Brambletye School A GSG School

Sports

Unusual sports

Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.

Fencing

Shooting

Sailing

What The Good Schools Guide says

Headmaster

Since 2015, Will Brooks, BA English, sociology, ancient history (Durham). Married to Amelia (school’s marketing and communications director), with three teenage children. Deputy head at Bruern Abbey, Sunningdale and Port Regis before taking post. Got a taste for teaching while working as a ‘gappy’ at Cargilfield and as a private tutor abroad. Describes himself as a ‘nomad’, having lived overseas for most of his youth, but Scotland was his ‘constant’ where he attended Glenalmond College and the family had a base. An avid sports fan, in a different life he’d love to have played for Scotland.

His personality is firmly on display in his smart and homely study: family photos, ornamental bronze sausage dog (real ones, Hercules and Coco, roam the school), invitations to senior school engagements, racquetball racquet, painting of village cricket scene, among the many treasures.

‘Interested and interesting, with a bit of spark,’ says head, of how he’d like Brambletye children to be known. Mr and Mrs Brooks (fluent Russian speaker, used to work in Moscow for Bloomberg) are leading by example. We gleaned more when we dropped in on podcasting club to find the head being gently interrogated! The children found it hilarious when Mr Brooks admitted to a few detentions when he was at school; ‘Some things are worth getting a detention for,’ he playfully confessed of his campaign to keep his boarding house from closing down at Glenalmond.

Resounding parent praise for this ‘level-headed’, ‘fun’ and ‘energetic’ head. ‘Really approachable,’ echoed many, ‘sets the children up to springboard into their next school.’ Many talked about his ‘clear vision’ for the school and of how he and Mrs Brooks ‘know everyone’. ‘The Brookses have the tone between modernising and retaining just right,’ said a parent of the extensive changes Mr Brooks has made in his seven years. These include a curriculum overhaul, new library, new changing rooms, upgraded art studio, new all-weather pitches, a Jubilee garden, changes to Saturday school timetable, flexible boarding, tech upgrade, and digital wellbeing strategy.

Children aspire to being invited onto head’s table for Friday lunch and describe Mr Brooks as ‘really funny’ with ‘slapstick humour’. ‘You are allowed to go and visit him at break time,’ said one. ‘He’s incredibly nice, always interested and supportive,’ confided another.

Next on the head’s agenda? ‘We don’t want in terms of facilities, but some need some TLC,’ he says. Little free time outside school, but he’ll surely be busy training for the annual head’s challenge, this year a Brambletye to Brighton bike ride. Brambletye has always had a charitable conscience but there’s been a noticeable uplift in funds raised since Mr Brooks’s arrival. ‘It’s a team effort,’ he says.

Mr and Mrs Brooks have an authentic husband-and-wife partnership which appears effortlessly to combine professionalism with charm, warmth and friendliness. As one long-standing parent told us, ‘They have got it spot on.’

Entrance

Informal interview with head and up-to-date academic report from previous school. The majority of children will transition from the pre-prep to year 3.

Exit

Ardingly, Bede’s, Brighton College, Charterhouse, Eastbourne College, Hurst, King’s Canterbury, Lancing College, Tonbridge, Uppingham, Wellington College and Worth are the most recent destinations. School hosts an annual senior schools fair and head’s focus is on the ‘right fit’. Seven scholarships in 2023.

Our view

Set in an imposing Victorian Gothic former shooting lodge, with dramatic views across Ashdown Forest over to Weir Wood reservoir. All-round adventures are to be had in the 140-acre site, with its endless sports pitches, woods and assault course. Few areas are out of bounds and children enjoy a real sense of freedom. Modern buildings (sparkling teaching block, art studio, library) dispersed among the old, including school’s charming, historic chapel.

Inside, wood-panelling, high ceilings, large windows and ornate cornicing are juxtaposed with bright rugs and comfy sofas with happy children perched on them, enjoying (when we visited) the warmth of the open fire. We admired the display of artwork, all by former scholars – such talent. ‘Very homely’, ‘family feel’, ‘just lovely’, agree parents.

Social and emotional welfare of the children isn’t just a buzz phrase here, it’s at the heart of things. ‘Pastorally, really, really excellent’, ‘nothing is too much trouble’, say parents. Children all have a tutor, and years 7 and 8 choose their own. ‘Very, very supportive staff, absolutely fantastic’ and ‘very attentive pastorally,’ parents told us. It shows in the children, a bubbly and engaging bunch saying hello to us on our tour, clearly big fans of our guide Mrs Brooks, stopping to tell her of their comings and goings. Much door-opening, polite standing and eye contact.

Year 2 (pre-prep) to year 3 (prep) transition is thoughtfully managed for both pupils and parents. Countless settling-in events (school charity dog show a favourite), academic reports from pre-prep or current school, shadows from the year above to help navigate first term, and parents’ drinks reception between the two years, ‘for questions they feel they can’t ask the teacher!’ Same goes for new joiners from outside, ‘The children were sent a parcel in the holidays with different activities to do and once completed were sent a teddy. They were also sent a lovely letter saying how much the school was looking forward to them joining.’

Holistic approach to timetable across years 3 and 4 (lower school) with maths and English ‘almost always the first two lessons of the day’, later (pm) games lessons to capitalise on morning learning, and a gentler first term, earlier finish and fewer activities. Years 3 and 4 now have more lessons with their class teacher and become ‘nomadic’ as they move up the school. School day gets progressively lengthier and more rigorous as pupils move up the years. Mixed-ability classes up until year 5 when children are set in core subjects.

Strong focus on data to inform teaching: intricate level of detail we’ve not come across before. ‘Energetic and engaging’ teachers, most have had careers additional to teaching; majority hired by Mr Brooks, a few having worked for him before. Noticeably young yet experienced team, all very good sorts. Huge focus on individual’s progress, tutors are accountable for dealing with minor concerns as and when they arise ‘to ensure they are grasped quickly and efficiently’, says school. ‘Curriculum is under review to ensure it is relevant in a fast-changing world,’ explains deputy head. Lessons have recently been increased to 55 minutes, all classrooms have interactive boards which can move up and down, ‘a lifesaver for the back’, commented one staff member. ‘Very academic’, ‘we're delighted’, say parents; ‘good at targeting the relevant level to the child’. ‘Fair and open-minded, my child had a strong level of respect for the teachers.’ One pupil confided, ‘Teachers keep pushing you even if you’re not good.’

The Brambletye award for years 7 and 8 is now up and running (a foundation award for years 3 and 4 and diploma for years 5 and 6 are also pending). Brainchild of recently appointed, ex-army assistant head, the aim is to ‘develop pupils’ depth of character’. Core activities include a carousel of options on Monday afternoons including podcasting, debating, fives, bike maintenance, horse riding, and more. Outside achievements can contribute to the award too, such as Pony Club and voluntary work.

Children uninhibited in expressing opinions, even in presence of Mrs Brooks. We chatted with members of the school council over tea and treats: ‘I like how old it is,’ shared an international boarder; ‘good sports coaches,’ said a day pupil; ‘fun activities at weekends,’ remarked a full boarder. ‘Each teacher is so nice,’ said a child who had just started at the school. ‘Many boarders from different countries,’ revealed an eager contributor. Very positive, but not perfect. A senior girl pointed out, ‘All houses are named after boys’ (Wellington, Nelson et al) and there were calls for the zip-wire to be reopened. We gather famed zip-wire will be making a come-back; house names may take longer.

Library (2018, funded by parents and stakeholders), another Mr Brooks addition, is one of the best designed we’ve seen in a prep school. Annual reading test informs child’s level and book choice; pupil volunteers lend a hand – ‘They love the electronic scanner!’ We dropped in on a year 5 library lesson, children on beanbags or nestled in seating areas among the bookshelves, all engrossed. Weekly formal library lessons for all.

Exceptional art, with a stonking 17 scholarships in 2022 and endless parent praise for the department and its head. New art room sits centrally, with inspiring views and plenty of natural light. Small exhibition area adjoining, displays work of former pupil who’s on the cusp of making it big in the art world, providing the ultimate motivation to the year 7 class we dropped in on. Many children said art was their favourite subject and we can quite see why.

The centenary all-weather pitch opened in 2018, another impressive addition on Mr Brooks’s watch. Outside space and sports facilities are generous, and while the indoor pool is no looker, it’s in adequate condition and doesn’t prevent the school hosting numerous galas on the local circuit. Sailing club is an option, takes place on nearby reservoir, wall climbing and fives are quirky additions to activities line-up. A few grumbles amongst parents about absence of a head of girls’ sport: ‘girls end up getting the gappies’ (school says all coaching is done by sports specialists). Silverware on display around school suggests this hasn’t affected performance. Fixtures predominantly Wednesdays, plus four Saturday mornings per term, complete with bacon rolls and coffee for spectators – all very social, we hear. Move away from Saturday school and fixtures has been popular with parents.

School food ‘really delicious’, children said. ‘They’re always changing the menu.’ We agree – our vegetarian choice, grilled mushroom, was top-notch. Gluten-free options and salad bar too. ‘Catering bent over backwards… the food is brilliant,’ said one parent whose child has special dietary requirements. Quite trad dining – set tables for mixed year groups with a staff member at the head, separate prefect table gets a plum spot in bay window. Meals end with a prayer, heads bowed, and everyone must wait for all to finish before ceremonial departure, table by table. Acoustics in dining hall need ‘sorting out’, head tells us.

Drama ‘outstanding’, say parents, Beauty and the Beast being the latest school musical – ‘incredibly polished’, ‘West-End worthy’ among the accolades. Music impressive too, judging by the superb year 3 lesson we dropped in on; the teacher had an immersive and engaging method of teaching rhythm – we were gripped. A plethora of orchestras, singing groups and choirs, and around two-thirds opt for extra music lessons.

Despite head’s tech upgrade, it’s refreshing to visit a school where ICT isn’t the main push (no mobile phones allowed for pupils or staff, and no complaints from either) although there is an ICT suite and Chromebooks used in classrooms. ‘We want to release the children from the shackles of social media,’ head says. Dedicated computing lessons for younger years, with own computer games developed by end of year 3. For older years, digital skills are embedded across the curriculum and project-based work.

Around 16 per cent with learning support, mainly mild dyslexia, and 13 per cent EAL. APS (Additional Pupil Support) hub, as it’s known, won’t take children out of core lessons or from lessons ‘where they shine’, says SENCO. Definite focus on how ‘the child can help themselves’ with an array of resources (overlays, phonics mats, wobbly cushions, resistance bands) available. ‘The team are incredible,’ glowed current parent. ‘Couldn’t fault the support’, said parent of recent leaver who has headed off to a top public school.

Pre-prep has impressively large multi-purpose assembly hall and, in classic Brambletye style, there’s artwork on display everywhere, and gosh it’s good. Free-flow activities in airy, light classrooms, all with own outdoor areas. ‘The children do a lot outside,’ explains head, ‘even in the rain.’ Pupils visit School in the Woods weekly, year 2s were gathering sticks to make broomsticks to link in with class reader and phonics sound of the week when we visited. Staff transform the woods into Father Christmas’s grotto each year – magical.

Boarders

‘Warm, lovely people, who go that extra mile,’ said a parent of the boarding team. Over a third of children board, pretty even girl/boy, flexi/full boarding split. Around 15 per cent international pupils. Full boarders can go home every weekend after matches or stay in for one of the many fun activities: circus skills, inflatable water slides, historic outings, mountain biking, to name a few. Apparently, ‘night under the stars’ is a highlight, when pupils sleep out in school’s campsite overlooking the valley. Dorms (sleep eight, named after flowers and trees) are military-grade immaculate, but no stand-by-your-bed undertones in this ‘home from home’. Same bed guaranteed for flexi-boarders, we hear.

Lots inside to entertain: a super boys’ common room with sofas, TV, football table, games galore. Girls’ common room has novel spa room attached, foot massages and face masks must be booked in advance and ‘it’s not just for girls!’ Boarders call home via Skype, Facetime, house phone. ‘My child always knows where to go and who to speak to if she’s homesick.’ Most coveted night? Thursday. ‘It’s the new Friday,’ says boarding head.

Money matters

Discount to foreign office and service families (excludes nursery). Sibling discount for families with two or more children at the school. One-on-one learning support incurs extra charge.

The last word

A kind and gentle school which builds confidence and self-esteem, celebrates the individual and truly delivers on providing a bespoke education. Parents say it’s ‘incredibly well run’, also commending its ‘warmth and kindness’. Another parent of a recent leaver told us, ‘My child flourished in every way.’

Special Education Needs

Brambletye School has a vibrant learning development department, staffed by a head of learning development, several specialist teachers, and a higher level teaching assistant. When required we work closely with outside agencies such as educational psychologists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists. Our specialist teachers tailor their teaching programmes to a child’s specific learning needs, and collaborate with teaching staff to make sure children’s needs are being addressed in mainstream lessons. In addition to in-class support, one-to-one and group sessions are provided. We offer specialist tuition for children with a number of different specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia. Typically we offer support with maths, reading, spelling, written language skills, study skills, handwriting, touch-typing and word-processing skills. Additional support is also provided for children who have English as a second language. The views of the individual child and their parents are viewed as paramount to this process.

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