Highfield and Brookham School has launched a purpose-built Independent Project Qualification (iPQ) Research Section within the school library, designed to elevate Year 8 pupils’ research skills and nurture genuine intellectual curiosity. This initiative reflects the school’s commitment to developing deep-thinking, confident learners, fully prepared for senior school and beyond.

Recognised as an ISEB iPQ Gold School for 2025-26, the school champions the power of traditional book-based research in an age dominated by digital information. Evidence shows that reading books strengthens long-term memory, analytical thinking and the ability to distinguish credible information from misinformation – skills that are not only academic but essential for life.

A leading co-educational independent school, Highfield and Brookham is based in Liphook in the South Downs National Park, where Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex meet. Celebrated in the Tatler Schools Guide, this award-wining school is known for its inspiring, future-focussed approach to education and exceptional pastoral care – empowering children to flourish as happy, confident well-rounded learners ready to thrive in an ever-changing world.

The project was championed by Deputy Head (Academic) Ian Nichols and supported by iPQ Scholar in Residence, Lawrence Deju-Wiseman, an industry expert in research and project delivery. Their combined expertise has created a space offering meaningful foundations for Year 8 pupils as they embark on their independent learning journeys. Pupils benefit from carefully curated books and resources, along with thoughtfully designed guides from Mr Deju-Wiseman and Dr Fiona Whitfield, the school librarian, helping the children navigate and use the research tools effectively.

Suzannah Cryer, Highfield and Brookham Head commented, “The Independent Project Qualification has grown so much in the past three years that it is now recognised by senior schools as equally important as the Common Entrance 13+ exams. The addition of this research section solidifies our commitment to providing an exceptional academic experience that prioritises critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and high-quality scholarship. I am passionate about future proofing our children and the iPQ is a great start”

There was great excitement at Highfield and Brookham as pupils welcomed Ellie Rayer, England and Team GB international hockey player. The school, renowned for its passion for the sport, was thrilled to host the Olympic and Commonwealth medallist, who was part of the Tokyo 2020 squad that secured a Bronze Medal.

Ellie delivered an informal yet inspiring talk to girls in Years 7 and 8, sharing her sporting journey, from her early days as a track and field athlete to discovering that hockey was where her true passion lay. She spoke about progressing through the junior ranks before making her international debut in 2017 and described how her trademark pace on the pitch has since become her signature strength.

During the session, Ellie opened up about the highs and lows of life as an elite athlete, emphasising the importance of resilience, teamwork and self-belief. Pupils were eager to learn more, asking thoughtful questions about her training routine, why she chose hockey, how she maintains wellbeing, and when she might hear about selection for the 2028 Olympic squad. The girls felt incredibly fortunate to engage so closely with such an inspiring sporting role model.

The excitement continued on the school’s astro pitches, where Ellie joined the pupils for a training session and took part in fun warm-ups. The girls then put her expert tips into practice, making the most of the rare opportunity to learn directly from an Olympic athlete.

“We were truly overwhelmed by Ellie’s generosity in taking the time to visit us. It is definitely something we will all remember,” said Robert Grech, Year 5 Teacher and Head of Hockey.

Ellie added: “When I’m not in training, I love visiting schools that champion hockey, so I was delighted to receive the invitation from Highfield and Brookham. It was amazing to spend time with the girls, I especially enjoyed being on the pitch and sharing some training tips.”

The Highfield and Brookham community came together for a deeply moving Remembrance Day service to honour the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country. Pupils from Nursery through to Year 8, along with staff joined in reflection and remembrance, ensuring that the significance of this day continues to be understood by future generations.

The morning began with the Nursery children creating a beautiful wreath from their handprints, which they then laid in the school chapel as a gentle and meaningful act of remembrance. Reception pupils were joined by parents and grandparents to make poppies from paper and clay, each one a personal symbol of respect and reflection.

Older pupils attended a special Remembrance chapel service before the whole school gathered on the school’s Chapel Field, led by the school’s piper, Year 6 teacher Mr Simon Gunn. Following the two-minute silence, Year 4 pupils laid the ceramic poppies they had made, inspired by the 2016 Tower of London installation “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red” (by artist Paul Cummins and designer Toom Piper). 

The service concluded with Head, Mrs Suzannah Cryer and her husband Robert, reading aloud the names of Old Highfieldians who lost their lives in war, a poignant moment that brought home the true human cost of conflict.

The morning served as a powerful reminder of the importance of remembrance and reflection, uniting the school community in gratitude and respect. Through thoughtful activities the school continues to ensure that the spirit of remembrance endures in the hearts of its pupils for generations to come.

It is important for our school community to engage with the local community and add value wherever we can. For several years, Highfield and Brookham School has had the privilege of being involved with the Liphook Day Centre. Our children regularly visit the centre to enjoy board games, conversations, arts and crafts and the occasional choir performance.

The Liphook Day Centre has been a haven for the elderly residents of Liphook for over 30 years, and we are incredibly proud to be part of such a wonderful community hub. Each term, a group of pupils regularly visit the centre to spend time with the seniors, listening to their fascinating stories, sharing laughter and building meaningful connections across generations. It’s always a highlight of the children’s week.

This term, the children wanted to return the hospitality they’ve received and hosted a wonderful afternoon tea for some of the Day Centre regulars in the school’s cosy Pavilion Café. There was tea, cake and plenty of cheerful chatter as our Year 8 pupils warmly welcomed their friends from the centre.

“It was such a pleasure to invite the Liphook Day Centre here. It gave the children the opportunity to show their friends where they go to school and most importantly, to return the wonderful hospitality they have enjoyed,” said Vivienne Liddell, Deputy Head (Pastoral).

“We’ve had such a wonderful afternoon. It was a real treat for our members to have an outing and a delicious afternoon tea! We all enjoyed seeing where the children go to school and it brought back so many lovely memories and sparked lots of school-day stories among our senior friends,” said Natalie d’Amato, Liphook Day Centre Manager.

Highfield and Brookham School is excited to reveal their newly refurbished Year 4 classrooms, redesigned to better support academic progress, emotional wellbeing and pupil independence. The transformation reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to creating purposeful learning environments that adapt to the needs of today’s children and prepare them for the future.
 
The project was inspired by a recent IAPS (Independent Association of Prep Schools) training session attended by members of their senior leadership team. The session focused on how the physical environment impacts focus, behaviour and wellbeing. Insights from Nest Kids (Neuroscience of Education Support and Training) highlighted the importance of sound, natural light, soft colours, space to move and a connection to nature. These ideas were at the heart of the renovations and the team worked closely with the Maintenance Team and Domestic Manager to bring the designs to life.

The new classrooms feature soft, neutral colour palettes to reduce visual overstimulation and create a calming backdrop for learning. Purposeful displays replace visual clutter, while lighting has been upgraded to soft daylight tones, helping to reduce glare. Acoustic panels and carpet tiles help control background noise, contributing to a more peaceful and focused atmosphere. The addition of indoor plants brings a sense of calm and a subtle connection to nature.
 
Recognising the importance of tidy, ordered spaces for reducing anxiety and promoting focus, the classrooms now include brand-new storage systems. Each pupil has a dedicated space for their belongings, encouraging personal responsibility and organisational skills.
 
Each room has also been carefully zoned to meet a range of learning needs. There is a main teaching area for whole-class learning, a quiet zone for emotional regulation and sensory breaks, and a small group or one-to-one support area designed for more focused or personalised learning. This flexible layout allows children to access the support they need when they need it, making the learning environment inclusive and responsive.
 
“Our goal was to create classrooms that are calm, functional and adaptable spaces where children feel safe, supported and ready to learn,” said Kerri Wilkes, Deputy Head (Professional Development),“This is about more than refurbishment. It’s about creating the best possible environment for children to thrive academically, emotionally and socially.”
 

The redesigned classrooms reflect Highfield and Brookham’s ongoing dedication to educational excellence, innovation and child-centred learning. By placing pupil wellbeing at the heart of its design decisions, the school is ensuring every child has the strongest possible foundation for success in school and in life.

Following our recent Harvest Festival celebrations, we were delighted to donate a generous collection of food items to the Liphook Food Bank – a reflection of our school’s strong sense of community and core values.

The annual Harvest Festival at Highfield and Brookham is a cherished tradition and an opportunity for the school community to pause, reflect and give thanks. While rooted in long-standing custom, the event embraces a modern spirit of community and generosity, encouraging pupils to think about how they can support others.

This year, the children took the lead in raising awareness across the school, rallying their peers, families and staff to donate store cupboard essentials. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with an impressive array of food items collected.

The decision to donate to the Liphook Food Bank was made unanimously by the pupils, recognising the vital role the charity plays in supporting local families and individuals in need across the area, providing much needed weekly food parcels.

Some of the Year 8 pupils, along with Head, Suzannah Cryer, delivered the collection in person and met with the team at the Food Bank. “We were genuinely moved by the generosity shown by our school community,” said Mrs Cryer. “Supporting our Local Food bank gave our pupils a real sense of purpose and a tangible way to give back. Our pupils truly embraced the spirit of giving, and they felt proud to contribute to a cause that directly helps local families.”

Mary Braitch, Trustee at Liphook Food Bank, commented, “I want to thank everyone at Highfield and Brookham who donated, collected or delivered the most amazing haul of Harvest Festival goodies. It was incredibly generous of everyone involved and will make a huge difference to the lives of many local people who struggle to feed themselves and their families. As you know, the price of food (as well as other essentials such as energy) is at a very high level and still increasing, so more people are having to use Food Banks to help.  We are proud to be able to provide a service to many households, but we could not do this without the support of generous partners such as Highfield and Brookham.”

Highfield and Brookham is thrilled to announce it has been awarded the Skills Builder Gold Award, placing it amongst a select group of schools nationally recognised for their commitment to building children’s essential skills.

As one of the first independent primary schools to adopt this approach to teaching, this prestigious achievement highlights Highfield and Brookham’s forward-thinking commitment to education – one that goes beyond academic success to prepare pupils for life beyond the classroom. Through its bespoke Essential Skills programme, based on the respected Skills Builder framework, the school focuses on eight key areas: listening, speaking, problem-solving, creativity, staying positive, aiming high, leadership and teamwork.

“In a rapidly changing world, academic excellence is no longer enough,” says Head, Suzannah Cryer. “We must nurture adaptability, resilience and communication – the skills children need for tomorrow’s workplaces.”

The programme is embedded from Nursery to Year 8 and is guided by the school’s core values, Be Kind, Be Courageous, Be You. From Year 3, progress is tracked through a Keys Passport, culminating in the Keys Diploma in Year 8, celebrating each child’s unique development journey.

Recent guidance from the Department for Education echoes this need for skills-based learning – a future-facing direction that Highfield and Brookham has long embraced. With research showing that 90% of future jobs will demand high-level interpersonal and cognitive skills, the school is proud to be leading the way.

“Education here goes beyond academics,” says Mrs Cryer. “It’s as much about character and growth as it is about knowledge. We are proud to be preparing children not just for their senior school and academic success but for life, equipping them with the confidence and capability to thrive in an ever-evolving world.”

Highfield Highreach Holidays has completed its eighth year of providing transformative residential breaks for children and young adults aged 10-18 with learning difficulties, physical disabilities and medical conditions. Run entirely by volunteers, the week-long holiday offers unforgettable experiences in the safe and welcoming setting of Highfield and Brookham School.

The holiday is accessible to all, including families who might otherwise be unable to afford commercial respite care. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of the school community, more than half of the costs are covered and with all staff volunteering their time, expenses are kept deliberately low.

The school is set in 175 acres of stunning grounds within the South Downs National Park and, with its excellent facilities, provides the perfect base for this enriching holiday experience. This year holidaymakers enjoyed a wide range of on-site activities, including swimming, bushcraft, sensory play and art, complemented by exciting trips to Paultons Park, horse riding and a day at Littlehampton beach.

These outings give participants the chance to tackle activities that may have not done before, shattering preconceptions about what they can achieve; allowing these children and young adults to grow, explore, and push their own boundaries. It also gives their families and carers vital time to rest, recharge and enjoy some much-needed respite. 

The impact of this incredible week on both the holidaymakers and the volunteers is unsurmountable, and each year we receive such wonderful feedback from all those involved.  Parents of this year’s holidaymakers were full of praise. “My daughter has had the most wonderful holiday… she has come home so happy and full of joy that she cannot stop talking about it.” Another parent shared, “My daughter has been coming here for 5-6 years now… the staff are just brilliant, remembering everything about her and treating her with such warmth and care.”

Highfield and Brookham’s ethos of giving back is reflected not only in fundraising but in the many alumni who volunteer. One volunteer said, “It’s been a life-changing experience… just seeing all those smiling faces is incredible. I can’t wait to do it again.”

“Highfield Highreach Holidays continue to demonstrate the extraordinary impact of community, care, and opportunity, transforming lives one holiday at a time,” said Suzannah Cryer, Head at Highfield and Brookham.

It is increasingly evident that skills-based learning is not just a trend, but the future of education. At Highfield and Brookham we believe that in a rapidly changing world, it is not enough to educate children for academic success alone. We must also equip them with the essential skills they need to thrive beyond the classroom – skills that will support them in tomorrow’s workplaces, in their relationships and throughout their wider lives.

This commitment to a broader, more practical education is echoed in the recently updated statutory guidance from the Department for Education, which highlights the growing importance of skills-based learning. The guidance reinforces what we have long understood: that preparing children for life means developing not only their knowledge, but also their adaptability, resilience, collaboration and communication skills.

“At Highfield and Brookham, we believe that education must evolve alongside the world our children will inherit,” says Head Suzannah Cryer. Academic achievement remains vital, but it’s no longer enough. We must also nurture essential skills that prepare our pupils for their senior schools, future careers and personal success. And we are proud to be one of the first independent schools in the primary sector to have adapted to this new way of teaching.”

This progressive approach is rooted in the Highfield and Brookham bespoke Essential Skills programme, which adapts the respected Skills Builder framework (a nationally respected programme that teaches eight core employability skills) to meet the unique needs of pupils from Nursery to Year 8.

The programme focusses on eight key areas: listening, speaking, problem-solving, creativity, staying positive, aiming high, leadership and teamwork. These core skills are interwoven with the schools’ values – Be Kind, Be Courageous, Be You – to guide students’ personal and social development.

The curriculum is designed to foster these capabilities from the earliest years. Through collaborative projects, reflective practices and structured goal-setting, children learn to take ownership of their growth. From Year 3, progress is tracked through a personalised Keys Passport, culminating in the Keys Diploma, a motivational awards scheme celebrating each child’s development journey.

Research cited in the 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review reveals that 90% of jobs created by 2035 will require high-level interpersonal and cognitive skills. Highfield and Brookham School is responding with intent and innovation, ensuring pupils are not only prepared for academic success but for the demands of a future shaped by AI, automation and global collaboration.

“Learning here is not just about what you know,” explains Mrs Cryer. It’s about who you are becoming. Our pupils are learning to reflect on their strengths, address challenges and articulate their growth with confidence.  These are qualities that support everything from school interviews to lifelong resilience.”

The benefits of this approach are far-reaching. Pupils develop emotional intelligence, self-awareness and strong communication skills – all while gaining a deeper engagement with their academic studies. By embedding Essential Skills into every aspect of school life, Highfield and Brookham is ensuring their pupils are future-ready.

In a world where change is the only constant, Highfield and Brookham School is proud to offer an education that goes beyond knowledge, focusing instead on the cultivation of capability, character and confidence. The future starts now, and every child deserves to meet it with the tools to thrive.

Literature-loving children at Highfield and Brookham School have proved they have real character – quite literally!

The nursery, pre-prep and prep school was a positive riot of colourful, fancy, daring and downright clever costumes on Thursday as the pupils dressed up as their favourite literary characters to mark World Book Day.

From the youngest cohort in nursery right through to the oldest children in Year 8, the school was awash with fairytale princesses, cartoon heroes, the stars of bestselling books old and new, and a wealth of other children’s favourites.

On a day intended to celebrate books and reading in our hi-tech, modern world, Highfield and Brookham welcomed everyone from Tintin, Willy Wonka, Mary Poppins and The Mister Men to Harry Potter, The Hungry Caterpillar, Toothless and Gangsta Granny.  Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Elphaba, The Mad Hatter and the Three Little Pigs also joined in the fun.

Highfield and Brookham has a long and successful association with World Book Day, which was first celebrated in the UK in 1997, with literature and reading a key staple of the school curriculum.

And it wasn’t just the children who were bitten by the World Book Day bug as the teachers brought their favourite alter egos to the party too, with appearances by the likes of Fantastic Mr Fox, The BFG, Captain Hook and Sherlock Holmes.

Highfield Head Suzannah Cryer said: “Reading is an incredibly important part of education and reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success.

“There really is nothing quite like a good book. In the midst of our technological age, the opportunity to lose oneself in a favourite book, to let one’s imagination wander, to visualise characters and settings and to form opinions of those very characters and settings is incredibly special.”

And she added: “Our children love books and our children love to read, which is why our libraries are so popular. So how wonderful it is that our happy children get the chance to express their love of literature and school life in such a fun and creative way.”