The second headmaster of Homewood School, John Matthews, who laid the foundations for what it is today, has died.

Mr Matthews, 98, was head from 1954 until he retired in 1976.

He did his teacher training at Chester College and began teaching in Cumbria.

He served in the RAF, returning to teaching after the Second World War with headships in Cumbria and Norfolk before arriving at Homewood.

Mr Matthews’ son, Peter, said that his father had been committed to comprehensive education.

“He abhorred selection, believing that schools like Homewood should be able to provide for all young people in the local community, whatever their needs and abilities,” he said.

“Under his leadership, students began gaining university places and the school became a centre of sporting excellence with pupils achieving county and national honours.

“He and the staff and governors transformed Homewood from a small, rural, secondary modern into a comprehensive, creating a sixth form and fighting constantly for new buildings.

“He never lost interest in the school and was friend and confidante to all the heads that succeeded him.”

In retirement, Mr Matthews took up golf, achieving a handicap of five, and travelled extensively with his wife Bea in their caravan.

He wrote a history of the early years of Homewood, The Changing Sails of Homewood School and Sixth Form Centre, which he completed when he was 96.

The funeral was on Monday at St Mildred's Church, Tenterden.