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

27 Nov 2025

Brentwood School Celebrates New Era of Boarding Excellence

Brentwood School held an official opening of its new, purpose-built, state-of-the-art boarding house at the weekend, which was formally named The Sir Michael Snyder Building. The special opening ceremony was attended by governors and special guests.

27 Nov 2025

Brentwood School Celebrates New Era of Boarding Excellence

The facility was named in recognition of the outstanding service to the school of Sir Michael Snyder (OB), who served the school in various capacities, including as Governor from 1992 to 2007, Vice Chairman from 2007 to 2018, and most recently as Chairman of Governors from 2018 until 2024.

The new boarding house, which has been years in the planning, is sector-leading and offers the highest standard of accommodation and facilities. The 122 single, ensuite bedrooms located on the upper floors feature cutting-edge university-style accommodation. While Brentwood enjoys a rich history spanning nearly 500 years, the school has consistently embraced innovation. Boarding remains an essential part of this tradition, fostering cross-cultural friendships and contributing to the diversity and international outlook of our community.

The fully-accessible building is designed to function as a true home away from home. It is subdivided into three main sections: separate houses for girls and boys, and a central shared hub. This shared hub includes new dining, communal, and recreation areas, along with an outdoor courtyard and a dedicated landscaped social space.

A Sixth Form Café, operated by award-winning UK café chain Benugo sits at the heart of the new development, strengthening the school community.

Guests at Saturday’s official opening and lunch included the current Chairman of Governors, Lord Guy Black of Brentwood; Headmaster Michael Bond; Head of Prep Alice Goodfellow, Bursar, Jeremy Blunden, and members of the school’s Senior Leadership Team. They were joined by representatives from Cottrell & Vermeulen Architecture, Oxbury Chartered Surveyors, and Rooff construction company - who together with the school’s Estates Team and Houseparents - celebrated a project they had nurtured from conception to its successful fruition.

Lord Black said: “This is a tremendous moment for our school as we officially open this state-of-the-art boarding house. This facility is more than just a building; it represents our commitment to providing students with a safe, inspiring, and modern environment where they can thrive both academically and personally. I am grateful to everyone who has contributed to turning this vision into reality, and I know it will serve our community for generations to come."

Headmaster Michael Bond said: “We believe that our new boarding facilities, combined with the flexibility of our boarding options, will greatly enhance the school experience for all our students. It also strengthens the international dimension of our school, as we welcome talented young people from countries near and far which fosters a vibrant, diverse community that enables our students to make connections that often turn out to be life-long, with people from around the world."

In addition to the opening of the new boarding house, the school also launched its latest history book, Virtue, Learning and Manners, The Life and Times of Brentwood School, which brings the story of the school, founded in 1557, up to date. The book was originally conceived by former teaching stalwart Michael (Mike) Willis, who wanted to tell the story of Brentwood in a fresh way: accessible, engaging, and visually appealing, designed to be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Drawing on nearly fifty years of teaching history at the school, it was Mike’s chance to celebrate the school he loved and knew so well.

Sadly, Mike passed away before completing the project, leaving behind near-complete chapters, an outline of how the book might come together, and indications of how he would have used detail, illustration, and anecdote to bring the school’s history to life. Subsequently, his friend and colleague Ian Walton, who himself served the school for 32 years, took up the writing gauntlet, to complete the project.

The resulting book honours what has already been written while also drawing inspiration from Mike’s wider vision and the legacy embodied in the school’s Willis Museum - a treasure chest of the school’s rich archives, safeguarding its history and stories for generations to come. Anyone interested in owning a copy of this informative and beautifully presented tome can purchase it online on the Brentwood School Association portal.

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10 Nov 2025

Brentwood School Makes History with Essex Team Blitz Chess Championship Win

Brentwood School has made history by becoming the first-ever school team to win the Essex Team Blitz Chess Championship.

10 Nov 2025

Brentwood School Makes History with Essex Team Blitz Chess Championship Win

Led by our Director of Chess, International Master Richard Pert, the Brentwood team of Richard, Max, Anushka, Markos and Aryan delivered an exceptional performance, scoring 29 points out of a possible 36 to clinch victory by just half a point in a fiercely competitive field of 10 adult teams.

The championship, held on Sunday 9th November, showcased not only the students’ impressive strategic skill but also their composure under pressure. Their remarkable achievement highlights the growing strength of chess at Brentwood School and the dedication of its young players.

IM Richard Pert commented: “The students impressed me with their sportsmanship and positive spirit as well as the outstanding level of their chess.”

This landmark victory is a testament to the team’s hard work, discipline and passion for the game, and marks another proud moment for Brentwood School’s thriving chess community.

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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.

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