bruern abbey about us

Move to Co-Education

From September 2026, Bruern Abbey will proudly become a co-educational school. Girls will be welcomed into our Prep School in Oxfordshire from that time, with the Senior School in Buckinghamshire opening its doors to girls from September 2027.

Staying True to Our Mission

This important development is firmly rooted in Bruern’s founding mission: to provide an ambitious and inclusive mainstream education tailored to neurodiverse pupils; something we have been proudly doing for over 35 years.

We believe the decision to welcome girls is both timely and necessary. While boys have historically been more frequently diagnosed with neurodiverse profiles such as dyslexia or ADHD, national data highlights a significant rise in the number of girls facing similar challenges—many of whom remain under-identified and underserved. Too often, girls go without the specialist support they need.

We understand that girls often mask their challenges, sometimes excelling academically, in sports, or other areas. However, as every parent and teacher of neurodivergent children knows, this coping can come at a hidden cost—gradually eroding confidence and increasing anxiety. Unfortunately, many girls only receive the support they need once they reach a crisis point. Additionally, traditional assessment tools have historically been based on male patterns, which means girls with learning differences are frequently diagnosed later—or not at all—and often miss out on early, tailored interventions.

Bruern’s Unique Position

Bruern Abbey is uniquely positioned to help redress this imbalance. Our tailored curriculum, small class sizes, and therapeutic, strength-based approach have transformed the educational experiences of hundreds of boys—and we are now ready to do the same for girls.

An effective learning environment for neurodivergent children is one that adapts to them, not the other way around. At Bruern, this means:

  • Small class sizes and a high staff-to-pupil ratio, allowing deep understanding of each learner’s profile and first rate pastoral care, rooted in trust and empathy

  • Twice the number of lessons for English and Mathematics

  • A strengths-based curriculum that celebrates neurodivergent thinking. For some, this is 9 academic GCSEs; for others its vocational courses and professional qualifications; for some it’s a combination

  • Dedicated support for dyslexia, ADHD, autism, dyspraxia, slow processing, working memory issues, and more, including embracing the benefits of technology and AI to give pupils the tools they need for success in life, not just in school

  • Access to regulation spaces, flexible routines, and sensory-aware environments, especially in boarding

  • Curriculum content and PSHE frameworks that are inclusive of neurodivergent experiences

  • Ongoing staff development to ensure that our team understands the gendered nuances of neurodivergence

  • Benefitting from a mutually supportive and collaborative parental body

 

Start Your Child’s Bruern Journey

We recognise the dedication of many schools in supporting pupils with additional needs. However, there will always be some children for whom a more specialist mainstream environment is the right fit. If you are a parent of a child—or a professional working with a pupil in your school community—who is finding it difficult to access learning due to dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, ASC, slow processing, working memory challenges or related barriers, we would be very pleased to start a conversation. Whether you’re exploring options for your own child or supporting a family in your school community, we are here to help.

Our admissions process is designed to be personal, supportive, and straightforward. Whether you’re a parent exploring the best fit for your child, or a school helping a family navigate next steps, we encourage you to reach out early. We’re happy to answer questions, arrange a visit, or talk through whether Bruern might be the right environment. You can view our Bruern Specialisms here.

As we prepare to welcome girls from 2026, we look forward to opening our doors to even more families who could benefit from all that Bruern has to offer.

Bruern's Move to Co-Education

Beginning in September 2026, Bruern Abbey will take an exciting step forward as we begin welcoming girls into our Prep School in Oxfordshire. This marks the start of our transition to a fully co-educational environment, with our Senior School in Buckinghamshire set to welcome girls from September 2027. Learn more here