I am writing to report some excellent GCSE results, with a record number of A* grades. I suspect they will again be the best of any co-ed school in England and certainly among the top three such schools. 100% of grades were at A*-C, with a record number of A* grades: almost a thousand!
For those of you that came in to collect your results from the College in the rain this morning we hope that you have dried off, and are managing to enjoy the rest of your day. We also hope that you are enjoying the Graduation 2015 Photo Book that we put together for you. If you weren't able to come in don't worry, we will be posting them out to you. The exam office is providing us with a list of who came in, so we will post them out in the next few days. To request a copy email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
I bring news of terrific A-level results. By every measure, these are comfortably our best ever
A warm welcome to our newest members of the Old Brightonians; our leavers of 2015. On Thursday 25th June we celebrated at the College with a service for our leavers, and after the traditional leavers photographs on the lawn the College then celebrated with a Graduation Ceremony for Upper 6th Leavers.
In the Telegraph last week, Brighton College head girl Charlotte Haney responded to the assertions by Rhiannon Wilkinson, head of Wycombe Abbey, that single-sex education is better for teenage girls because it takes the pressure of them trying to impress boys in a “sexualised world”.
Despite the rather grotty weather, by 10.30 on Thursday we had over 40 Old Brightonians, as well as a few long suffering partners come together in Scott’s Café for a quick cup of coffee and a welcome from Alan Bird – Deputy Headmaster.
The first inaugural ‘Medical Conference’ took place in the Rose Lecture Theatre on the evening of Wednesday 6th of May. Over 50 Upper Fifth and Lower Sixth students were in attendance, including some from Cardinal Newman and Hove Park schools.
Head Master Richard Cairns is re-introducing the classic Brighton College Boater for the first time in 47 years. The decree is a moving homage to the 147 Old Brightonians who died during the Great War, and will be in force from Thursday 23rd April to coincide with St. George's Day.
Every year we are delighted to note the ever-increasing numbers of current and past pupils of Brighton College who defy common sense & doctors' orders to pound the streets of our great City to the benefit and greater good of others. This year is no exception & we proudly list here those that have come to our attention so far... if you are planning on joining these brave souls please do let us know as soon as you can!
It is with great sadness that the OB office announces the death of Richard W Lewis (Brighton College Junior School/Chichester 1947-59) in Washington.
A memorial to celebrate the life and times of Reg Spicer, former Head Porter at Brighton College, was held on 18th January 2015.
Brighton College is to open a sister school in Bangkok aimed at bringing the best of British education to Thailand.
A very happy Christmas from the Old Brightonians and everyone at Brighton College. Do join us for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve if you can. In the meantime here's a look back at our year (below).
Brighton College has launched a new city landmark today with the unveiling of its grand gatehouse tower at its entrance – finally built after a 125-year delay. The tower, which has been named Cairns Tower after the school's headmaster, was supposed to be the crowning glory of architect Sir Thomas Graham Jackson's late 19th century additions to Brighton College (founded in 1845) but a shortage of funds meant his splendid creation was never finished. In 2012 the College engaged historic building specialists Richard Griffiths Architects to complete the original design of the tower externally. The tower has been paid for, in the most part, by one very generous, anonymous donor. Other donors followed suit and the result, which was unveiled in front of the whole school with much celebration, is set to be a breath-taking addition to the Brighton skyline.
Brighton College's metamorphosis into one of the top UK schools in the country has been recognised after its management scooped the Outstanding Senior Leadership Team of the Year gong at the Independent School Awards 2014 in Nottingham.
All three College schools came together this morning in the quadrangle, to join the nation in observing silence at 11.00 on Tuesday 11th November.
Old Brightonians, including previous members of the Common Room and other ex-Brighton College staff, pupils, masters and parents came together for a moving Remembrance Service on Sunday 9th November. Houses in attendance were Aldrich, Durnford, Hampden, and Seldon. Wreaths were laid at the altar and at the 1914-18 and 1939-45 War Memorials by School Prefects and Head Master Richard Cairns, and CCF colours laid by representatives of the three armed services.
Many thanks to all the Old Brightonians who made the trip for our 6th form to the USA such a success.
The upcoming week marks this years annual Charity Week where students across the nation raise money in aid for orphans and children in need all around the world. This year Brighton College has organised a raffle and you can get your tickets for only £5 and be in with a chance of winning a week in a 3 bed pool villa at Karma Kandara in Bali, a week skiing at the Alpen club in Bavaria and other amazing prizes.
The College's matches in the St Josephs College Rugby Festival will be broadcasted live this weekend.
I found an old Sussex County Magazine from 1951 with an article about the College. Some interesting pictures and insight into how the school came into being.
We were very fortunate to have three successful Old Brightonians return to the College to share their knowledge and experience with current 6th form pupils last Thursday at a Media and Marketing careers evening. Jamie Thomson (Ha. 1972-75), writer, publisher and Dark Lord extraordinaire, spoke about writing as a career and the routes into getting published.
From The Sunday Times: Peony Grainger's A-level history grade was raised from a U to an A after Brighton College appealed to the OCR examination board.
A terrific headline in "The Week" this month - we're delighted & proud to be named the "Most Forward Thinking School in Britain".
As the Music School progresses, so the vision of a new Music School for the College is finally coming into focus. Alongside many other advantages that the Music School will bring, pupils will also benefit from state of the art recording facilities, enhancing and refining their performance techniques and of course recording them for posterity.
I am writing to report another excellent set of GCSE results. These are the first GCSEs to have been seriously toughened up by Michael Gove, with all exams taken at the end of two years as opposed to the modular system of recent years. In addition, easier elements of the English Language GCSE (such as speaking and listening) no longer count towards the final grade. It is all the more impressive, therefore, that our boys and girls have done so well.
Brand new Old Brightonian Izzy Meikle-Small, star of television series The 7.39 and the film Never Let Me Go who has starred alongside Olivia Coleman and Kristen Stewart, said picking up her A-level results was more stressful than appearing in premieres of her films.
It has been a busy and emotional day at the College as our Upper Sixth received their results. I write this afternoon merely to put some further flesh on the news I e-mailed out to you this morning.
For those of you that came in to collect your A-level results today, we hope that you are enjoying the Graduation 2014 Photo Book that we put together for you. If you weren't able to come in don't worry, we will be posting them out to you! The exam office is providing us with a list of who came in, so we will post them out in the next few days.
The Head Master was on site with Sandy Chenery last week discussing plans for the Music School as the build progresses. Alongside many other advantages that the Music School will bring, pupils will also benefit from state of the art recording facilities, enhancing and refining their performance techniques and of course recording them for posterity. Many pupils compose their own works and the opportunity to perform and record these will nurture their talent, and extend the breadth of their experience. Sandy and his team have spent many hours planning the Music School to ensure that all the pupils needs are met.
A warm welcome to our newest members of the Old Brightonians; our leavers of 2014.
The Head Master hosted a garden party for donors to the school last weekend, against the delightful backdrop of the 1st XI playing Bedes. A wonderful afternoon was had by all – prefects hosted tours around the College, peeping in on the rehearsals for the Dance Show in the Great Hall, the spectacular Art Show in the art studio and a look in on New House and Head's House (where some of our donors very much enjoyed playing on the subbuteo table).
Brighton College's most recent boarding accommodation, New House, has been named one of the best new buildings in Britain by the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Dr Anthony Seldon Brighton College Head Master 1997-2005 has been awarded a knighthood.
Many thanks to Mervyn Dunhill (Bristol 1959-1964) who sent some rather delightful photos in to the OB office.
The Old Brightonians office is very sad to announce the death of Reg Spicer, retired Head Porter at Brighton College.
What wonderful weather and what wonderful company we all enjoyed at the Pioneers Club on Thursday 15th May.
Brighton College pupils made the news this week, as Osaid Ather (U6th, Aldrich) and William McCorkindale (L6th, Abraham) were visited and interviewed by a reporter from ITV Meridian.
NEWS (13th May 2014): Brighton College's most recent building, New House, has received a prestigious award from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for architectural excellence.
An exquisite evening of merriment and nostalgia was enjoyed by guests on Saturday at the 40 Year Anniversary Celebration Dinner of Co-Education at Brighton College. We were delighted to welcome back Lucinda Harris (Fe. 1974-75) and Rowena Maynard (Fe. 1973-75); two of the seven very first girls to enter the male preserve of Brighton College in September 1973.
Brighton College proudly carries the name of the most successful coeducational establishment in the UK. To reveal some of their memories of the late eighties and early nineties when girls were very much in the minority, Samantha Washington (nee Fox) (Fenwick 1989-93) and Tosin Ajayi (nee Akinluyi ) (Fenwick 1990-92) were invited to share their experiences: Tosin as a sixth former and Sam as a junior girl. It was a challenge at times, but one which they embraced, and they have been extremely successful in their careers and lives.
As part of our celebrations of 40 years of Co-Ed on Saturday, a group of Old Brightonians returned to the netball court and rounders pitch to challenge the "Newbies" in a friendly competition.
We've made the feature that appeared in the March issue of Country Life available here as a download.
A terrific short film from "In At The Side Media" of this year's tournement, and the College's win!
Joan Christina Turnbull (nee Ransom) died on 1 April 2014 at St Peter and St James Hospice in East Sussex.
The OB office regrets to announce the death of John Page, MA (Oxon.), former House Master of Chichester and Hampden houses at Brighton College. He died peacefully in his sleep at home, after an evening of laughter and conversation with his beloved wife Jackie and relatives. John taught Classics at Brighton College from 1952 until his retirement in the late 1980s.
This short film shows highlights of this year's 1st XV Rugby season - thank you to everyone that has helped the Rugby Club at all levels this year!
A man of few words, Steve Radojcic threw himself into the evening on Friday 7th March, holding court with his usual style and panache. He has asked the OB office to pass on his thanks to all those who helped organise the match, namely Teds Littlewood (Ry. 1990-95), Dan Heal (Ry. 1990-95), and Tom Aiken (Al. 2003-08). Special thanks to Stephanie Littlewood for coming up trumps with a cake, despite the fact it was neither Rado's birthday nor the end of season match against Hurstpierpoint.
It's been an excellent month for the Brighton College Rugby Club.
Good luck to all BC parents, pupils, staff and of course Old Brightonians running in the Brighton Half this weekend.
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