Results 2025: A Global Top 7 Co-Ed IB School
Results 2025: 223 Upper Sixth leavers achieved 61% A*/A grades
Results 2025: 90% achieved their first-place university
Results 2025: A level 83% A*/B
Results 2025: IB 39.81 Average Score

Peer Mentors lead Routh Assembly

Monday 22nd September 2025 

A Home Made of Us read by Sophia 

It does not take much to build a home. 

Not bricks, not beams, 

but gestures so small, they might almost be missed. 

 

A chair pulled out at lunch. 

A name remembered. 

A quiet walk with me when the corridors feel too long. 

  

We arrive here carrying different stories, 

different worries, 

different pieces of ourselves. 

  

And at first, it can feel like too much to hold. 

The strangeness of new corridors. 

The ache of missing familiar voices. 

The tiredness that grows heavier as the weeks go on. 

           

But kindness has a way of easing the weight. 

It gathers us in, 

makes space at the table, 

teaches us that belonging is something we create together. 

  

And slowly, 

through the laughter that breaks tired days, 

the questions asked with genuine care, 

the steady presence of someone who notices- 

we find ourselves at home. 

  

Because a community is not built in a single moment. 

It is stitched together, day by day, 

from the choices we make: 

to include, 

to welcome, 

to reach out. 

  

The person who asks,  Are you alright? 

The one who sees someone standing alone, 

and chooses to stand beside them. 

  

The one who notices what others walk past. 

These are the people who make a difference. 

Not through grand speeches or loud gestures, 

but through quiet, ordinary courage- 

the courage to care. 

 

And here is the truth: 

kindness lasts. 

It lingers long after the words are spoken. 

It echoes in memory. 

It is carried forward by the person who received it, 

until one day, they pass it on. 

We may forget test scores, 

we may forget timetables, 

but we do not forget how someone made us feel 

in a moment when we needed it most. 

  

And when enough of us choose to live this way- 

to be the ones who notice, 

to be the ones who reach out, 

to be the reason someone’s day becomes lighter- 

then our school becomes something greater 

than classrooms and corridors. 

 It becomes a home away from home. 

  

A place where every voice matters, 

every person belongs, 

and no one is left behind. 

So let us keep choosing kindness. 

Because it lasts. 

Because it returns. 

Because it shapes the community that we all share. 

 

A home is not built once and finished. 

It is built every day, 

in the way we choose to treat one another. 

  

And if we are lucky, 

years from now we will look back 

and remember this simple truth: 

we were not just part of a school. 

We were part of each other’s home. 

Today, representatives of the Bring Your Whole Self to Bromsgrove Peer Mentors will be speaking to you. As Peer Mentors, our role is to be approachable, supportive faces who help to create a safe and positive school community for all. 

The start of a new school year is exciting, but it can also feel daunting. Many of you will remember what it was like to arrive at Bromsgrove for the first time - the challenge of new routines, the uncertainty of finding your way, and, for some, the homesickness that comes with being away from familiar surroundings. Now, as we reach the middle of the first half of term, when tiredness begins to set in, these challenges can feel even heavier. 

That is why our responsibility to one another is so important. Each of us has the power to make a difference. A simple act of kindness - walking with someone who looks a little bit lost, inviting a pupil who is sitting alone to join you in the dining hall - can change the course of someone’s day. 

As the writer Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” By showing kindness, by reaching out, by choosing to see the person beside you, you can be the reason someone feels lighter and more at home. 

 

This week, I encourage you to look beyond yourself. Notice those around you. Be the person who helps, who welcomes, who includes. Because the energy we put into our community is the energy that will return to us. Together, we can ensure that Bromsgrove is not just a school, but a place where every individual feels they truly belong. 

Nicholas: We are here today as advocates for the Peer Mentors at school. Now, if you have been at the school for a while, you will likely be aware of the peer mentoring system, but if you’re new to the school, or simply have forgotten, we are here today to talk about the Bring Your Whole Self To Bromsgrove Initiative. The Bring Your Whole Self To Bromsgrove Initiative was created by Thando Best and Jess Whitlock, the Head Boy and Head Girl at Bromsgrove School 3 years ago. The aim of the initiative is to “educate the school community on equality, diversity and inclusion” to celebrate the rich community we are so fortunate to have in this school. It also aligns with the school's broader pastoral care and community values, aiming to cultivate happy, moral, and fulfilled citizens. The aim is to make our school a safe space where everyone feels comfortable being their true self, and to raise awareness about the individuality of all pupils. Since the approval of Bring Your Whole Self To Bromsgrove, numerous events have taken place to oppose the concerns of ‘cancel culture’ and to embrace the concept of the ‘positive bystander’. 

Maria:Starting into a new academic year can be exciting, but it can also be challenging. Whether you are new to Bromsgrove or simply adjusting to new routines, it is completely normal to feel overwhelmed at times. That’s where Peer Mentors step in. 

Peer Mentoring is a programme where we as students support other students in situations where some extra help is needed. As Mentors we are there to listen to you, offer encouragement and help if needed. We want you to feel the most confident, connected and supported as you can be.  

We have all faced challenges similar to yours, which you may find helpful to navigate your personal situation. Peer Mentors are here to make you feel heard and understood, by being someone you can trust at all times. 

For us, promoting a positive atmosphere across the school community is essential, which is shown in our aim to encourage kindness, inclusion and wellbeing in everything we do. 

Mart:As peer mentors, we play an important role in supporting our peers, especially those within the alliance. The alliance is our school’s LGBTQ+ society. The Alliance aims to help by creating spaces that are welcoming and where everyone feels they can be their true selves without judgment.   

It is for like-minded members of the school’s community to talk about identity, gender, sexuality, and other similar topics. The Alliance is accessible to all no matter how you identify. It is open to anyone, whether it be people who have friends or family members in the community, or anyone who is curious about the Alliance. Together, we aim to foster a community where every individual, regardless of their identity, can thrive. Please speak to Mr. Summerfield to find out more about the Alliance.

Tamilla: Furthermore, we would like to highlight our connection to the Re-Wired community at Bromsgrove. Rewired is all about understanding and supporting people with neurodiversity. It shows that neurodiversity isn’t something to fix, but a different way of experiencing the world. People with neurodiversity might communicate, process information, or react to situations differently, and that’s okay. 

What’s powerful about Rewired is that it helps us see these differences as strengths. By being patient, listening, and including others, we can make a real difference in someone’s day. Even small actions can create a more welcoming and supportive environment. 

Rewired teaches us that acceptance is more than just understanding - it’s appreciating everyone for who they are and making sure our school is a place where everyone feels valued and accepted. It reminds us that kindness and respect don’t require grand gestures; they start with everyday choices - sharing a smile, inviting someone to join in, or simply taking the time to listen. 

By embracing these values, we not only support those who are neurodiverse but also help build a stronger, more compassionate school community for everyone. Together, we can create a culture where differences aren’t just tolerated, but truly celebrated. 

Amelie:As peer mentors, one of our primary responsibilities is to help create a school community where everyone feels respected, supported, and valued. Throughout the year, we proudly host events such as Children’s Mental Health Week, Anti-Bullying Week, International Women’s Week, Black History Month, Pride Month, and, of course, Peer Mentors Week. Each of these events allows us to raise awareness and encourage positive change. They remind us that our differences make us stronger and that each person has something unique and meaningful to offer. 

With Kindness Week approaching, we encourage everyone to participate. Kindness might seem small, but it has the power to brighten someone’s day and even transform our community. A kind word or a thoughtful gesture can make a real difference.  

Kindness also requires courage, the courage to stand up for what is right, to support others when they need it most, and to treat people with fairness and respect. Let’s use this week to practice kindness and show what it really means to look out for each other, not just during Kindness Week but every day of the year. 

Alex: If you would like to request a Peer Mentor, please do not hesitate to reach out to your tutor or Houseparent, Miss Leech, Mrs Jones, as well as the U6th House or School Monitors, and they will be able to point you in the right direction. All information and mentor profiles will be available to all pupils through the SharePoint. Furthermore, if you are a Sixth Former wanting undertake training to become a Peer Mentor, please sign up on SOCS. We encourage those who are attentive, kind hearted and understanding to consider signing up, as you can really make a difference to those in need. The activity is open every term. If you have any questions or enquiries, feel free to contact Miss Leech, Mrs Jones, or Mr Gothorp, and they will be able to give you guidance. If you have any questions regarding peer mentors, please don’t be afraid to contact our peer mentor leaders Sophia Hogset and Angel Balogun.  Remember, not everything that weighs you down is yours to carry. Thank you, and have a great week.