Tucked away in woodlands just off the A25, Valence School provides schooling for 4 to 19 year olds with physical disabilities and complex medical needs. The school is part-residential and offers the National Curriculum to Primary and Secondary students.
Valence School is certainly unique within the maintained education sector of the whole of the South of England. Situated on a large site with a staff team of over 200 people providing specialist teaching, social care, therapies and nursing care to an exceptionally high standard.
The overall aim of the school is to enable every young person to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding together with the confidence, self-esteem and self-dependence necessary for them to participate in and contribute to society in the way each chooses.
The facilities have been adapted and designed to allow students greater freedom of movement. Boarding students live in accommodation with state of the art facilities enabling them to do as much for themselves as possible.
In 2008 Valence School became a Specialist Sports College, a status which has played a significant role in raising students’ achievement and participation in physical education.
The school is supported by The Friends of Valence (registered charity No. 275686) for the purpose of raising funds and promoting the school. While the school continue to receive government funding for the very basic operation, the Friends raise money for extra curricular activities, specialist therapy and sporting equipment. The school receives donations from supporters and well-wishers and applies for grants from Trusts and Charities. The specialist equipment comes with a hefty price tag so the role of the Friends and other supporting charities is vital for the existence of the school.
Christmas is an important time of year at the school as the staff do their best to ensure a vibrant, festive feel in the grounds for students to enjoy before they go back to their 
own homes for the holidays. An annual Christmas lunch is organised for students, staff and guests in the main dining hall with over 200 people enjoying turkey and Christmas cheer together last year.
Throughout the year The Friends of Valence also organise a number of fundraising events, from summer fairs, bonfire displays and more. The events are well supported by the local community and organisations. At last year’s Food Festival, visitors were treated to cooking demonstrations by popular Indian Chef, Anjula Devi.
On 15th May the school is holding a Hill Climbing event and Vintage Car Show so make a note in your diaries now and keep reading this magazine for more information nearer the time.
To get in touch with Valence School, call 01959 562 156, email valence@valence.kent.sch.uk or visit the website www.valenceschool.com and for events go to www.friendsofvalence.com.
You can also get all the latest updates on social media: Twitter:@ValenceSchool and @FriendsValence | Facebook: /FriendsofValence.
Featured in: Issue 81 – March/April 2016
