In a polarised and fractious world, active connections help students look to the future

Although the world was increasingly connected - in technical terms - it could feel more polarised than ever before. In the past year, it had often felt fractious and divided. In such a challenging context, those within the Brentwood School spectrum should celebrate their togetherness and sense of community.

Addressing parents at Speech Day on June 27th, Headmaster Michael Bond said “today’s proceedings give a glimpse of the many reasons why Brentwood is such a special place.” The theme of his address was connection - and its deep role “in helping our students as they look to the future.

“We belong to a school that has been around for almost half a millennium, whose values have been part of its DNA for over 400 years.”

This was exemplified by the portraits of past headmasters and governors in the Memorial Hall and in Old Big School. Mr. Bond believed that “we benefitted from the layers upon layers put down by those who have gone before us. “ Former Chair of Governors Colin Finch personified the concept of connection to our school. He contributed to committee meetings long after he had retired until shortly before he sadly passed away last year. The contributions of these individuals and many more over 469 years, have given us the platform - and the privilege - of being the latest to write our school’s story.”

As a student and teacher of History, Mr Bond was mindful of the saying ‘the past is for reference, not residence.’ The present was reflected in the many achievements of the past year. “We try to help our students find a connection with what makes them tick.

“For some, it’s the cut-and-thrust of academic challenge, for others it’s sport, the performing arts, the CCF, VSA or our House system. For many it’s a combination of the above. People are more likely to be successful when they discover and develop what makes them the individuals they are.

Achievements: academic

“Our students continue to excel academically. The 2025 A-level results were the best in well over a decade; our BTEC grades again placed us in the top 1% of schools; and our IB average of 38 points showed that Brentwood remained one of the UK’s top-performing
schools.

“Presented as A-level equivalents, almost 58% were graded A*-A and 87% A*-B, a monumental achievement for our Upper Sixth students.

Academic achievement had also been recognised through 63 Headmaster’s Academic Awards; celebratory breakfasts based on attainment and/or effort grades for 153 students; and the 201 prizewinners across the age and subject range here at Speech Day.

Co-curricular academic activities had prospered. The 131-member Sir Antony Browne Society had welcomed 18 guest speakers. There had been success in district and regional public speaking competitions; model United Nations teams continued to thrive; the academic enrichment trip for Years 8 and 9 had been heavily oversubscribed.

Achievements: sporting

Mr Bond reflected that connection through sport had many benefits, physical, mental and social. “Sadly, sport and exercise in UK schools is falling well short of what is needed to promote healthy living in an increasingly sedentary world.”

At Brentwood, however, over the past year, some 1096 students had represented at least one school team across 15 sports and over 1,000 fixtures had been staged.

The boys’ Under 14 tennis team headed the role of honour by becoming national champions. The Under 12 and Under 13 girls, and the U15 and 1st XI boys, had featured in the top eight in the country in netball, cricket and football respectively. There were national final appearances for the senior golf team, the senior boys’ ski team; the junior girls’, intermediate mixed and senior boys’ swimming teams, and the senior girls’ tennis team. Three chess teams had made the national finals.

“That’s a remarkable set of statistics for any school - testament to the commitment and dedication of our students and my colleagues.”

One student’s sporting achievements were particularly worthy of congratulation. In August 2025, Max Dowman made his Premier League debut for Arsenal. In March, he became the youngest player to score a Premier League goal. He ended the season as the youngest ever Premier League title winner. Max achieved all of this while studying for his GCSEs.

Achievements: performing arts

Mr. Bond expressed concern that “education in the performing arts in the UK is sadly lacking, despite compelling evidence of the wide-ranging benefits of music, drama and dance.”

At Brentwood, however, the programme was one of the strongest in the UK. Well over 700 students had performed to a public audience this year in one or more of 91 concerts, plays and shows.

Senior actors put on a ”compelling and rather terrifying” performance of Jekyll and Hyde and an excellent production of the winter musical Stephen Sondheim’s Company. Younger students aired their talents through the Middles play Our Generation and through Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The superb dance show involved over 100 students. The termly concerts showcased their energy, enthusiasm and talent. Mr Bond referred to “the confidence, connections and joy that come from performing on stage.”

In March, our Choral and Symphonic Concert at Brentwood Cathedral brought together the Brentwood School Choral Society of over 100 singers, aged seven to well over 70, including pupils, Old Brentwoods, parents, colleagues and local singers. The pre-Speech Day Prom Concert, celebrated particularly the contributions of departing Upper Sixth musicians. The chamber concerts, which allowed inexperienced students to explore their musical interests, ran alongside the Specialist Music Programme and International Competition, both featuring extraordinarily talented young musicians from the UK and other countries. This year’s final saw five brilliant people selected, with the winner joining Brentwood School in September.

House system, service and The Brentwood Way

Connections were also forged through the House system, which remained as strong as ever through more than 50 competitions this year. House Music was won by East and School. (By the end of term, with house track and field completed, overall house competition overall rankings were topped by East).

The House system is a key ingredient in charitable work. Over the past 12 months, over £21,000 had been raised for 17 local, national and international charities. The second Race Across the Globe day involved students, colleagues, parents and former pupils supporting the School Foundation. We ‘travelled’ over 20,000 km in one day. North House made it to Cairo while West raised most sponsorship money.

Service, including CCF, VSA, charities and peer mentoring remained important for the School’s community connections. The CCF, one of the oldest in the country, would celebrate its 165th anniversary next year. With over 500 members, it remained a co-curricular cornerstone. “The skills cadets develop - taking managed risks, building resilience and learning how to lead and how to follow - are as relevant now as when it began.”

The voluntary service programme had grown from 65 to 94 students this year, with all Year 7s having timetabled service activities. A group of seven students won the national Eduspots education challenge; our annual Christmas party welcomed guests from seven local care homes and almshouses; and a new partnership was launched with local charity SNAP to design and deliver craft and activity packs for children.

Some 102 students gained the Duke of Edinburgh Awards this year: 41 Bronze, 14 Silver and 20 Gold. Over 100 students acted as mentors to younger students, offering their time to younger peers, providing academic assistance, moral support and kindness and encouragement.

Many of these successes were noticed by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in December. In a three-day visit, the inspectors gained a sense of “what makes this place so special. They labelled the ethos, based on our values, and a sense of the way we do things The Brentwood Way.”

Many thanks and a sense of pride

Thanks are due to many individuals and groups.

Governors, who give their time and expertise freely as stewards of our school, particularly Lord Black, Chair, and Scott Norris, Vice-Chair, for their counsel, guidance and support. Bob McLintock, current governor and former Vice Chair, had been awarded an OBE for outstanding service to the community through his work with Active Essex.

Everyone who works at Brentwood for supporting the students, both through teaching and coaching and through the daily work that keeps the school operating smoothly. “They illustrate the can-do attitude that typifies our school.”

Parents for their ongoing help, especially members of the Sounding Board and the Friends of Brentwood School, who do so much to support us.

Students from praepostors and the outgoing Upper Sixth through to those ending Year 7. “You demonstrate the values that have been part of our school for over 400 years. At a time when declinism seems fashionable, there is barely a day that goes by when I don’t feel a sense of pride in something that one or more of our students has done.”

Looking to the future, Mr. Bond referred to the author CS Lewis. In 1939, he wrote an essay entitled Learning in Wartime, extolling the many virtues of maintaining an open and enquiring mind, even at a time of national crisis. ‘Those who have lived in many places are not likely to be deceived by the local errors of their village, while the scholar has lived in many times and is therefore immune from the great cataract of nonsense that pours from the press of their own age.’

“In a world where the prevailing currents seem to be towards retreat into isolation and a focus on what divides rather than what connects us, there is much to gain from keeping these sentiments close. Travel and read as much as you can.”

Mr Bond concluded: “As you head into whatever lies in front, you have everything you need to find your place in this world and to leave it a little better than you found it. Your soon-to-be former school will be cheering you on.”

Know yourselves and take your places

Guest speaker was Lord Smith of Finsbury, Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, who was introduced to the prizewinners. He told leavers that Brentwood had provided them with the foundation for “lives full of possibilities,” in pursuit of which they should “be ambitious and aim high.

“Explore the world. Listen to people’s views. Debate, discuss and learn, and wisdom will arise.” Students should work with good people where possible and build up “the big picture” in relation to whatever they were involved in. A thorough appreciation of History and English Literature was a major aid to enlightenment.

All this was essential to the process of “knowing yourselves” and being objective about your own “strengths and values,” thereby becoming aware of how you “can make a difference.” By knowing yourselves, you will have the confidence to take your places in the world.”