Images Credit: Brentwood School
Overview
Brentwood School is a co-educational day and boarding school located in the heart of Brentwood. Founded in 1568 as an all-boys institution, Brentwood now educates 1,900 pupils aged 3-18, maintaining a near-even gender balance of 55% boys and 45% girls. With such a long history, Brentwood stands as one of the UK’s leading independent schools.
The school employs the ‘diamond model’ teaching method and is one of only 16 co-educational independent schools in the country to adopt single-sex lessons for seniors. This approach combines the benefits of gender-specific learning with co-educational socialisation.
Pupils aged 3-11 and 16-18 study in mixed classes of up to 20 pupils—a size that strikes a balance between classroom energy and individual attention. Boys and girls are taught separately until Sixth Form, fostering freedom of expression and individual identity. Meanwhile, social integration is maintained and developed outside the classroom.
Parents are often initially drawn to Brentwood’s impressive architecture and convenient proximity to London, but soon discover its true value lies in its forward-thinking curriculum. In partnership with parents, Brentwood encourages a growth mindset, challenging conventional thinking and promoting active learning. This approach yields impressive results both in and out of the classroom, with many alumni surpassing their own expectations in leadership roles.
Entrance
Brentwood School offers a range of entry points, including 48 nursery places for 3-year-olds, 12 additional spots for 4-year-olds via assessment, and around 20 places at 7+ through tests in English, Maths, and non-verbal reasoning. Over 90% of pupils progress to the senior school at 11+, often with scholarships. The school’s academic results in 2023 were impressive: 57% of GCSE/iGCSE grades were A*-A (9-7), 41.4% of A-levels were A*-A, and there was strong performance in International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. On average, six students secure places at Oxbridge each year, while five enter medicine, underscoring Brentwood’s success in preparing pupils for diverse academic pathways and future careers.
UKiset Entrance Examination for Brentwood School
As a UKiset partner school, Brentwood School requires UKiset results as part of its entrance examination process.
UKiset (UK Independent Schools’ Entry Test) is an adaptive online assessment designed for international students who are looking to enter the UK education system. It evaluates a student’s academic abilities and English language proficiency.
Why UKiset?
- In-person and Online Invigilation: UKiset can be taken in approved test centres worldwide, making it accessible to students from many different countries.
- Comprehensive Evaluation: The test covers a wide range of skills, providing a holistic view of a student’s academic abilities.
- Streamlined Admissions: Using UKiset scores can simplify the admissions process for international students, as they only need to take one standardised test.
In conclusion, the entrance examination for Brentwood School is a comprehensive process designed to identify students who will thrive in their academic environment. For international applicants, UKiset provides a valuable and standardised assessment tool that helps streamline the admissions process while ensuring candidates meet the high standards expected at Brentwood.
Learning/Academic Ethos
The school’s ethos, rooted in the founding pillars of Virtue, Learning, and Manners from 1622, continues to shape its educational philosophy, fostering an inclusive atmosphere where pupils from diverse backgrounds can thrive.
The school’s commitment to innovation is exemplified by its multimillion-pound, RIBA-awarded STEAM facility, which opened in 2020. This state-of-the-art complex, combining refurbished historic buildings with modern structures, has revolutionised the campus landscape and heightened the focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. An impressive array of specialist classrooms—including a high-tech music room, cutting-edge science laboratories, an IT suite, a spacious art loft, and a design technology workshop equipped with laser cutters and 3D printers—offers pupils the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects, from traditional disciplines to modern languages.
The quality of teaching at Brentwood is highly regarded by parents, who praise the school’s ability to stretch the most able pupils while providing robust support for those with specific learning needs. The Learning and Development team offers tailored assistance for pupils with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, and autism, as well as English as an Additional Language (EAL) support.
Extracurricular Activities
Beyond the classroom, Brentwood offers a rich array of extracurricular activities. Each year group participates in a weekly academic enrichment programme, encompassing outdoor education, STEAM projects, dance, languages, and age-appropriate courses such as first aid. The school’s commitment to holistic development is further evidenced by its extensive selection of over 100 lunchtime clubs, ranging from karate to yoga.
Sport
Brentwood School’s sporting programme is both comprehensive and impressive. Pupils engage in at least four hours of sport weekly, guided by specialist teachers and coaches. The curriculum includes rugby, football, hockey, and cricket for both boys and girls, taught separately but with opportunities for integration. Additional activities encompass netball, swimming, fencing, and athletics. The school boasts exceptional facilities, including a 25m indoor pool, extensive sports pitches, netball/tennis courts, a sports hall, cricket pavilion, and a fencing salle that has nurtured Commonwealth champions. Water polo and archery are particularly popular among students. The school’s commitment to sporting excellence is evident in its regular fixtures, with teams A-E competing against other IAPS, ISFA, and local schools.
Brentwood School also boasts a vibrant arts programme encompassing music, drama, and visual arts. As a Steinway School, it houses 11 pianos and boasts extensive music facilities, including a recording studio and technology suite. The school’s partnership with Junior Guildhall elevates its music education to conservatoire standards, with over 150 prep pupils learning instruments and all expected to read, write, and compose music digitally by Year 6. Two orchestras and a junior choir provide ample performance opportunities. Drama thrives through end-of-year musicals and collaborative productions with senior pupils, utilising three dedicated performance spaces and filming facilities. Art education, led by specialists, begins in earnest from Year 3, with pupils’ creativity displayed throughout the campus, exemplified by the striking recycled bottle-top sculpture adorning the STEAM building atrium. This comprehensive approach to the arts ensures pupils develop a well-rounded appreciation and skill set across multiple creative disciplines.
Boarding
Brentwood School offers a vibrant boarding experience for up to 70 students, primarily international pupils from regions such as Hong Kong and Western Europe. The girls’ accommodation, housed in a charming Victorian building a short walk from classrooms, currently hosts 26 boarders. Boys reside in a centrally located 1950s facility, enjoying views of the playing fields and pitches. While boarding is a popular option for international students, the majority of Brentwood’s pupils are local day students, with the school operating a private bus service covering areas like Brentwood, Shenfield, and Billericay.
Last Word
Brentwood School is ideal for those seeking a balanced educational experience. Its unique approach of single-sex lessons from ages 11-16 allows pupils to pursue their academic interests free from gender stereotyping, while maintaining a co-educational social environment.
Parents praise the strong pastoral care, noting that despite the school’s size, teachers know pupils and their families well. The school community is described as down-to-earth, with ample opportunities for parental involvement in school and social events. Communication between school and home is efficient, utilising various platforms such as email, Tapestry, and Google Classroom, with daily digests and weekly blogs sent via SchoolPost. Overall, Brentwood School offers a comprehensive educational package that caters to a wide range of interests and abilities.
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