Welcome to Bruern
The School’s raison d’être is to prepare neurodiverse pupils for Common Entrance, GCSEs and beyond. My firmly held belief is that neurodiversity 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 pupils’ self-esteem, in the firm belief that confidence is the key to academic success.
So why Bruern Abbey? The key differences between Bruern and other schools are essentially fourfold.
- All pupils use a laptop. 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 an increased amount of curriculum time when compared to other schools
- All 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 pupils to share their aspirations and their anxieties.
Starting in September 2026, Bruern Abbey Prep School will proudly welcome girls for the first time, with our Senior School following suit in September 2027. Learn more about our move to co-education here.
Is Bruern Abbey the ideal school for your child? Please come, have a look and judge for yourselves.
John Floyd MA PGCE
Executive Head, Bruern Abbey
John Floyd MA PGCE is Executive Head of Bruern Abbey School, a pioneering mainstream school for neurodiverse pupils. Since taking the helm he has driven significant expansion, opening a Senior School in 2022 and leading the school’s move to co-education in 2026. During John’s tenure, Bruern Abbey was awarded a significant strength for improving pupils’ literacy in its most recent ISI inspection (2024), won Tatler’s Prep School of the Year (2015), and was named “Best for SEN” in the Best of the Best Prep Schools category of The Week’s Independent Schools Guide (2025). John himself was recognised as “Best Prep Head” at the Tatler Schools Awards in 2023.
Previously, John was Deputy Head and Head of SEND at Westminster Choir School and began his career on the Teach First programme at Crown Woods, then London’s largest state secondary. Born in London and raised in Ivory Coast, Holland and New York, John was educated at Cothill House and Radley College before reading Geography at the University of Edinburgh. He is married to Henrietta, is the proud father of four sons and has four dogs.
