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School · SpecialiSource and licenceOfficial record from Get Information about Schools (DfE). Results, attendance, pupil numbers, finance and inspection outcomes are from the Department for Education and Ofsted, as published.Governor records: Get Information about Schools, as at 25 October 2026.Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.Governance Register calculates the connections.How we handle data

Location

iSchool location from Get Information about Schools. Nearby schools are coloured by phase. Open Map+ for a full-screen map with neighbourhood deprivation (England only).

About

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Valence and to share the incredible work that happens here every day. We are proud to support children and young people with physical disabilities and complex medical needs in a truly unique environment one of the only schools of its kind in the maintained sector across southern England.

Valence caters for students aged 4 to 19, offering both day and residential places. Our extensive site is home to high-quality teaching areas, social care provision, and integrated healthcare facilities.

A team of 200 dedicated staff including specialist teachers, therapists, care workers, and nurses works tirelessly to ensure every student receives personalised, high-quality support. At the core of our work is a clear aim: to help every child and young person develop meaningful independence. We create a learning environment that is warm, supportive, and ambitious.

Students make strong educational progress, build confidence, and work towards a range of qualifications and accreditations as they grow older. Through targeted support, we help them achieve functional communication, mobility, and daily living skills that will empower them for life.

In the school’s own words, from the school website.

Awards

3 awardsiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.
  • Investors in PeopleStaff development
  • Leading Parent Partnership AwardWorking with families
  • Wellbeing Award for SchoolsRecognised award

Key facts

URN
119032
Type
Foundation special school
Phase
Not applicable
Ages
4 to 19
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
Has a sixth form
Nursery
No Nursery Classes
Local authority
Kent
Constituency
Sevenoaks
Setting
Smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city

Governing body (11 current, 4 former)

Special schools governing body.

Leadership

NameRoleHow appointedTerm
Mr Mark Andrew RobertsChair of GovernorsAppointed by GB/boardsince 2026 · until 2030
Mr Brian Davies FormerChair of GovernorsAppointed by GB/boardsince 2018 · term ended 2025

Full governing body

NameRoleHow appointedTerm
Mr Grahame WardGovernorAppointed by GB/boardsince 2026 · until 2030
Mr Mark Andrew RobertsGovernorAppointed by GB/boardsince 2026 · until 2030
Mr Duncan BarrettGovernorAppointed by GB/boardsince 2025 · until 2029
Mrs Emma DuffyGovernorParent appointed by GB/board due to no election candidatessince 2025 · until 2029
Mrs Chloe BerryGovernorParent appointed by GB/board due to no election candidatessince 2024 · until 2028
Headteacher Matthew StrangeGovernorAppointed by GB/boardsince 2024 · until 2028
Mrs Carys LongGovernorAppointed by GB/boardsince 2024 · until 2028
Mrs Oonagh Theresa WoodGovernorAppointed by GB/boardsince 2024 · until 2028
Mrs Laura Christel SnellingGovernorElected by parentssince 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027
Mr Paul MyersGovernorAppointed by LAsince 2022 · until 2026 ends 2026
Miss India Shibil FormerGovernorAppointed by GB/boardsince 2025 · term ended 2025
Mrs Jennifer Ann Church FormerGovernorElected by school staffsince 2024 · term ended 2026
Mrs Wendy Fallon FormerGovernorAppointed by GB/boardsince 2022 · term ended 2026

Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (governance records, as at 25 October 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Names are shown as published; there are no addresses or contact details. Current and former are worked out from term end dates when the page loads. Object or ask for removal · Report an issue with this record