FROM THE HEADMASTER….

A profound and hugely exciting change is about to visit our ancient School. From September 2007, Bromsgrove School will offer a new working week. For all pupils – the brightest scholars, the finest sportsmen and women, the hundreds engaged in CCF and Duke of Edinburgh programmes, the musicians, artists, actors and debaters - it offers enhancement and extension on a massive scale.

What follows is an abridged version of the presentations given to parents and pupils over the last few days. After my short introduction, a series of slides will offer details,. At the outset, it is worth stating the following:

• Compulsory lessons on Saturday vanish. 

• Those who want Saturday School will find a unique, optional programme of staggering breadth. Details of this offer follow below.

• We have negotiated the use of Upton Warren Activity Centre where outdoor land and water activities can be undertaken with expert tuition at no cost. 

• The working day is shorter: day pupils may leave at 5pm.  All activities will take place after lessons so pupils will never have to return to classes after demanding extra curricular sessions.

• However, day pupils who wish to stay in School until 5.50, as now, may still do so in supervised Prep. Parents have flexibility.  Four hundred full boarders remain on site.

• Lessons will be lengthened from thirty-five to fifty minutes: this will impact hugely on improving teaching and learning.

• Time in lessons increases in almost all subjects at GCSE, AS and A level.

This timetable is innovative – indeed as far as I am aware it is unique – and the product of exhaustive research and debate. Paradoxically, it is brilliantly simple – (it was Leonardo who said simplicity was the ultimate sophistication) - but relies on the flexibility and goodwill of a Common Room to whom I pay tribute. I also thank the governors for their unanimous and active support.  During the genesis of the decision to change the working week, many of Britain’s finest schools were visited, endless variations of timetable discussed, the views of educational psychologists assimilated, HMC, Prep and Junior School Heads consulted. And of course, I’ve listened to thousands of children and parents from Malvern to Manila as they visit, write to, or even just collect children at the School.

The impact of the announcement of the new week has been felt already with a staggering, indeed historic increase in applications for Prep and Senior School for both day and boarding. Schools that have never considered sending children to Bromsgrove are now doing so. The response has been utterly overwhelming. Over one thousand people have visited the School since the announcement. The number of children sitting the Prep School entrance examinations last week was up 63% on the previous year and is almost certainly the largest in the School’s history. Numbers sitting the 13+ entry at the Senior School rose by 125% on the previous year. Boarding numbers in the Prep School will increase in September. The Senior School, of course, will remain full with waiting lists.

We look to the future. What is clear already is that we have put a turbo charger onto the offer and appeal of this great School. What follows explains why.

 POWERPOINT Presentation as given to Parents.

To view the Powerpoint presentation either right-click the link above and select 'save target' to download it to your hard drive, or simply click the link to view and print it out from within your browser. Adobe Acrobat Reader 3.0 or higher will be required.