Brentwood School Review: Explore Fees, Rankings, And More
Choosing the right school for your child is a big decision. With so many factors to consider, it can be overwhelming to find the perfect fit. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive review of Brentwood School. We’ll dive into the fees, curriculum, facilities, and more to help you decide if this school is the right place for your child’s education.
Table of Contents
Brentwood School Overview
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Essex
- Pupils: 1,301; sixth formers: 394
- Age: 11-18
- Religion: Church of England/Christian
- Fees: Day £9,704 per term; Boarding £18,786 per term (inclusive of VAT)
Brentwood School Results
Brentwood School continues to demonstrate a strong record of academic excellence, with consistently impressive outcomes across IB, A Level and BTEC pathways.
The IB Diploma Class of 2025 achieved an average score of 38 points, with 28% of students scoring 40 points or above, including three students who attained the maximum 45 points.
At A Level, 133 students sat examinations, achieving a robust set of results: 43.3% of grades were awarded A or A*, 81.7% achieved A–B*, and the pass rate was 100%.
In 2025, all 37 BTEC Extended Diploma students secured their first-choice outcomes. Of these, 11 students achieved the equivalent of AAA* and 10 students the equivalent of AAA, with graduates progressing to a wide range of destinations across Business and Sport.
Boarding Experience in Brentwood School, Essex
Brentwood School offers a top-notch boarding experience that ensures students feel at home. Full and weekly boarding options are available for students aged 13 to 18, providing flexibility to suit different family needs and preferences. Houseparents like Steve and Sue Taylor, and Michelle Carabache, are known for their dedication and care towards every boarder. They play a crucial role in creating a nurturing and supportive environment, making sure that each student feels valued and looked after. The combination of excellent facilities, comprehensive pastoral care, and a focus on student wellbeing makes the boarding experience at Brentwood School truly exceptional.
The school takes pride in its outstanding pastoral care. Form tutors actively engage with students, taking an interest in their daily well-being and overall academic progress. Brentwood’s Wellbeing Programme is designed to help students develop essential social and communication skills, and boost their confidence. Each year group participates in a dedicated two-hour wellbeing session, ensuring regular focus on their mental and emotional health.
Since 2020, the introduction of Wellbeing Dogs at both the prep and senior schools has been a unique and popular initiative. These dogs provide comfort and relaxation, offering a welcome respite from academic pressures. Additionally, the school grounds feature a team of mental health first aiders, ensuring that students have access to immediate support whenever needed.
Starting in September 2025, the school will unveil its new state-of-the-art boarding house. These facilities, housed within a single building, are artfully subdivided to provide separate accommodations for girls and boys. Each student will have their own ensuite room, ensuring privacy and comfort. The boarding house also features a Sixth Form café, offering a cosy space for older students to relax and socialise.
Brentwood School Extracurricular Activities
At Brentwood School, the team believes in nurturing the whole student, fostering their passions, and expanding their horizons through a rich and diverse array of extracurricular activities. Their approach centres on building strong relationships within the community. They are committed to understanding each student’s interests and talents, ensuring they feel known and valued at every step of their journey.
Music and Performing Arts: As one of only 14 Steinway Schools and a partnership with the Guildhall School of Music, the musical activities are thriving. If your child is in music or wants to be in music, Brentwood should definitely be one of the top choices. Drama groups and productions provide students with opportunities to showcase their talents on stage.
Academic and STEAM Activities: Engage in stimulating activities such as public speaking, Model United Nations, and various STEAM clubs. These activities foster intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills.
SABS Debating: Students also have the opportunity to explore different perspectives and argue their unique points of views on a wide range of motions. They also have plenty of opportunities to compete in national and international levels.
Additional Options
Combined Cadet Force (CCF): Students develop leadership and team skills through adventurous activities.
Voluntary Service Activity (VSA): Engage in social enterprise and community service projects.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE): Participate in a progressive programme focused on personal development and outdoor expeditions.
Sports in Brentwood School: Time to Shine!
At Brentwood School, a healthy and active lifestyle is emphasised as essential for the physical and mental health of students. On a typical Saturday, the school proudly fields around 40 different teams across a range of sports, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to participate and excel.
Students at Brentwood compete at both national and international levels in various sports, including athletics, cricket, swimming, hockey, football, golf, netball, rugby, and tennis. This competitive spirit and the wide range of sports offered provide students with the chance to discover and develop their talents.
The school boasts 75 acres of playing fields, providing ample space for outdoor sports and activities. On campus, facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a fitness suite, a gymnasium, dance studios, squash courts, a fencing salle, and an enormous sports hall. These world-class facilities even attracted Team GB, who used them to practice for the 2012 Olympics.
Music at Brentwood School: Specialist Music Programme
Brentwood School’s Specialist Music Programme provides rigorous, tailored training for musicians aiming for a future in music. Launched in September 2024, the programme integrates individualised pathways within the broader curriculum, supporting students’ unique musical ambitions through regular assessment and guidance. By 2025, the school will introduce a state-of-the-art boarding house, offering university-style accommodation to support boarding musicians with a comfortable, inspiring environment.
The Music Department, ranked among the top UK independent schools, offers a vibrant range of multi-genre performance opportunities, including solo concertos, evensong, and jazz improvisation. Students regularly achieve places at prestigious conservatoires and universities, as well as national and international music competitions. As one of only 14 All-Steinway schools, Brentwood ensures that students rehearse on world-class instruments, with regular masterclasses and performances at Steinway Hall.
Since 2020, Brentwood’s partnership with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama has opened further opportunities. Junior Guildhall’s satellite school at Brentwood allows students to participate in masterclasses, performances, and shared resources, enhancing their musical development. With over 70 annual performances, a fully equipped recording studio, and dedicated rehearsal spaces, Brentwood’s music programme offers an exceptional environment for budding musicians.
Admissions Process: Entering Brentwood School
Admissions Overview
Admission to Brentwood School is selective and designed to identify pupils with strong academic potential, curiosity and a readiness to contribute to school life. Entry is available at multiple stages from Early Years to Sixth Form, for both day and boarding students. Families are encouraged to begin the admissions process at least one year in advance of the intended start date.
Key Entry Points
Early Years & Prep School (Ages 3-10)
- Applications typically submitted one year prior to entry
- School visits or Open Mornings recommended before registration
- Informal assessments and family meetings take place during the autumn term
Offers are usually issued by December, with acceptance in January
Senior School Entry (Age 11+)
- Registration normally completed by early autumn of Year 6
- Entrance assessments in English and Mathematics take place in the autumn term
- Shortlisted candidates attend an individual interview
- Offers are released in January, with acceptance deadlines in early spring
Academic and specialist scholarships are available at this entry point
Sixth Form Entry (Age 16+)
- Applications submitted in the autumn of Year 11
- Candidates attend a Sixth Form consultation interview (late autumn / early winter)
- Entry pathways include IB Diploma, A Levels or BTEC Extended Diplomas
- Conditional offers are issued by February, subject to GCSE results
Scholarships and bursaries are available for eligible candidates
Boarding Admissions (Ages 11-18)
- Boarding places are available from Year 7 onwards
- Applications are advised by December, with interviews and assessments thereafter
- English language proficiency is assessed where applicable
- Late applications may be considered up to March, subject to availability
General Information
- Attendance at an Open Morning or school visit is strongly encouraged
- Scholarships and bursaries have separate application processes and deadlines
- Admissions decisions consider academic performance, character and overall suitability
SEN Support at Brentwood School
Brentwood School is equipped to support students with various special educational needs, including but not limited to:
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder
- Aspergers
- Attention Deficit
- Hyperactivity
- Disorders
- Dyslexia
- Dyscalculia
- Dysgraphia
- Dyslexia
- Dyspraxia
- Hearing Impairment
- Multi-Sensory
- Impairment
- Visual Impairment
Brentwood School Testimonials and Reviews
The music performances I had at Brentwood and being the leader of the school orchestra are magnificent experiences that I would not have had elsewhere!
It could never have happened without the cricket coaches’ unrelenting determination and hard work that gives my son the passion and skill to become a world class player one day.
Brentwood School cares about the whole child, it is not an exam factory. My daughter was perfectly happy in her previous school, but now wishes that she was here the whole time!
It has given me a real sense that I can do anything I put my mind to.
Frequently Asked Questions about Brentwood School
There is a long list of notable alumni that graduated from Brentwood School, including Douglas Adams, Frank Lampard, Robin Das, and many more.
In short, yes we definitely do think so. The school has proven its academic achievements over the years. They have also had many happy graduates that can’t say enough good things about the school.
For day students, the fees are £23,472 per year. Whereas the fees for boarding students are £45,996 per year.
Brentwood is among the top 5 safest medium-sized towns in Essex. While everyone should take the necessary safety precautions, it is generally considered a safe place to live in.
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