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

01 Oct 2025

Brentwood School Celebrates Historic National Cadet Achievement

Brentwood School is proud to announce that, for the very first time, one of its cadets has won the prestigious Sir John Thomson Memorial Sword, awarded annually to the very best CCF (RAF) cadet in the country.

01 Oct 2025

Brentwood School Celebrates Historic National Cadet Achievement

Cadet Warrant Officer Jonathan Dedman, was selected earlier this year as the East Area Representative, securing his place among the top five cadets nationwide. This past weekend, at the iconic RAF College Cranwell, Jonathan competed in the national finals, where each candidate faced a challenging ‘Dragon’s Den’-style interview panel designed to test their leadership, knowledge, and commitment.

Following intense questioning and assessment, Jonathan was announced as the winner and presented with the Sir John Thomson Memorial Sword at a special ceremony at RAF College Cranwell, the historic home of the Royal Air Force.

The award commemorates Sir John Thomson, a distinguished military leader and dedicated supporter of the RAF Air Cadets, who regularly flew cadets on Air Squadron Day and on Air Experience Flights (AEFs). The Sword is presented each year to the cadet judged to be the very best within the Combined Cadet Force (RAF). Winners are recognised not only for their dedication and achievement within the CCF, but also for their leadership, service, and standing within their school or college.

A delighted Jonathan said he was ‘truly honoured’ to have received such a distinguished award: “I am so grateful to the Brentwood School CCF RAF Section, which has given me so many unique opportunities - from learning to fly, taking part in events such as the International Air Cadet Exchange, the finals of the CVC Westminster Award and teaching me leadership skills through Cadre courses and ACLC. It has been a fantastic experience, and one which I will always treasure.”

Brentwood School Contingent Commander, Wing Commander Sarbjeet Singh, said: “We are incredibly proud of Jonathan’s achievement. To be recognised as the best CCF (RAF) cadet in the country is an outstanding honour, and reflects his commitment, leadership, and the high standards of our CCF programme here at Brentwood School. We have had a couple of cadets in the top 5 before, but this is the first time we have had a winner.”

Jonathan is no stranger to accolades. Earlier this year he was selected to take part in the International Air Cadet Exchange which saw him spend two weeks with the Belgian Air Force. He was also named as one of the 12 individuals who reached the final expedition stage of the 2025 Cadet Vocational College Westminster Award. His latest success marks a historic first for Brentwood reflecting the excellence of the cadet programme which will be celebrating its 165th anniversary next year.

News from Attain | Terms and Privacy

17 Sep 2025

Brentwood’s Specialist Music Programme Nurtures Talent to National Level

Brentwood School is delighted to announce that Lower Sixth student Lily Blackwell has been selected to join the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s (LPO) Junior Artists Scheme.

17 Sep 2025

Brentwood’s Specialist Music Programme Nurtures Talent to National Level

The Junior Artists Scheme is a highly competitive programme that nurtures some of the UK’s most talented young musicians.

Lily, a gifted double bass player, is one of just eight musicians aged 15–19 selected nationwide from hundreds of applicants. The year-long scheme provides unique opportunities, mentoring, and professional insight from members of the LPO.

It also champions diversity by supporting musicians in underrepresented orchestral roles. In her application, Lily noted Classic FM data showing that 85% of double bassists are men, and she hopes her success will inspire others like her to pursue their ambitions in classical music.

Lily, a Music Scholar and Bursary Ambassador, is an inaugural member of Brentwood’s Specialist Music Programme (SMP). Over the past year, her work within the SMP has taken her musical development to the next level, preparing her for success in such a competitive and nationally significant scheme.

Launched in 2024, the Specialist Music Programme nurtures gifted musicians within the School, offering them enhanced training, mentoring, and performance opportunities both within and beyond Brentwood. Its aim is to support students in reaching their full potential, whether aspiring to conservatoire study, professional performance, or simply a lifelong passion for music. Lily credits the programme with ‘opening my eyes to what is possible as a musician and I am so grateful to the school for helping me grow as a musician and supporting me.’

Artistic Director of Specialist Music, Grig Cuciuc said: "It is so gratifying to see that, even in the early stages of the Specialist Music Programme, we have talented musicians who have already distinguished themselves nationally. Lily is a wonderful example, and I am sure she will benefit immensely from the opportunities offered by the LPO’s prestigious Junior Artists Scheme."

Head of Brentwood School of Music, Florian Cooper also commented on Lily’s achievement: “Lily has been at the centre of music making at Brentwood School since she arrived here 6 years ago. She is a remarkable young musician who works incredibly hard to achieve so much and we are exceptionally proud of this exciting new chapter in her musical journey.”

By earning her place with the LPO Junior Artists, Lily has set an inspiring example for her peers. Her achievement is a powerful reminder of Brentwood’s commitment to developing outstanding performers and strengthening its reputation as a leading school for the Performing Arts.

News from Attain | Terms and Privacy

17 Sep 2025

Bentwood’s International Music Competition Creates Life-Changing Opportunities

Since Brentwood School’s inaugural International Music Competition held its grand final in May, two exceptionally talented young musicians have been awarded full boarding scholarships and joined the School this September.

17 Sep 2025

Bentwood’s International Music Competition Creates Life-Changing Opportunities

The competition, launched in 2024, attracted entries from across the globe and brought together some of the most promising young instrumentalists to perform before a distinguished panel of adjudicators. Designed not only to showcase outstanding musical ability but also to provide life-changing opportunities for gifted students, the competition is now set to become an annual highlight in the School’s, already thriving, Performing Arts Calendar.

Kate, who joins us in Year 10, was awarded second place on the evening of the competition and has since gone on to be crowned the Grand Prize Winner. Beginning her musical career as a violinist at the age of 3, and later adding the piano at just 5 years old, Kate has already won top prizes for performances at festivals in Hong Kong, Ealing and North London. She was also a member of the Junior Music Programme at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts and is currently a student at the Junior Guildhall. Kate aspires to become a professional concert violinist and hopes her initiation onto Brentwood’s Specialist Music Programme will help her achieve this dream.

The second finalist to join Brentwood this September is Gabriela, 16, from Bolivia. Awarded a full boarding bursary not only for her exceptional musical talent, but also for her strong academic performance, Gabriela has entered the Sixth Form to study the International Baccalaureate while also joining the Specialist Music Programme. Gabriela began taking violin lessons at the age of 9 and enrolled in a Suzuki Music School a year later. Aged 12, she gained entry to IFA Bellas Artes, a specialist performance school, where she became the Principal Second Violinist of the Youth Orchestra and participated in the 40th International Festival of American Renaissance and Baroque Music. She later joined the Philharmonic Orchestra of Santa Cruz as a Junior Musician and became a permanent member aged 16.

Brentwood School is proud to welcome Kate and Gabriela to its Specialist Music Programme, where they will not only grow as musicians but also contribute to the thriving Boarding community and represent the School as Bursary Ambassadors. Their journeys are a testament to the transformative opportunities the International Music Competition provides for young talent worldwide.

News from Attain | Terms and Privacy

News powered by Pressburst | Terms and Privacy

Return to listing