How many of us can say that we have someone at our old school who is genuinely interested in us as a human being? So often schools want to keep up to date with us so that we can contribute money or expertise in some way to them. In this, as in [...]]]> Our new After Care officer

How many of us can say that we have someone at our old school who is genuinely interested in us as a human being? So often schools want to keep up to date with us so that we can contribute money or expertise in some way to them. In this, as in so many things, Breckenbrough is different. Brian Guy, one of the previous After Care officers spoke of the role as ‘creating a flexible, indestructible link with Breckenbrough, the feeling that even at one’s most unlovable, someone still cares’. Our After Care officer is a human contact for all boys who have spent any length of time at the school, and Denis McCarthy has now taken up the role.

Denis McCarthy

When I met up with Denis, in the welcoming environment of the sixth form flat, where he helps boys develop independent living skills, the After Care phone was in his pocket, where it lives most of the time. Having worked at Breckenbrough for 14 years, he has a strong affinity with the boys who come to Breck and knows how important it is to them that there’s a friendly voice at the end of a phone. In post for just a month, Denis has already made contact with more than 60 old boys.

After Care has been an integral part of Breck’s work since Frank Forrest was head teacher in the 1960s and the role of After Care officer was formalised in the late 1970s. Grants from a variety of sources, including the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and a generous gift has enabled the work of supporting our old boys to continue through the work of Brian Guy followed by Ron Cowels and now Denis McCarthy.

A man of many talents, Denis has worked as a welder and in a secure psychiatric unit. He reckons that his job at Breck is the best he’s ever had, and his only regret is that he hasn’t been here longer. Throughout his time at the school he has been involved in many outdoor events including Youth Hostel trips to North Wales (including a day trip to Dublin on one occasion), walks, pony trekking and visits to the Lake District and Holland. He has a real affinity with the boys in his care and has a natural ability to balance his contact so that he’s supportive and not intrusive. His philosophy is that we all need human contact – and he wants all old boys to feel that they can get in touch with him at any time.

So, Breck boys, don’t wait for life to throw things at you, get in touch with Denis now. If you’ve known him whilst you were at school he’s very likely to remember you. If you left Breck before his time, he’d welcome the contact, and this is particularly true for boys whose details are out of date. Denis can be contacted by phone: 07977 018564 and by e mail denis.mccarthy@breckenbrough.org.uk.


I’ve lived in Norway for 3 years now and as I’m 43 years old ‘probably’ intend to stay having lived in America for 10 years and Holland for 10 years and South Africa and Sweden for lesser periods, it’s time to settle down I guess.
The love of the outdoors and mountaineering that was instilled in [...]]]> Phil Morris


I’ve lived in Norway for 3 years now and as I’m 43 years old ‘probably’ intend to stay having lived in America for 10 years and Holland for 10 years and South Africa and Sweden for lesser periods, it’s time to settle down I guess.
The love of the outdoors and mountaineering that was instilled in me at Brek through Mike Turner ‘the ogre’ and Gary Shears ‘pixie’ never left me thats a big factor in my Norwegian residence.

A funny thing is I recently tracked down my old mate BM and after a 25 year absence we’re going to Le Mans in 2 weeks for the 24 hour race.
He’s doing very well and owns his own company and has just finished his first Iron man competetion impressively, whereas I only run half marathons poorly!
 We both have nothing but great memories of Breckenborough, Barry summed it up for me by saying he felt privileged to have had such a schooling.


My time at Breck was 1978 till 1983 so the legends of my time were Barry Smith, Mr Medd, Kelvin Gott, Ted ‘the ape’ Griffin and the like, all great teachers.
It was often said in my time that there was a ‘Breck-boy’ as in a kid who’d fit in and take advantage (unknowingly) of all the activities available to him but I’ve often considered in later life there is also such a thing as a ‘Breck-Teacher’ and we were blessed enough to be surrounded by such individuals.

What have Sikhs and Quakers got in common? The highly decorated Divan hall, the preparation for worship such as taking off our shoes and covering our heads and the wearing of the turban and other symbols make the Sikh religion seem very different. However, as the visit to the [...]]]> A Sikh temple in Bradford

What have Sikhs and Quakers got in common? The highly decorated Divan hall, the preparation for worship such as taking off our shoes and covering our heads and the wearing of the turban and other symbols make the Sikh religion seem very different. However, as the visit to the Gurdwara (sikh temple) taught us, the importance of equality and valuing each other are vital to both.

Skilfully led by Rajinder Singh Panesar we learned a huge amount about Sikhs and were given the opportunity to play the instruments that are a major part of the sikh worship.

Sikh services finish with a shared vegetarian meal and we all enjoyed a curry in Bradford after our visit.

Film making is a Breck tradition. Each year Lindsay Wellington-Graham enthuses the whole school and scripting, editing, scene planning, acting and the manufacture of the most amazing props takes place, culminating in a truly English film.

This year’s collective effort involved modifying a Smart car which became the Breck time machine. Travelling in this [...]]]> Forward to the past…

Film making is a Breck tradition. Each year Lindsay Wellington-Graham enthuses the whole school and scripting, editing, scene planning, acting and the manufacture of the most amazing props takes place, culminating in a truly English film.

This year’s collective effort involved modifying a Smart car which became the Breck time machine. Travelling in this allowed the boys to go ‘forward to past’ which needed good locations.

As well as filming in the dungeon prison at Allerton Park (itself originally a BBC location), Breck boys were able to experience the spaciousness of the National Railway Museum in York.

This project is one of the many ways in which Breck enables boys who have experienced many set-backs in their earlier lives, to succeed.

We are pleased to introduce his replacement, who many of you will already know, Denis McCarthy.

Denis can be contacted on the Aftercare telephone number: 07931591780 or on [...]]]> After many years working with the boys and staff at Breckenbrough, Ron Cowells has retired from the aftercare oficer position.

We are pleased to introduce his replacement, who many of you will already know, Denis McCarthy.

Denis can be contacted on the Aftercare telephone number: 07931591780 or on his email

Geoff Brookes Headmaster Breckenbrough School

Bedroom

Kitchen

Approval has been granted by the DCSF to extend our age range to 9-19 and open new Sixth Form accommodation.

Geoff Brookes
Headmaster
Breckenbrough School

Bedroom

Kitchen

Living Room

We are also in the process of updating our Complaints Procedure in line with Ofsted regulations which can be found at http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Forms-and-guidance/Browse-all-by/Other/General/Complaints-to-Ofsted-about-schools-guidance-for-parents, these will be put on the site [...]]]> The school’s Child Protection Policy has been updated and this is in-line with new procedures that can be found at www.safeguardingchildren.co.uk.

We are also in the process of updating our Complaints Procedure in line with Ofsted regulations which can be found at http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Forms-and-guidance/Browse-all-by/Other/General/Complaints-to-Ofsted-about-schools-guidance-for-parents, these will be put on the site when completed.

April 26th 2010, 4:00 pm

I thought it would be helpful if I let you know how the essential maintenance work at school has progressed. So far, so good! The asbestos in the boiler room has been “environmentally cleaned” and the work on upgrading the heating and hot water systems is almost complete. [...]]]> Update for parents and visitors

April 26th 2010, 4:00 pm

I thought it would be helpful if I let you know how the essential maintenance work at school has progressed. So far, so good! The asbestos in the boiler room has been “environmentally cleaned” and the work on upgrading the heating and hot water systems is almost complete. There was a little more work than first realised, but this hasn’t significantly affected the time it is taking to complete the work. My thanks go to the school staff and contractors who have worked extremely hard to get things completed and up and running.

Unless I inform you to the contrary, then termly boarders should travel to school on Tuesday afternoon and weekly boarders and day boys should arrive on Wednesday morning for lessons as normal. I sincerely hope that we are able to have an uninterrupted remainder of the school year, particularly in the run-up to the public examinations in May and June. The school will be open for termly boarders over the weekend of the forthcoming Bank Holiday; and for all pupils on Bank Holiday Monday, May 3rd, in order to ensure that we have a smooth start to the delayed new term.

I realise that the disruption that the maintenance work has caused will have impacted upon you and your family; I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your patience and understanding during what has been a difficult time for all of us.

Kind regards

Geoffrey Brookes
Headmaster

The 2009 History of Breckenbrough school brings the history written in the early 1980s right up to date and also looks in detail at the use of conflict resolution at Breckenbrough.

In her review of the book  Joyce Pickard writes:

‘Breckenbrough School is a Quaker school, but with a difference. How [...]]]>

Rob Knox with his '2009 History of Breckenbrough School'

The 2009 History of Breckenbrough school brings the history written in the early 1980s right up to date and also looks in detail at the use of conflict resolution at Breckenbrough.

In her review of the book  Joyce Pickard writes:

‘Breckenbrough School is a Quaker school, but with a difference. How many people who criticise the more familiar Quaker schools as ‘selective, privileged, fee-paying’ have paused to consider the example of this small, North Yorkshire school?

‘A new history, written by the Deputy Head, Rob Knox (an Ackworth old scholar) tells the story, and in the words of Chairman of Governors Nicholas Evens:

”the story reminds us of the school’s first inspiring leader, Arthur Fitch, and goes on to record the contributions of his successors and their staffs, touching lightly on difficulties and disappointments, and rightly celebrating their efforts and achievements. The school has been fortunate in finding the right people when needed.”

‘The whole ethos of Breckenbrough is based on the search to develop ‘that of God’ in each individual – to help them to be honest about themselves, to take responsibility for their own behaviour, and, with skilled adult support, to map out their own constructive solutions to problems that arise.

‘The present History, enhanced by many photographs is a remarkable story of success with young people…who had been let down by ‘ordinary schools’ before being offered. and personally choosing to accept, a place at Breckenbrough School.’

Copies of the new History can be obtained from the school office for £5 including postage and packing.

If you have a copy already we would like some feedback from the book, please go to the form here – http://www.breckenbrough.org.uk/history-feedback/ – all feedback would be appreciated.

The Year 11s have been out on work experience. Placements ranged from national museums and specialist shops to engineering and major tourist attractions. Reports from employers were very favourable and this has given boys both a better understanding of the work place and a sense of achievement.

Darren undertook his work experience at [...]]]>

Darren on work experience

The Year 11s have been out on work experience. Placements ranged from national museums and specialist shops to engineering and major tourist attractions. Reports from employers were very favourable and this has given boys both a better understanding of the work place and a sense of achievement.

Darren undertook his work experience at the National Railway Museum in York. His mentor was so impressed by him that he has been invited back to continue to work there. Congratulations Darren!