Bruern Abbey School

Located just over an hour from London and 15 minutes from Oxford, Bruern Abbey is the only preparatory school in the country to have as its main purpose the preparation of boys with learning difficulties for Common Entrance and other entrance examinations to mainstream independent senior schools.

During the past several years Bruern Abbey pupils have successfully gained entry to a wide variety of these schools, including Harrow, Winchester, Rugby, Stowe, Tonbridge, Wellington, Bloxham, Canford, Uppingham, Charterhouse, Bradfield, Gordonstoun, Shiplake, Ampleforth, the Oratory, and Milton Abbey amongst others.

Philosophy and Aims
Bruern Abbey is a school with a very special atmosphere. It is small with beautiful grounds, with every effort being made to spare pupils the ill effects often associated with institutional life. Whilst acknowledging what is best in contemporary education, the School also aims to compensate for some of the less attractive features of modern living, with particular weight being placed on the cultural and civilising aspects of life.

The domestic arrangements reinforce this philosophy. Relationships with adults are informal but respectful. The maintenance of discipline is modelled on best home practice.The food is a distinctive feature of life at Bruern, not least due to the twice a week formal evening dinner by candlelight which is served for pupils, staff and guests.

The small size of Bruern Abbey encourages every pupil to retain his individuality without facing undue peer group pressures, and to become conscious of the value and worth of every member of the community. Such an atmosphere not only builds confidence, but promotes personal happiness, both of which are necessary prerequisites for academic success.

The Teaching Programme
The curriculum combines a thorough grounding in the traditional basic skills with more formal work directed towards the requirements made of all preparatory schools by Common Entrance and other transfer examinations. What makes Bruern Abbey very special, however, is its approach to the teaching of the academic programme, which never loses sight of the ultimate objective - a formal written examination at 13+.

Every pupil has his particular learning needs defined for him, with his strengths and weaknesses fully identified. Where required, the services of the School's highly qualified Speech, Language and Occupational Therapists are available. The ability to make effective and practical use of Information Technology is essential for all pupils, particularly those with any specific learning difficulties. All boys are therefore taught to touch type with every boy having his own laptop.

While Bruern Abbey is therefore fully equipped to help pupils with specific learning difficulties, its underlying purpose remains to prepare them for transfer into the mainstream academic world in their senior school. This should open to them every prospect ultimately of further or higher education, without any debilitating handicaps.

If you wish to gain a further insight into the school then please look at our website. www.bruernabbey.org