07 Jul 2025

Brentwood’s IB Students Shine as High Achievers & Global Citizens

Established in 1968 to foster open and enlightened minds, the IB Diploma is now taught in almost 5,000 schools across 153 countries and is one of the most respected educational programmes worldwide. The maximum number of points an individual student can achieve in the IB Diploma is 45, and the worldwide average in 2023 was around 32.

The Class of 2025 at Brentwood have returned an average of 37.3 points (prior to any remarks), which is likely to maintain the school’s position - now firmly established over a number of years - as one of the Top 10 IB Schools in the UK. Last year’s worldwide average points total was 32.7.

Furthermore, 28% of the cohort scored 40 points or more: to put that into context, usually only around 11% of students worldwide reach or exceed this total.

Within that group of elite performers, two scored the maximum of 45 points, an achievement matched by only around 0.3% of students worldwide: Achinta K, who has had a busy year serving as Secretary General of the School’s Model United Nations Society as well as running the London Marathon, is looking forward to studying Economics, Finance and Data Science at Imperial College; and Sofia S will also be joining some of the brightest and best students from around the world when she begins her Law degree at the London School of Economics.

‘This is the perfect end to the most amazing 15 years,” said a delighted Achinta. ‘My parents couldn’t be happier!’

Sofia, a Mill Hill boarder and one of four students off to study Law at some of the most prestigious universities in the UK, added: ‘I am absolutely shocked and surprised but so happy.’

In typical Brentwood fashion, many of our IB students also managed to involve themselves in the wider life of the School while maintaining such high academic standards. Chloe L, who achieved 41 points and a place to read Biomedical Science at the University of Bath, co-captained our successful Fencing Team, competing as one of the top Schools in the UK and still found time to play a significant role in our impressive musical programme as pianist, violinist and drummer. Martha M, one of three students who will be embarking on a degree that includes a language, has also played a significant part in School music over her seven years at Brentwood, and was one of two students (along with Achinta) who wrote their Extended Essay in a foreign language, securing the top grade in the process.

Perhaps most pleasing of all, however, is the fact that so many of the IB Class of 2025 have achieved outstanding academic results alongside leadership positions they have discharged with such distinction. Elsie P, who achieved 43 points and is hoping to read Law at Cambridge, was both House Captain and the leading Cadet across all three services in her final year at Brentwood; Nicolò P (36 points) led Hough, our boys’ boarding house, and Miryem D (38 points) was House Captain of Mill Hill, our girls’ boarding house. Cristina V-A, one of our Deputy Heads of School, was ‘over the moon’ after securing an impressive 41 points and is heading off to Amsterdam to study PPLE (Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics), while 6 other students from our IB cohort served as Senior Prefects during their Upper Sixth year.

Further illustrating the international appeal of the IB Diploma, another three boarders will continue their studies at prestigious universities overseas; Shuyi W has a place at EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland, to study Hospitality Management; Irfan B is going to University in Sarajevo to study Medicine, and Joud E-W holds places at Melbourne and Hong Kong to study Mechanical Engineering.

Mr Jonathan Barfield Moore, Deputy Head Academic, said: ‘The IB Diploma has a reputation for being a demanding pathway; IB students at Brentwood work hard and these results show the benefits of pushing yourself and striving for excellence. At a time when some are questioning the merits of independent education, the IB experience adds value to our students through character development as well as academic success. If asked, “Is it worth it?”, I think the answer is irrefutably, “Yes”. Our students should be proud of their achievements and can look forward with confidence to bright futures.’

Acting Director of IB, Mrs Alexandra Roberts, added: ‘It has been a pleasure to support this year’s IB cohort and to see their work ethic and engagement reflected in their results. Their determination and the breadth of subjects studied between them is testament to the diverse interests of the cohort, emphasised by the variety of courses they are intending to study. I have no doubt that they will harness the skills and knowledge they have learned and be able to utilise it as global citizens. We wish them the very best beyond Brentwood and I would like to congratulate them on their successes within the school. ’

Mr Tim Sellers, Director of Sixth Form, commented on the success of this year’s IB cohort: ‘‘We are incredibly proud of their attainment and all the fantastic grades that have been achieved. Their hard work and commitment has been reflected in all that they do. To see all that our IB students have contributed to our Sixth Form and wider school community over the past two years, in so many different areas of school life, is so impressive. They have been role models and leaders and embody the values we hold. We look forward to hearing of their future successes across such a diverse range of different academic disciplines both in the UK and across the world!’

Headmaster Michael Bond completed the congratulatory messages: ‘Brentwood’s commitment to the IB Diploma is testament to our global outlook and the belief that today’s students will be tomorrow’s problem-solvers. We are proud of the academic achievements of our outgoing IB cohort, of course, but even more so of the positive contributions they have made to our community in terms of both leadership and service. They will go on to achieve a great deal across many different fields, but most importantly, they will do so with the intention to make a positive difference to the world that sits at the heart of the IB Diploma. My congratulations go to our students, and my thanks to all those who have worked so hard to support them during their Sixth Form years.’

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02 Jul 2025

Brentwood School Shines at English Chess Federation National School Finals

The event marked a milestone for the school with both the Prep and Senior teams qualifying for the National Finals in the same season.

The Prep School was among just 12 schools to reach the Primary Team Challenge Final, competing in a fiercely contested 5-round rapid play tournament. The U19 Senior team participated in the British Team Challenge Final, also a 5-round rapid event, and subsequently competed in the National Final of the English School Championships - a two-day competition in Nottingham on 25th/26th June following the Team Challenge Finals.

In the Primary Team Challenge Final, Brentwood’s Prep team (Nikith, Dhruv, Joshua, Aiden and Aarav), secured 2 match victories out of 5 and won 8 individual games from 20, finishing in 10th place. Just one additional individual game win would have elevated them to 7th place in a tightly fought field. The team faced strong opponents, including eventual winners Fairfield Prep and National U11 Champions Westminster Under School.

Head of Chess, Robin Slade, said; “Our Prep players demonstrated excellent skill and sportsmanship throughout, and my thanks go to Mr and Mrs Trowell for their dedicated support and care during the day.”

The U19 Senior team finished 9th out of 22 teams in the British Team Challenge Final, a commendable achievement especially with stiff competition including fellow Essex schools Southend (17th) and KEGS (19th).

As Essex Champions, Brentwood also competed in the English U19 School Championship Finals. Over six rounds of standard play (50 + 10), the team won two matches, drew one, and lost three. Highlights included victories over King Edward VI, Birmingham and Newcastle Grammar, and a hard-fought draw against Queen Elizabeth Hospital School, Birmingham.

Brentwood’s Team Captain, Max, Year 10, led with distinction, achieving an impressive personal record of 8 wins and 3 draws over 11 games across the three days. Despite missing two of their top three players, the U19 team outperformed their seeding in both competitions. Everyone scored points for the team with Max, Aryan and Chiza exceeding expectations on the top 3 boards in the English Championships by scoring 12 points out of 18 between them.

Mr Slade thanked Max, Aryan, Chiza, Markos, Maadesh, Shay and Yahya for representing Brentwood School so well on and off the board across the three days. He also thanked International Master Richard Pert, Miss White and Mr Bowley for all their support. He added: “The trip was an absolute pleasure from beginning to end.”

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19 May 2025

Young Virtuosos Shine at Inaugural Brentwood International Music Competition

The evening marked a major milestone in the School’s Specialist Music Programme and saw the Memorial Hall transformed into a celebration of musical excellence, with a packed audience including the Deputy Mayor of Brentwood, notable musicians, and an array of enthusiastic supporters.

Following around 30 applications from gifted young musicians across the world, seven outstanding finalists were invited to perform 20-minute recitals of their choosing, accompanied by acclaimed pianist Simon Lane. The finalists, aged between 13 and 16, represented a truly international field from Ukraine, Hong Kong, Brazil, Australia, Turkey, Bolivia, and the UK.

The First Prize of £1,000 was presented to 14-year-old violinist Kori from Ukraine. His recital, which included Britten’s Waltz from the Violin Suite and Wieniawski’s Variations on an Original Theme, captivated the audience and adjudicators. Judges described Kori’s performance as a “startlingly mature interpretation” and “the perfect blend of virtuosity and poetry,” adding that his technical and musical mastery at such a young age was nothing short of phenomenal.

Second Prize was awarded to violinist Kate, also 14, from Hong Kong. Her virtuosic performance included Hubay’s Carmen Fantasy, the Sarabande from Bach’s D minor Partita, and Bazzini’s Goblin’s Dance. The adjudicators praised her exceptional control and artistry, commenting that her recital “would not have been out of place in any world-renowned concert hall.”

Cellist Yoko, aged 15, representing Brazil and the UK, received Third Prize. Her interpretations of Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E Minor (first movement) and Beethoven’s A Major Sonata were described as thoughtful, mature, and deeply moving. Her performance resonated powerfully with the audience and highlighted a remarkable emerging talent.

Several other finalists were highly commended by the panel, including flautist Veronica (14, Australia), violinist Gabriela (16, Bolivia), clarinettist Marina (16, UK), and pianist Alp (13, Turkey). A separate Grand Prize, recognising overall excellence and artistic promise, will be announced in due course.

The evening was enhanced by special performances from Brentwood School’s own rising talents. Old Brentwood and current student at Graz University of Fine Arts and Music, Tom Hodgkinson, returned to perform Bach’s Largo from the C major Violin Sonata and Albéniz’s Evocation. Current Year 10 Specialist Musician and award-winning mezzo-soprano Rose gave moving renditions of Schubert’s Du bist die Ruh and Bizet’s Habanera from Carmen.

The judging panel was made up of highly respected figures in the music world: Grig Cuciuc, Artistic Director of Specialist Music at Brentwood School; Gerrard Le Feuvre, Director of the Kings’ Chamber Orchestra; Vanessa Latarche, Head of Keyboard at the Royal College of Music; and Rosie Whitfield, Head of Junior Guildhall. Each finalist received detailed written feedback. A panel of Brentwood Specialist Music Programme students also contributed their own rankings as part of the adjudication process.

Chair of the Competition Committee, Lord Guy Black of Brentwood, Council Chairman of the Royal College of Music and Chairman of Brentwood School Governors, presented the awards and spoke passionately about the importance of events like this as a vital response to the challenges facing music education nationally. He praised the School’s commitment to musical excellence and the competition’s role in nurturing the next generation of great musicians.

The evening, compered by Assistant Director of Music Chris O’Leary, had the spirit of a true musical celebration. Although it was a competition, every performer was celebrated for their extraordinary musicianship. With performances of a standard that would not have been out of place at the world’s top conservatoires, the level of talent on display was astonishing, especially given that the average age of the finalists was just 15.

Brentwood School’s Headmaster, Michael Bond, concluded the evening by reflecting on the significance of the occasion, stating: “Tonight has left its mark on the history of Brentwood School. It was a special evening of exceptional talent and healthy competition, all beautifully aligned with our values of Virtue, Learning and Manners.”

The Brentwood International Music Competition is set to become a defining event in the calendar for emerging classical talent and a cornerstone of the School’s ever-evolving Music department.

Brentwood School is located on a 75-acre site in the town centre close to London, which is just 23 minutes away and has excellent transport links and access to main airports. A community of around 1900 students, Brentwood is a warm, down-to-earth environment based very much on a positive community spirit, underpinned by the school’s values – Virtue, Learning, and Manners – that have been in place since 1622. Boarding at Brentwood has a family feel, in keeping with the school’s focus on community spirit and shared values. As an integral part of the school, boarding facilities will be transformed with a new purpose-built Boarding House – opening in September 2025 – featuring university-style light and airy private ensuite study rooms, and a new Sixth Form Café, serving as a vibrant hub for both boarding and day students.

For further details about the competition, please click here or contact our competition committee via [email protected].

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