Bruern Abbey to Open Senior School in September 2022
Bruern Abbey School, a Bellevue Education school in Chesterton, near Bicester in Oxfordshire, has
announced it will be expanding its provision to open a Senior School in September 2022.
Bruern Abbey Senior School will be a boys-only weekly boarding and day school. The site will be
based in the small village of Chilton in Buckinghamshire, a 20-minute drive from the current Bruern
Abbey School site, and situated with excellent transport links to London.
The centre of the school is a Georgian manor house that was built in 1740. The house was based on
William Winde’s Buckingham House in London. Buckingham House would later become Buckingham
Palace, and the official residence of the British monarch since 1837.
The school benefits from impressive grounds, as well as the use of the associated barns, stable block
and clocktower to provide inspiring classroom spaces.
Headmaster John Floyd comments:
‘We are thrilled to be opening Bruern Abbey Senior School. This decision has been carefully
considered over my 10 years at Bruern and, after much searching, we feel we have arrived at both
the right time and place to launch this new school.’
Bellevue Education Director Gregg Davies adds:
‘Bruern Abbey at Chesterton has proven that the education provided does make a real difference to
the lives of the young people who are fortunate enough to attend. Pupils often arrive having had less
than positive experiences at school and within a term their self-esteem has risen hugely. The opening
of a senior school will allow slightly older children an opportunity to enjoy secondary education in an
environment absolutely suited to their needs.’
Like its existing predecessor, Bruern Abbey Senior School will cater exclusively for boys diagnosed
with learning difficulties, maintaining its firmly-held belief that learning difficulties should not
preclude academic success.
The school’s weekly structure will allow for a busy action-packed week between 9am on Monday
morning and 5pm on Friday afternoon, whilst also offering the boys a full weekend with their
families.
Academically, Bruern Abbey Senior School will prepare its students for success in their 16+ exams
and preparation for life beyond, by offering the following differences from traditional senior
schooling:
● An enhanced focus on GCSE literacy and numeracy: the school will offer approximately 50% more
English and Maths lessons than standard senior schools for all pupils
● Small classes of ten boys or fewer, allowing pupils more individual attention in class
● Subject options that allow boys with specific learning difficulties to thrive, including a strong
focus on entrepreneurship, coursework assessed subjects and hands-on learning
● A bespoke timetable that avoids the traditional pitfalls of large amounts of independent study in
the evenings and replacing with facilitated learning
● The extensive use of IT as a tool with which to deliver the curriculum, and support pupils in
their learning
● The importance attached to good food and nutrition and to finding the time for children within
their busy schedule to eat, talk, play and relax together in sublime surroundings
Headmaster John Floyd adds:
‘In many respects, Bruern Abbey Senior School will be similar to a traditional “public” school for boys
aged 13 to 16. It will maintain breadth to the curriculum, including GCSEs and other nationally
recognised qualifications, full and varied sports, and co-curricular programmes, and the adherence to
good manners and common courtesy.’
‘Dyslexic pupils and other boys with learning difficulties deserve a fully bespoke school that will get
them to achieve their full potential at Key Stage 4, and provide the best possible springboard into the
myriad of sixth form options that are available both in England and farther afield.’
If you have any questions about Bruern Abbey coming to Chilton, please read the attached Q & A document.
