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...
ONLY ONE MONTH TO GO | SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING 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: Explore our A-level and vocational courses Meet our teachers and Sixth Form students Hear from Principal Mr Johal Tour our Sixth Form facilities 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) today: https://www.thehoward-that.org.uk/opendays
BLACK HISTORY MONTH | ACHIEVEMENT RESILIENCE LEGACY Today, we were incredibly proud to welcome Benjamin Odeje, former footballer and a genuine trailblazer in English football, to The Howard School as part of our celebrations for Black History Month. Benjamin made history as the first Black footballer to represent England at any level, breaking barriers and creating a legacy that extends far beyond the football pitch. He joined Ken Orlukwu from Kent Empower Network to speak with our Year 9 and Year 10 students about achievement, resilience and legacy – sharing his experiences, the challenges he faced and the determination required to succeed and create opportunities for those who followed. Our students had the opportunity to hear first-hand what it means to overcome barriers, remain resilient when faced with challenges and recognise the impact that our actions today can have on the generations that come after us. It was a powerful reminder that Black History Month isn't simply about looking back at history – it's also about recognising the people who changed it, celebrating achievement and inspiring the next generation to continue moving forward. A huge thank you to Benjamin Odeje and Ken Orlukwu for giving their time to our students and for such an engaging and inspiring visit. Be Good. Be Kind. Be Hardworking.
CALLING ALL YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHERS! Our Photography Ambassadors have another fantastic opportunity to get creative! Rotary in Medway has launched its 2026–27 Young Photographer Competition, and this year's theme is... FRIENDSHIP What does friendship look like to you? A shared laugh? Supporting someone when they need it? A brilliant memory with your mates? Whatever your interpretation, we want to see it! You don't need fancy equipment either photographs can be taken using a camera, tablet or mobile phone. Winners and runners-up will receive prizes and progress to the regional and national finals, while every entrant receives a certificate! Even better, entries will be showcased locally, including exhibitions at Rochester Cathedral Crypt and The Historic Dockyard Chatham! Deadline: 16th December 2026 Theme: Friendship Age categories include 11–13 and 14–17 Our Photography Ambassadors have already shown us just how much talent we have here at The Howard School now it's time to take it beyond our school competitions! Speak to the Photography team for more information and details on how to enter. Get snapping, Howard! Could YOUR photograph make it all the way to the national final?
PLEASE WELCOME OUR PHOTOGRAPHY AMBASSADORS 2026–27! We are delighted to introduce this year's fantastic team of Photography Ambassadors! Our Photography Ambassadors are a welcoming and supportive community of young men who share a real passion for photography and creativity. They inspire one another, celebrate each other's progress and create an environment where learning new skills is exciting, collaborative and, most importantly, fun! Throughout the year, our Ambassadors will play an important role in promoting photography across The Howard School, getting involved in competitions, capturing school life and encouraging others to pick up a camera and get creative. But it's about much more than taking great photographs. Through the programme, our students develop confidence, creativity, teamwork and friendships skills and memories that will stay with them well beyond the classroom. We can't wait to see what this brilliant group achieves during 2026–27! Give our new Photography Ambassadors a HUGE welcome!
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.