A terrific year for the School, inside and outside the classroom, despite challenges from Government

Despite the Labour Government’s assault on independent education, Chairman of Governors Lord Black reassured parents that he believed Brentwood School was “weathering the storm.” Introducing Speech Day in June, Lord Black said the School was in “a very strong financial position, built up over many years of prudent management and tight control of costs.

However, “we have had to make difficult choices and will probably have to make more but we have not needed to panic or dilute in any way the first class education we offer.”

In his opinion, the assault was “the most brutal since the 1970s, partly as a result of the VAT, callously inflicted during the course of the academic year despite the Government, on its own admission, knowing what disruption that would cause. This has caused so much pain and anxiety for parents and done such damage to the whole sector - most distressingly to small schools often catering for highly vulnerable children.

“We have also had to cope with the imposition of business rates, adding £600,000 to our costs every year, and the sharp increase in national insurance and pension contributions.”

Lord Black added: “Political fate may yet throw more boulders in our path. We live with a Government which for purely “ideological” reasons does not like independent schools and is allergic to freedom of choice in education. Their assault may not be finished yet. We have to stay firm and be ready.

“My parents made enormous sacrifices to send me to this School; how tough it was for them. Many are in the same position now. We know what a huge investment you are making in the future of your children – and we will do everything we can to repay that trust.

“Our aim is to ensure our fees remain affordable for hard-working parents while protecting the quality of our education and championing growth. I hope we have managed to achieve that.”

An effective partnership between School and parents was the bond which made everything work, encompassing events like today, the Parent Forum and the Sounding Board. “It’s vital that in such challenging times we make the journey together.”

Speech Day was an occasion to celebrate the outstanding success not just of those winning prizes – but of every pupil. Every one of you has given their best. We look forward to championing growth, our theme this year.”

It also enabled Lord Black to thank all those who had played such an important role in the life of our School over the past year.

His fellow Governors voluntarily lavished an enormous amount of time in the service of Brentwood, providing abundant wisdom, expertise and experience, much of it in committee work. “They are bound together by a selfless commitment to the School, to education, and to providing those who study here with the best possible start in life and an exceptional environment.” He was particularly grateful for the tremendous part played by Vice-Chairman Scott Norris.

He thanked all School staff – those who taught and those who made a complex place work so seemingly effortlessly – despite the challenges and hurdles. An exceptional team of 425 was” led by a Headmaster of vision, energy and determination. During a turbulent year, he has been an absolute rock. Everyone who works here is committed to ensuring that every pupil receives a first class education, unleashes their potential, develops their talents and leaves here ready to seize the opportunities life has to offer.”

He thanked the parents who “entrust their children to our care and the students “for the part you play in making this School such a special place. It’s been a terrific year of success both inside and outside the classroom. It’s your talents, and energy and dynamism which have made all this possible.”

The School had continued to invest in its estate, maintained Lord Black, completing the capital programme embarked on some years ago, always with an eye to championing growth.

The new boarding house, opening in September, was a huge undertaking with flexi-boarding offered for the first time. All pupils would benefit from improved facilities and through the friendships and connections made with students from around the world.

Work on the Science Block was being completed, hard on the heels of the Lawrence extension. Work would soon begin on the new Wellbeing centre. On the co-curricular front, the International Music Competition had enjoyed its first year, projecting Brentwood onto a global stage. The School was becoming established as a regional hub for teacher training and learning development, taking advantage of the latest research.

“Our investments are made with an eye to the future. That’s our tribute to those who went before us – and our duty to those who will come after us.

“Brentwood had a responsibility to develop access for prospective students from disadvantaged backgrounds. “We have a proud record of achieving that through bursaries – and we intend to carry on doing so”. The Brentwood School Foundation aims to expand that vital work. There had been great progress this year and a number of bursaries were being supported through individual Old Brentwoods and corporate supporters.

“We have come through a challenging and anxious year. Thanks to our strong financial position, our exceptional leadership team, our fantastic staff and above all because of your support and commitment as parents.

“Our commitment to you remains as steadfast, as pristine and as immaculate as ever. The highest standards of education and pastoral care for all who study here will never be compromised. We will ensure our campus remains fit for purpose to meet the needs of all our pupils.

“We are all Brentwood---part of a family that has made this School what it is for the best part of five centuries which allows us to look forward to the next 500 years with confidence and growing optimism.