WHAT? WHERE?

Holmewood House is a co-educational, non-selective school for boys and girls aged 2-13 years, of just under 480 pupils, situated in 32 acres of glorious grounds in Tunbridge Wells.

The school has long had a reputation for swanky facilities and high achievers, but in recent years there’s been a distinct move towards prioritising pastoral excellence and positive learning relationships too.

When it comes to academics there’s a big focus on creative learning and critical thinking – which is set against the new backdrop of enrichment and and a gentle, inclusive community.

FACILITIES

Er, how long have you got? Facilities and grounds are excellent and extensive here, particularly when you consider the proximity to the city centre.

For a town-based school, Holmewood has a seizable 32 acres to its name – a big draw for local parents and families moving down from London alike. Up to twenty per cent of the enquiries Holmewood receives are from London families looking to move out of the capital to some green space, so the grounds are very appealing.

Over the decades there’s been a series of building developments, which while modern and practical have been sympathetically done, so all happily in keeping with the original House.

The Collings Building, consisting of 12 state of the art classrooms, provides an inspirational setting for 21st century teaching.

A further 8 classrooms, two computer rooms and a learning hub/library are housed in the adjoining Cloisters Building, which opened early in 2017.

There’s a well-stocked library and there’s been considerable tech investment here too, which is renowned as a centre of excellence in the use of IT.

The school is bang up to date on the latest cutting-edge classroom technology – and uses it to support teaching – incorporating a learning tool based on AI, neuroscience and learning science that totally tailors the educational experience for each child, and can even detect gaps in learning.

Plus there’s three dedicated, well-stocked labs and all children, from Year 3, have regular time-tabled sessions in the laboratories.

And what of sports facilities, you ask? A large sports hall, stunning 25m indoor swimming pool, full athletics track and artificial grass pitch, tennis and squash courts, indoor rifle range and acres of playing fields – will that do for starters?

In short there’s more facilities than you could shake a stick at and easily enough to put this prep on a par with, or surpassing, many secondary schools.

SPORT

Not surprisingly all these strong sports facilities result in an excellent reputation for sporting success, with numerous IAPS and national titles to their name.

The size of the prep also means sport can be all about inclusion. There are enough numbers for lots of teams – and the aim is that the focus is as consistent with the under U11 E sides as it is with the Senior 1st teams.

And if your child isn’t so keen on the big team sports there’s squash, Judo, tennis, Swim School and dance – to name a few.

THE ARTS

The art programme is taken seriously here (we approve) and there’s an Art Studio complete with kiln and potter’s wheel. Fostering artistic tendencies at this young age gives pupils a really solid skill set for a world where creativity and design skills have never been more valued.

And on that subject, there’s also a large Design Technology department – all superbly well resourced, including 3D printer. Children here undertake a range of exciting projects and acquire skills which enable them to produce pieces of practical work way beyond their age.

Holmewood House has a purpose built Music Department which houses one main teaching room, nine practice rooms and a keyboard/computer room with 11 computers.

65 per cent of the pupils at Holmewood have individual music lessons on at least one instrument. Each year around 140 associated board examinations take place, plus there’s choirs for every age group, a flute choir, string group, swing band, jazz band and three age related orchestras.

Holmewood House School Shrek drama production

The 350-seat Jubilee Theatre provides a showcase for the many music concerts and drama productions staged throughout the year. There’s also lectures that form part of the Holmewood Lecture Series.

ACADEMICS

In the Lower School prep years 3 and 4 children are nurtured by their Form Teachers whose purpose it is to ensure the welfare and happiness of the children in their care (although Year 5 children start to prepare for the transition to Upper School with an increased level of specialist teaching). Year 6 is classed as Upper School, along with Years 7 & 8 – and in these years all lessons are led by specialist subject teachers.

The school has always had an excellent reputation academically but, in recent years, there’s been a definite shift towards pastoral care, and not pushiness, being the driving force for success.

That’s not to say they don’t achieve the same results – they certainly do, and then some. With the strong pastoral side – which of course goes hand-in-hand with strong academics – they get the best out of the children in every sense.

And if there’s any of the Old Guard in the parent body that weren’t so sure about this approach – the results say it all. In recent years the Y8 Leavers have won more scholarships than ever before. For example, the 2022 cohort won an amazing 19 scholarships to top schools (including Brighton College, Tonbridge, St Paul’s and Wellington College).

Here Learning Support is called Learning Strategies and applies to every child and it’s at the heart of the school and integrated into lessons (rather than removing children from the lesson for extra help) which all sounds ideal and definitely in step with the latest educational theory.

Despite proximity to the many popular local Grammar Schools the school still has a really healthy number of children staying on to sit the Common Entrance. In fact pupil numbers for Y7 and Y8 has doubled in recent years – an incredible feat when you consider the tiny numbers at some preps for those year groups.

Leavers go onto schools such as Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, The King’s School, Canterbury, Hurst, Eastbourne College and Brighton – as well as Public Schools further afield such as Eton, Wellington, Charterhouse and Harrow.

PASTORAL CARE

The school has always had an excellent reputation academically but, in recent years, there’s been a definite shift towards pastoral care, and not pushiness, being the driving force for success. That’s not to say they don’t achieve the same results – they certainly do. We all know that a strong pastoral side goes hand-in-hand with strong academics.

In September 2021, Holmewood House launched the bespoke programme, My Heart My Mind My World to benefit pupils from Nursery to Year 8. Pupils have the opportunity to learn about vital life skills such as how to manage and resolve conflict from as young as Pre-Nursery. ‘Mental health’ and ‘neurodiversity’ are words they become familiar with from a young age here and children learn to be reflective of the way in which they interact with each other.

All children in Years 5 – 8 are part of a Tutor system where they have a Tutor allocated that they see every other week to ensure excellent pastoral care. Plus, this year (2023) sees newly appointed Heads of Year who oversee the wellbeing of all the children in their year.

HEAD

Ruth O’Sullivan started as the new Head in April of 2022. Prior to Holmewood, she worked at Southlee Prep (Suffolk) and Saint John’s College School (Cambridge). Ruth sees education as a journey and partnership between home and school.

The first female head in the school’s history, O’Sullivan is not someone who is interested in any kind of pomp or ceremony. The less formal approach will no doubt be a contrast to some new parents. Pastoral care here is now as important as the academics – when O’Sullivan says the ‘child’s voice’ is the most important – you believe her.

Not surprisingly, she’s big on Growth mindset – seeing her ultimate goal as a headteacher being to ensure independence and leadership for every pupil by the time they are ready to leave. And before that day comes she wants all children to simply love being at school.

Far from a head who sits in their ivory tower, O’Sullivan loves to chat and she spends time in getting to know the children (she’ll happily do some ballet with the Year 2s for example). Her priority has been ensuring the school’s academic achievement stands shoulder-to-shoulder with wellbeing and extracurricular.

PRE-PREP AND NURSERY

Both the Nursery and Pre-Prep are housed in their own separate buildings, meaning younger children start in a more cosy environment, but use all the Prep School facilities from the start.

The Pre-Prep was totally overhauled in recent years. The playground has been resurfaced, coloured canopies, tools and tunnels added in, interactive water features and bug hotels created.

Mrs Laura Readman is the wonderfully friendly and approachable Head of Pre-Prep, which covers Pre-Nursery through to Year 2. She herself has a child at the school and says she’s relishing the opportunity to see each stage from both a teacher and parent perspective. Megan Ovenden has joined as Head of Nursery, and alongside Mrs Sheilagh Schweitzer, our Head of EYFS, is a brilliant, additional on-the-ground expert to have in the EYFS team.

Outdoors is key – there’s a well-equipped play area immediately outside the big glass doors. This leads onto a wooded ‘wild’ area where children can make mud pies and climb trees – in a safe environment – but while challenging themselves and building their confidence.

USP & QUIRKS

The House system here isn’t just for Inter House poetry competitions or Sports Days – it forms the foundation of the structure of the school, much like some Public School Secondaries. Children and Staff are allocated to a House and it provides another layer of pastoral provision between staff and children in their House.

This really creates an extra layer of school belonging and ‘family’. For example, once a week, the Year 8s collect the Pre-Prep pupils to take them to their respective House Meetings. It’s a tradition both the younger and older children love.

We also love that the school has its own resident beekeeper and Apiary, giving the children (Year 4 upwards) an opportunity to spend time at the Apiary and learn about beekeeping.

The bees are very productive – Holmewood House Honey and candles are incredibly popular at the school Christmas Fair!

WRAP AROUND CARE

Breakfast Club from 7.30 is available for all children. There are numerous after school clubs including hockey, swimming, netball, gymnastics, judo, chess, debating, sign language, fencing, shooting, dancing, diamond painting, drama, arts and crafts, textiles, chorister choir and show choir. Just to name a few.

They also have After School provision for Pre-prep called Owls and JB’s for the Lower School, plus Years 6 – Year 8 have prep. This finishes at 6pm however as a boarding school they can always help out parents who are in need of additional support.

BOARDING

The boys’ and girls’ dormitories are in the Mansion House on the first floor with excellent views of the Kent and Sussex countryside. Children board with friends from their year groups in dormitories which sleep up to eight. There are three boys’ dormitories and three girls’ dormitories with further room for expansion. All dormitories are self-contained with bunk beds and wardrobes and boarders are encouraged to bring photos and posters to decorate their rooms.

Full, weekly and flexi boarding has always been an integral part of Holmewood. It gives children a chance to make even greater use of the school’s extensive facilities and beautiful location. A busy and fun-filled activity programme throughout the whole week gives boarders time to enjoy each other’s company and build relationships that will stand the test of time.

Every possible boarding option is provided. Parents can book their children in for a single night as a one-off, regular nights throughout the week or weekly boarding. This Flexi boarding is on offer for Y3 upwards. There’s even a Chaperone Service into London for Weekly Boarders.

FEES

Fees are per term – Nursery, (Full Day): £2,925; Reception: £3,550; Year 1: £4,060; Year 2: £4,215; Years 3 & 4: £6,030; Year 5: £6,450; Years 6, 7 & 8: £6,510. Weekly Boarders £7,650 and Full Boarders £8,450.

WORD ON THE GROUND

The school has successfully moved away from the label of elitism or pushy parents. I can personally testify that the parents I have met from this school could not have been more helpful or friendly.

Parents say teachers are dedicated and passionate about the children and the school. With the core values of Self-belief, Aspiration and Kindness being at the centre of everything – you can feel the vibrancy and positivity bouncing around the site.

Feedback from both pupils and parents is really encouraged here – so there is an inclusive feel as well as ownership of their education. While it’s a big school for a prep, class sizes are small and everyone feels heard.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Local families that want a really strong offering for their child where the facilities equal, or even surpass, that of many a secondary school. And as a result the top years of the school boast healthy numbers and a strong offering. Also ideal for London families looking to move out of the capital and working families making life in, or around, Tunbridge Wells.

Not for: If, for some reason, only a small school will do, then this might not be the prep for you. However the buzzy, give-it-a-go attitude is fully embraced by non-competitive types here and several parents reported that their shy or under-confident child did find their feet and thrive.

See for yourself: Want more information or an individual tour? Contact admissions on admissions@holmewoodhouse.co.uk for more information and an individual tour or visit holmewoodhouse.co.uk.

Holmewood House, Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0EB, Tel: 01892 860000, holmewoodhouse.co.uk

Holmewood House, Tunbridge Wells

You may also like