About Brookes United Kingdom
The Brookes family is delighted to welcome you to Brookes UK, the first International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum School in East Anglia, where students come to Unlock Their Potential. As part of the IB community, we offer a truly international education that fosters global perspectives and connects students to a world of opportunities. At Brookes UK, we prioritise Character, Connectivity and Creativity—developing resilient, compassionate individuals who are prepared to think critically, collaborate across cultures, and approach challenges with innovative solutions. Our dynamic, nurturing environment supports each child’s academic and personal growth, helping them explore their passions and become forward-thinking leaders ready to make a positive impact. Every child receives personalised attention, ensuring they thrive both academically and personally.
Above all, we cultivate a lifelong love of learning, inspiring students to stay curious and passionate throughout their lives. At Brookes UK, we truly believe in creating a home away from home, where families form lasting bonds in a safe, welcoming, and supportive community.
Formerly known as Cherry Trees, the school was founded in 1982 by Mrs Wendy Compson. It started off as a small nursery in Wendy’s home three mornings a week.
After quickly growing in popularity, there was enough demand for Cherry Trees to move to a larger premises and to add pre-prep education. Whilst looking for new premises, they settled on our current site and moved here in 1984.
The house is still there today, but the school has expanded significantly, with the addition of an Early Years unit, a school hall and additional classroom space.
In 2015, the Brookes Education Group acquired Cherry Trees and the school became Brookes UK (we are also known as Brookes Cambridge internationally). Soon after, Gryphon House was built. This modern facility now acts as the front of the school and includes a boarding facility, a state of the art IT suite, an art studio and a science lab.
That year, Brookes moved into secondary education, and every year since, we have added an additional Year Group to the school. In September 2019, we had our first year of going from Year 1 to Year 11. Our senior school is now complete, and growing year on year with increasing educational opportunities.
In March 2020 the Nursery was relaunched as Cherry Trees, Montessori Early Years at Brookes.
Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Suffolk countryside, our charming small school offers a friendly, nurturing environment where families quickly become part of a caring community. Set across seven acres of lush, green grounds, our students are free to explore nature, play, and grow in a space designed for discovery. The peaceful campus, framed by the picturesque Suffolk landscape, offers an ideal backdrop for young minds to flourish.
Just a short distance from Bury St Edmunds, a historic market town known for the stunning St Edmundsbury Cathedral, its award-winning restaurants, vibrant shopping scene, and its scenic parks, we are perfectly situated to balance both education and leisure. The town’s rich history and cultural offerings complement the peaceful surroundings of our school, providing an inspiring setting for both students and their families. With easy access to the A14, we are also well-connected to Cambridge’s thriving Technology and Science Park, the renowned horse-racing town of Newmarket, and a variety of charming villages across West Suffolk and East Cambridgeshire. This central location ensures that students benefit from the best of both rural tranquility and urban opportunity.
