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.
