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...
IT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK! We're looking forward to welcoming prospective students and their families to The Howard School for our Open Events. Come and explore our facilities, meet our staff, hear from our Principal and get a feel for what makes The Howard School such a great place to learn and grow. Thursday 1 October 2026 | 4.30pm–7pm Saturday 3 October 2026 | 10am–12pm Our Principal's Talks are almost fully booked. Don't miss this chance! https://bit.ly/thehoward2026opendays We can't wait to meet you!
Our final day in Paris! What a finale a trip up the Eiffel Tower, incredible views across the city, and another 13th birthday celebration to make the day even more special! A brilliant end to an unforgettable school trip and memories that will last a lifetime. Au revoir, Paris!
THE HOWARD SCHOOL ARE NATIONAL FINALISTS! What an incredible achievement for three of our talented skiers! Following their fantastic performance in the English Schools Skiing Competition qualifiers, J.B., Z.T. and D.C. have officially secured their places in the NATIONAL FINAL, taking place next weekend in Norwich! But the celebrations don't stop there... Yesterday, the boys competed in the National Schools Open Championship – South at Chatham, where they were crowned 1ST PLACE SENIOR MALE SCHOOL! Competing individually, their combined times secured the top spot for The Howard School, with all three boys achieving podium finishes: J.B. – 1st Place Z.T. – 2nd Place D.C. – 3rd Place A clean sweep of the podium AND a team trophy heading back to The Howard School! We are incredibly proud of the boys and their achievements. Their hard work, determination and talent are certainly paying off! The whole Howard School community will be cheering you on in Norwich next weekend. GOOD LUCK, BOYS!
THE HOWARD SCHOOL GRAMMAR STREAM OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Outstanding academic achievement is important but the Howard School Grammar Stream is about so much more than examination results. We want our Grammar Stream students to think bigger, aim higher and discover opportunities they may never have considered before. That is why supercurricular experiences are at the heart of the Howard School Grammar Stream. Throughout their journey with us, students access opportunities designed specifically to stretch, challenge and inspire high-attaining learners. University experiences we are incredibly proud of our developing relationships with the University of Kent and the University of Cambridge. Grammar Stream students have opportunities to experience university environments, engage in academic activities and begin thinking about higher education from an early age. From visits to the University of Kent throughout the Grammar Stream journey to experiences with Queens' College, Cambridge, we want prestigious universities to feel like realistic and achievable destinations for our students. Academic challenge & masterclasses taking learning beyond the curriculum and encouraging students to think deeply, question ideas and explore new subjects. Careers experiences exposing students to ambitious career pathways and helping them understand where their talents, interests and qualifications could take them. Supercurricular challenges developing independence, curiosity, problem-solving and confidence beyond everyday lessons. Mentoring & support ensuring students aren't simply challenged to aim high, but are given the support and guidance needed to get there. From Year 7 onwards, our ambition is to widen horizons. We want students to leave the Howard School Grammar Stream not simply with excellent qualifications, but with the experiences, confidence and aspirations to pursue exceptional futures. Come and discover the Howard School Grammar Stream for yourself. Open Evening Thursday 1st October 2026 Open Morning Saturday 3rd October 2026
Where you can find us
Open Events
1st & 3rd October
Are you considering sending your child to The Howard School in September 2027? Join us at our Open Events for a chance to take a look around our school!
Open Evening
Date: Thursday 1st October 2026
Time: 4:30pm - 7pm. Bookable Principal Talks at 4:45pm and 5:30pm
Open Morning
Date: Saturday 3rd October 2026
Time: 10am - 12pm. Bookable Principal Talks at 10am and 10:45am
What to Expect:
- Tour our school grounds, and get a taste of the fantastic facilities we have on site
- Speak to our staff and students to hear about life at The Howard School
- Visit our classrooms to learn more about our exciting curriculum
- Hear from Mr Johal, our Principal, at a number of bookable talks
- Come and see our ‘Exceptional’ education for yourselves!
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.