Prep Headmaster Jason Whiskerd retires

For the rest of his time at Brentwood School, Headmaster Michael Bond will have to do without the services of a man whose “commitment, energy and enthusiasm has made a huge contribution to the Brentwood School community.”

He was referring to Mr Jason Whiskerd, who retired in July after 13 years as head of Brentwood Preparatory School. Mr. Bond told parents and students at Speech Day: “while the fruits of his work can be seen in the physical development of the Prep school, his contribution to our community has been much greater. I’ve always been able to rely on him as a calming and serious presence, no matter what the challenge. He has been utterly professional.”

In his years in charge, pupil numbers grew from 385 to 572; and staff numbers from 80 to 125. To manage this expansion, Mr Whiskerd has remodelled the staff and leadership structure, appointing an additional deputy head, heads of year, staff for the new Tasker and Brimley houses; and directors for pastoral care and well being; co-curricular activity; pedagogy and staff development; early years foundation stage; timetabling and assessment; and learning support.

A broadening of the curriculum has meant that all pupils now enjoy periods of academic enrichment which encompass outdoor learning, leadership and languages. This has enabled them to access opportunites which would formerly have been preserved for select groups.

These developments have proceeded hand in hand with new buildings, refurbishment of existing ones and new facilities and equipment, particularly via a concentrated programme in 2019-21. Buildings have been designed for flexible use, thereby extending their curricular scope.

Mr. Whiskerd recalls “a wonderfully positive experience with Prep parents who have been supportive of all the changes and style of education."

He became increasingly involved across the wider spectrum of all Brentwood Schoolage groups and was a member of the Senior Leadership Team. “I am proud that Prep and Senior schools became far more aligned and that Middleton Hall Lane is
no longer the “widest road in Essex.”

His wife Katherine has been “massively supportive.” She has been head teacher at Gidea Park College and office manager at the the Columbus (special needs) School and College, Chelmsford.

The couple’s three daughters were Brentwood School students. Beth graduated from Cambridge in 2023 with a first in classics and starts teaching at Colfe’s,south London in September. Twins Eleanor (reading English) and Josie (psychology) have just completed their second years at the University of York.

Jason Whiskerd was born in 1969 in Llandovery, Carmarthenshire where he attended Llandovery College. He gained a BA in history and politics at Swansea University and a PGCE at Trinity Saint David University. He taught at Parish Church junior school, Croydon for four years, followed by a stint of similar duration at Alleyn’s junior school in Dulwich. From 2001 to 2007, he served as senior deputy head at King’s Junior School, Chester. For the next four years, he was Headmaster of Aldenham Preparatory School. Next step: Brentwood.

The Whiskerds will settle in Abergavenny in Monmouthsire and look forward to walking the dog in the Brecon Beacons. Jason has renewed his season ticket for Swansea FC and “looks forward to seeing us lose more often.” He expects to “rekindle my passion for game fishing” on the Usk and Wye.

In practice, Jason’s planned activities hardly qualify as retirement. He will be working in educational consultancy and continuing as a visiting lecturer and PGCE tutor at the University of Buckingham. He will be mentoring Headmasters’ Conference junior
school heads and studying for a level 7 in executive coaching through the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools.

Jason Whiskerd’s approach to junior school education is set out in the Prep School’s brochure.“In these early years, our pupils begin to investigate the world with great expectation, interest and energy. We can show them the world is indeed a feast for
the curious and full of opportunities.”

This is epitomised by the Primary Years Programme, part of the International Baccalaureate: “It is designed to put the children at the centre of their learning, not as passive receivers of knowledge but as creators of transdisciplinary knowledge, as curious and driven learners who ask interesting questions and who want to make the world a better place for everyone.”