Bryanston School

Bryanston School fosters a very creative atmosphere for its pupils as evidenced by the list of just a few old boys and girls. Art is a very popular choice right through to A-levels and is compulsory for all children in their first year. In 2008 The Slade is locating part of its Summer School programme at Bryanston which shows the high regard held for this subject. Music and theatre are equally revered. Five choirs are fielded to great acclaim and there is a symphony orchestra as well as concert and dance bands. The art building is very modern, the theatre, Coade Hall, seats 60 people, all in lovely juxtaposition with the redbrick grandeur of the main school buildings. Sport is very important and very competitive and the school boasts 56 of its 400-acre site devoted to sports fields. The facilities are extremely impressive. Riding stables complete with all-weather manège, the River Stour on the school’s boundary for rowing, a private pontoon at Poole Harbour with a fleet of sailing boats. Rugby is incredibly strong and the squad have lost only one game in the past three seasons. Archery, fencing and Eton fives are on offer along with a host of other options. And 'anyone for tennis?' There are 46 courts! All pupils play one of the major sports at least three times a week.

Although quite new in terms of traditional schools Bryanston does follow the boarding ethos. In their first year, boys go into the junior houses and then move up to a senior house for the remaining four years. They may select a group of friends to stay with and the school tries hard to accommodate their requests. Girls go straight into their house where they stay throughout. All houses are well appointed with social areas and small kitchens for snacks and drinks. Younger pupils share study bedrooms with several other children, moving into smaller double rooms and finally single rooms for the upper sixth. The housemaster or mistress is supported by a matron and house prefects. Although Bryanston is an Anglican school all faiths are welcomed and church attendance is voluntary. That said, the school does provide many opportunities for worship and prayer and the resident chaplain is always to hand. Bryanston would generally be a very good choice but particularly if your child is sporty or creative.