Brent Roots is a programme of Skills Sessions for Young Adults Aged 16 – 25. South Brent Old School Community Centre is working in partnership with South Brent Feoffees to deliver a series of classes and workshops for young people in the South Brent area. 12-15 year olds are welcome to apply if they have parental permission.
Prospectus
The course programme for 2026 is now available! Download it here or pick up a copy in the foyer at the Old School Community Centre.
Register your interest now by contacting Steph: education@theoldschool.org.uk / WhatsApp: 07885 471363
Follow Brent Roots on the socials:
For more information about Brent Roots, contact Steph education@theoldschool.org.uk
What’s On Offer
The following courses are being offered for an April 2026 start. All courses depend on having enough people enrolled on them, so spread the word and get your friends to sign up! For info about each of these courses, please download the Prospectus above.
- Drama Games & Life Skills
- English for Success at Work & Study (including GCSE prep)
- Creative Writing
- Drawing – A Crash Course
- Basic Food Growing Skills
- Maths GCSE prep
Under 16?
LOOK OUT FOR taster sessions at The Rec
June – Circus Skills
September – Woodland Crafts
Note you need to be a member of Youth for Christ Youth Club to attend these sessions. Register with the youth club here.
In addition, we plan to offer the following courses from September:
- Woodland Management and Crafts (start date: 7th September)
- Outdoor Leader Skills
- Radio Broadcasting Skills
- Circus Skills
- Music and Songwriting
- Digital Skills (start date 30th September )
- Basic Teaching Skills
- Local History Storytelling
What Does it Cost?
Fees for South Brent residents are subsidised by South Brent Feoffees, so we are pleased to offer courses to young people for just £5 per session! That’s £50 for the term (each course runs for 10 sessions).
Some places are available for young people from surrounding parishes, subsidised by SHDC. This currently includes:
Rattery, Dean Prior,, Avonwick, North Huish, Diptford, Holne, Buckfastleigh West, Ermington, Wrangaton, Ugborough and Ivybridge.
Bursaries are available: contact us to apply for a free or a reduced cost place.
How to Pay
PREFERRED: Bank transfer (BACS) to: South Brent Old School Community Centre Ltd,
Sort Code 30-94-58
Account Number 27720268.
Please put the name of your course as the reference when making payment.
Cash payments can be made by writing full details:
Name of student
Name of course
Amount enclosed
Date
on a sealed envelope containing the correct amount of cash and posted in the letter box at the Old School Community Centre, for the attention of the Education Coordinator.
How to Apply
Click here to complete our enrolment form online: Enrolment Form for Brent Roots courses 2026
Alternatively, download and print off the enrolment form here (or cut it out of the Prospectus) and fill it in.
Completed forms can be photographed and emailed to education@theoldschool.org.uk or you can drop it into the Old School Centre letter box (just outside the front door).
Your place will be confirmed by email. A first payment must then be made before the first day of term.
The Brent Roots Story So Far
In early 2025, South Brent Feoffees and South Brent Old School Community Centre got together in their shared desire to provide fun, useful and educational courses for young adults in South Brent. Steph Bradley was appointed as Programme Co-ordinator, and a summer programme of taster sessions was devised.
During the summer of 2025, we ran the following free taster sessions for the young people of South Brent:
- Making Beats & Hosting Podcasts
- Drama Games
- Maths Fun
- Selfie Reels in Charcoal
- Circus Skills
- An Introduction to Generative AI
- Creative Writing
- Outdoor Leadership Skills – Local Guiding
- Song Writing & Acoustic Guitar
- English for Success at Work and Study
- Interview Skills
The first term began on the 19th January 2026, and finishes on the 2nd April 2026
We currently run classes in:
- English for Success at Work and Study (including GCSE prep)
- GCSE Maths
- Drama Games & Life Skills
- Woodland Management and Crafts
- Creative Writing
We welcome all young people (aged 16 – 25) in the South Brent area to get in touch! 12-15 year olds are welcome to apply if they have parental permission.
We also welcome interest from tutors who would like to be part of our programme.
Just contact Steph: education@theoldschool.org.uk WhatsApp 07885 471363
Woodland Management – out and about in Brent
Circus Skills at The Rec (Palstone Park)
Drawing Class at ArtHouse
Drama Games at the village hall
English for Success & Creative Writing both happen at the Old School
Feedback from participants
“I loved it. It was so insightful. I am so glad you are running this.”
“This would be great to offer to the under 16s too.”
Feedback from parents
“It is such a wonderful thing to teach young people skills like this.”
“James and Emma were superb tutors – so kind, engaging and patient. The hot chocolate was such a lovely thought too.”
“Thanks for helping to create this fantastic opportunity for the kids in the village. Our daughter absolutely loves it.”
“Brent Roots seems like such a wonderful opportunity for young people in the village.”
“I wish there’d been something like this for us when we were younger!”
