“They achieve because they believe they can.”
SCHOOL MOTTO
Welcome
from the Head of Christ College
Visitors to Christ College often comment on a ‘special something’ about the atmosphere in this unique school.
It has something to do with our stunning location in the Brecon Beacons National Park and the opportunities this gives for outdoor education, sport and healthy, active growth. It has something to do with the long, rich history of the school. Since its creation over four centuries ago, Christ College has evolved and developed without losing touch with that sense of heritage and belonging. Most importantly, it’s something to do with the unique atmosphere of the school. Our strong, close-knit community is characterised by mutual respect and warmth, with each individual pupil’s interests, skills and needs being appreciated and cared for.
Gareth Pearson Head
Our History
Founded by Royal Charter in 1541.
The school has been a community of learning for more than 500 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 Focus
A strong moral foundation
The most important aspect of any education is to nurture a strong moral compass. We aspire for all of our pupils to make a positive contribution to the society in which they live. While we will always strive for pupils to achieve academically, it is important that this is underpinned by a set of values by which our pupils can direct their talents in a positive way. This is the cornerstone of a Christ College Brecon education.
Academic excellence
We aspire for all our pupils, irrespective of their academic ability, to achieve the best they can. To accomplish this we help our pupils to develop self-belief, a growth mind-set and a work ethic that will enable them to fulfil their ambitions. Our teachers are committed, caring and able to inspire pupils to aim high.
www.christcollegebrecon.com
Developing the whole person
Great schools develop the whole person. We believe that as people grow, they should gain self-belief and discover their passions in and out of the classroom. We are deeply committed to offering a rich co-curriculum programme of Sport, Music, Art and Drama, areas where pupils learn about themselves and others, and grow as individuals. They learn how to collaborate, how to win, lose or draw with humility and grace. They learn how to cope with challenge and develop a love of their beautiful environment through our Outdoor Leadership programme, comprised of the Combined Cadet Force, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the Curriculum for Life. They also learn about tolerance, respect, community living and leadership through day-to-day life within their House.
Strong community
A good school is built upon a good community. Our community is inclusive of all: parents, the local town, key partners, all staff and pupils. It encourages selflessness, leadership and is a safe and supportive environment for all. Our pupils learn everyday about how to contribute positively to society. The strength of a community is perhaps best judged by how they treat the most vulnerable within it. We aspire to nurture a caring and compassionate culture that looks out for those that need support the most.
Prep School (Year 1 – Year 8)
St Nicholas House
St Nicholas House is the junior section of the school for pupils aged 4-11, providing the best educational experience for children in a safe and happy environment.
It is located in the heart of Christ College’s historic and beautiful grounds, and offers a self-contained space which is purpose built for their requirements. The junior pupils are taught primarily in their own classrooms, with visits to other school facilities such as the Chapel, Dining Hall, Science Centre and Sports Hall for some lessons.
Alway House
In Years 7 and 8, pupils establish many of the learning and exploration habits that will enable them to make the most of every opportunity that comes their way during senior school. They have the advantage of being based in Alway house, which enjoys supportive family atmosphere and sense of togetherness, alongside the expert teaching resources that the school offers.
Without the pressures of external examinations in these two years, Alway pupils have a chance to explore, discover, build and strengthen friendships and acquire the resilience and routines they will need to thrive and excel as they proceed through the school.
Senior School (Year 9 – Year 13)
Whether a day pupil or a boarder, every senior boy and girl joining Christ College becomes a member of one of our houses. Each house is a special environment where friendships are forged for life.
The houses all have their own character and are run like an extended family by Houseparents, supported by a team of assistant Houseparents, tutors and domestic staff who all ensure that every child’s welfare and health are safeguarded, as well as their academic progress. Each pupil has unrestricted access to their Houseparents and this open-door policy encourages a strong relationship between parents, staff and pupils.
At Christ College, we blend traditional and progressive values to live in a friendly, family atmosphere with pastoral care our top priority.
We have four senior Houses:
School House and Orchard House (boys boarding)
de Winton House and Donaldsons House (girls boarding)
All day pupils from Year 9 to 11 are based in the Middle Hub or Senior Hub for Years 12 to 13. Day pupils are also allocated to one of the boarding houses for events such as sports day, house music and house speech and drama.
Our Campus
Our 40 acre campus and school buildings reflect its 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.
The Neuadd Memorial Hall, built in 2014, provides a 250 seat theatre with music and drama rooms, gallery space and a sociable foyer.
Our sporting facilities are regularly upgraded and improved. Outdoor facilities include six rugby pitches, three cricket squares, four hard court tennis courts, three netball courts, an all-weather Astroturf as well as three artificial cricket nets and five grass. We also have a 25 metre indoor swimming pool, a fitness suite, three squash courts, a Sports Hall where we play badminton, volleyball, five-a-side football and hold indoor winter cricket nets. St Nicholas House has its own outdoor play area, forest school and shares a small Astroturf with Alway House.
www.christcollegebrecon.com
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 location 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.
www.christcollegebrecon.com
Christ BreconCollege
Academic Excellence
Christ College achieves excellent academic outcomes alongside the development of holistic skills designed to equip our pupils with a toolkit to thrive in life. The curriculum is carefully balanced at all stages and provides a range of subjects to enable our pupils to academically thrive. Subject options at GCSE and in the Sixth Form provide ample opportunity for greater specialisation ahead of university applications or similar in the Upper Sixth year. We believe teaching and learning should be 'serious fun' characterised by expert, supportive teachers, engaged pupils and small class sizes to enable a dynamic learning environment.
Every pupil is assigned their own dedicated Academic Tutor responsible for the welfare, organisation and academic supervision of their tutees. These weekly meetings are in integral part of the Christ College timetable and the interaction between Tutor and pupil is key in target setting, reviewing progress and looking ahead to those vital next steps.
The academic departments here at Christ College are split into six distinct Faculties covering the broad range of disciplines available to our pupils:
www.christcollegebrecon.com
Our Community
Our aim is to provide facilities, opportunities and experiences that will enable all pupils to develop tolerance of others, high moral standards and a strong sense of citizenship.
We are proud that our boarding and day pupils consider the school a home-from-home and quickly develop a sense of belonging and loyalty to their Houses. Our Houseparents and their support teams ensure that a welcoming family atmosphere is created and all take an active approach to pastoral care and pupil welfare.
Being a member of the Christ College Brecon family doesn’t stop when studies are completed with us. We have an active past pupil network, the Old Breconian Association, with which we keep in touch throughout the year via events at home and abroad.
We are also proud to have a strong parent group called The Society of Friends of Christ College Brecon. They work tirelessly throughout the year raising funds that are used to enhance the pupil experience.
www.christcollegebrecon.com
Our Sports
Christ College Brecon has a proud sporting tradition and has enjoyed success over the years in cricket, hockey, netball, tennis and rugby.
We believe that sport should be enjoyed by all and can help teach pupils valuable lessons such as teamwork, self-discipline and how to win and lose graciously.
We have expert coaching to help develop pupils’ skills and confidence and there are many opportunities to play in team and individual games.
Pupils can also participate in a range of recreational sports including yoga, pilates, squash, football, golf, cross country running, basketball, badminton, mountain biking and much more.
Our Creativity
Pupils’ performing arts talents are nurtured in the Neuadd, our 250 seat purpose built theatre, and adjacent music rooms.
The Neuadd is one of our most modern buildings where parents and friends of the school are treated to a variety of concerts, recitals, and productions during the year, with the light and airy upper foyer providing a fantastic exhibition space to show off pupils’ artwork.
The school has its own Art centre, a hotbed of creativity nestled on the banks of the river Usk, on the fringe of the campus, and a dedicated area housing photographic studios and editing suites.
Here, pupils are immersed in a variety of creative disciplines and gain recognition for the quality of their work in national prizes and competitions. Whilst our location in the Brecon Beacons is an artist and photographer’s dream, we provide pupils with the opportunity to broaden their experiences through participation in overseas cultural trips. These have included New York, Rome and France, to name but a few.
www.christcollegebrecon.com
www.christcollegebrecon.com
Outside the Classroom
Christ College is characterised by a strong co-curricular programme.
For those who love the outdoors, challenge and adventure is offered through participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award whilst teamwork, resilience and self-confidence is built through participation in the Combined Cadet Force.
A range of after-school clubs are also offered throughout the week to enable pupils to pursue their specific interests. Our co-curricular programme includes activities such mountain biking, climbing, art and photography, horse-riding, MasterChef, robotics, music and board games.
Our Sister School
475 years of Christ College Brecon’s British education pedigree and Welsh spirit is now available in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
King Henry VIII College Malaysia is a fully fledged sister school to Christ College, replicating its structure, ethos and achievements in the global tech hub, Cyberjaya, midway between Kuala Lumpur city centre and its international airport.
The College opened in September 2018 and offers a British curriculum, with pupils sitting GCSEs and A Levels.
