Homewood School & Sixth Form Centre is a non-selective, Secondary Comprehensive School in Tenterden, Kent. It is part of the Tenterden Schools Trust.
School context: Homewood School & Sixth Form Centre
With over 2,000 pupils, it is Kent’s largest secondary school and serves a mixed and diverse school community with 86 feeder primary schools. 80 of the school’s pupils have Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs) and 250 are on the SEND register. An additional 200 plus pupils are identified as being vulnerable. 28.8 per cent of pupils are eligible for free school meals.
Their nurture journey
The school has on-site alternative provision to support pupil wellbeing and inclusion needs (The Hub). All children attending The Hub are assessed using the Boxall Profile® Online.
Headteacher Jeremy Single said:
“We realised that we needed to do things differently. We wanted to build really positive relationships with our students and with our parents and carers. Pupils feeling safe, happy and recognised as an individual is fundamental to us. We have realised this is key to really supporting children, families and staff, post-Covid and in the current climate.
“Since adopting nurture, behaviour certainly has improved. We’ve got a positive and calmer environment and we’ve seen an improvement in attendance as well.”
Nurture principles have been embedded throughout the school culture and organisational and curriculum policies reflect and support this.
Lucy Stephen, Director of Learning Support, said:
“I find it really hard to imagine how you could develop inclusive practice unless nurture is absolutely at the heart of it.”
Another staff member shared:
"I used to think it was wasting time looking at and teaching behaviours, but since being here I really believe this is part of my job."
Pupil voice
"I really love coming to Homewood, because it gives me a sense of safety and I just feel like I belong here." Annison, year 9.
"The teachers here, they build such good bonds with you." Sophie, year 11.
Homewood joined the Nurturing Kent programme in 2022 (commissioned by Kent County Council and delivered in 300 schools across the county) and achieved the National Nurturing Schools Award in October 2024.
