Dr Chris Stevens (pictured) leads Bradfield College with a clear educational philosophy that combines academic excellence with character development. His vision, grounded in the college’s 175-year heritage, shapes an approach to education that prepares pupils for both immediate challenges and future success.

Educational foundation

“Encouraging young people to develop their inquiry, to develop their character, to prepare themselves for the next stage of their life, not just of their education, is a privilege and a joy,” Stevens explains. This commitment to holistic development provides the foundation for Bradfield’s educational approach.

The phrase “education for life” encapsulates this philosophy. “We very authentically say this is about helping young people to grow up in every sense: knowledge and virtue; neither’s optional,” Stevens notes. This dual focus ensures pupils develop both academic capabilities and personal qualities.

Current initiatives

Curriculum innovation

The Year 9 curriculum exemplifies Bradfield’s current approach to education. Developed specifically to encourage critical thinking, creativity, and interdisciplinary learning, it requires pupils to make links between subjects and engage with broader topics. “Being a good learner and being a lifelong learner is the key,” Stevens says, noting that “in 20 years’ time, being somebody who enjoys things that are difficult and new and challenging will be much more important than mastery of calculus.”

Learning environment

The recently opened St Andrew’s Study Centre demonstrates Bradfield’s commitment to creating purposeful educational spaces. Stevens describes it as “an environment in which it is cool to study, in the same way that our stunning cricket pitch is a cool place to play cricket.”

The college’s setting in the Berkshire countryside contributes significantly to the educational experience. “It’s fundamentally a beautiful and kind and gentle space,” Stevens observes. Between lessons, pupils benefit from walking through the grounds, which provides opportunities to “get some fresh air into your lungs and recharge.”

Wellness integration

Plans for a new wellness centre reflect Bradfield’s comprehensive approach to pupil development. “Wellness is not a single building – it’s woven into everything we do,” Stevens emphasises. The college’s 250-acre estate provides multiple centres of wellness, from boarding houses to art departments.

Future vision

Academic development

Bradfield’s five-year strategic vision includes curriculum innovation and enhanced digital literacy. “We are fundamentally a progressive institution… but none of that at the expense of the core,” Stevens explains, articulating how the College maintains its values while embracing necessary change.

Global perspective

The college’s partnership work, particularly with organisations like the Oscar Foundation and the Bradfield Club in Peckham, represents what Stevens describes as “true partnership, where children engage with other young people and learn from each other in the moment.”

Stevens notes the current generation’s approach to global responsibility: “Their desire to look after their planet, their desire to look after one another, their desire fundamentally to leave the world in a better place than they’re finding it contrasts massively with my education in the 1980s.”

Community impact

Building resilience

The College’s approach recognizes that resilience develops through meaningful engagement. “You develop resilience if you really want to be the best footballer in the school,” Stevens observes, explaining how determination in one area transfers to academic pursuits.

Local and global connections

Partnership initiatives provide pupils with opportunities to engage beyond the college grounds. These relationships build understanding and develop pupils’ capacity to contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Looking forward

As Bradfield moves through its 175th anniversary year, Stevens’ educational vision continues to evolve while maintaining the college’s core values. This commitment to holistic development, combining academic excellence with character formation, ensures Bradfield pupils receive an education that truly prepares them for life beyond the college gates.

Soap Media, a Manchester and Preston-based digital agency, has successfully designed and launched a new website for Claremont, one of the UK’s leading office design and fit-out firms.

This collaboration builds on an existing relationship in which the agency had previously supported Claremont with SEO improvements and technical fixes.

Claremont has been delivering office interior design and fit-out projects from its Warrington and Bristol offices for more than 40 years. Some of its multi-million-pound projects include Admiral, AQA, and Grant Thornton. The firm was recently awarded the Employer of the Year award at the BCO Next Gen Awards 2024.

Claremont’s brief called for the new website to showcase its enviable and high-profile client roster, bring its signature concept of the Destination Office to life, and lend itself to easy content updates for the in-house marketing team.

Recognising the need for a complete overhaul, the company entrusted Soap Media to create a modern site that aligns with its brand identity and highlights its expertise in creating innovative office spaces.

Despite a tight two-month timeline, Soap Media delivered an advanced WordPress site built on their custom SUDS platform; a proprietary CMS designed for performance and user-friendliness.

The new site incorporates dynamic animations, enhanced optimisation, and an intuitive user experience. With better SEO, improved page speed, and greater editing flexibility, the website now aligns with Claremont’s need for a low-maintenance, long-term solution.

The project also benefitted from Soap’s newly formed motion design team, which crafted visually striking animations to showcase Claremont’s work. As a visual business, Claremont had high expectations, and the animations delivered reflect their creative ethos and attention to detail.

Claremont initially chose to work with Soap Media due to the team’s work ethic, transparency, performance-driven approach, and ability to deliver personalised solutions.

The decision to proceed with the new website project without a formal pitch highlights the strong trust and rapport developed between the two companies.

Emma Calter, marketing operations manager at Claremont Group Interiors said: “At Claremont, we’ve always invested heavily in brilliant photography and video to showcase our work, so the new site needed to really celebrate and maximise those assets, enhancing how we tell our story and connect with clients.

“The Soap team took the time to understand our brand and goals, maximise our material, and capture what makes us unique. Their expertise and attention to detail were second to none, guiding us through the process and ensuring every element was designed with purpose. This website is a testament to the collaboration and hard work between Claremont and Soap, and represents an exciting step forward for us!”

Paige Coulthurst, operations director at Soap Media, said: “Working with Claremont has been a privilege. Their vision for creating inspiring workplaces is revolutionary, and we’re thrilled to have delivered a website that embodies their innovative approach. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this site will have on their business, and we’re excited to continue working with them in 2025 and beyond.”

To celebrate the UN’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science, SEA LIFE London Aquarium welcomed four female students from St Ann’s School in London for an exclusive VIP tour, giving them a unique and immersive experience in the world of marine science.

The special day kicked off with a VIP tour featuring interactive puppetry and play, allowing the students to explore the wonders of marine life. From meeting the dedicated SEA LIFE team and learning about underwater artefacts to engaging with hands-on sensory activities, the students experienced an exciting and educational journey beneath the waves. Organised in collaboration with Merlin’s Magic Wand, which strives to bring joy and meaningful experiences to children who need them most, the event celebrated the girls’ enthusiasm for science and marine exploration.

The tour provided an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at SEA LIFE London Aquarium’s diverse marine habitats. The students wandered through ocean tunnels, experienced the soothing movement of the waves, and engaged with the many sensory elements of the aquarium. Along their journey, they encountered fascinating marine creatures, including starfish, rays, sharks, and sea turtles, gaining first-hand insight into the world beneath the sea.

“This experience is all about sparking curiosity and exploring the sounds, smells, colours, and magic waiting for us under the ocean,” said Catherine Pritchard, General Manager of SEA LIFE London Aquarium. “It was truly heartwarming to watch these young girls immerse themselves in the world of marine life. We hope the day creates memories for them for years to come.”

The experience blended education with adventure, offering the students an exciting alternative to traditional learning. As part of Merlin’s Magic Wand’s commitment to inclusivity and equal access to education, the event aimed to inspire the next generation of female scientists.

“Merlin’s Magic Wand is dedicated to giving children magical experiences that spark joy and imagination,” said Rebecca Hudson-Betts, Project Manager at Merlin’s Magic Wand. “Being able to celebrate Girls in Science Day with this extraordinary experience was a joy, and we are thrilled to inspire the students at St Ann’s school.”

The event served as a powerful example of how interactive learning and real-world experiences can ignite a passion for science and technology among young students.

This visit also marked the launch of a brand-new ‘London Under the Sea’ themed playground at St Ann’s School in Hanwell, London, opening in March in partnership with Merlin’s Magic Wand and London Merlin Entertainment attractions.