Homewood School and Sixth Form Centre: Broad Opportunities in the Weald

Set within 55 acres of the Weald of Kent, Homewood School and Sixth Form Centre operates on a scale that resembles a small university campus rather than a typical secondary school. With over 2,000 students, it is one of the largest schools in the county, serving the picturesque town of Tenterden and a wide rural catchment.

The school occupies a specific niche in the Kent educational landscape. As a non-selective "High School" in a fully selective county, it caters to a wide ability range while operating in the shadow of local grammar schools. This context is essential for understanding its intake and outcomes.

Mr Jeremy Single has led the school as Principal since September 2019. Under his tenure, the school has navigated significant changes, including a shift in Ofsted status. The most recent inspection in April 2023 graded the school as Good in all areas, a significant milestone that marks a clear turnaround from its previous Requires Improvement judgement.

Arrival at Homewood feels different to most state schools. The sheer size of the grounds, which include a fully working farm and a commercial theatre, creates an atmosphere of breadth and possibility. The architecture is a mix of mid-20th-century blocks and modern additions, most notably the separate Sixth Form Centre and the Sinden Theatre, which serves both the school and the local community.

To manage the scale of the student body, the school uses a "Community" system. Students are placed into one of five communities: Discovery, Fortitude, Liberty, Pioneer, and Quest. These function as "schools within a school," providing pastoral bases where students register and receive support. This structure is critical in preventing individuals from feeling lost in the crowd.

The school motto, "Learning, Respect, Belonging," is visible throughout the site. The atmosphere is generally lively and purposeful, particularly in the specialist areas. The presence of the school farm adds a unique sensory dimension; it is not uncommon to see students in overalls heading to care for livestock between academic lessons. This facility defines the school's character as much as the classrooms do, grounding the education in the rural reality of its location.

Performance data at Homewood must be viewed through the lens of the Kent selection system. As a non-selective school, Homewood does not educate the top 25% of the ability range, who typically attend grammar schools in Ashford or Cranbrook.

In 2024, the school's GCSE performance ranked 3,102nd in England. This places the school in the national lower band, consistent with the intake profile of a secondary modern style school. The average Attainment 8 score was 39.8, compared to the England average of 45.9.

The Progress 8 score of -0.35 indicates that, on average, students achieve around a third of a grade lower across their subjects than pupils with similar starting points nationally. While this is below the national average, it reflects the challenges often faced by non-selective schools in selective counties.

However, headline figures often obscure individual successes. The school offers a diverse range of qualifications, and for many students, particularly those pursuing vocational pathways, outcomes are strong.

At A-level and Level 3, the school ranked 2,260th in England in 2024. The published figures suggest that 25.5% of grades were A*-B. The strength of the Sixth Form, rated Good by Ofsted, often lies in its breadth, offering BTECs and vocational courses alongside traditional A-levels, catering to a wide range of career aspirations.

The Quality of Education was rated Good by Ofsted in 2023, a finding that supports the school's view that the curriculum is ambitious and well-planned. Teachers generally have strong subject knowledge and structure lessons effectively to help students build on prior learning.

The curriculum is notably broad. In Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9), students follow a three-year programme that maintains breadth rather than narrowing too early. By Key Stage 4, the options open up significantly. Alongside the English Baccalaureate subjects, Homewood utilizes its specialist facilities to offer courses that many schools cannot.

Construction, Animal Care, and Performing Arts are not just bolt-on extras but fully resourced departments. The school farm allows for hands-on qualifications in agriculture, while the Sinden Theatre provides a professional environment for production arts and drama.

In the Sixth Form, this flexibility continues. Students can mix A-levels with vocational qualifications, creating hybrid pathways that suit their specific strengths. For example, a student might study A-level Business alongside a BTEC in Engineering. This adaptability is a key strength of the academic provision.

The destinations data reflects the school's commitment to diverse pathways. In 2024, 33% of leavers progressed to university. While this is lower than the national average for all schools, it is a solid figure for a non-selective provider, and students do secure places at Russell Group universities.

Notably, 37% of leavers moved directly into employment, a figure significantly higher than the national norm. This speaks to the school's strong vocational training and links with local industry. Apprenticeships accounted for 5% of destinations, and 3% moved into further education colleges.

The Careers team is active, organising fairs and work experience that leverage the school's community connections. The goal is clearly employability and appropriate progression, whether that is a degree in History or a career in land management.

Homewood is a popular choice in the Tenterden area and is often oversubscribed. In the most recent intake, there were 601 applications for 338 places, resulting in a subscription ratio of 1.78 applications per place.

Admissions are coordinated by Kent County Council (KCC). As a non-selective school, there is no entrance exam. Priority is given to looked-after children, siblings of current students, and then those living closest to the school.

The catchment area is wide, covering Tenterden and the surrounding villages of the Weald. Families applying from further afield, such as Ashford, should be aware that distance criteria are strictly applied in years of high demand.

The school also has a specific admission criterion for students with an aptitude for Performing Arts. Up to 10% of places can be allocated to students who demonstrate potential in drama, music, or dance, assessed through workshops or auditions.

Pastoral care is structured around the Community system. Each student belongs to a mixed-age Family Group (tutor group) within their Community. This vertical tutoring model is designed to encourage peer mentoring, with older students supporting younger ones.

Wellbeing support includes a dedicated team of non-teaching pastoral staff, meaning help is available throughout the school day, not just at break times.

Behaviour was judged Good in the 2023 inspection, a significant improvement from previous years. Inspectors noted that pupils are respectful and that the environment is orderly. The new "Homewood Habits" framework helps set clear expectations for conduct and effort.

The extracurricular offer is where Homewood truly leverages its size and facilities.

The Homewood School Farm is a standout feature. It is a fully functioning agricultural unit with cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry. The Young Farmers' Club is extremely popular, allowing students to learn animal husbandry and show livestock at the Kent County Show. This is a rare opportunity in a state school and fosters a deep sense of responsibility.

The Sinden Theatre is another pillar of school life. It hosts professional touring productions as well as school shows, giving students access to industry-standard lighting and sound equipment. The annual school production is a major event, involving hundreds of students on stage and behind the scenes.

Sport is well-catered for, with extensive playing fields, a sports hall, and dance studios. Clubs range from traditional rugby and netball to fitness and dance. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is well-established, with many students completing Bronze and Silver awards, making good use of the surrounding countryside for expeditions.

The school day typically runs from 8:45am to 3:15pm. Given the rural catchment, a significant proportion of students travel by bus. KCC organises transport for eligible students, but families should check the "KCC Travel Saver" pass for costs.

Uniform is a blazer and tie, with specific colours denoting the student's Community. This helps staff identify students and fosters a sense of belonging to the smaller unit within the large school.

Size and Scale: With over 2,000 students, Homewood is vast. While the Community system mitigates this, the sheer scale can be overwhelming for quieter children. It suits those who can navigate a busy environment; it may be less suitable for those who need a small, intimate setting.

The Selection Effect: In a grammar school county, the academic peer group at a High School is different from a comprehensive in a non-selective area. The most academically able local children usually attend grammar schools. Parents should manage expectations regarding league table rankings in this context.

Vocational Excellence: For students interested in agriculture, performing arts, or vocational pathways, the facilities here are superior to almost any other state school in the region.

Homewood School offers a breadth of opportunity that few schools can match. Its farm, theatre, and vocational resources create a rich environment where students can find success beyond the exam hall. The "Good" Ofsted rating in 2023 confirms that the school has successfully addressed previous challenges and now provides a stable, ambitious education. Best suited to students who want a broad, practical education in a school that feels like a community, and who will not be daunted by a large, busy campus.