Bradfield

Overview

Bradfield College is a British co-educational public school located in the small village of Bradfield in the English county of Berkshire. The school is a member of the Rugby Group, which also includes Harrow School, Wellington College and Charterhouse School. The college was founded in 1850 by Thomas Stevens, Rector and Lord of the Manor of Bradfield. According to the Good Schools Guide the "Pastoral, extra-curricular and academic aspects [are] all strong in a very beautiful setting. The school is unusually family-friendly and with exceptional boarding." In Summer 2009 Bradfield received outstanding inspection reports from the Independent Schools Inspection team and Ofsted body of inspectors. In September 2010 the Blackburn Science Centre was opened. The new building includes green elements such as a bio-mass boiler, green roof and solar panels

Unique Points

Bradfield is renowned for its Greek theatre and Greek play, which is performed on a three-year rota. Started to save the school from bankruptcy by Head Master, Dr Herbert Branston Gray, the Greek plays have been staged by the school for almost 150 years. The students who act in them receive no formal training in speaking Ancient Greek, and have only nine months to learn the lines and direction, while keeping up with their other studies. The theatre opened in 1890 with a performance of Antigone. The 2006 play was Euripides's Medea, directed by John Taylor.

Entry Requirements

For 13 plus entry there will be a pupil admissions interview - this interview will last for around 20-30 minutes and is aimed at understanding how well your child will fit into Bradfield and what she or he will be able to contribute to the life of the College. Pupils are asked to bring a piece of recent academic work of their choice with them to the interview which will act as a starting point for discussion. We will also talk to your child about their other interests and skills. All our offers are conditional on passing Common Entrance at a 55% average in the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science or on achieving a satisfactory standard in the Bradfield Scholarship Examination or the Bradfield Entrance Examination, which is available to pupils who have not been prepared for Common Entrance by their school. We also accept the Prep School Baccalaureate.