Brentwood School Officially Opens The Sir Michael Snyder Building, Celebrating New Era of Boarding Excellence

Brentwood School held an official opening of its new, purpose-built, state-of-the-art boarding house at the weekend, which was formally named The Sir Michael Snyder Building. The special opening ceremony was attended by governors and special guests.

The facility was named in recognition of the outstanding service to the school of Sir Michael Snyder (OB), who served the school in various capacities, including as Governor from 1992 to 2007, Vice Chairman from 2007 to 2018, and most recently as Chairman of Governors from 2018 until 2024.

The new boarding house, which has been years in the planning, is sector-leading and offers the highest standard of accommodation and facilities. The 122 single, ensuite bedrooms located on the upper floors feature cutting-edge university-style accommodation. While Brentwood enjoys a rich history spanning nearly 500 years, the school has consistently embraced innovation. Boarding remains an essential part of this tradition, fostering cross-cultural friendships and contributing to the diversity and international outlook of our community.

The fully-accessible building is designed to function as a true home away from home. It is subdivided into three main sections: separate houses for girls and boys, and a central shared hub. This shared hub includes new dining, communal, and recreation areas, along with an outdoor courtyard and a dedicated landscaped social space. 

A Sixth Form Café, operated by award-winning UK café chain Benugo sits at the heart of the new development, strengthening the school community.

Guests at Saturday’s official opening and lunch included the current Chairman of Governors, Lord Guy Black of Brentwood; Headmaster Michael Bond; Head of Prep Alice Goodfellow, Bursar, Jeremy Blunden, and members of the school’s Senior Leadership Team. They were joined by representatives from Cottrell & Vermeulen Architecture, Oxbury Chartered Surveyors, and Rooff construction company – who together with the school’s Estates Team and Houseparents – celebrated a project they had nurtured from conception to its successful fruition.

Lord Black said: “This is a tremendous moment for our school as we officially open this state-of-the-art boarding house. This facility is more than just a building; it represents our commitment to providing students with a safe, inspiring, and modern environment where they can thrive both academically and personally. I am grateful to everyone who has contributed to turning this vision into reality, and I know it will serve our community for generations to come.”

Headmaster Michael Bond said: “We believe that our new boarding facilities, combined with the flexibility of our boarding options, will greatly enhance the school experience for all our students. It also strengthens the international dimension of our school, as we welcome talented young people from countries near and far which fosters a vibrant, diverse community that enables our students to make connections that often turn out to be life-long, with people from around the world.”

In addition to the opening of the new boarding house, the school also launched its latest history book, Virtue, Learning and Manners, The Life and Times of Brentwood School, which brings the story of the school, founded in 1557, up to date. The book was originally conceived by former teaching stalwart Michael (Mike) Willis, who wanted to tell the story of Brentwood in a fresh way: accessible, engaging, and visually appealing, designed to be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Drawing on nearly fifty years of teaching history at the school, it was Mike’s chance to celebrate the school he loved and knew so well.

Sadly, Mike passed away before completing the project, leaving behind near-complete chapters, an outline of how the book might come together, and indications of how he would have used detail, illustration, and anecdote to bring the school’s history to life. Subsequently, his friend and colleague Ian Walton, who himself served the school for 32 years, took up the writing gauntlet, to complete the project. 

The resulting book honours what has already been written while also drawing inspiration from Mike’s wider vision and the legacy embodied in the school’s Willis Museum – a treasure chest of the school’s rich archives, safeguarding its history and stories for generations to come. Anyone interested in owning a copy of this informative and beautifully presented tome can purchase it online on the Brentwood School Association portal.