Bruern Abbey is the only preparatory and senior school in the country to have as its main purpose the preparation of boys with learning difficulties aged 8 to 13 years for Common Entrance and other entrance examinations to mainstream independent senior schools.
In September 2022 the school extended its specialist provision with the opening of the senior school for boys aged 13 – 16.
Bruern Abbey will be welcoming girls to the Prep School from September 2026, and to the Senior School from September 2027.
This marks an exciting new chapter as they move to co-education, expanding the Bruern experience to more pupils while maintaining our distinctive ethos.
Head's welcome
The School’s raison d’être is to prepare boys, who have dyslexia or some other form of learning difficulty, for Common Entrance to major British public schools.
Learning difficulties should not preclude academic success.
We provide a tailored education in beautiful surroundings and maintain high expectations for the academic future. We aim to enhance boys’ self-esteem, in the firm belief that confidence is the key to academic success.
John Floyd, Executive Head
Kate Walker, Senior School Head
The key differences between Bruern and other schools are essentially fourfold. All boys come to Bruern with a laptop, which is used in most lessons. For those who have difficulty in expressing themselves as swiftly or as coherently on paper as they do in speech, this is an absolute godsend.
There is a clear focus on literacy and numeracy, with nine periods each of English and Mathematics a week.
All junior classes have eleven pupils or fewer and senior classes have twelve pupils or fewer – allowing pupils more individual attention in class. Pupils are rarely taken out for remedial support, as their needs are met in class.
We are steadfast in the teaching of those traditional values which are dear to us all, and we place an emphasis on good manners and self-discipline and encourage boys to share their aspirations and their anxieties.
Boarding school for boys and girls
Ages 8-16
Number of pupils 239
Average class size 12