Becoming a student at Brockwood means transitioning to a new place, often far away from home, family and friends. This brings new responsibilities and challenges to a young person’s life and fosters increased levels of self-reliance. With the stimulating and supportive environment offered by the school and its atmosphere of care, affection and informality, students quickly come to regard Brockwood as their second home. Students and staff address each other on a first name basis, there are no uniforms and the dress code is ‘tidy casual’.
Many students have their own bedrooms, although usually a first year or young student will share with one or two others to encourage social interaction and foster friendship. Girls and boys live in accommodation on separate wings: girls on the upstairs floor of the Main House and in the Girls’ Pavilions; boys in the Cloisters and in the Boys’ Pavilions. Male and female staff members also live on the respective wings and can always be approached when students need help or support.
To assist and support our living together as a community (which often feels like a large, international family), a list of guidelines and agreements have been developed, which every new student must read and agree to before joining the school. These are presented in the Open Letter and should be considered carefully before a student comes to the school.
The school day is busy but in the evenings and on the weekends there are plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy the company of others: students can join clubs and activities which include dance, yoga, drama, band-rehearsals, sports and indoor games, or simply read, chat, catch up on homework or go for a walk in the beautiful surrounding countryside. There is a small gym available, as well as a football pitch and an outdoor tennis/basketball court. Students can visit the computer room to go online, head for the garden, bake a cake, or make use of the Music Studio or Art Barn. Twice a week, in the evenings, a quiet Study Hall space is provided to catch up on homework or reading. The school also provides opportunities for contacting family and friends via telephones and Skype computers.
On the weekends, students can enjoy a less structured timetable, although trips, workshops or sports activities are regularly offered on Saturdays or Sundays. Students are also able to visit the local towns and villages on the weekend – Winchester and Petersfield are within 30 minutes by bus — but to travel further away, or stay out overnight, requires the permission of a parent and the tutor.
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