Divisional Head: Mr Phil de May pdm@sevenoaksschool.org
The Lower School has a wide range of amenities and activities designed to meet its needs, but is also an integral part of the main school. There are four forms for boys and girls entering at 11. They study English, Mathematics, French, Latin, Geography, History, Religious Studies, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. A second modern foreign language (German, Russian or Spanish) is pursued in Year 8. In addition to the central academic subjects, there are periods of Drama, Design Technology, Information Technology, Art and Music. Physical Education includes representative sports for boys and girls (Soccer, Rugby, Cricket, Athletics for boys; Netball, Hockey, Athletics, Rounders for girls) with additional time for Swimming, Squash, Tennis and Gymnastics.
We encourage the development of interests, skills and talents which may be further extended in out-of-school time and in subsequent years. Pupils have ready access to the Art Room, Sennocke Centre, the Performing Arts Centre, the Design Technology Centre and the Computer Room. In short, pupils in the Lower School use all the facilities available to more senior students; Drama, for instance, is taught in the Sackville Theatre, and guidance is given in the use of our excellent School Library.
Students come to us from a variety of educational backgrounds. Particular care is taken to foster good work habits in preparation for the Middle School. These two crucial years are spent in a friendly environment where pastoral care is highly developed: seven day tutor groups and one boarding house aim to encourage children to enjoy learning.
The Lower School Common Room organises frequent trips in this country and abroad, visits to London theatres, museums and a host of other activities. A recreation room acts as a social centre. Each tutor group meets daily first thing in the morning and the whole Lower School comes together twice a week for formal assemblies.
The Lower School is thus an identifiable and distinctive part of the whole school, but with its own special feel and individuality. One of its main advantages is that as a small unit it settles children into a large community with a friendly and helping hand; this helps their future progress and development within the School.
Young Sox
When young pupils first arrive in a large school it is easy for them to feel lost - hopefully, Young Sox plays a small part in helping our junior pupils to gain that important sense of belonging. Young Sox relies upon the active involvement, enthusiasm, ideas and effort of all pupils. The snooker table, for example was the result of a lot of hard fund raising work by former members.
The Meeting House is the focus of Young Sox, serving as a Lower School common room, a place for young people to meet, socialise and engage in various recreational activities.