Together we flourish

Our boarding provision has always been an integral part of Highfield and Brookham and its continued popularity reflects just how well we do it. Our full boarding is perfect for children whose families may be overseas, and our buoyant boarding community ensures that no child ever feels alone when their parents are out of the country.

The children who board all become part of a large extended family. We ensure they are cared for, looked after and receive the attention they deserve just like they would if they were at home. Every evening the whole boarding community, including the staff, sit and eat dinner together. Our international children benefit from the balance of the big bustling boarding community during the week and the more intimate atmosphere of the weekends.

Our curriculum is designed to ensure children are fully prepared for exams by providing plenty of time for the core subjects as well as providing breadth through our sport, performing arts and visual arts lessons. And the opportunities do not end there. Our extensive extra-curricular programme offers endless opportunities for children to try their hand at bushcraft, to practise their piano playing or head out to our own golf course to refine their swing.

Our exceptional teachers and our rich curriculum fully prepare children for the ISEB exams which they sit in Year 6. Children who join us in Year 7 who have not already sat these examinations will have the opportunity to take them in their first term with us. We continue to prepare children for Common Entrance in the core subjects which includes English, maths and science. Our scholarship programme is for children in Year 8 who are showing great strength across the board. The scholarship syllabus extends beyond the normal demands of the curriculum to help prepare children who show real aptitude to apply for a senior school scholarship.

We welcome children from many different countries. Our school community currently includes over ten different nationalities beyond the UK and this brings great vibrancy and enrichment to our school and provides a wonderful opportunity for both children and staff to celebrate diversity and inclusion.

If English is not your child’s first language, Highfield and Brookham will provide them with a full immersion experience. Children make rapid progress in English language once they arrive however, children do need to have sufficient spoken and written English before they arrive to be able to follow the lessons. Our admissions process ensures we maintain a dynamic mix of nationalities and never allow a particular one to dominate. This ensures that your child will always be motivated to speak English and become fully accustomed to British traditions and culture. For an additional charge, extra English tuition is also provided for those children who will benefit from it.

Our friendly and knowledgeable Admissions Registrar will guide your through our admissions process offering help and advice every step of the way. To ensure our school has an exciting blend of nationalities and to support our international children fully integrate, our admissions criteria ensures that no overseas nationality is dominant. We recognise the value of working with educational agents and welcome enquiries from them on behalf of international families.

Families are welcome to join us in September, January or April and we offer options for either long-term or short-term stays. We recommend registering at least 18 months in advance for entry in September and at least 12 months in advance for entry in January or April. Registrations are considered by the Head in the order in which they are received so early registration is always advised.