Brentwood School
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Brentwood School: Your gateway to world-class IB education

In the heart of Brentwood town, Essex, lies a beacon of educational excellence with a rich history that spans nearly five centuries: Brentwood School. This distinguished institution is one of the UK’s leading independent schools, guided by the principles of “Virtue, Learning, Manners.” This is where young minds discover and develop their talents with a blend of self-assurance and humility.

Spread across a sprawling 75-acre campus, the independent day and boarding school boasts the highest quality facilities, instilling an environment conducive to innovative teaching and a first-class education. From modern music studios and a chapel constructed in 1867 to extensive fields that once served as training grounds for the London 2012 Olympic Games, Brentwood School’s campus is a vibrant hub of creativity and academic excellence.

The school offers three distinct pathways in Sixth Form: A Levels, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, and BTEC Extended Diplomas in Sport and Business. This diversity ensures that students can choose the courses best suited to their abilities and aspirations, providing growth opportunities both within Brentwood and beyond.

Brentwood School

Source: Brentwood School

The IB Diploma is a distinguished qualification recognised by universities worldwide. With a focus on global perspectives and a holistic approach to learning, the IB programme at Brentwood School prepares students for a world beyond borders. Here, students gain a purposeful learning experience within the IB framework. They explore six subjects and the IB’s core components, including the “Theory of Knowledge” course, an extended essay, and the “Creativity, Action and Service” module.

Students can choose subjects across various categories, including art, food and technology, English, humanities, mathematics, computer science, foreign languages, classics, performing arts, sciences, and sports/physical education. They are encouraged to tailor their learning journey, and no restrictions are placed on subject combinations. This shows them that studying can be pleasurable and not something you do just for good grades. It’s a holistic approach that works. Students here consistently earn As and A*s.

Academic excellence is not merely a goal at Brentwood School; it is a reality. In 2023, the school continued its tradition of outstanding results. Its IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) five-year point average was 38 points, equivalent to A*A*A at A Level, solidifying Brentwood School’s top 10 UK IB School position.

While these are great results, they’re by no means the only thing teachers here work tirelessly for. Instead, their focus is on making learning a lifelong pleasure. From Year 7 onwards, students have iPads to enhance their digital literacy and skills. Teachers present academic subjects in ways that relate to the real world. The emphasis is not just on acquiring knowledge but on applying it across subject areas. Such a positive learning approach prepares students to lead happy and rewarding lives, emerging from the school as intellectually curious, resilient, enterprising, and independent young adults with good moral character.

Brentwood School

Sixth Form classes are mixed to prepare young men and women for the world after school. Source: Brentwood School

Another important aspect of Brentwood School’s approach to education is how it empowers students to discover the world. There are many trips and visits, ranging from the battlefields of Ypres to the volcanic splendour of Iceland, from the electric streets of Tokyo to the picturesque scenery of Snowdonia. These experiences broaden their horizons.

When it’s time for their next steps after school, the school gives them career guidance to make informed decisions regarding their future paths. Through a dedicated Careers Programme, students are prepared for life beyond school and equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate their future lives. Such dedication to its students saw Brentwood School awarded the prestigious Quality in Careers Standard, a national quality award for careers education, information, advice, and guidance (CEIAG) in secondary education.

The school also collaborates with universities, employers, apprenticeship providers, alumni, local authorities, and the Prospects Service to ensure that students have access to the most appropriate education, training, or employment opportunities at every stage of their academic journey at Brentwood School. The result? Every year, the majority of students are accepted to their first choice of university.

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