About us

The simple truth is - happy children learn best - so we focus on giving our pupils a positive start in their education; a positive beginning that will influence the rest of their lives.

Right from the age of 3, we welcome children into a community that is small enough to feel secure, but large enough to offer a huge breadth of experiences. Pupils are encouraged to be enterprising and develop their own ideas. Whether they are taking part in the School Council or joining in one of the many clubs, sports and drama activities, our pupils soon develop their own sense of responsibility. They learn to care about their work, to value their contribution to the wider school community and through many pupil-led fundraising initiatives, their eyes are opened to the world beyond school.

Our pupils achieve excellent results in their academic work. We find that teachers’ high expectations are met with pupils’ enthusiasm. Brentwood pupils are consistently at the top of the field for the National Curriculum tests at age 11, and a large proportion achieve scholarships at the same age. Every Year group has teachers who combine expertise in their field with a love of their subject, so lessons are full of energy and depth.

With an average class size of 20, staff are able to pay close attention to the development of each child and adapt what they deliver to an individual’s needs. Children who are particularly able in a subject are challenged to go further with their skills and ideas, and those who might be finding something harder to understand are given focused help. We study all the National Curriculum subjects plus French and Latin. As they move up the school, our pupils are given tasks that require more independent study and research. We also cultivate a sound work ethic in preparation for senior school.

Classroom learning is regularly enhanced with trips and visits around this country and abroad. Our extensive academic enrichment programme provides a wide range of opportunities for students to engage with, instilling a thirst for knowledge in them that remains beyond their time here. There is a range of subject-specific clubs and societies which aims to stimulate and extend students with a particular subject passion as well as some that are more focused on broadening interests and knowledge. Our enrichment provision is inclusive in nature and we encourage all students to take part in activities and societies which they might find interesting. There is something for everyone.

Latest news

04 Apr 2025

Brentwood School’s Chess Stars Qualify for Three National Finals

Brentwood School’s chess players are celebrating an exceptional month of success, securing places in three prestigious National Finals.

04 Apr 2025

Brentwood School’s Chess Stars Qualify for Three National Finals

The Senior School’s Under 19 team demonstrated outstanding skill and determination, triumphing over King Edward VI Grammar School (KEGS) in the Essex Final to qualify for the National Final of the English Schools’ Chess Championships. In addition, their strong performance in last term’s Zonal Tournament earned them a coveted spot in the National Final of the British Team Chess Challenge as one of the highest-scoring runners-up.

Meanwhile, Brentwood Prep’s chess team showcased their talent by winning the Essex Zone of the Primary Team Chess Challenge. Their dominant performance saw them score an incredible 14.5 out of a possible 16 points, securing a well-earned place in the National Final.

For the first time in the School’s history, both the Prep and Senior chess teams will compete in National Finals in the same season. These prestigious competitions will take place at Nottingham University from 24th to 26th June, marking a significant milestone for the School’s chess programme.

Adding to the celebrations, Brentwood School has been nominated for a British Chess Educational Trust award in recognition of its commitment to developing junior chess in Essex and its consistent success on the national stage.

Brentwood School Head of Chess, Robin Slade, said: "I am thrilled to be able to take our Prep and Senior chess players to the National Finals. They thoroughly deserve their success, and it promises to be an exciting three days of competition."

Congratulations to all the players and best of luck in the finals!

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13 Mar 2025

Brentwood School Hosts Record-Breaking 9th Brentwood Junior Chess Tournament

Brentwood School proudly hosted and co-organised the 9th Brentwood Junior Chess Tournament on Sunday, 2nd March 2025, in partnership with the Essex Junior Chess Association (EJCA) and British Chess.

13 Mar 2025

Brentwood School Hosts Record-Breaking 9th Brentwood Junior Chess Tournament

The event, the largest junior chess tournament in Essex, welcomed over 130 players who competed across five sections based on age and chess rating. With eight rounds of rapid play, more than 500 games were played throughout the day.

The tournament attracted a diverse field, ranging from National Champions to young players just starting their chess journey. The 5 sections ranged from the Under 11 Minor (mainly for those in their first tournament) to the Elite Section (for an invited selection of the top Essex adult and junior players).

As well as being part of the EJCA Grand Prix, the tournament also served as the Brentwood Senior School and Brentwood Prep School Championships.

A strong contingent of 25 Brentwood students participated, ranging from Year 2 (Maansi) to Year 13 (Oleksii) and competing across all 5 sections. The tournament’s outstanding organisation and excellent venue continue to attract players from across the country. This year, the youngest participant, aged 4, traveled from Coventry after the event was recommended to his parents.

Congratulations to Max P who retained his Senior School Championship after a play-off against fellow Year 10 student Markos M. Meanwhile, Nikith V, in Year 6, was crowned the new Prep School Champion.

Brentwood School Head of Chess, Robin Slade, said: “Well done to all the competitors who played in such great spirit. Particular congratulations to all our trophy, medal and book prize winners.

Thank you to everyone who helped the day run so smoothly and all the parents who gave up their Sunday so their children could have fun playing chess. Thank you as well to Headmaster Michael Bond for opening the tournament and Mr Greg Justham, Deputy Head (Staffing, Co-Curricular & Operations) for presenting the prizes. We look forward to welcoming even more players to next year’s tournament!”

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14 Jan 2025

Brentwood School Starlet Shines in Hollywood Film

Brentwood School is celebrating the success of one of its Year 9 students, Delilah O'Riordan, whose acting career continues to go from strength to strength.

14 Jan 2025

Brentwood School Starlet Shines in Hollywood Film

Already a seasoned actress, Delilah is making her big-screen debut in the much-anticipated feature film Here, set to hit UK cinemas on 17th January. Directed by the legendary Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, The Polar Express), Here stars Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Michelle Dockery, and Gwylim Lee.

Thirteen-year-old Delilah, a Performing Arts and Academic Scholar, plays the daughter of Michelle Dockery and Gwylim Lee’s characters, and showcases her musical talents in the film, performing a violin piece composed by Alan Silvestri.

Her journey to this major cinematic role has been marked by an impressive portfolio of performances. Delilah made her Netflix debut in the 2022 festive comedy-drama Christmas on Mistletoe Farm and appeared in an episode of the beloved BBC period drama Call the Midwife. She appeared in a West End production of Les Misérables, and also starred as Lily Potter Jnr in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre in the West End.

Delilah shared her excitement about her role in Here: “Being part of Here was an incredible experience. I started costume appointments four months before filming, and even this was magical. Joanna Johnson is so talented and knowledgeable and designed the most special costumes for me. I felt so beautiful wearing the outfits, and part of me wishes we still wore styles from 1918 today.

“The violin piece I played was composed especially by Alan Silvestri, and the props department created a violin fitting for the time period – I wasn’t allowed to use a rest to play! Bob Zemeckis, the director, is a warm and kind man with a very clear vision of his aims. I very much enjoyed being directed by him and discussing my character with him.

“My parents are played by Michelle Dockery and Gwylim Lee, and I loved my time with them both as they are such talented and delightful people. The days of filming at Pinewood Studios fell right next to my opening in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in the West End, so I had the most incredible few weeks!

“I feel extremely lucky to have been part of this production and met so many wonderful people from my drivers to all the people on set. I will always treasure the memories of this experience and am looking forward to watching it on Friday.”

Here is a groundbreaking film, exploring the events that unfold in one specific location over time. Filmed entirely from a single, fixed camera perspective, the production uses advanced technology to alter the age of the characters as the story progresses. Though innovative in approach, the film remains a heartwarming and emotional narrative, ending on a poignant note.

Brentwood School’s Director of Performing Arts, Mr Florian Cooper, expressed the school’s pride in Delilah’s accomplishments: “Delilah is a shining example of what can be achieved with dedication, talent, and passion. We are incredibly proud of her achievements both on stage and screen, and we look forward to watching her career continue to flourish.”

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