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.

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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.

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21 Aug 2025

All round success abounds as Brentwood School celebrate excellent GCSE results

Alongside celebrating impressive GCSE results, our pupils have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into the wider life of the School, balancing academic achievement with an extraordinary range of co-curricular and community commitments.

From excelling in music, drama, debating, and sport, they have shown that personal growth flourishes when challenge is met with passion. Many have represented Brentwood at county and national level, while others have dedicated their time to charitable initiatives and supporting their younger peers through our mentoring programme. Together, they embody Brentwood’s values ‘Virtue, Learning, Manners,’ demonstrating that true success is measured not only by results on paper but also by the character, confidence, and compassion developed along the way.

No fewer than seventeen students achieved 70+ points in total, with some 139 grade 9s and 30 grade 8s between them, an outstanding achievement.

Up-and-down the country, outgoing Year 11s joined their Senior School in the middle of the two national Covid lockdowns, but five years on that seemed a distant memory for Brentwood students as they celebrated their many successes The vast majority will continue into our Sixth Form, where they can choose from three pathways: A Levels, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or BTEC qualifications. Brentwood remains one of the few independent schools in the UK to offer three Sixth Form academic pathways, enabling students to follow the course best suited to their strengths and aspirations.

One of the day’s high scorers was Lionel M, who achieved nine top grades (9) and one grade 8, all whilst being a member of the UK Youth Parliament, complimented by his longstanding commitment to the School's successful Public Speaking team. Lionel has certainly thrown himself into everything Brentwood has to offer - in addition to Public Speaking he has been a stalwart of Model United Nations, Rugby, Fencing and Performing Arts. Lionel will now study Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths at A Level to help him realise his dream of studying ‘Medicine with a sprinkling of Politics’, as he puts it. Reflecting on his time at Brentwood thus far, Lionel said “You have to approach everything you do with 100% of the effort and the potential that you have, and just work as hard as you can academically and outside of the academics. Brentwood has a really good balance of both and you can be supported in all areas at the same time.”

Another high flier, Felicity B-Q, was relieved to discover six grade 9s and four grade 8s in her brown envelope. Joined by her parents, who are active members of the Parent Sounding Board, Felicity was ‘moved to happy tears’. A Music and Academic Scholar, Felicity has just returned from the School’s music tour to Belgium and is a dedicated multi-instrumentalist, the leader of the school's Big Band and cornerstone in the majority of the School's choral and instrumental ensembles. Felicity is a prime example of how active involvement can go hand in hand with consistently achieving outstanding academic results. Felicity, who thanked the music team for being ‘pastorally supportive’ was continuing the music theme with a celebratory evening at The Great Gatsby.

Fellow talented saxophonist and music scholar Osi B has excelled academically, earning five grade 9s and five grade 8s, and has made the most of his post-exam summer in a remarkable way. He spent the holiday busking across Europe with his father to raise funds for Cancer Research, collecting an impressive £4,274 for the charity. Osi described the experience as ‘the time of my life’. Osi is preparing to undertake the IB Diploma Programme in the Sixth Form which will provide him with the academic rigour and global outlook to pursue his future ambitions at Berkeley College, New York City.

Lionel, Felicity and Osi are all committed members of the many ensembles and choirs at Brentwood, dedicating almost eight hours each week to rehearsals. Remarkably, even during their GCSE exams they never missed a single rehearsal or performance- a powerful testament to their discipline, passion for music, and proof that at Brentwood, academic success and co-curricular excellence truly go hand in hand.

Music at Brentwood has a burgeoning reputation as one of the strongest in the UK and two of our GCSE students were pioneers of our new Specialist Music Programme, which is designed to provide elite coaching, mentoring, and performance opportunities as part of the School’s holistic curriculum. Among the programme’s first cohort collecting results today were flautist and pianist Maria T, who was ‘overjoyed’ with her 68 points and will embark on A levels in Music, Biology and Psychology in September. Ian Davies Music Scholar and School Orchestra’s principal double bassist Lily B also struck the right cord as she celebrated with a great 62 points.

Swimmer Saxon M recently made waves at the GB Aquatic Championships where he secured a bronze medal in the 100m Breaststroke. Today, Saxon matched his sporting success with academic achievement, collecting a total of 68 points in his top eight subjects. Sports scholar Daisy E, excels in tennis and hockey, and has contributed significantly to sporting success at the School, all whilst dedicating herself to her academic studies, resulting in two grade 9s, three grade 8s, three grade 7s and one grade 4.

Footballers Josh H and Joe P, both selected to represent the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) in the U16 national squad, collected their results today, scoring 61 and 63 points, respectively. The pair are preparing to return to ISFA training camps this autumn and will continue to balance academic commitments with the demands of elite sport, impressing both on and off the pitch. Meanwhile, fellow footballer Tom W started a 2-year scholarship with Queen’s Park Rangers in July and wanted to thank Director of Sport Mr Gamester, for ‘all the support and encouragement’ during his time as a Sport Scholar at Brentwood.

Cricketer Amar D, who is looking forward to studying Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Economics in the Sixth Form, already has his future mapped out with a ‘view to doing Economics at university and a career in investment banking or private equities’. Amar’s mum, who also sits on the School’s Parent Sounding Board, said she ‘was exceptionally proud of Amar who was very hard working and had achieved the grades he deserved’. He, along with the other 17 who scored 70+ points, was in receipt of the Headmaster’s Academic Honours pin which was ‘a really proud moment.’

Camila C, recipient of both the Bixby Prize for Art and the Spivey Prize for Biology at this year’s Speech Day, secured an impressive eight Grade 9s and two Grade 8s as ‘all the hard work paid off’. She is excited to continue her studies at A Level in Maths, Further Maths, Religious Studies and Economics. Fellow top scorer Stefan N, a valued member of the School’s Boarding community, will pursue the IB Diploma in the Sixth Form, building on his outstanding academic success of seven grade 9s and one grade 8. Meanwhile, Jacob W, a strong cricketer and member of the School’s golf team, who, in April reached the Independent Schools Golf Association National Finals, is looking forward to undertaking a BTEC in Sport.

Stefan, along with no fewer than 42 of his year group, is a Peer Mentor, a position one has to apply for and interview to obtain. This programme sees older students supporting younger pupils with strategies to improve academic and motivational outcomes and reflects the School’s values encouraging responsibility, compassion, and leadership. By dedicating time to the success of others, Stefan and his fellow mentors demonstrate that true achievement lies as much in service and character as it does in personal accomplishment.

Hot on the heels of last week’s superb A Level and BTEC results, today’s GCSE achievements mean a number of Brentwood families are celebrating twice over. Today, Alastair D picked up an impressive 68 points after elder brother, and former Deputy Head of School Jonathan secured ABB last week, and a place at Sheffield University. Meanwhile, sisters Chloe and Hannah D are celebrating Chloe’s AAA at A Level and Hannah’s 63 points, which she was ‘more than happy with’.

Head of Year, Adam Clarke said: "A huge congratulations to all of our Year 11 students receiving their GCSE results today. This year group has faced the inevitable ups and downs of adolescence as well as having started their Senior School journey in challenging circumstances, but they have demonstrated maturity, perseverance, and a strong sense of community. They should be proud of the effort, determination and resilience they have shown throughout their GCSE courses. We wish them every success in their next chapter.”

Headmaster Michael Bond added: ‘Over the course of the last week, we have celebrated an extraordinary range and depth of successes our students have worked so hard to achieve, with the support of their teachers and parents. Our outgoing Year 11s have shown, once again, that academic achievement and co-curricular commitment go hand-in-hand. We look forward to supporting them as they move into Sixth Form and seeing what they will go on to achieve in the years ahead. For now, they deserve a big pat on the back and the chance to enjoy their well-deserved post-results celebrations over the coming days.’

The results complete a summer of academic success which saw impressive International Baccalaureate Diploma awards - confirming Brentwood’s position among the Top IB schools in the UK - and excellent A Level and BTEC Extended Diploma results. When combined, 56.7% of this year’s grades were A* or A (or equivalent) and 86.7% A*, A or B.

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