A Message from the Principal – Matthew Strange

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.

Everything we do is shaped by our core ethos of Respect, Resilience, Independence, Passion, and Positivity. These values guide our relationships, inform our teaching, and help our students grow not only in ability but in self-belief and character.

At Valence, students are always at the centre of everything we do. Every decision we make is driven by our commitment to achieving the very best outcomes for them.

I encourage you to explore our website to learn more—but the best way to truly understand the spirit of Valence is to come and see it for yourself. We would be delighted to welcome you.

Warm regards,
Matthew Strange
Principal