Principal

ORGANISATION 

Brooke House College is a co-educational independent boarding school based in the town of Market Harborough, in Leicestershire. Established in 1968, it has 250 students aged between 12-19, nearly all of whom are boarders from countries outside the UK. The College is privately owned and focuses on preparing students for higher education, primarily in British universities. For the majority of the students, English is not their principal language, therefore the development of proficiency in English is a key component of the curriculum. In recent years the College has also developed in to a centre of sporting excellence. Its Football Academy now competes in the top-flight of secondary level football, and its Motorsports Academy draws interest from all over the world. 

Brooke House is overseen by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). It offers a range of IGCSE, GCSE, A Level, University Foundation, and Intensive English Language courses. The class sizes at Brooke House are designed to be small, which allows for a staff-student ratio that promotes a highly personal style of teaching. Teachers can quickly perceive areas of weakness in students and react to them effectively and sensitively. Specific learning difficulties can be swiftly addressed with guidance and support from our SENCo. In small, relatively informal classes, students feel more confident in voicing their opinions, contributing to group discussions, or admitting if there is something they have not understood.

The College has a number of laboratories, several dedicated computer rooms, a fully equipped Art Studio, and a student activity centre. Students are housed in single gender, comfortable, well-equipped boarding houses, all of which possess a communal sitting room, with television and DVD player, and a kitchenette where students can prepare their own snacks in the evenings and at weekends. 

For more information about the College, visit www.brookehousecollege.co.uk 

Ethos and Values 

Brooke House believes that the cornerstone of success is high-quality academic delivery combined with a learning environment in which students are challenged, but also supported. The College’s expectations are high, yet focus is placed on preparing students for the challenges of life, and not just for examinations. Whilst analytical skills and the ability to communicate effectively are fostered in the classroom, a spirit of independence and endeavour is cultivated outside it through a broad curriculum. The College evaluates itself by its ability to deliver on its students’ ambitions, whether that be entering a profession, a life in academia, a career in professional sport, or an opportunity in entrepreneurship. 

Brooke House aims to provide a safe and tolerant co-educational environment which allows individual expression and development. Over the College’s 50 year history, it has welcomed students from all corners of the world and aims to make sure that gaining an education away from home is not a daunting process. Regular trips, exhibitions and study visits are arranged in order to enrich the educational experience. 

The Football Academy 

The Brooke House College Football Academy, which opened in 2008, caters for around 70 excellent footballers from around the world. Students within the Academy train every afternoon with a team of UEFA/FA-qualified coaches, and fulfil their academic timetable in the mornings. Training sessions are devoted to skills training, technical player development, fitness and physical development, as well as classroom-based tactical seminars and examination of match footage. The students take part in competitive fixtures every week and the best are sent to train with professional English clubs. 

The Motor Sports Academy 

Brooke House College is well located for students involved in pursuing education and training in the Motorsport field and we offer bespoke courses which allow individuals to choose a pathway that is suitable for their particular skills and area of interest

Courses can be designed to include the following

• Car control
• Slip angle
• Understeer and oversteer
• Trail braking
• Wet weather conditions
• Heel and toe techniques
• Racing lines in the dry and wet
• Racing skills
• Fitness
• Nutrition
• Psychology

The Summer School 

Brooke House has been running its British Council accredited residential Summer School for over 30 years. Boys and girls between the ages of 10-17 visit the College, either in small groups or as individuals, for any number of weeks during the course. Students come from all over the world, creating a uniquely diverse and friendly atmosphere, which is cherished by students and staff alike. The courses are constructed carefully to give each and every student the opportunity to improve his or her English whilst, at the same time, taking advantage of a wide range of sporting and social opportunities. 

Ownership and Management Structure 

The College employs just over 100 staff and is owned by three joint-Proprietors – Donald, Joan and Giles Williams. Its day-to-day operations are overseen by a Senior Management Team, led by the College Principal, Mike Oliver. 

In addition to the Principal, the Senior Management Team consists of: 

• Vice Principal - Academic (Current vacancy);

• Business Manager (Marie Black); 

• Director of Admissions and Student Support Services (Sarah Doye); 

• Director of Partnerships, Online Teaching, Careers and Further Education (Rachel Caine); 

• Head of Boarding (Constantin Leonte); 

Location 

Brooke House College is situated in the small, typically English town of Market Harborough. Market Harborough lies less than an hour north of London by train. The town offers visitors a wide range of shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. Brooke House has for many years enjoyed a close and friendly relationship with the people of Market Harborough. 

The county of Leicestershire contains some beautiful countryside and the most picturesque of villages. Leicestershire is truly in ‘the heart of England’ and the major cities of Cambridge, Oxford and Birmingham, are all very accessible.