Our Year 7 and 8 Evening on Thursday 22 January (2026) is the perfect opportunity for families to discover what makes the top of the school such an exciting and important stage in a child’s Holmewood journey. You will hear from Head, Ruth O’Sullivan, about the outstanding opportunities available in these two years, followed by insights from our guest speakers, James Priory, Head of Tonbridge School, and Jesse Elzinga, Head of Sevenoaks School. They will share how these final prep years help prepare pupils for the challenges, expectations and opportunities of leading senior schools.
After the talks, families are invited to explore the spaces most used by our Year 7 and 8 pupils, including classrooms, Design Technology and Engineering, Art, Drama, Music, IT and Digital Innovation. Pupils and staff will be on hand to show you their work and talk about leadership opportunities, enrichment and our bespoke Holmewood Horizons curriculum. You will also be able to discuss scholarship opportunities directly with our Heads of Year and Heads of Department.
Holmewood House Scholarship Readiness Programme: A Gateway to Excellence and Opportunity
At Holmewood House, we are committed to nurturing talent and promoting excellence across a range of disciplines. Our Scholarship Readiness Programme supports children entering Year 7 who show outstanding ability, dedication and potential.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Excellence
The programme develops children in six key areas:
• Academic Achievement
• Artistic Creativity
• Design Technology and Engineering
• Drama and Performance
• Musical Talent
• Sportsmanship and Aptitude
Children receive tailored guidance and opportunities to deepen their passions while striving for excellence. Each discipline has clear criteria that consider commitment, motivation and consistently high performance. Pupils may pursue one discipline or, where appropriate, two.
Enrichment and Development
Each area within the programme offers a structured but enriching environment. Pupils benefit from:
• Weekly scholarship clubs tailored to their discipline, for example the Intellectual Curiosity Club for academics, the Green Power Racing Project for Design Technology and Engineering, or Strength and Conditioning for sport
• Off-site trips and visits from guest speakers to inspire and broaden horizons
• Leadership opportunities such as mentoring younger pupils, performing in concerts or taking active roles in assemblies
These experiences are shaped by our Heads of Department, who work closely with senior schools to ensure the programme continues to meet high expectations and evolving entrance requirements.
Pastoral Support
We recognise that striving for excellence can come with its own challenges. Regular check-ins with subject leads give pupils a space to reflect on their progress and share any worries, ensuring their experience remains positive, balanced and rewarding.
Accessibility Through Bursaries
Holmewood House is committed to widening access through means-tested bursaries. Families of pupils awarded a place in the Scholarship Readiness Programme are welcome to apply for bursarial support, which is assessed transparently by an external company. For further information, please contact the Finance Bursar at FinanceBursar@holmewoodhouse.co.uk.
The Application Process
Both current and prospective pupils are invited to apply for the Scholarship Readiness Award. Holmewood pupils who demonstrate outstanding potential will be invited to apply during the Spring Term of Year 6. External applicants are welcome to apply at the same time through our Admissions Team.
Applications for external candidates must be received by 15 February, with assessments taking place in the Spring Term, usually in March, for entry the following September.
We warmly encourage families to learn more about the programme and bursary opportunities. To book your place at the Year 7 and 8 Evening on Thursday 22 January (7pm–8.30pm, with refreshments served in the theatre foyer from 6.45pm) or to make an enquiry, please contact Admissions at admissions@holmewoodhouse.co.uk or 018982 860006.
This post has been published in collaboration with Holmewood House School.