CCB School Brochure

They achieve because they believe they can

Welcome from the Head of Christ College

During its long history, dating back to 1541, Christ College Brecon has welcomed pupils to its beautiful campus from all over the world.

A traditional boarding and day school, nestled in the Brecon Beacons National Park, a strong, close knit community awaits. Great care is taken to ensure our pupils’ interests and skills are appreciated and we instil in them our motto “Believe to Achieve”.

We want school to be a home from home for our pupils and, importantly, a space for them to grow into well rounded citizens of the future.

We look forward to meeting you.

Gareth Pearson

Our History

Founded by Royal Charter in 1541.

The school has been a community of learning for more than 750 years. Before the school’s foundation by Henry VIII, the Dominican Friary of St Nicholas flourished on the site for nearly three centuries. The 13th century friary buildings include the medieval chapel and two halls still used every day by pupils. This royal foundation established ‘The College of Christ at Brecknock’ on the site of the former friary, with the general aim of raising levels of education for boys.

Since then the school has grown and developed with the times to become one of the oldest and most successful independent schools in the UK. Now a school for both girls and boys, we rightly celebrate our past while embracing modern facilities and forward-thinking education to give our pupils the skills and knowledge for successful and happy lives.

Our Location

We are situated just a minute’s walk from the centre of the safe, historic market town of Brecon, which is at the centre of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Brecon offers a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as a cinema, and a theatre in a safe welcoming community.

Although academic study is an essential part of a Christ College Brecon education, our pupils’ challenges and lessons are not confined to the classroom. We are in an ideal situation to make the most of our remarkable environment through canoeing, kayaking, horse riding, cross country, mountain biking and more. We do all of this in the clean fresh air and natural beauty of the Brecon Beacons.

We offer a Heathrow Airport bus service for our international pupils; this journey takes approximately three hours.

Christ BreconCollege

Our Campus

Our 40-acre campus and school buildings reflect the school’s ancient past as well as its determination to provide the best modern facilities possible for our pupils. The Chapel and Dining Hall, both in daily use, date from the 13th century. Our cricket pavilion dates from 1924. The preservation of these iconic buildings, and others, gives Christ College its distinctive sense of heritage.

However, our facilities are continually being updated to enhance teaching and the interests of young people today. The school’s performing arts facility, built in 2014, provides a 250-seat theatre with music rooms and drama studios, art gallery space and a social foyer area. The “School Library” was refurbished in 2023, and is now a modern learning space, with conference facilities, that allow pupils to enjoy their learning environment and attend seminars and lectures from a variety of external experts throughout the academic year.

The school is now beginning a major building project to increase our boarding capacity with modern, state of the art accommodation.

Our Community

The care and support we offer our pupils is essential in ensuring that they flourish in and out of the classroom. Pupils who feel safe, looked after and happy perform better. One of the many joys of living in a small community, with small class sizes and a strong House system supported by our Welfare Centre, is that it creates relationships built on trust, respect and positive engagement.

Academic Programme

Christ College Brecon follows the UK curriculum at Key Stage Two (ages 9 to 11) and Key Stage Three (ages 11 to 14), GCSEs at Key Stage Four (ages 14-16) and A Levels at Key Stage Five (ages 16-18). Pupils achieve well above national average results in their examinations. This provides our pupils with the right foundation for success at whatever university or career they choose after leaving CCB.

English language support is designed to meet the needs of each individual. Support ranges from one on one guidance for specific assignments, timetabled English language classes to the intensive Cultural and Academic Preparation (CAP) programme. The primary objective of our English language support is to enable pupils to integrate and contribute fully to the CCB community and academic programme whilst benefitting from the advantages a CCB education provides all its pupils.

Sports

Christ College Brecon has a proud sporting tradition and enjoys national success in cricket, hockey, rugby and athletics.

Pupils can also participate in a range of sports such as yoga, cross country, netball, tennis, basketball, badminton and much more. We believe that sport should be enjoyed by all and can help teach pupils valuable lessons such as leadership, teamwork, self-discipline and how to win and lose graciously.

Creativity

Throughout the year parents and friends of the school are treated to a variety of concerts, recitals and drama productions in our outstanding performing arts facility. The school also has its own art centre and photography studio where pupils can develop their creativity to its full potential.

Adventure Calls

Christ College is characterized by a strong co-curricular programme. For those who love the outdoors, challenge and adventure is offered via participation in the “Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme”, our unique “Beacon Course”, and after school clubs like climbing, canoeing, horse riding and more.

Summer Camps

Our summer camps give girls and boys aged 10-16 the opportunity of a fun and memorable experience in the UK whilst learning English at the same time.

The camps involve an impressive programme of activities on the school site and take full advantage of the Brecon Beacons National Park and nearby coastline. It is a perfect opportunity to learn new skills and have a great adventure.