Brentwood Gazette Article from Alex Burghart MP:
Brentwood County High School pupils are fortunate to have a magnificent 1920s building at the heart of their school; a classic classrooms and stone corridors set around two quadrangles. It’s not quite Hogwarts, but it is a historic setting which has seen thousands of pupils come and go in the 98 years since the main building was originally opened.
Last week I was re-opening the school’s oldest building which has undergone a huge two year DfE funded refurbishment to bring classrooms, the main hall, and the roof up to modern specifications. Solar panels adorn the roof and, while ‘heritage’ cast iron radiators are still in place in the hall, they are for decorative purposes only.
In the not too distant past, one current Brentwood Borough councillor, and two former councillors have been Head Boys at the school, a point noted by Brentwood’s Mayor. There may be more councillors to come, as the school’s sixth form politics classes also regularly visit Westminster as part of their studies.
It was great to see how the investment by the Department for Education in BCHS has give the whole school a new lease of life – with a new science block replacing the former dilapidated 1960s building, an Art hub, and all weather pitch being used to their full extent.
It’s taken nine years of planning, design, wrangling and sheer hard work to get this work done, and to keep the best of the old alongside the best of the new. My congratulations to Parvis Rahman, the school’s headteacher, and to the ‘getting it done team’ of Dave Richardson and Janet Clark, for enabling the work to happen while also keeping the school open for its pupils and staff.
It is heartening to see how Government funding can breathe new life into a school, making it an asset to the pupils and the town for many years to come.
News Release from Brentwood County High School
At Brentwood County High School we were extremely honoured to welcome esteemed guests to our Opening Celebration on Friday 15th March 2024. Today marked a momentous occasion in the school’s journey as we unveiled our new renovated facilities. The premises were opened by MP Alex Burghart who was joined by Mayor Cllr Dr. Gareth Barrett, Chief Executive Officer of the Osborne Co-operative Academy Paul Griffiths, Executive Headteacher Secondary Phase of the Osborne Co-operative Academy Sharon Jenner together with trustees and school governors who met with students prior to the opening event.
Brentwood and Ongar MP, Alex Burghart, said:
“It is great to see how investment from the Department for Education can transform a local school for the benefit of its pupils, staff and, more broadly, Brentwood. Brentwood County High School’s buildings have always been magnificent, and the nine year of planning, design and sheer hard work have made them into buildings ready for the future, while retaining their heritage appeal. My congratulations to Janet Clark and Dave Richardson for overseeing such a daunting project over the best part of a decade, and to headteacher Ms Rahman, who has been able to keep the school running successfully amidst the major building works.
“It is really the best of the old alongside the best of the new. I noticed the original building was opened in 1926, and I hope the refurbishment will offer the same level of education and memories for the young people of our town for another 98 years.”
Ms Rahman, Headteacher, from Brentwood County High School, said:
“The transformation of our school facilities has been a truly remarkable feat. From state-of-the-art classrooms to cutting edge laboratories have created an environment that provides our students with teaching spaces of the highest quality. Our excellent facilities will enable our students to be inspired and empowered to reach their full potential.
As we gather to celebrate this milestone, let us reflect on the impact that these facilities will have on the lives of students both now and in the future and which will benefit both the school community and Brentwood as a whole. Together, we will continue to work providing every student with the opportunities they need to thrive and succeed in life.”
