Brief History of St Brendan's
St Brendan's was founded by the Irish Christian Brothers as a Catholic school for boys in 1896 in Berkeley Square in Bristol. During the first fifty years of its existence it played an important part in developing an educated Catholic laity in and around Bristol and its pupils entered all walks of life, including a significant number who entered the priesthood.
Following the 1944 Education Act, St Brendan's became a well regarded direct grant boys' grammar school and by the late 1950s had out-grown the Berkeley Square site. The Brothers purchased a house (the Beeches) and extensive grounds in Brislington, built the present accommodation, and moved to Brislington in 1960.
In the 1970s, as a result of a reorganisation of Catholic secondary education in Bristol and Bath, St Brendan's became a coeducational sixth form college: the sixth form for four 11-16 Catholic secondary schools. It was thought at that time that the College would attract about 450 students. In fact, as a result of an ecumenical approach which welcomes all who are happy to accept the Christian nature of the college, Saint Brendan's currently has close to 1,500 students. With this enhanced mission, it continues to be an important part of the Diocesan provision of education.
SANCTI BRENDANI - Alumni Website
There is now a website for former pupils of St Brendan's College created by Tony Hill. Its web address is: http://www.sanctibrendani.co.uk/