Bradfield College

Since 2015, Dr Chris Stevens MA DPhil. Educated at Tonbridge School, then read modern and medieval languages at Caius College, Cambridge before researching Italian literature for a DPhil at Oxford. First experienced working in education as a gappie at Brambletye Prep, and then at Ashdown House where he split the year in half: six months at Ashdown establishing the Ashdown château in France and the rest of the year studying for his doctorate. Began his proper ‘career’ at age 29 when he joined Uppingham. There he taught French, Italian and history of art, became a housemaster and was master-in-charge of cricket over his 14 years in residence. Moved on to be second master at Marlborough College. Wife Helen is associate professor of English at Corpus Christi, Oxford. They have three school-age daughters – two of them at Bradfield and one at nearby St Andrew’s Prep.

Previous two heads pulled the school up the academic and reputational league tables. So Dr Stevens inherited a school in fine fettle which he has buffed to an opulent glow. Fond of ‘mantras’ like ‘stretch without stress’, ‘a rising tide floats all boats’, and ‘teaching up while scaffolding down’. Parents approve, while noticing the shift towards heightening the academic standards.

Loves reading, theatre, opera, ballet. Used to play a lot of sport but became a ‘lockdown runner’ and thinks he’ll stay that way (‘it’s replaced driving as my thinking time!’). Rugged-bearded when we met him, easy to talk to, a natural orator. Makes a point of meeting every pupil every year, one way or another.

Leaving in July 2025. To be replaced in September 2025 by Jeremy Quartermain, currently head of Rossall in Lancashire since 2018. Before that, he was deputy head (academic) at Brentwood School in Essex for five years, and head of sixth form at Gresham's in Norfolk for three years. MA in history from Cambridge and an MPhil in medieval history from Trinity College, Dublin. He has a special interest in music and plays the piano and bassoon. He was a choral scholar both at Peterhouse, Cambridge, and at Trinity College. Married to Fiona, with three daughters, Alicia (13), Caitlin (11) and Teigan (7).

Register during years 5 and 6. Take the ISEB pretest between November and Feb of year 6. Pupils with satisfactory prep school references are invited for interview plus team problem-solving assessments, Crystal Maze style, set by the ‘Bradfield Department of the Curious’ between September and March of year 6. First round of offers made in the summer of that year. Selection criteria are ‘attitude, character and potential for happiness’, says head. In year 8 everyone sits either the school’s own admission test (January) or CE (June), but these are effectively a rubber stamp. Total of 90 boys and 65 girls enter Faulkner’s in September.

Be warned that the school can be a bit quick to dismiss late enquiries for places. If you are delayed to the party, but dead set on the school, then do persevere! Occasional places arise in year 10, and there are around 25-30 places in the sixth form. Minimum of six GCSE grade 6s, including 5s in English and maths, are required with at least 7s in English, maths, languages and science if they are to be studied at A level.

In December 2021, the school joined with St Andrew's School, a nearby prep, to establish the Bradfield Group – the two schools, which are just two miles apart, have long had close ties and the idea is to share expertise, strategic thinking and deliver greater cost efficiencies. Each school retains its individual identity but is overseen by a combined governing body.

Barely anyone leaves after GCSEs. ‘My daughter will definitely stay through sixth form,’ a parent told us. ‘She’ll be gutted when she has to leave, she’d like it to be her university!’ Around 90 per cent of sixth formers go on to university, but the choice is not taken for granted. ‘Horizons’ (careers) supports youngsters in looking outside the box, eg at top-flight apprenticeships or employment. Also encourages networking and the development of soft skills.

Of those who do opt for uni, half to Russell Group. Exeter most popular, followed by Newcastle, Leeds and Oxford Brookes. Others to Durham, Imperial and UCL. Sometimes a few to Oxbridge, and a few medics. Increasing numbers head overseas – recently to US (Stanford, Northeastern, Duke and UCSB), Canada (McGill) and European universities (IE Madrid and Bocconi). There’s real breadth in the courses chosen – recently modern languages, maths, geography, engineering, software engineering, biomedical science, among many others. Occasional students to conservatoires, including Guildhall School of Music.

Last time we were here we said, ‘A school that is, without question, on the up.’ We can now report that ‘up’ has been reached, surpassed, and left stranded in the rearview mirror. Not very long ago Bradfield was seen by many as a ‘safety’ school. Now, it is firmly on the radar of aspirational parents, with several we spoke to choosing it over offers from heavy hitters like Marlborough, Wellington and top London day schools. ‘It was our number one choice,’ said one London mum. ‘We took him off the other school lists as soon as we visited. Bradfield is the perfect modern education.’

All that said, this is, above all, a school that welcomes – nay honours – the ‘all-rounder’. If we had a tenner for every Bradfield pupil, parent or teacher who mentioned ‘all-rounders’, we could buy a Lamborghini. Academic breadth begins in year 9 when children are given a chance to sample almost everything before committing to GCSEs. ‘I’d never been interested in tech or computers,’ our guide told us, ‘but after we had computer science in our first year, I ended up choosing it for GCSE.’ Pupils normally take 10 GCSEs; English results far better than maths.

Business, economics and maths are perennially the most popular A level subjects. Less common subjects on offer include history of art, film studies and photography. Around 25-35 per cent of sixth formers opt for the IB rather than A levels, with parents telling us the six-subject IB is a ‘natural fit’ for Bradfield, very much in keeping with its all-rounder emphasis. While some schools reserve the IB for their most able students, at Bradfield it’s open to everyone: ‘The extra classroom time and clearly specified requirements can actually be helpful to some less-independent learners,’ explains Dr Stevens. This is apparent in its IB results which display a gargantuan range of abilities. The school is not hugely communicative regarding its exam results, publishing only broad summaries on its website.

Bradfield has eased away from its reputation as a good destination for children requiring SEN support. However, the support is still there. Total of 77 children currently receive individual SEN lessons; lots more have been identified as needing extra time and the like. No specialist unit to cater for extreme needs and, to quote the school, ‘The campus is not ideally suited for pupils with mobility issues.'

In what now seems like a description of a different school, we once commented that the arts played second fiddle to sport. No longer. Music, fine art and drama are all thriving and ‘children are firing on all cylinders,’ said a parent. ‘The kids who do the best here are the ones that get most involved,’ said another. Even sports scholars told us that one of the things they liked best about Bradfield was the ability to fully take part in other endeavours, like drama and music. ‘Sport doesn’t own you,’ one explained.

Music is housed in a spacious building with two large classrooms, a concert hall and plenty of practice rooms. Recently restored organ brightens the school chapel. Around 280 pupils learning a musical instrument, from complete beginners to ABRSM Performance Diploma standard. Lots of groups and choirs – jazz, contemporary and classical. ‘Inspiring,’ say parents. That said, not a single music A level entry in 2020 or 2019, and only one in 2018. Three IB musicians in 2019.

Art is popular; students like the teachers as well as the subject and art A level results are impressive. The art rooms are tucked away on the other side of a brook in a delightfully separate, rustic Mill-on-the-Floss-style collection of cottages. Photography, sculpture and printing are in interconnecting rooms, plus ample space for 3D design (no one says DT here). Lively drama with three big productions a year (one only for year 9). No dedicated theatre, but a drama studio, a hall with seating, and the college’s oddly beloved Greek theatre – the ‘Greeker’ – a concrete 1,000 seater that has a sort of mythic status at Bradfield.

Beyond the arts, children are busy, busy, busy! ‘Millions’ of extracurriculars on offer, to quote a parent. The school ring-fences time for them every day of the week and all pupils are expected to take part, whether through the journalism club or the wine appreciation society (year 13 only!). This is not the place for a youngster who wants to hunker down in his room and play Fortnite. Ever keen to ensure breadth, the Bradfield Diploma gets year 10 and 11 kids to try things outside their comfort zone, even if only as a member of the audience. Elements include public speaking, service, and reading five books (of different genres). CCF for all from the summer term of year 9; most continue into year 10 (though volunteering is also an option). All of year 9 strides out along the Brecon Beacons for four days in the summer term (no phones!) and lots enrol in the bronze DofE award at the start of year 10.

Football rules, OK? The head, a keen rugby player in his day, looked pained as he explained that it’s hard for a school to do both football and rugby really well. ‘Football,’ he points out, ‘is a great co-ed sport.’ And more: ‘If rugby didn’t exist, I’m not sure you’d invent it – it’s under scrutiny and that will only increase.’ Football ferociously strong: Bradfield won the Independent Schools Football Association cup for the first time in 2018. ‘No rugby is a huge plus for us,’ said a parent. ‘Rugby can dominate a school’s culture and create a hierarchy among the boys.’

Sport ‘works seamlessly with the academic side,’ say parents. ‘They actually coordinate, unlike at some schools.’ Games three times a week plus Saturday matches. Boys’ major sports are football and hockey; same for girls, plus netball and lacrosse. Summer term is more co-ed with everyone involved in cricket (girls we spoke to loved it), tennis and athletics.

Lots of sports tours in pre-Covid days. One of the most enticing ranges of minor sports we’ve seen. The school website reads like a highly exclusive action-packed adventure camp. From clay pigeon and rifle shooting (school has its own ranges for both) to Zumba and yoga, with fives, real tennis, dodgeball, sailing, canoeing, shooting, riding, polo and golf.

‘It stands out a mile for its sports facilities,’ said a parent explaining one of the reasons she chose Bradfield. Lush acres of green sports fields as far as the eye can see, splendid indoor tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course nestled towards the end of the games pitches. Massive Astro adorned with 16 outdoor tennis courts when we were there. Water polo takes place in the glistening 25-metre pool that forms part of the swanky sports complex. ‘It’s not for a kid that hates sport,’ one boy told us solemnly. A parent of a non-sporty girl told us, ‘It’s not her forte, but they’re all made to take part in some form. There’s something for everyone.’

Weekly boarding is a ‘defining feature’ of the school, say parents. From Monday morning until after matches on Saturday Bradfield operates on full-tilt as a traditional boarding school. On Saturday afternoon, over 80 per cent of the children decamp home, returning bright eyed and bushy tailed on Sunday night or Monday morning. Only around 15 per cent are day pupils, but most of these remain at school late into the evening, departing around 9pm (or later). All day pupils have a desk in a shared room. Up to 15 per cent are full boarders (many, but not all, from abroad). Flexi-boarding not really a Bradfield thing, but local children may also pop home on Wednesday nights, with permission.

In 1998, Bradfield took the brave decision to invest in its youngest boarders – a leap of faith at a time when schools were madly constructing lavish sixth form boarding houses. Faulkner’s – the mixed house for the whole of year 9 – is a Bradfield triumph. The idea is to weld the year group together so that as they branch off to their different (single-sex) houses in year 10, everyone will know each other and there will be less scope for cliques. Pupils move dormitories every half term to expand friendships. It’s a jolly, cosy and gentle start to boarding life. Parents remarked on how much their children’s confidence grew throughout the year, although inevitably we heard the odd case of difficult relationships, particularly among the girls.

The Faulkner’s building is modern, functional but attractive. Comfortable and tasteful common rooms on each boys’ and girls’ side, and a place in the centre where they can all gather to play games and hang out. All rooms have an ensuite, the larger rooms with two showers! Prep is done in dorm rooms each evening – with doors open. Phone policy among the best we’ve seen: 25 minutes in the morning and 45 minutes in the evening (turned in by 9pm, along with any other tech) and otherwise locked away. Older pupils are allowed phones for two hours in the evenings. No restrictions in sixth form.

Four senior girls’ houses; seven for boys. Many of the study bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms, two or three to a room, with a kitchen on every floor. Currently, D House said to be the sportiest while A House excels in music. Faulkner’s children eat in their house with some senior pupils. Others eat in the main dining room. Pupils will make the effort to stay in for a particular event, like the famous Michaelmas Goose weekend, packed with an interhouse riot of a competition which includes a ‘total wipeout’ style water and inflatables obstacle course as well as dodgeball, debating, dancing and singing (‘very raucous, and loud,’ warned a student).

Pastoral care lauded again and again by all we spoke to: ‘The fact is there are some troubled children at these boarding schools. Many have experienced divorce, mental health challenges or even the death of a parent. Bradfield does a great job for those that need extra TLC.’ ‘Pastoral care was our biggest priority,’ a mum told us. ‘That’s why we chose Bradfield.’ Parents mentioned weekly calls from tutors during lockdown: ‘It was huge.’ School communication is ‘incredible’. ‘We get instant replies to emails and there is constant feedback and reports.’ Faulkner’s children are awarded merit points for kindness and rewarded with treats (‘McDonalds!’ enthused a pupil; ‘a nice touch,’ said a parent). Veritas, the newish LGBTQ society, welcomes all. Pupils in years 9-11 have a timetabled wellbeing lesson each week covering resilience, health, equality, community, communication and reflection. Staff too are looked after, and some have completed a mindfulness-based stress reduction course.

Disciplinary incidents of some kind come up most years. Relieved that Bradfield barely featured in the Everyone’s Invited exposé, but no school can be complacent, and staff have renewed efforts to make sure this is a school with a culture of speaking up. All of the Bradfield parents we spoke to had confidence in the school’s grip on ‘boy-girl relationships’. An episode involving a nude photo resulted in culprits immediately exiting the school. Ditto for drugs.

M4 corridor and west London loom large. Forty per cent of families hail from a 30-mile radius, 25 per cent have an address in London (some of these also have a more local home). Only eight per cent are based abroad. Far fewer international pupils, and a much more English flavour, than most boarding schools, mainly owing to the preponderance of weekly boarding (only 10 children currently have EAL lessons). A good sprinkling of Old Bradfieldans. Loads of siblings – this is very much a one-school-fits-all place. ‘I chose it because it suited both my children – one’s super-academic, the other’s more relaxed,’ said a parent. ‘Very academically-pushy parents won’t take the risk on the all-rounder education Bradfield provides; they’ll most probably look elsewhere.’

Pupils come from 60 different prep schools. Among the preps sending larger cohorts (though all send fewer than 20) are Cheam, St Andrew’s, Lambrook, Northcote Lodge, Broomwood and Twyford. We have previously said, ‘Bradfield remains a broad church and under the current leadership will continue to do so.’ So far this holds true…

An all-rounder’s nirvana. Bucolic setting, weekly boarding, co-ed, IB, football, first year mega-boarding-house: these are Bradfield’s USPs. A mature, confident school at its peak. ‘We have complete trust in the school,’ a parent told us. ‘A feel-good school,’ said another. Delicate swots or single sport obsessives may look elsewhere.