✔️ Two summits conquered. ✔️ One night surviving on their own. ✔️ Plenty of Scottish rain. ✔️ A week to remember. Our Year 7s packed an incredible amount into one week in Scotland. They climbed Arkle, jumped from kayaks, spotted lobsters and starfish, learnt how to build shelters, light fires and forage before putting those skills into practice during a night on Survival Island. Throw in muddy boots, second helpings of lasagne, plenty of laughter and one surprisingly impressive apple tart cooked outdoors, and you’ve got a residential trip that won’t be forgotten any time soon!

We’re proud to share that Highfield and Brookham has been commended in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026, in the Student Wellbeing category. One of the core values at our school is ‘Being You’ because we believe every child deserves to feel comfortable in who they are. That sense of belonging is behind everything we do, and this recognition is a reflection of the dedication of every member of our school community who brings that value to life each day: our staff, our pupils and our supportive families. Congratulations to all the other outstanding schools who have also been commended and shortlisted. It’s a privilege to be recognised alongside them.💙 🔗Read more:

Independence starts with confidence. And children often have way more of it than we sometimes give them credit for. Young children are naturally resourceful and resilient. Leave them to it, and they’ll surprise you every time! Today, that looked like a tower of blocks falling down three times. And one very determined builder picking it back up, every single time, without any help. That’s independence in action – one of the key skills we nurture on our Mini Marvels Holiday Club for our nursery children. We still have spaces over the next few weeks – visit our website to book. ➡ https://highfieldandbrookham.co.uk/school-plus/holiday-activity-clubs/

We were saddened to hear of the recent passing of Dame Penelope Keith. Penelope holds a special place in the history of Highfield and Brookham. She was a close friend and neighbour of former Cabinet minister Virginia Bottomley, whose daughter attended our school. Virginia officially opened Brookham in its early days before inviting Penelope to open the art studio. It was a fitting occasion for a school where creativity has always been valued. Before the art studio was built, pottery lessons were held in our founder’s double garage – a reminder of the humble beginnings from which our outstanding creative provision has grown. Today, art continues to be a cornerstone of life at Highfield and Brookham, inspiring pupils to develop their creativity and individuality. We are proud that Dame Penelope played a part in our history and remember her with gratitude and affection. Our thoughts are with her family and all who knew and admired her.

🏊 It’s been great having pupils from Hollycombe Primary in our pool this week. We’re always pleased to open our doors to local schools, helping children become more confident and independent in the water. Sharon, our amazing Head of Swimming, says it best: “Every child arrives with a different level of confidence, so we always adapt and change things to suit their needs. We want children to feel happy and safe in the water because that’s how they build the confidence to have a go. If something isn’t working, we’ll explain it differently or show them another way until they’re ready to do it themselves.’

Could this summer be the perfect time to help your child become more independent? ☀️ In our latest blog, Georgie Hunter, Head of Pre-Prep and EYFS, explores why the summer holidays don’t have to be about filling every moment. Instead, they can be an opportunity to step back, give children more responsibility and watch their confidence grow. Read more here ➡

We are delighted to share that our pupils have been awarded a record 29 scholarships to a wide range of leading senior schools. 👏 The scholarships recognise achievement across an impressive range of disciplines, including academic, art, music, drama, dance, design engineering, product design, performing arts and sport, reflecting the breadth of talent within this year’s cohort. Congratulations to all of our pupils on this fantastic achievement, and thank you to the staff who have supported them throughout their scholarship journeys. We wish them every success as they take their next steps. Read more and find out about this year’s record scholarship success. ➡

The summer holidays are nearly here… ☀ From building dens and getting creative to scoring goals and learning new skills, there’s plenty to look forward to with our Holiday Activities this summer. Bushcraft, Crafting and Super Sports are all running throughout the holidays, with places filling fast. Book online ➡️ https://highfieldandbrookham.co.uk/school-plus/holiday-activity-clubs/

Last night, our Year 8 pupils took to the stage for the final performance of Shrek. It wasn’t the smoothest journey to Far, Far Away. A heatwave that delayed rehearsals, alongside a few other unexpected surprises, couldn’t stop our cast from putting on a fantastic show. A huge thank you to everyone who worked behind the scenes to make this production such a success. Our musicians, tech, and makeup teams all played an important part in bringing the swamp to life. And to Mrs Baird, thank you for your unwavering belief in every pupil, for sharing your passion for theatre with us all, and for somehow finding the most spectacular Dragon to complete the cast! Well done, Year 8. We don’t think anyone will be forgetting this trip to the swamp anytime soon! 💚

What a few days away for our Year 4 residential! There were climbs that looked a little too high, zip wires that took a bit of courage, canoe battles that got everyone soaked, water slides that ended with lots of laughter and a very competitive game of wellie boot throwing! As we return to school, we’re bringing back more than muddy clothes and tired legs. We’re bringing back children who have discovered a little more confidence in themselves 💛

Our Airfix Model Club put their latest creations on display last week, giving everyone the chance to admire the impressive models they had been working on. Led by Mr Baker, the club has helped our children develop the focus and attention to detail that every great model builder needs. Of course, not every build goes to plan, and that’s all part of it! A piece doesn’t always fit and sometimes one mysteriously disappears altogether, which usually means a change of plan. But every model is a reminder that great results come from patience and perseverance. We even had a surprise guest judge! Our Estates Manager, Mr Edwards, who served in the Army, stopped by to cast his expert eye over the models. Thank you, Mr Baker for sharing your passion and inspiring so many young model makers. 👏✈️

Who needs Glastonbury when you have HighFest?! ☀️🎶 Festival season came to Highfield & Brookham on Friday, with our pupils taking to the stage to share their music with our school community. It takes enormous courage to stand in front of a crowd and perform, and there is always that moment before the music begins when the nerves could easily take over. That is what made the encouragement from friends, together with the cheers from the audience, so special. It was a lovely reminder of what HighFest is all about! As the sun began to set, the school grounds took on a real festival feel. With ice creams in hand and music filling the air, it was the perfect way to round off the year. Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen and to everyone who came along to support our performers. We’re already looking forward to doing it all again next year. 💙

A huge well done to our Year 4 pupils for their fantastic performance of Gladis Baker, Gladiator! 🎭 There were plenty of laughs as the Great Roman Bake Off came to life, with ambitious bakers, a demanding Emperor and more than a few baking disasters along the way! Despite this week’s warm weather, they took to the stage with enthusiasm and plenty of smiles, delivering a performance they should be incredibly proud of. It was a joy to watch them perform as an ensemble, with every child playing their part in keeping the story moving and making each other shine. A fantastic team effort Year 4! 👏