This was a tumultuous year for education in England with debates over salaries and work conditions. The Holmewoodian magazine said: “There is so much more to be done than simply “cramming” for the Common Entrance Examination … equally important is the laying of firm and well-balanced foundations in character and leadership for which the English Public School system has for long been so deservedly famous”.

Tom Hodson formed the Rifle Club and the school became affiliated to the National Small Bore Rifle Association.

The 1^st XI soccer team remained unbeaten for the third year in succession.

In the Headmaster’s review it was stated that all boys would have to learn science and boys were able to opt for German or Greek.

Tom Simpson’s Musical Appreciation Society met every Monday to listen to music by the Great Composers.

The first XI cricket team won 17 and drew one. E. W. Swanton said in the Daily Telegraph: “Let me end on a note on congratulation to a school team who have been coached so well that they have just finished this season without defeat, thus completing a five year cycle wherein they have won 70 matches out of 79, lost 2 and drawn 7”.

The school production of The Marvellous Story of Puss in Boots was a huge success, described in the Kent & Sussex Courier as showing “that school shows can rank with the highest class of amateur dramatic entertainment”.

The numbers at the school had risen to 190 (125 boarders and 65 day). The Holmewoodian had grown in size and now reported on the academic year rather than the calendar year.

Nine new classrooms were built including a complete science block, art rooms, another library and more changing rooms.

The number of events each boy could enter on Sports Day was limited to two track and one field or two field and one track meaning places were fiercely competitive.

The 1^st XI cricket team won 14 and drew one.

During the Easter holidays work began on the installation of a filter plant for the swimming pool as well as the installation of three diving platforms.

In the year of the General Election there were some concerns that Harold Wilson would take over the independent schools. This did not happen, but three local schools did close meaning the numbers at Holmewood rose to 230, 140 of which were boarders. COB House was formed, combining the first letter of the other houses.

The new squash courts were officially opened, fencing emerged as a new activity and Debating Society began.

J. H. Oldham died having been at the school for eighteen years. He had composed the school song and had been custodian of the cricket square and tuck shop.

Holmewood was becoming one of the biggest preparatory schools in the country with 238 boys.

Music continued to grow in success with 31 pianists, 14 guitarists, 2 violinists, 3 singers and 1 clarinettist. The boys also had success in the solo competitions at the Tunbridge Wells Music Festival.

The 1^st XV rugby team played eight and won eight. The 1^st XI cricket team won 13 and drew one. The Holmewoodian said of J. Glover: “he captained the XI with great verve and enthusiasm”.

The 34^th Royal Tunbridge Wells Scout group turned five and ended the term with a successful Camp in the Isle of Wight.

The Selective Employment Tax was imposed on all independent schools that were not charities.

Cedar House had a new dormitory built. All three houses could now have 35 to 40 boarders and 20 day boys with Cob remaining a day house with 50 boys.

The new .22 range site was inspected by the Sponsoring Officer from the School of Infantry at Hythe. One final inspection was needed before the range could be used while the use of air rifles continued.

The Holmewoodian included a piece on “geographical inexactitudes”.

Kenneth ‘Spike’ Milliken retired after ten years at the school. It was said he was one of the first exponents of visual aids – a six-foot seven man clad in a Roman helmet and carrying a sword to teach the Invasion of Britain!

The rugby team scored a record 292 points and reached the semi-finals of the Rosslyn Park Sevens for the first time and the 1^st XI hockey and soccer teams were unbeaten.

The Art Department entered several pictures into various competitions. Paddy Helm was delighted when R. Cranmer had one of his exhibited at the Royal Institute Galleries for the National Exhibition of Children’s Art.

The school performed Julius Caesar. Special mention in the Kent & Sussex Courier went to the backstage team led by John Handley and Grant Powell for achieving “many difficult changes with smoothness and prevision.”

There were 50 leavers in the summer term and talk of there being 300 boys in the following September. A new house was started, originally called New House but would become Yew.

J. P. W. Heale left to go to South Africa. During his nine years at Holmewood he had been Housemaster, reformed the scout troop, introduced archery and led many plays.

The music department had a successful year with 40 certificates awarded. There was also a string orchestra, folk group and a pop group at the school.

Rugby was a huge success with 219 points scored and only 23 against. The Holmewoodian described the team as “Basil de Guingand’s XV”. Under Robert Burdon’s coaching the school won the Rosslyn Park Sevens for the first time. Again, de Guingand was praised for giving “all he possessed in brilliant performance, encouragement, praise and exhortation.”

In the summer, the shooting range was finally passed as safe for .22 shooting.

Six prep schools closed in the South-East.

M. Cranmer and A. Swinglehurst had pictures chosen for exhibition at The International World Fair in Australia.

The squash teams won the singles and doubles events at the prep schools tournament and Holmewood also provided the runners-up. M. Glover won the doubles alongside M. Asfaw and also made 1,118 runs for the 1^st XI cricket team.