One Bradfield. Many Bradfieldians. - Bradfield College

BRADFIELD IS A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERY PUPIL IS EDUCATED TO BE MATURE AND OPEN-MINDED ENOUGH TO ACCEPT EVERYBODY FOR WHo THEY ARE.

My first taste of Bradfield was in the Dining Hall on a packed Saturday morning. I remember it distinctly; it had been raining heavily so when my family and I arrived everybody was soaking wet. I was enchanted by it that day; the sheer beauty of the place, the quantity of world class facilities, and more than anything, the passionate and engaging staff and the perpetually busy pupils.

So, what in particular stands out in such a special place? I’ll endeavour to convey to you what I think makes Bradfield a school unlike any other.

I WAS ENCHANTED BY IT; THE SHEER BEAUTY OF THE PLACE, THE QUANTITY OF WORLD CLASS FACILITIES AND THE PASSIONATE AND ENGAGING STAFF.

First of all, it really is hard to beat our surroundings. From the very first second of my arrival, I have been enchanted by the beauty of the place. Whether it’s the picturesque Quad at the centre of the main College campus, the beautiful summer afternoon rambles down the River Pang or the phenomenal Greek Theatre, we really are lucky to learn here.

If this is the first thing to strike a pupil when they arrive, the second is most definitely the loving, caring and inclusive environment that is Faulkner’s, our Year 9 boarding house. You cannot help but feel instantly welcome to the Bradfield environment, regardless of your interests. Every Faulkner’s pupil has a chance to try everything. In my first week here I played lacrosse, acted in the Greek Theatre and played in the College Jazz band.

Music and the Creative Arts really are my passion and I hope to go on to become a professional pianist. Bradfield has supported me extensively throughout and the committed staff, not just in the Music Department, but across the College, have helped me at every stage of my development to achieve outside of my comfort zone.

WE REALLY ARE LUCKY TO LEARN HERE.

I think our school is one where every pupil is pushed out of their comfort zone actually. Whether that’s wading through a river with the CCF or simply standing up to give a talk to a class, each pupil is pushed beyond where they individually are comfortable. Bradfield provides a bespoke tailored environment for each pupil to flourish in their own area, not just academically.

The Music Department, as is the case in every faculty in the College, is eager to help all the time. I can write to my Music teacher late in the evening with an issue and in the morning there is, reliably, a resolution waiting in my Inbox. This is the case with every single staff member here.

Alongside this for me has always been the outstanding pastoral support on offer. Each House has a Matron, Faulkner’s has four, so you are never without somebody to talk to.

There is always a network of trusted people in place and I have never been expected to do something without a clear support structure.

There are always times in teenagers’ lives where they are stressed and it was certainly a concern of my parents that these adolescent problems would go unnoticed in a boarding environment.

They could not have been more wrong.

Each House is its own family and, by the end of your time here, you know each member of your Year Group in the House personally.

Housemasters and Housemistresses, Tutors and a network of Peer Mentors are always there if a pupil needs to talk. We are a talking school.

CO-EDUCATION IS VERY STRONG HERE AND GIRLS AND BOYS ARE CLOSE-KNIT IN THEIR ACADEMIC STUDIES.

I am openly gay and Bradfield is a diverse and inclusive environment, where every pupil is educated to be mature and open-minded enough to accept everybody for who they are.

Co-education is very strong here and, even in the current very odd climate, girls and boys are close-knit in their academic studies, although obviously at a safe distance.

So, if you are thinking of attending Bradfield in the future, I hope my experiences have convinced you, just like the wonderful staff, charming Matrons and intelligent and well mannered pupils did on my first day here; in my view, it has only got better since.

From the February 2021 issue of

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