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Two teachers, one classroom, thirty-nine years
Brightwell began in 1987 with eleven children in a rented bungalow off Ikot Ekpene Road. The founders believed a child in Uyo deserved the same books, labs and care as any child anywhere.
A school built one room at a time
Mrs Arit Bassey taught English and Mr Edet Udo taught mathematics. In 1987 they pooled their savings, rented a bungalow and opened a primary class of eleven pupils. Parents paid in instalments, and some in yams and palm oil. Within five years there were two hundred children and a waiting list.
The secondary school opened in 1996, the boarding houses in 2004 and the science block in 2011. In 2022 the campus moved fully to solar power, so lessons never stop for a power cut. The founders' portraits still hang in the assembly hall, and their rule still stands: every child is known by name.
Eleven pupils
The first primary class opens in a rented bungalow, with two teachers and one blackboard.
The secondary school
JSS1 opens with forty pupils, and the first library is stocked with donated books.
Boarding begins
Two boarding houses, named after the founders, welcome pupils from across the South-South.
The science block
Three laboratories and a computer room, funded by parents and old pupils.
Solar campus
Panels on every roof and a battery store keep the whole campus running through outages.
Five words on the hall wall
Curiosity
We want children who ask why, then go to the library to find out. Every class has reading time every day.
Courtesy
Greeting, listening and thanking are taught as carefully as long division.
Courage
Speaking in assembly, trying out for a team, getting it wrong and trying again.
Community
Seniors mentor juniors, families volunteer, and old pupils come back to teach.
Heritage
We are proudly of Akwa Ibom. Ibibio, Efik and Annang language and culture are part of school life.
The people who lead Brightwell
Names and faces are examples for this demo.
Dr Imaobong Akpan
Head of School
A Brightwell old pupil who returned after twenty years teaching in Lagos and abroad. Teaches one English class a week.
Mr Ekpenyong Etim
Head of Secondary
Chemistry teacher, exams lead and coach of the debating team that keeps winning.
Mrs Nkoyo Okon
Head of Primary
Reading specialist who built the phonics programme our infants now use every morning.
Mrs Uduak Inyang
Head of Early Years
Trained in early childhood education, with twenty-two years in nursery classrooms.
My father was in the first class of eleven. Now my daughter sits in the same hall, under the same portraits.
Ekaette, example parent and old pupil
Come and see Brightwell for yourself
Walk the campus with our admissions team, sit in on a lesson and ask every question you have. Tours run on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings.
Or call admissions on +234 800 000 0153.