thriving Athletics club, in which we train for the annual United Westminster and Grey Coat Foundation Athletics meet, competing against the other schools in the Foundation. We also hold our own inter-house Sports Day at the end of the Summer Term which is always a fantastic, fiercely-contested occasion.

Cricket

Boasting a county-standard wicket and a range of excellent training facilities, Cricket has long been an important part of life at Sutton Valence School.

Our Cricket provision is led by former England, Kent and Leicestershire all‑rounder, Mr Wells, and Kent County cricketer, Miss Jelfs. Critical to the pupils’ long‑term athletic development is the exposure to the core skills that build hand‑eye coordination and spatial awareness. Through their training, pupils are encouraged to develop balance, dexterity, cooperation and teamwork, helping to shape well‑rounded and confident Cricket players. We are also proud to host year‑round Kent County Cricket training on our site, providing pupils with an inspiring performance environment.

During the Summer Term, our Cricket teams compete in a busy programme of fixtures against other schools as well as a number of showpiece invitational matches, including the annual OS vs School Cricket Day.

Hockey

Our outstanding and recently renovated Hockey facilities include two sand-dressed AstroTurf pitches and a fantastic indoor facility allowing our pupils to sample both indoor and outdoor Hockey on a regular basis. A major sport for both boys and girls, boasting U16 National Plate Champions in 2022 and Cup Finalists in 2023, Hockey is a much-loved activity run by our passionate Hockey specialists. Max Braddick, our Head of Hockey, is also involved in the England Hockey Pathway.

Hosting competitive matches against other schools as well as numerous inter-house competitions, Hockey is thriving at SVS, with our teams regularly competing in county and regional finals.

Netball

As a partnership school of the Saracens Mavericks, Netball is enjoyed on our indoor and outdoor Netball courts. We hold many coaching camps and seminars with expert Netball players and participate in numerous trips to watch England Netball teams in action – both to enjoy the sport but also to analyse the technique and gamification of the professionals.

Our specialist team of Netball coaches nurture our girls, to become skilful, agile players with the confidence to excel throughout their netballing journey. With various squads throughout the School, they play competitively against other schools as well as in inter-school fixtures to challenge and improve their Netball skills.

Rugby

Rugby is led by ex‑Bath professional Tom Ellis, also Player Development Group Coach at Saracens. Being a partnership School of Saracens means that our Rugby programme is exceptional. With specialist coaches and excellent facilities, our pupils benefit from the School’s strong Rugby tradition. With several Old Suttonians going on to represent England across various age groups, we continue to offer real opportunities for our aspiring Rugby players to develop and excel.

From Under 12 level through to our 1st XV, U18 pupils have the opportunity to compete against other schools in a packed programme of fixtures throughout the Michaelmas Term.

Sutton Valence School is currently proud to see five Old Suttonians in the Saracens squad, while a current Sixth Former has recently earned a place in the England U17 Development team. The U18 team also reached the Final of the Rugby Union Vase competition in 2023.

In addition to the core Rugby programme, we also compete at Rugby Sevens, entering a number of county and national competitions during the Lent Term. In addition to the core Rugby programme, we also compete at Rugby Sevens, entering a number of county and national competitions during the Lent Term. In recent months the U14 squad secured the Plate at the Reigate Sevens tournament, reflecting their growing confidence and cohesion.

Sutton Valence School Kent Mount v Sutton Valence, U18 Vase, Rugby Union

Shooting

Our School Shooting team, when not practising in the School’s designated Shooting Range, are competing in many competitions around the country. As part of their CCF sessions, and as an additional activity option, pupils learn the precise art of how to shoot with remarkable accuracy.

Recent seasons have seen the team enjoy notable success, including strong performances at both Bisley and Hyde. The squad were overall winners at the CADSAM competition in 2024 and achieved an impressive second place in 2025, retaining their standing as the best falling plate team in Kent and the highest‑placed Kent CCF overall. They also secured the Challenge Trophy and four NRA gold medals at the Ashburton Fours.

Swimming

Our swimming pathway supports pupils at every stage, from developing confidence in the water to training at club and county level. Pupils are assessed at key entry points and invited into training sessions that match their ability and ambition. Through our partnerships with Maidstone Swimming Club and Swimming Life Kent, swimmers benefit from expert coaching, structured progression and regular opportunities to compete. Time trials, gala fixtures and close communication with external coaches ensure pupils progress at a pace that is right for them, while keeping enjoyment at the heart of the programme.

Tennis

Benefitting from our talented in-house LTA-qualified coaches, Tennis is the perfect summer sport for our pupils. Available during free periods or as part of their enrichment programme, pupils can hone their Tennis skills, using the expertise of our coaches to maximise their potential.

We regularly enter the LTA Schools competition for various age group categories.

Specialist Sports

Badminton

With six courts in the sports hall, Badminton is a widely enjoyed sport at Sutton Valence School. Not only do our pupils play Badminton during their enrichment programme and free periods, we also offer a specialist programme where pupils analyse Badminton performance amongst peers.

Basketball

Our full-sized indoor Basketball court provides the perfect space for developing and honing our pupils’ Basketball skills. Whether participating in their activity periods or during Games, we cater for all ages and abilities and our squads regularly play against other schools.

Cross Country

All Prep and Senior pupils are welcome to represent the School at Cross Country if they compete outside of School and have a passion for the sport. We enter fixtures against other schools as well as various championships at district and county levels. Many of our pupils regularly gain county and regional recognition in the sport with a current pupil representing England.

Equestrianism

We are a member of the National Schools Equestrian Association and our riders regularly compete in a range of disciplines: dressage, show jumping and arena eventing. Having joined the NSEA in 2015, the School has already had junior and senior teams competing at the County Show Jumping Championships, Grass Roots Championships and the Annual National Championships.  

The riders in the School Equestrian team have access to bespoke athletic conditioning sessions as part of the Talented Athlete Programme.

Football

Football is a popular part of the sport and enrichment programme available in the Sixth Form. Additionally, utilising our wonderful AstroTurf pitch, we are able to offer sessions after school all year round. Training is led by our in-house coaches and a full fixture list for the 1st XI team is arranged for the Lent Term.

Golf

We offer our pupils the opportunity to play Golf during the week at local courses, Chart Hills and The Ridge. Fixtures are played against other schools and our teams regularly enter competitions at county and regional level and, in recent years, we have been successful in qualifying for national finals.

Skiing

Skiing has grown at Sutton Valence School and our team enters races at county, regional and national levels. In previous seasons, we have had pupils selected for national Ski teams and international races and a strong link has been developed with the International Ski Race Training Academy Apex 2100 which is based in Tignes, France.