Brentwood School was founded in 1557 and received its charter as the Grammar School of Antony Browne, Serjeant at Law, on 5th July, 1558. The Founder became Chief Justice of Common Pleas shortly before the death of Queen Mary, and was knighted a few months before his death in 1567. The Foundation Stone over the door of Old Big School was laid on 10th April, 1568, by Edmund Huddleston and his wife Dorothy, who was the step-daughter of the Founder. The Elizabethan silver seal of the School Corporation is still in the possession of the Governors. In 1622 Statutes were drawn up for the School by Sir Antony Browne, kinsman of the Founder, George Monteigne, Bishop of London, and John Donne, Dean of St Paul’s.
Brentwood School is a co-educational school with a total of 1,925 pupils including 572 in the Preparatory School. The Preparatory School is fully co-educational as is the Sixth Form (of 399 pupils), but boys and girls are taught separately between the ages of 11 and 16. Boarding is available for boys and girls from age 13.
Buildings and Grounds. The School occupies a 75-acre site on high ground at the northern end of the town some 20 miles north-east of London. Old Big School, the original School room, is still in regular use, thus maintaining a direct link with the School’s founder. Over recent years, a major building programme has seen extensions to the Philosophy and Mathematics buildings, Dining Halls, Library and Reception. In November 2011, HRH Prince Edward The Earl of Wessex formally opened the School’s new Sixth Form Centre and Wessex Auditorium. The Sixth Form Centre, which has become the intellectual powerhouse of the School, provides an exemplary educational environment for the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme. Facilities include common rooms and private study areas, 16 additional classrooms, a dedicated computer suite and multi-purpose 400-seat auditorium. The award-winning Bean Academic Centre was opened to pupils at the end of March 2016. With large classroom spaces, a lecture theatre and café, it provides a state-of-the-art environment within which pupils can develop independent learning. A multi-million pound development, revealing an Aladdin's cave of the latest educational facilities and resources, was completed at the Preparatory School and formally opened in November 2021. Facilities include a new reception area; a new Foundation Year facility with outside play space; a Futures Room and eight specialist classrooms; a new Hall and performance space, which can seat an audience of over 500 and provides space for assembly, PE and clubs; and a new dining facility and kitchen.
Organisation. The School is one community within which, for good educational reasons, girls and boys are taught separately from age 11 to 16. They are encouraged to participate together in all co-curricular activities. The Senior School is divided into Year Groups. Each Year Group has a Head of Year and Deputy who oversees it. The vast majority of pupils join the School at 11 after successfully completing the Entrance Examination. A broad curriculum is followed through the first three years and this continues through careful choice of GCSE and IGCSE subjects to the end of the Fifth Year. Entry to the Sixth Form is conditional upon success in the GCSE examinations. There is a wide choice of subjects, whether students want to follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), BTEC Extended Diploma (Sport and Business) or A Levels. Most go on to University and many pupils gain places at Oxford and Cambridge each year.
Religion. Although Brentwood is a Christian School, pupils and staff from all faiths, or none, are welcome. There is a resident Chaplain and pupils attend the Chapel weekly. Regular Communion Services are held.
Boarding. There are two Boarding Houses. The boys reside in Hough House which currently accommodates 39 students; the girls reside in Mill Hill House where 26 are accommodated. The public rooms are spacious and both Houses are generously staffed. Full and weekly boarding are available. A qualified Matron runs an efficient Sanatorium.
Pastoral Care. Brentwood School has an outstanding level of pastoral care which is provided by Heads of Year, Tutors and our Pastoral Team, ably supported by the Senior Deputy Head (Pastoral), Mrs Jenkin, and by all colleagues. Together they support the wellbeing of all pupils, enabling each pupil to thrive in a kind, caring and inclusive community. Their encouragement to their pupils to participate in a wide range of activities successfully engenders greater self-confidence and self-awareness. In addition to Mrs Jenkin, Heads of Year and Tutors, there are three pastoral managers in the Senior School and a Director of Pastoral Care and Safeguarding, Miss Bishop.
Performing Arts. We are proud to be a Steinway School, enabling our pupils to learn on the very best-made pianos in the world, as well as some rare instruments otherwise unavailable to them. Brentwood is also a partnership school with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, one of the finest musical institutions in the world. Music plays an important part in the life of the School, as do Drama and Dance. There are four orchestras and several ensembles and jazz groups. The Big Band is internationally acclaimed. There are at least three dramatic productions each year, together with regular Dance shows.
Careers. There is an excellent University Entrance and Careers Department where students receive advice and can obtain information about courses and/or careers. Aptitude Tests; Work Experience; visits to colleges, universities and places of work; and visiting speakers are all part of the provision. A careers convention is held each year.
CCF, VSA & DofE. All pupils either join the Combined Cadet Force or, through the Voluntary Service Activity, engage in a wide-ranging series of activities, which bring them into contact with the Community. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme runs alongside these activities.
School Societies. There are many flourishing societies covering a wide range of interests, catering for all ages. The ACES programme in the Prep School encompasses the areas of Arts, Community, Enrichment and Sports, and the Sir Antony Browne Society (SABS) is a society for Sixth Form students, which provides them with an opportunity for intellectual discussion and cultural interest.
Sports Facilities. Brentwood School was one of the official training venues for the London 2012 Games. The playing fields are part of the School complex and provide ample space for football, cricket, hockey, rugby and tennis. There is a world-class all-weather athletics track. The Brentwood School Sports Centre includes an indoor football/hockey pitch, six badminton courts, indoor cricket nets, basketball courts and a fencing salle, as well as squash courts and a fitness suite. There is an Olympic-sized heated indoor swimming pool and an all-weather pitch. Provision is made for golf, horse riding, skiing and table tennis. The two AstroTurfs and netball courts are floodlit for use in winter.
Entry. Entrance Examinations for both boys and girls aged 11 are held at the School in December each year. Entries are also accepted at 13 plus, following the ISEB Common Pre-Tests, vacancies permitting. Transfers at other ages are also possible. Sixth Form entry is through GCSE success, a consultation interview and a Headteacher's confidential reference.
Scholarships and Bursaries. In addition to Academic scholarships, the School offers Chess, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport scholarships at 11+. These may be supplemented by means-tested Bursaries. Art, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport scholarships are offered for Sixth Form. There are also academic scholarships available for entry into the Sixth Form.
The School offers a considerable number of Bursaries in addition to the awards described above.
Fees per term (2023-2024). Day: £7,824; Boarding: £15,332.
Charitable status. Brentwood School (part of Sir Antony Browne’s School Trust, Brentwood) is a Registered Charity, number 1153605. It is a Charitable Trust for the purpose of educating children.
Governors & Staff:
Governors:
Sir Michael Snyder, DSc Hon, FGS, FCA, FRSA [OB] (Chairman)
Lord Black of Brentwood, MA, Hon FCIPR, FRSA [OB] (Vice Chairman)
Mr P C Beresford, FNAEA, MARLA
Mrs J Bryan, LLB, CTA
Mrs S Dalgarno, MA, PGCE, JP
Mr D J Elms, MA, FCA, FCSI
Professor B J W Evans, BSc Hons, PhD [OB]
Dr M Fenton, MA MSc, MA, PhD, DipEdLaw, FRSA [OB]
Mr J Fergus, FCIMSPA
Mr J Griffith-Jones, MA, ACA, TD
Mr M Hampson, BEng Hons, FBCS
Mrs A Hardy QC, LLB Hons, LLM, AKC
Mrs J M Jones, BA Hons, ARCM, NPQH
The Venerable D Lowman, BD Hons, AKC
Mr P Machray, BA Hons, ACA, BFP
Mr R I McLintock, MSc, DMS, Dip Ed
Mr S Norris, BSc Hons [OB]
Professor C A Tout, MA, PhD [OB]
Cllr J R Tumbridge, CC, MCIArb, LLB Hons
[OB] Old Brentwood
Senior Leadership Team (Central):
Headmaster: Mr M Bond, BA
Senior Deputy Head (Pastoral): Mrs N Jenkin, BA, MA
Deputy Head (Academic): Mr J Barfield Moore, MA
Deputy Head (Staffing, Co-Curricular & Operations): Mrs A Goodfellow, BA, MA, MA
Bursar and Clerk to the Governors: Mr J Blunden, CBE, LVO, BSc Hons
Finance Director & Deputy Bursar: Mrs Sarah Carswell, BA Hons, ACA
Prep Headmaster: Mr Jason Whiskerd, BA Hons
Director of Development: Mr S Mason, BA Hons
Heads of Department:
Art: Mr C Lonsdale, MA, BA
Biology: Mrs P Ebden, BSc, MSc
Business Studies: Mrs K Giles, BA (Head of Equestrian)
Chemistry: Dr N Law, MA, PhD
Classics: Mr S Hitchings, BA, MA
Computing & ICT: Mr G Kiff, BSc
Co-Curricular Activities: Mrs J McLeod, BSc
Dance: Mrs M Carabache, BA, MA, AMTLA
Design & Technology: Miss L Hall, BA, MA
Drama: Mrs S Hermosa, BA
EAL: Mr B Clements, BA, MPhil, DipRSA
Economics: Mrs C Micallef, B Com, BAcc, MSc
English: Miss A Cooper, BA, MA
Food & Nutrition: Miss M O’Rourke, BA
Geography: Miss J Collins, BA
History & Politics: Mr D Rogers, BA
Learning Support: Mrs R Harvey, BA
Mathematics: Miss E Warnes, BSc, MEd
Modern Languages: Mrs M Morris, BA, MA Maîtrise (Head of Languages and German)
Music: Mr F Cooper, BA [OB] (Director of Performing Arts and Director of Music)
Outdoor Education: Dr A Moxon, BSc, MA
Physics: Mr C Beadling, BSc
Psychology: Miss J Atkinson, BSc, MSc
Theology & Philosophy: Miss S Boyle, BA
Sports & Games: Mr N Gamester, BSc (Director of Sport)
Head of Admissions: Mrs D Cook
Headmaster’s PA: Mrs J Beazley