This period was marked by religious turmoil, with hundreds of Protestants being executed in the country.
Tragically, in Brentwood, a young 19-year-old Brentwood Protestant named William Hunter was ordered by Sir Antony Browne to be executed. It is believed that this act led Sir Antony Browne to found Brentwood School.
A Timeline of Developments at Brentwood
The book was originally conceived by former teaching stalwart Michael (Mike) Willis, who envisioned an accessible, engaging and visually appealing book to celebrate the school’s history. Sadly, Mike passed away before completing the project. Subsequently, his friend and colleague Ian Walton, who served the school for 32 years, took up the writing gauntlet to complete the project, honouring Mike’s work and expanding on his vision.
New School History Book
Brentwood School is proud to present its latest history book, Virtue, Learning and Manners, The Life and Times of Brentwood School, tracing the school’s remarkable journey from its founding in 1557 to the present day.
Richly illustrated and filled with anecdotes, the book draws inspiration from the Willis Museum and the school’s treasured archives, preserving Brentwood’s legacy for generations.
Copies of this informative and beautifully presented book are available to purchase online via the Brentwood School Association portal.
The Willis Museum
There is a wealth of material for documenting the history of the School in the School Archives.
We have also created a museum at Brentwood School to showcase the many wonderful items in our collection. The Willis Museum, named in honour of former Head of Politics Mike Willis, is housed in the old stable block near Newnum House and features an extensive collection of school photographs and memorabilia. Our museum is open often for you to visit. Find out more below.
Our alumni
Brentwood School has had many notable alumni over the years and all have had very different careers.
Our alumni includes famed writer, Douglas Adams (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy), TV presenter and broadcaster, Noel Edmunds, professional footballer, Frank Lampard, comedian and actor, Griff Rhys Jones OBE and many others.
Brentwood in numbers
