We are an oversubscribed comprehensive school serving more than 1,000 local pupils aged 11-16. We are totally committed to maximising and celebrating pupil achievement and consistently our pupils make progress well in excess of national norms. As a result we became one of only 200 DCSF designated Leading Edge schools in September 2004.

In our most recent Ofsted inspection (March 2006) we were graded as outstanding – one of the top 10% of schools in the country. Our inspector commented:

“Honywood is an extremely effective school. It has improved a lot since the last inspection and has a strong capacity to improve further. The visitor to the school is immediately struck by the warm, friendly atmosphere and the exceptionally positive attitudes of the pupils. Almost all of them really enjoy school, and are quick to point out how much the teachers do for them, both in and out of school time.”

In September 2005 we began life as Honywood Community Science School following a successful bid for specialist status in October 2004. One outcome from the bid was the creation of six new science laboratories. When Science provision was inspected in March 2008 it was also judged to be outstanding. Our inspector noted:

“Standards are well above national average and achievement is outstanding at Key Stages 3 and 4.”

We also consistently invest in other learning resources. Such investment has provided us with excellent ICT suites, a superb Learning Resource Centre and interactive white boards in every classroom. Overall the school has a very attractive environment and is well resourced.

Subject strength at Honywood goes well beyond our Science specialism. We are delighted, for example, to gain an Artsmark Silver award in June 2008 for our excellent Arts provision. Sport's provision at the school is also outstanding and we see excellent GCSE results in all the subjects we offer.

We are fully committed to training and developing our staff. Following a reassessment in 2006 our Investor in People Award was confirmed, with many of our processes scoring very highly against national benchmarks. We are linked to Colchester Teacher Training Consortium, Anglia Ruskin University and the Open University for delivering teacher training and are working with Essex Local Authority to train up to six graduate teachers each year.

Out commitment to developing all our people ensures we are focussed on continuous improvement and are receptive to new ideas and technologies ensuring the best possible education for our pupils.

“Teachers have been encouraged to try out new ideas to make lessons even more interesting. The Headteacher has given a very strong lead in creating a climate where teachers want to improve and develop. As a result, teaching has got steadily better”

(Ofsted March 06)

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Honywood Community Science School

Honywood Preschool