Teaching dyslexic pupils since 1962.
Age Range. 8–18.
Number of Pupils. 240: Boarders 100, Day 140.
Bredon School is a co-educational independent boarding and day school located in the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside. As a dyslexia specialist since 1962, the School supports children with dyslexia to achieve their potential in a caring, nurturing environment. The inspiring location, wide-ranging curriculum and vast outdoor environment enables all pupils to find an area in which to shine; whether that is on the school farm, within the forest school, out on the sports fields, taking part in outdoor education and adventure activities, or joining our thriving Combined Cadet Force. The opportunities are endless.
Ethos. Bredon educates the whole child through sound, realistic academic provision, sympathetic pastoral care delivered through a House system, regular leadership challenges and a varied sports programme. The small and friendly environment allows children of all ages to thrive and achieve academic success.
Learning Support. The school is internationally-renowned for its expertise in supporting children with dyslexia and is CReSTeD-accredited, holding Dyslexia Specialist Provision (DSP) status. Within its dedicated Learning Support Centre, an extensive range of specialist software and specialist tuition allows pupils to organise their thoughts, practice their skills and use voice-activation to enhance their individual progress.
Curriculum. Bredon provides a broad academic curriculum that progresses from its Junior School to Sixth Form. From Years 10 to Year 13 Bredon’s curriculum is organised into ‘Academic’, ‘Vocational’ and ‘Professional’ pathways. The Academic Pathway includes a range of GCSEs and A Levels. Subjects within this pathway include Art and Design, Mathematics, History, Geography, Environmental Studies (to name but a few). Bredon’s vocational pathway features BTECs that make use of Bredon’s inspiring facilities. For example, our Engineering workshops and Farm offer vocational pathways for those interested in pursuing a career in engineering, agriculture or animal care. Bredon’s professional pathway includes a desirable IT industry CISCO qualification. Across the school class sizes average 12 pupils.
Sports. Bredon offers pupils a wide variety of sporting opportunities including rugby, hockey, netball, football, cricket, kayaking, mountain biking, running, horse riding, golf, football, tennis, athletics, chess, swimming, shooting and fishing. Pupils frequently take part in fixtures with local schools. Pupils also have access to a fully equipped gymnasium, a 30 metre sports hall, a climbing wall, shooting range and bouldering course.
Outdoor Activities. Bredon school offers a number of outdoor activities for pupils at all ages. The Bredon Farm allows pupils to learn outside the classroom. The farm is home to rare breed pigs, cattle, sheep, Shetland ponies and fowl. The Forest School is a firm favourite with Junior Pupils. Extensive opportunities such as Duke of Edinburgh scheme at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, Combined Cadet Force and extra curricular trips are organised by the school.
Clubs and Activities. There are many thriving lunchtime clubs including coding, cooking and sports. In addition, once a week, the afternoon lessons are given over to activities and the children can choose from options as varied as cycling, dancing, music, art, cookery, engineering, farming and clay pigeon/air rifle shooting.
Boarders. There is provision for boarders from age 9 and they are cared for by house parents, creating a real home-from-home environment. Accommodation is in dormitory-style rooms until Year 12 when children move into individual study-bedrooms. Boarders have an extensive range of after school activities to participate in and there is a lively schedule of weekend events too.
Pupils join us from the local area, the UK and the wider world, and come together to form a vibrant community of learners who are socially and morally responsible and who support one another on their journey towards becoming happy, healthy, confident and capable young people.
Admissions. Admission is by potential not just attainment, and all lessons are taught with dyslexia-friendly teaching in mind. There is no entrance examination, instead school reports and any specialist reports will be requested and assessed, followed by a 3 or 5-day ‘taster’ visit to the school to assess suitability. A place is usually offered upon completion of a satisfactory taster stay.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Day: £4,631–£9,209. Termly Boarding Supplement: £5,534. International Boarding Supplement: £6,250. (Fees exclude VAT.)
Governors & Staff:
Chairman of Governors: Mr Aatif Hassan
Headteacher: Mr Nick Oldham, BA Hons, QTS Dip NLP
Bursar: Mr S Giles, BSc, FCCA
Registrar: Esther O’Reilly-Cain
Deputy Head (Pastoral and Safeguarding): Miss C Eaton, PGCE, QTLS, NPQSL, MInstRE
Deputy Head (Academic): Mrs L Saunders
Director of Boarding: Mr R Starr
Assistant Head (Learning Development & Lead SENDCO): Mrs Jodie Grant, BEd, BQTS, SpLD Level 5, CPT3A