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.

Want to learn more about Brentwood? 

Contact us today.Images Credit: Brentwood School

Images Credit: Brentwood School

 

1. We’re looking to place my daughter in a UK boarding school next September, but as we are living overseas, we’re not really sure how to manage the process of shortlisting and visiting schools. What would you advise?

Answered by Anastasia Hatvany, Senior Education Consultant and SEN Specialist

One of the first things you need to establish before you start looking at new schools is your daughter’s academic level. You want a school where your daughter will sit comfortably amongst her peers. Prospective boarding schools will also want to know what your daughter can offer to them — both in terms of academics and extracurricular.

At boarding schools, children become totally immersed in their surroundings, and what they give, they get back tenfold. With this in mind, look at the school and see what they offer to the child: will your daughter be able to get involved with school life?

As you’re abroad, I’d advise you to look at full-boarding options, as everyone tends to stay in during the weekends. Even if there is the occasional quiet weekend, Saturdays will still comprise of lessons in the morning and sports fixtures in the afternoon, and many schools are keen to keep weekends as busy and as purposeful as weekdays.

Visits and open days are imperative. Do go on these if you are able to, as they are the best way to gauge a school’s atmosphere and ethos. You’ll also get to see how pupils interact with one another and engage with their teachers, and in turn see how the staff interact with parents.

Many schools are now offering in-person tours, so try and go for an open day, and then after schedule a private visit. Having said this, Zoom is still a very good way to view a school and there are plenty of excellent virtual open days.

Look at reviews, listen to word of mouth, but most importantly have confidence in yourself as a parent — you will know in your gut if a school is right for your daughter.

 

2. Is it a good idea to move my daughter to a new school for sixth form – she’s mentioned that she might like a ‘change of scene’ but we’re not sure how easy it is to make the transition and how this might impact her academically and socially?

Answered by Anastasia Hatvany, Senior Education Consultant and SEN Specialist

If you’re looking to move your daughter for sixth form, ideally you need to have started shortlisting schools by the end of year 10. Many schools tend to have closed their registrations by the end of September, and by the very latest, the end of October, as many of their candidate assessments take place during October.

Many children — whether they joined their current school at 11 or 13 — can find the change refreshing, but please bear in mind that this needs to be a very considered decision as she is at a critical age. The process will not only take up valuable time that she could use for GCSE revision, but she will also be leaving behind friends and a structure that she has been used to for at least three years.

Remember that competition is often tough for sixth form places, and some schools will have a limited number of spaces; rejection can be disheartening.

Your daughter’s current teachers and pastoral staff know her academic ability and level of wellbeing, so be sure to consult them for their thoughts on the matter. Ask your daughter her reasons for a scene change; for example, is she looking for a change in curriculum, or is she looking for a better cultural fit?

If you’re thinking of moving her from a day to a boarding school, this is often an excellent steppingstone for higher education. She’s likely to develop better organisational skills and grow in independence, all in the comfort of school’s safety net therefore meaning moving to university won’t come as such a shock.

Alternatively, she may be wanting to move closer to home with less school structure. Many children grow out of the school bubble before higher education, and flourish when working more independently.

Overall, I would urge you to research what is out there and bring your daughter on board the decision-making process. She will be able to give you a better idea of what she believes she is missing which should help shape the final decision.

 

3. My son has his heart set on going to veterinary school but knows it’s highly competitive and he needs to prove aptitude as well as academic ability. What can he do to improve his chances of acceptance?

Answered by Sarah Oshun-Williams, Client Account Manager

The methods of improving your chances of acceptance to veterinary school are very similar to those of getting into professions like medicine or law; work experience is essential.

Besides academic ability, he will need to prove his knowledge of the field and enthusiasm to pursue this route. Therefore, he should try to volunteer or shadow as many vets and animal practices as he can, as this will allow your son to showcase his motivation and interest in the field when writing his personal statement. Many universities do however understand that at times it’s hard for candidates to gain experience, so they do not demand months of work under candidates’ belts, instead just enough to show an interest and an aptitude for veterinary.

Work experience will also help your son to be sure that this is the field he’d like to pursue, as it can be a gruelling process. His time at university will be comprised of a lot of exams, laboratory-based anatomy and a lot of contact hours, so it is imperative that he is prepared for the training.

Research is equally as important. There are currently only 10 veterinary schools in the UK, of which you can only apply to 4, so researching the benefits and structure of each course is key to ensure you’re aware of the different requirements, entry procedures and to select the options that are most suitable.

Regarding how he might improve his academic ability, it’s worth considering tutoring. Many agencies — like Gabbitas — have tutors who are experts in their chosen field and some who specialise in veterinary school applications. This will help your son to prepare for any interviews, additional admissions tests, and to know what to expect from the course. A tutor can also be useful in helping him revise for his exams, to ensure that he meets his offer requirements.

If you would like to find out more about our tutors, please contact us at info@gabbitas.com, or head to our tutoring page to see some of the services we offer.

 

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This article was originally published in the Autumn/Winter 2021 edition of Absolutely Education

1. My daughter’s primary school has suggested she may fall into the ‘gifted and talented’ category. I’m a bit uncertain as to what this means, so would it be a good idea to get further advice and/or look for a school that has expertise in managing her academic and pastoral needs?

Answered by Anastasia Hatvany — Senior Schools Consultant and SEN Specialist

The Department of Education and Skills defines those supported by the national programme for gifted and talented education as those with abilities at a significantly higher level to their peers.

The word ‘gifted’, is usually associated with academic level, and ‘talented’ refers to other areas such as sport, drama, art or music.

At Gabbitas, we are often contacted by anxious parents who say, “my daughter came out of school in tears today as she was asked to put her hand down and give the other children a chance to answer in class.” It is any wonder that a bright child may become disengaged from classwork and start to either switch off or become disheartened.

Many primary schools have an excellent provision for G&T children, but parents may like to consider the private school option where class sizes are smaller and, as such, the academic pace is a little faster.

If finances are an issue — as they are for so many in the current climate — many private schools offer scholarships in different disciplines such as academic, music, the arts, and sport to pupils who are particularly gifted and talented. Furthermore, these scholarships can also be supplemented with a means tested bursary, with some schools offering extremely generous bursaries of up to 100% for a particularly talented young person.

Every school has a different procedure for scholarships — whether that be attaining the best marks at the academic assessment, an excellent reference from their current school and an impressive interview or more specific assessments for music, all-rounder or sport.

Applying for a scholarship is the easy part, applying for a bursary can take considerably longer — and not everyone will be successful — but if your child is happy and thriving at school, the hard work and form filling is a necessary evil.

It would be a good idea to seek further advice and explore the options available to ensure that your child achieves their potential. If you decide you would like more advice on finding a suitable school for your daughter to excel at, please do get in touch with us at info@gabbitas.com.

 

 

2. Our child’s self-assurance and academic motivation seem at a really low ebb after remote school. We are wondering if a tutor could give the support they need to help boost both learning approach and confidence. What are your thoughts?

Answered by Anastasia Hatvany– Senior Schools Consultant and SEN Specialist

In a report by The Lancet, June 2020 the opening paragraph states: ‘Adolescence (the stage between 10 and 24 years) is a period of life characterised by heightened sensitivity to social stimuli and the increased need for peer interaction.’

Is it any wonder that many teenagers and children have found distance learning extremely challenging? Schools have gone above and beyond to try and engage pupils with their learning and make lessons more accessible and enjoyable but, when much of the fun has been taken out of day to day living, sitting in front of a computer can be rather a dry experience.

Feeling isolated and lonely is horrible at any age but even more so as a teenager — and these feelings can be exacerbated when learning online is difficult. It is all too easy to fall behind in class and become demotivated — it becomes a vicious cycle.

We have suggested to many families during this difficult time to engage a tutor or a mentor. A tutor/mentor is the best of both worlds. The best tend to be young people, with energy, motivation, leadership qualities, teaching ability and an engaging personality. A good role model can have an extraordinary impact on a teenager’s confidence and wellbeing.

Tutors can help pupils revisit topics and talk through areas that they are unsure about, thereby increasing pupils’ confidence and ensuring they have full understanding of a subject, but also helping them enjoy learning once more.

Agencies like Gabbitas can help you find suitable tutors, please do get in touch with us if you’d like to hear more.

 

 

3. We’ve been put on watch that my job may require a spell overseas in about 12-18 months’ time. This would be a bad time to move our older son out of UK education. We don’t have a big family support network, so would guardianship be an option and how does this work?

Answered by Diana Gwynn — Guardianship Manager

Guardianship (to cover exeat weekends and sometimes half terms for boarders) is obviously a big decision. Schools will normally insist that a guardian be within a maximum journey time from the school of around two hours.

Obviously, many would choose family, but when they do not have any like yourselves, or feel the responsibility may be an unfair burden to place on family and friends, guardianship agencies (such as Gabbitas) are set up to fill that gap.

The agency itself is the ‘guardian’ and can give support and advice on a whole range of issues and act as a central point of contact between the school and parents. Agencies vet and recruit a network of host families to provide support and accommodation to students whose parents are based overseas.

The profile of these families varies from those whose own children have flown the nest to those who still have school aged children but perhaps want to broaden the family’s horizons. Good agencies visit all applicant host families and carry out vigorous checks and take up several references.

To ensure that you are happy with the regular host family for your child, you will usually be sent details of a couple of families for you to choose from and there may also be the chance to visit them and form a direct contact before you depart overseas.

As well as linking you up with a host family, the agency will assign a named consultant to your child who can provide ongoing support to you and your child throughout their time at school on a myriad of issues such as buying school uniform, setting up a bank account for pocket money and liaising with boarding and academic staff at the school.

Having an agency and a host family support your child also means that there is also always 24/7 cover in an emergency and a reserve host can be found too if necessary.

Bonds made between host families and students can last long after school life finishes!

If you’d like to find out more about how guardianship works, get in touch with us at guardian@gabbitas.com

 

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This article was originally published in the Spring 2021 edition of Absolutely Education

Sixth form can be an absolutely transformative time in a young person’s life. They’re settling into the person they’re going to be, working towards the toughest exams they’ve faced to date, and at the same time they are making vitally important decisions about their future that will affect the rest of their lives.

Being in a supportive school with ambitious peers, encouraging teachers and access to wise career counseling can make all the difference.

You may be thinking of boarding schools for the final two years of your teenager’s education for a number of reasons. Perhaps you’ve been living overseas and you want them back in the UK before they start university. Maybe you’re keen to give them opportunities you had when you were younger, too. Or maybe they are the ones clamoring to board.

Whatever your reasons, here are our top tips for navigating entrance at 16+.

Keep an eye on the clock

Year 11 is a stressful time in every student’s life, with the first public examinations looming large. Luckily, you can sort out entrance exams to new schools well before the summer term rolls in so that your child won’t have a number of different types of exams to cope with at once.

By the time they are sitting their GCSEs, they will already know which schools have offered them a place. This means that the deadlines for application to sixth form are often very early.

 

Dates to watch out for:

• Open days for prospective sixth form applicants usually take place in September and October.
• Deadlines for applications are usually October and November.
• Shortlisted applicants get invited to interview (if necessary) around November.
• Offers are usually made around December time.
• Overseas applications will need to make sure the results of their UKiset assessment tests arrive in time, too.

 

Spot the Difference

So many boarding schools in the UK boast about state-of-the-art facilities, a dazzling array of extra-curricular activities, and extremely impressive academic results. So how do you choose between then? Keep an eye for these key distinguishing factors:

• Is it a ‘full’ boarding house? Or do lots of the students go home at the weekend, leaving only the overseas students to fend for themselves?
• Some schools have a distinctive flavour: they may turn out an exceptional number of swimmers, or be near a velodrome, or have near-professional theatre performances.
• It’s an obvious one, but do check out the fees and the payment structure – these can differ wildly from school to school.
• What’s the atmosphere like, and how do the older students interact with their teachers? Some schools encourage students to be on first-name basis with their teachers, others have a more formal atmosphere.
• Is the emphasis firmly on outstanding academic achievement and university places, or are students who have broader interests and non-HE career aspirations also catered for?

 

UKiset Tests 

Most UK schools require students who have not been living in the UK to sit the UKiset test. The good news is that the test is done remotely, so international families don’t have to be booking flights just yet.

With this one test, students can apply for multiple schools – saving you all time, money and stress. Read more about the benefits of UKiset here.

 

Open Days

Of course, your time is limited and there are only so many days you can devote to ‘school shopping’, especially during precious time back in the UK. They are time consuming and inconvenient for families living abroad, but open days do really help you get a sense of the atmosphere of the school.

School websites can often look identical – how many times is ‘state-of-the-art facilities’ used? – but no two schools feel the same when you go and visit.

A recent client visited Eton, Charterhouse and Sevenoaks on three consecutive days – she could not believe how different the schools were from each other, and how her son reacted differently to each. Check out our article on getting the most out of open days. You’ll probably only have time to visit a couple of schools so do your research beforehand.

Gabbitas are experts at working with families to find the right boarding school for their child. Contact us today to find out how we can help your child with boarding at 16+.

Haifa Al Khaifi approached the Gabbitas Dubai office looking for support for finding the right school in the UK for her son, Joud. Below we share how we help their family every step of the way.

Haifa was extremely busy with work, so was looking for an organisation that could take care of everything and help them make the right decision.

Joud had already been identified as dyslexic, so they were looking for boarding school that could provide specialist support whilst allowing Joud to pursue his passions.

Gabbitas were delighted to be able to help, providing a comprehensive itinerary of accompanied school visits in the UK and impartial advice on finding the right school in the UK.

What were they looking for?

With Joud’s dyslexia, they were looking for a school that could provide expert learning support surrounding his organisation skills and in English and maths.

But alongside this, his interests lay within creative media and notably digital games production. So they were looking for a school where he could thrive and pursue his passions.

With Haifa often travelling with work, they were looking for a school near an airport where both Haifa and Joud could easily fly in and out of Germany and Oman.

Finally with Joud looking for a Y10 entry place, it was always going to be more challenging. However, with our unrivalled relationships with schools in the UK we knew we could help.

How did we help?

Firstly, we assessed Jude’s strengths using the UKiset and Student Profiling tools. His results were undeniable; he should pursue his passions within computers.

Next we gave them lots of information on the different types of British schools in the UK and their different characteristics.

It can often be overwhelming for International families to get their head around the different timetables, exams and general ethos within different schools so we were delighted to make it easy to digest for Haifa and Joud.

Haifa had raised concerns about high profile cases in the news around the lack of effective pastoral care within boarding schools. However, due to our excellent relationships with the schools in the UK we were able to reassure her that Joud would be safe and happy.

The family were already so impressed with the service Gabbitas offered them, so they opted for an accompanied itinerary of school visits in the UK.

Based on their criteria, we set up schools visits traversing from the top to the bottom of the UK: starting at Merchiston Castle, then Strathallan School, next Bloxham School, Clayesmore School and finally Milton Abbey.

Milton Abbey was a late addition as Haifa wasn’t initially that keen. But through conversations with our Senior Consultant, we persuaded her to give it a try.

So despite being initially reluctant about Milton Abbey, after seeing the school they both knew it was the right place for Joud.

As a small school with strong support for dyslexia, they felt confident that his needs would be met.

Moreover, the fact they offered BTEC Creative Media (including modules on Digital Games Production) it was a no-brainer for them and would allow Joud to pursue his passions in games design.

Haifa was delighted with the in-depth professional knowledge that Gabbitas gave her and, especially as a busy person, the fact that we took care of everything.

Joud is now thriving at Milton Abbey and we are excited to see where his career in games design takes him!

 

“We are all aligned that Milton Abbey is most definitely the right school for Joud. I can’t thank you enough for including it on the list of schools to visit; you certainly saved the best for last!”

For international families, deciding to send a child to boarding school overseas can be a difficult decision.  There are numerous factors at play but not least the issue of being a plane ride away.  Could the advantages of attending one of the best British boarding schools really outweigh the benefits of staying within the family unit?

To Board or not to Board?  That is the question…

Britain has more than 450 independent British Boarding schools and 38 state boarding schools so there is no shortage of choice when choosing the right boarding school for your child.

First and foremost must be the question of whether your child is ready for boarding in the UK.  Will they be happy enough to spend so much time apart and are they independent enough to cope with everyday school life without the support of home?

These days however, boarding schools offer an unparalleled level of support for each pupil within an environment that fosters and encourages independence. Pastoral care is an important part of any school’s vocabulary and ensuring that all the children feel safe and secure in the school environment is of paramount importance. This care system is also in place to ensure academic and sporting progress and to generally monitor each child as they go through the school.

There is often a ‘natural’ age when children tend to want a greater degree of independence from their parents and this could be the perfect time to consider boarding. If you believe in the age old adage “it takes a village to raise a child” then a boarding school staffed with professional experienced experts in children is today’s modern equivalent of ‘the village’.

Many families freely admit they do not miss the nightly nagging about homework, screen time and the constant ferrying around to afterschool activities and instead relish the quality family time they have when the child is at home for the holidays. And the children rather than pining away from the family environment are so fully engaged and occupied that it is a struggle sometimes to find time to call home!

What to look for

When one is looking for the right boarding school, make sure you have a good look at all the dormitories and have a chat with the matron. It is important too to get to know the Housemaster or Housemistress and to meet their spouses. They are the ones who will be the bedrock of your child’s time at that school.

If one is sending a child to board and you will still be living abroad, it is crucial to find out how many weekends the children can come out of school. It will not always be possible to come back for an exeat (weekend out) and therefore it is important to discover how often children are going out.

Advantages of a British boarding school

The advantages of boarding in the UK are many. For some, it is a return to home and all the cultural relevance that one might miss out on being abroad will certainly be found in a British boarding school. For others it is a chance to have a cross cultural international education experience in Britain, to improve your English, and to be part of an established environment with standards that are globally recognized.

The academic results are much easier to ascertain in a well-established age old school with a distinct track record.  A Head of a boarding prep school has unrivalled knowledge and relationships with independent secondary schools and can offer great advice to parents on where would best suit their child.  Prep schools tend to be rather small and intimate and the Head will know and understand each individual child.

Ultimately the decision will come down to a range of factors both practical and emotional but for some families living abroad, giving their children the boarding experience gives them roots and wings.