Five-year strategy pays off: now for the next five years

Nearly five years ago Brentwood School put in place a “bold and visionary long-term strategy,” realised through an ambitious programme to improve the School’s infrastructure with the most modern and up-to-date facilities. Introducing proceedings at Speech Day in June, Chairman of Governors Lord Black of Brentwood declared “we are a big school and big schools require space for everyone to breathe and grow.”

The new boarding house, with its sixth form café, was taking shape. “It is an incredibly exciting development that will lead the sector in terms of boarding facilities.” Additional classrooms were functioning in the extended Lawrence Building and work was about to start to extend the Science Block.

Each building project had aimed at improving pupils’ experience. With a crucial phase of renewal nearing its end, it was essential “to look in detail at our academic, co-curricular and wellbeing records. We need to see what has been achieved, what has changed and what we have to do in the next five years to take our School forward.”

The School sets the highest store on pastoral care. “We have begun to create beautiful spaces at the School for pupils to relax and contemplate. Next year, we will start to build a wellbeing centre which will further our commitment that every pupil is
valued, cared for and nurtured.”

A proud record of providing bursaries for prospective students from disadvantaged backgrounds would continue. The Brentwood School Foundation was already supporting, through individual OBs and corporate supporters, three bursaries. “Its work is vital to our future as we face challenging times.”

Wisdom and commitment of governors

Lord Black emphasised that Brentwood School’s governors had been and would continue to be at the forefront of achieving further improvement. “They voluntarily give a huge amount of their time to the School, providing abundant wisdom, expertise and experience, not least in chairing governors’ committees.” He thanked Deputy Chairman Scott Norris for his tremendous help and wise counsel.

He paid tribute to his predecessor Sir Michael Snyder who stepped down in March, after serving as a governor with distinction for over 30 years, having been chairman for eight. “We owe him an incalculable debt of gratitude for all his work, for his commitment and for his exceptional vision and ambition. During his time, the School has been transformed while retaining and cherishing the timeless values that make it so special – an extraordinary blend of innovation and heritage.”

In the uncertain and complex times that may lie ahead, Lord Black offered his own commitment to parents, pupils, staff and fellow Governors. “I will devote all my energies to ensuring we guide those here now to the very best of our ability and pass our School on to those who come after us stronger, more ambitious and more resilient than ever, continuing to provide the world class education that it has done for nearly half a century.”

On behalf of his fellow governors, he thanked the school staff – those who teach and those who make the place work. “Under the visionary leadership of the Headmaster, they are united in one profound aim – to ensure all those who study here receive a
first class education, to help them unleash and develop their talents to the full, and to prepare them for rewarding and fulfilling lives.”

He thanked the students for their part in making the School enormously successful this year. “Your talents, enthusiasm and boundless energy have made that possible. Every one of you enriches our community beyond measure.”

Like those in the audience, Lord Black’s parents had made big sacrifices to send his brother and him to Brentwood. He fully understood that “you have made a hugely important choice in entrusting your daughters and sons to our care. We will never take that for granted and strive every day to repay your trust. Like you, we want to ensure that all those who study here become the best version of themselves, ready to take their places in the world with optimism, confidence and a determination to make a positive difference.”

We are all Brentwood

The School was in a strong financial position with an exceptional leadership team, a fantastic staff and incredibly supportive students, parents and alumni.

“Our commitment to the highest standards of education and pastoral care for all who study here will never be compromised. Our determination to ensure our campus remains fit for purpose to meet the needs of every one of our pupils is steadfast.

He concluded: “We are all Brentwood, all part of a family which has made this School what it is for the best part of 500 years and allow us to look forward to the next 500 with confidence and optimism."

Fundamental flaws of VAT on fees

Lord Black turned his attention to a measure advocated by the Labour Party before it formed the government. It was apparently resolutely committed to imposing VAT on school fees. “There are “fundamental flaws in this policy.”

*It will not raise nearly as much money as expected and will therefore fail as a policy to help state schools.

*Small independent schools would be hardest hit, particularly those providing for special needs, to the detriment of many who are highly vulnerable.

*It will be a punitive tax on aspiration and hard-working families, many of whom already sacrifice a great deal to exercise their inalienable right to choose where their children are educated.

*It would be a triumph of “ideology” over basic economics.

*Above all, it ignores the welfare of those who should be central to thinking of any government – children.

“We understand how tough it may be for many, and we will do everything we can to mitigate the impact on parents of this tax on learning. As soon as we can after the election, when Labour’s plans should become clear, we will let you know how we intend to do that, protecting the outstanding quality of the all-round education at Brentwood.

“There are turbulent times ahead. While we are not immune from the storm, our School is well placed to weather it and turn the challenges into opportunities to be even more successful. Many schools will be forced into difficult choices – and we will
have to make some too. However, we are well placed not just to survive but to invest in the future.

The Chairman’s exceptional start at Brentwood

Lord Black has been a Governor of the School since 2013 and succeeded Sir Michael Snyder as Chairman in March 2024. Guy and his twin brother Tim started in the Prep in 1971 and continued through to the Sixth Form.

“Whatever I have achieved in life has been because of the exceptional start I had at Brentwood. Throughout my career, Virtue, Learning and Manners have been the lodestars which have guided me – and always will. They have stood me in good stead – as they have the thousands who have also passed this way, and those who are here now. Ever since that memorable day when we first had contact with
Brentwood School, it became part of us and we became part of it.”