Welcome to The Howard School
Thank you for your interest in The Howard School at what I think is a very exciting time to be part of the school’s community. As part of The Howard Academy Trust, we are committed to a shared moral purpose; to make a positive difference to the lives of the young people in our community.
High Standards lead to High Achievement
The Howard School is a highly inclusive school community where every individual matters. High levels of discipline ensure everyone is expected to work hard and make a positive contribution to the learning environment. The school has been recognised as a Rights Respecting School at Gold Level by UNICEF, the only secondary school in Kent or Medway to receive such an award.
An "Exceptional" Rated School
"Pupils feel happy and safe. They are proud to be part of The Howard School community."
"Teaching is highly effective across the curriculum. Teachers are experts in their subjects."
- Ofsted, 2026
Our Curriculum
We endeavour to enhance the life chances of our young people by maximising their educational achievement. Our local and national reputation is one that continues to grow. The curriculum that we offer ensures all our students receive a solid academic education alongside a wide range of opportunities for personal development.
Ethos & Values
At The Howard School we aspire for all our students to gain the academic results and personal skills to make a positive contribution to society, both now and in the future.
House Points
Latest News
26/06/18 14:20:0818 Jun 2026
The Howard School receives the first Exceptional Ofsted Grading for a secondary school in Kent
The Howard School is today celebrating a monumental Ofsted result, having secured the first ‘Exceptional...
26/04/08 00:00:008 Apr 2026
The Howard School Welcomes Minister Sarah Jones to Discuss Knife Crime Prevention
The Howard School was proud to welcome Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire Sarah Jones MP and local...
25/12/19 00:00:0019 Dec 2025
Charity Drive
A MASSIVE festive THANK YOU to our incredible parents and carers! We have been absolutely blown away by the generos...
25/11/14 00:00:0014 Nov 2025
Real World Maths in Action
Today our Year 9 students took part in a special workshop exploring maths in everyday life, with a particular focus on t...
Why join The Howard School Sixth Form? Hear from one of our Sixth Form students about her experience! Join us for our Sixth Form Open Evening at The Howard School on Wednesday 4th November, 5pm–7.30pm, to find out more about our Sixth Form and the amazing opportunities available. Come along, to: 👩🏫 Meet our teachers and Sixth Form students 📝 Explore our A-level and vocational courses 👀 Tour our Sixth Form facilities 📣 Hear from Principal, Mr Johal 💼 Find out more about life beyond the classroom Whether you know exactly what you want to study or are still considering your options, come along and discover what The Howard School Sixth Form has to offer. 📆 Wednesday 4 November | 5pm–7.30pm 📍 The Howard School, Derwent Way, Rainham, ME8 0BX Book your place on our Principal's Talks via our website, but be quick! Places are booking fast!
OUR SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING IS ONLY TWO DAYS AWAY! Come and visit our Sixth Form Open Evening at The Howard School on Wednesday 4th November, 5pm–7.30pm, to find out more about our Sixth Form and the amazing opportunities available. 👩🏫 Meet our teachers and Sixth Form students 📣 Hear from Principal Mr Johal 📝 Explore our A-level and vocational courses 👀 Tour our Sixth Form facilities 💼 Find out more about life beyond the classroom Discover what The Howard School Sixth Form has to offer. 📆 Wednesday 4 November | 5pm–7.30pm 📍 The Howard School, Derwent Way, Rainham, ME8 0BX Book your place on our Principal's Talks (5pm and 6pm) via our website.
🎄🎁 THE HOWARD CHRISTMAS GIFTBAG APPEAL IS BACK! 🎁🎄 Welcome back, Howard! 💜 We hope everyone had a fantastic half-term! 🙌 As we head towards Christmas, we are delighted to once again be supporting a charity that has been close to our hearts for a number of years. CAN YOU HELP US MAKE SOMEONE'S CHRISTMAS A LITTLE BRIGHTER? We're asking our amazing Howard community to fill a Christmas giftbag with useful essentials and a few little treats for people who may otherwise have very little to open this Christmas. 🎅🎁 🧤 Hats, gloves & scarves 🧦 Socks 🪥 Toothbrushes & toothpaste 🧴 Toiletries 📝 Notepads, pens & pencils 🃏 Playing cards 🍫 Chocolate, sweets & cereal bars 🧸 Small toys or teddies 🎁 ...and other useful little gifts! 🎄 Make your bag look Christmassy! 🏷 Clearly label whether it is for a man, woman, adult or child. Please remember: No sharp items No alcohol No hand sanitiser or other alcohol-containing products 💜 There is, of course, absolutely NO obligation to take part. We know Christmas can be an expensive time for families and nobody should feel under any pressure to contribute. But if you are able to help, even with just one or two small items, we would be incredibly grateful. Every single donation counts. 📍 DROP OFF: Ascent Hub (U1.3) 📅 DEADLINE: Friday, 11th December Year after year, our students, families and staff show just how generous the Howard community can be. 🥰 Let's do it again in 2026. 🎄💜🎁 Small gifts. Big difference.
NOT LONG TO GO! Join us for our Sixth Form Open Evening at The Howard School on Wednesday 4th November, 5pm–7.30pm, to find out more about our Sixth Form and the amazing opportunities available. Come along to: 👩🏫 Meet our teachers and Sixth Form students 📝 Explore our A-level and vocational courses 👀 Tour our Sixth Form facilities 📣 Hear from Principal Mr Johal 💼 Find out more about life beyond the classroom Whether you know exactly what you want to study or are still considering your options, come along and discover what The Howard School Sixth Form has to offer. 📆 Wednesday 4 November | 5pm–7.30pm 📍 The Howard School, Derwent Way, Rainham, ME8 0BX Book your place on our Principal's Talks (5pm and 6pm) via our website!
Where you can find us
Sixth Form Open Evening
4th November 2026
Join us on Wednesday 4th November 2026, 5pm-7:30pm for our Sixth Form Open Evening!
- Hear from our Principal, Mr. Johal, as he shares insights into our Sixth Form’s vision, ethos, and the unique opportunities we offer.
- Chat with our Sixth Form students, who are ready to share their experiences. They’ll give you a genuine look into life at The Howard School, from A-levels and BTECs to our supportive community and diverse extracurricular activities.
- Visit our classrooms, meet our dedicated teachers, and learn about the wide range of A-level and vocational courses we offer. Whether you’re interested in the sciences, humanities, arts, or business, see how we support every student’s unique goals and learning styles.
- Take a tour of our state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced science labs, modern IT suites, creative arts studios, and dedicated Sixth Form spaces designed for independent and collaborative study.
You can find out more about our Sixth Form here.
The Howard Ofsted Result
The first ‘Exceptional’ criteria grading for a secondary school in Kent
We are proud to share that The Howard School is celebrating a monumental Ofsted result, having secured the first ‘Exceptional’ criteria grading for a secondary school in Kent, under the new Ofsted framework.
This result comes amidst an overwhelmingly positive Ofsted inspection, which also sees the school receiving four ‘Strong Standard’ and two ‘Expected Standard’ judgements.
Inspectors judged Personal Development and Wellbeing to be ‘Exceptional’, a grade reserved for practice that is among the very best in the country. Inspectors found that the school’s work to support pupils’ mental health, character, and spiritual growth has a "transformational” impact, particularly for its most vulnerable learners.