Recent record-breaking examination results at Bradfield College have drawn attention to the school’s distinctive educational approach. While many institutions focus solely on academic drilling, Bradfield’s success stems from a more nuanced strategy that combines rigorous academic standards with innovative teaching methods and strong student support. Understanding their approach offers valuable insights into achieving academic excellence without compromising student well-being.
Beyond Traditional Metrics
Dr Chris Stevens, Bradfield’s Headmaster, views examination results as what he calls a “hygiene factor” – necessary but not sufficient for true educational success. “Great, you’ve got good exam results,” he reflects, “but what can you do with what you know? How well-equipped are you to cope with the first reversal they have in the workplace, or in your personal life?”
The school’s planned developments shape how Bradfield approaches academic preparation. Rather than treating IB and A-Level success as the end goal, the school sees it as one outcome of a more comprehensive educational strategy.
The Innovation in Teaching and Learning
At the heart of Bradfield’s academic success lies a sophisticated approach to teaching and learning. The school has developed a curriculum that deliberately breaks down traditional subject boundaries, particularly evident in its innovative Year 9 programme. This early foundation helps students develop critical thinking skills and make connections across disciplines – capabilities that prove valuable in both IB and A Level contexts.
“We want children, when they arrive in the school, not just to be getting better at maths and English and history, but to be getting better at learning,” Stevens explains. This focus on learning how to learn has proven particularly valuable in preparing students for the rigorous demands of both examination pathways.
Creating an Environment for Academic Excellence
The school’s commitment to academic excellence is physically embodied in their new St Andrew’s Study Centre, which Stevens describes as “an environment in which it is cool to study.” This investment reflects a broader strategy of creating spaces that inspire and support academic pursuit.
The study centre’s success demonstrates how thoughtful infrastructure can influence academic culture. Just as the school’s idyllic cricket pitch and iconic Greek theatre inspire sporting and dramatic excellence, the study centre has become a place where academic achievement is celebrated and normalized.
The Role of Student Wellbeing
Bradfield’s approach to examination success is inseparable from its commitment to student wellbeing. The school’s planned wellness centre exemplifies this integrated approach, recognizing that physical and mental health provide the foundation for academic achievement.
Rather than seeing wellbeing initiatives as competing with academic preparation, Bradfield College treats them as complementary. “Wellness is not a single building — it’s woven into everything we do,” Stevens emphasizes. This holistic approach helps students maintain the resilience and focus needed for sustained academic success.
Raising Academic Aspirations
A key factor in Bradfield’s examination success has been what Stevens describes as “a greater ambition and the appropriate level of challenge.” The school has deliberately raised expectations while ensuring students feel supported rather than overwhelmed.
“Higher expectations for our pupils is fundamentally at the heart of it,” Stevens explains. However, he emphasizes the importance of how these expectations are communicated: “Telling somebody they can clear a very high bar is very different to telling somebody they have to clear a very high bar.”
The Impact of Integration
Bradfield’s offering of both IB and A Level pathways reflects its commitment to meeting diverse student needs. The presence of both programmes creates a rich academic environment where different approaches to learning can cross-pollinate, benefiting students on both tracks.
Rather than treating the two pathways as entirely separate, the school leverages the strengths of each to enhance overall academic provision. This integration allows for a more nuanced approach to matching students with the most appropriate examination route.
Building Academic Confidence
The school’s record-breaking results reflect a deeper change in academic culture. Students are encouraged to see themselves as capable learners, developing the confidence needed to tackle challenging material. This confidence-building approach extends beyond the classroom through co-curricular activities that develop resilience and determination.
“You develop resilience if you really want to be the best footballer in the school,” Stevens notes, explaining how determination developed in one area often transfers to academic pursuits. This cross-pollination of skills and attitudes contributes to examination success.
The Technology Balance
While embracing technological innovation, Bradfield maintains a balanced approach to digital integration. The school recognizes that while technology can enhance learning, the human element remains crucial. This perspective has proven particularly valuable in preparing students for modern examination formats while maintaining deep understanding of subject matter.
Looking Forward
Bradfield’s success in both IB and A Level examinations suggests a model for how schools can achieve academic excellence while preparing students for future challenges. Their approach demonstrates that strong examination results need not come at the cost of broader educational goals.
As the school refines its five-year strategic vision, the focus remains on balancing academic rigour with student development. This includes plans for further curriculum innovation and enhanced digital literacy, while maintaining the core principles that have driven their examination success.
Bradfield College’s rising examination results reflect more than just effective test preparation. They demonstrate the success of an educational approach that combines high expectations with strong support, innovative teaching methods with traditional academic rigour, and student well-being with academic achievement.
The school’s experience suggests that examination success is best achieved not through narrow focus on test preparation, but through creating an environment where students develop both the skills and the confidence to meet academic challenges. As educational institutions worldwide seek to balance academic achievement with student well-being, Bradfield’s integrated approach offers valuable insights into achieving both goals simultaneously. CopyRetry
