Bredon School Agent's Handbook

Submit Reports and Assessments

All submitted reports are reviewed by our Admissions panel. Prospective pupils with Special Educational Needs will also be reviewed by our Head of Learning Support who will confirm that any specific learning requirements your child has can be supported at Bredon.

Welcome

Where is Bredon School? Academic Provision Pastoral Care Boarding Sporting Provision

Welcome to Bredon School

Bredon School is a mainstream independent day and boarding school offering Dyslexic teaching for children aged 8 to 18 years old. English and Maths lessons are taught daily in average class sizes of 12. Our outstanding academic, vocational and professional pathways enable all of our pupils to embark on learning journeys that suit their individual strengths.

We embed outdoor learning throughout the timetable because we passionately believe in educating the whole child. Bredon is home to a working Farm, Forest and Bushcraft School as well as sporting, outdoor education and adventure activities along with a thriving Combined Cadet Force (CCF) for pupils to take part in.

The space away from the classroom has a myriad of benefits that raise standards across the curriculum As an ‘active school’ we ensure we give endless opportunities for pupils to find what interests them and allow them the time to excel.

Pupils join us from the local area, the UK and the wider world, and come together to form a vibrant community of learners who support one another on their journey toward becoming happy, healthy, confident and capable young people who are equipped with skills for life beyond education.

Where is Bredon School?

Bredon is located on the borders of the counties of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire and occupies a magnificent 84 acre country estate, which is very safe and provides an idyllic rural base for our pupils to explore The school is just 15 minutes from the M5 motorway with excellent onward transport links to rail and air services throughout the UK.

Transport Links

Birmingham and Bristol airports are approximately one hour away, with London approximately two hours by car or coach. We offer door to door transport to London at the end of terms for pupils wishing to take onward flights home.

Academic Provision

The learning experience Bredon School offers helps every pupil to develop their character, strength and talents. We provide an exciting, supportive and friendly learning environment in which children can gain confidence in their ability and thrive in their studies from Key Stage 2 right through until the end of Sixth Form.

As our pupils move through the school, they have the opportunity to mix traditional GCSE and A Level subjects with BTECs, allowing every pupil the opportunity to flourish and progress to university, further education, an apprenticeship or by directly entering the wo

Year 7 to Year 9

During Years 7,8 and 9 pupils get to experim them; the curriculum is wide and diverse and the core subjects including daily English and and History sit alongside Outdoor Education

Year 10 to Year 11

One of the key strengths of Bredon School is the three pathways offered to all pupils, to enable every pupil to choose qualifications to suit their own strengths

The Academic, Vocational and Professional Pathways include various qualifications.

Within the Academic Pathway a variety of traditional subjects are offered to pupils including: English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics and many more. The Vocational Pathway includes: BTEC, NCFEs and City & Guilds qualifications in subjects such as Animal Care, Photography, Engineering and Hospitality and Catering. The Professional Pathway includes qualifications such as CISCO and Business Studies, and Uniformed Protective Services.

Sixth Form

Sixth Form at Bredon School offers pupils an exciting and stimulating environment for their next stage of education. Our wide ranging curriculum, inspiring environment and specialist learning support help pupils to grow in independence and confidence.

Pupils are encouraged to take ownership of their own learning journey within Sixth Form to prepare for University life and beyond With over 25 courses on offer in small class sizes pupils gain greater value in learning focussed on their strengths and continued development. Qualifications offered include A levels, unique vocational qualifications and leading professional qualifications. Our cocurricular offering at Bredon truly compliments the Sixth Form experience by offering activities that include the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, CCF, as well as the award-winning Sixth Form work experience programme. These activities allow pupils to flourish and grow outside of the conventional classroom learning skills for life.

Pastoral Care

Bredon School offers a hugely supportive, caring environment conveyed through small class sizes, remarkable academic and pastoral staff within a stunning, countryside setting

Our award winning team celebrated success in the 2022 Boarding School Association (BSA) Awards by winning the category for Innovative Pastoral approach to Wellbeing and Mental Health

Pupils are known by name not only by the teaching and support staff but also by one another ensuring a mutually supportive environment that allows our pupils to grow, develop and thrive at Bredon School

Dedicated to the delivery of outstanding pastoral care be that in the classroom or boarding houses, pupils each have a dedicated tutor with whom they meet on a regular basis either in tutor groups or on an individual basis Tutors are responsible for the wellbeing and development of each pupil throughout the school.

Our Health and Wellbeing Centre has a large and welcoming reception space, where we encourage pupils to visit should they need any support throughout the school day. The centre is run by our qualified team of highly experienced nurses and Mental Health practitioners. Our team are able to supply and monitor any medication our boarders may require, and are on hand every day for any additional support or care needed.

Boarding

Aiming to provide a happy family atmosphere, Bredon School welcomes boarders from the age of 9 years old.

Over 40% of Bredon pupils board with us and enjoy a busy and vibrant setting that offers plenty of activities throughout the week and weekends.

Boarding at Bredon is rather unique, staff are a purely pastoral team not actively involved in the day-to-day teaching of lessons, separating a busy day in the classroom from ‘home’. That said, the boarding team have strong links with all academic staff to ensure seamless support. Boarding staff are highly experienced and able to support pupils with coursework and prep, and monitor academic progress

Our boarding provision enables pupils to live at school throughout the week and over weekends, although we do also offer flexi-boarding. All pupils go home for a long weekend, known as Exeat twice a term, for a half-term holiday and of course over Christmas, Easter and Summer. For all Exeats and holidays, Bredon School offers a comprehensive transport service which includes to and from major airports and train stations.

Sporting Provision

From climbing, clay pigeon shooting, canoeing and archery to cross country, hockey, netball, rugby and cricket, we are proud of the variety of sports for both teams and individuals We nurture the sporting talents of our pupils and have helped them reach county, regional and national level in various sports.

Seasonal sports on offer at Bredon School are:

Winter Term– Rugby and Hockey

Spring Term– Football and Netball

Summer Term– Cricket, Rounders and Athletics

Other popular sports include: basketball, badminton, tennis, golf, and cycling. We also have an equestrian team. The sports programme at Bredon is delivered by experienced, dedicated coaches If a pupil wishes to take up a sport that is not currently on offer we will always do our best to accommodate their interest. Sports scholarships are awarded for outstanding performance and ability.

Extra Curricular Activities

We make the most of our wonderful 84-acre rural estate and facilities to give our pupils the chance to learn and thrive in an outdoor environment, whether it’s on our school farm, climbing wall, drama classes, clay pigeon shooting range or across our beautiful site. We also take pupils off-site to a variety of settings so they can learn from new experiences including camping, caving and mountaineering, to trekking, night walks and zip wires

Bredon School offers pupils from Year 9 upwards the opportunity to pursue Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. In upwards, is given the opportunity to be part

Guardians

Any pupil whose parents live overseas must have an adult guardian in the UK who will agree to be responsible for the child on behalf of the parents. A guardian may be a relative, friend of the family or a guardian agency. It is essential that a guardian is nominated before the student joins Bredon and that we are advised of the guardian’s name, address, and contact details at least a week before the start of term. Pupils go to their guardian for half-term and exeat weekends unless alternative arrangements have been made in advance.

It is hoped that each guardian will keep in regular contact with his or her student, but in particular guardians are required to:

Be available to accommodate the student in an emergency – such as an accident or illness

Accommodate the student for half-term and exeat weekend holidays, unless alternative arrangements have been made in advance

Come to the various school functions throughout the year and to meet staff in order to discuss the student’s progress

Liaise routinely with school staff regarding pastoral matters and maintain regular contact with parents.

Accreditation

Bredon School is an accredited member of the Independent Schools Association (ISA) and the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA). Bredon School is also a member of the British Dyslexia Association.

Pupil Testimonials

Mariana

What is your favourite subject?

My favourite subject is English because I like to make up stories, I have a lot of ideas and a strong imagination.

What makes Bredon so special?

My favourite things about Bredon School are the choice of courses, the different culture and the activities on offer Bredon offers subjects other schools do not.

My advice for an international boarder

It will take time to settle in, make sure you do things at you time and speed Be yourself and you will fit in and find friends naturally.

" You get to spend time with your friends and the houseparents are kind and fun."

Pupil Testimonials

What is your favourite subject?

My favourite subject at Bredon are Maths and Games. I love to be active and I’m very competitive. I also enjoy Maths because I’m naturally good at it.

What makes Bredon so special?

Bredon is bigger than my other school which allows me more space to do sport but also to gain more friends. I enjoy boarding due to the weekend activities and full access to the school sports facilities.

My advice for an international boarder

Make your room feel like home and join in all the fun activities. Keep in touch with family at home but also keep busy.

" The work is lot better at Bredon. I receive more help for my education."

Term Dates 2022/23

Autumn Term - 6th September to 15th December 2022

Monday 5th September - Staff Inset training

Tuesday 6th September - Autumn Term commences for all Year Groups

Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th September - Exeat Weekend (Boarders to return after 6pm)

Monday 17th to Friday 28th October - Half-Term

Friday 18th to Sunday 20th November - Exeat Weekend (Boarders to return after 6pm)

Thursday 15th December - End of Term

Spring Term - 10th January 2023 to 31st March 2023

Tuesday 10th January - Spring term commences for all Year Groups

Friday 27th to Sunday 29th January - Exeat Weekend (Boarders to return after 6pm)

Monday 20th to Friday 24th February - February Half-Term

Friday 10th to Sunday 12th March - Exeat Weekend (Boarders to return after 6pm)

Friday 31st March- End of Term

Summer Term – 25th April 2023 to 6th July 2023

Tuesday 25th April - Summer Term commences for all Year Groups

Monday 1st May - May Day Bank Holiday

Friday 5th to Monday 8th May - Exeat Weekend (Boarders to return after 6pm)

Monday 8th May - Coronation Day Bank Holiday

Monday 29th May to Friday 2nd June - Half-Term

Thursday 6th July - Founder’s Day/End of Term

Key Stage 2 (Year 5 - Year 6)

Key Stage 3 (Year 7 - Year 9)

Key Stage 4 & 5 (Year 10 - Year 13)

Fee is inclusive of:

School Fees

£9,220 per term

£11,390 per term

£13,370 per term

Boarding provision to include all meals, laundry and all weekend & evening activities

Personal accident and effects insurance

Basic stationery

All travel to airports, all travel to trains and then train

Tickets home etc (not air flights) at exeat and holidays

All pupil attending trips - i.e. day trips

All overnight trips - including leadership course for Sixth form and Outdoor Education trips

Examination fees and any readers and scribes (excluding EAL exams)

All tuition and materials except CISCO, clay pigeon shooting, canoeing, climbing and lifeguard training which carry a supplement

Use of Chromebook

Additional Fees which may apply:

EAL Provision (£1,840 per term)

Instrumental lessons (payable directly to the visiting music teachers)

Specialised Language teachers School uniform should be purchased separately from our uniform suppliers.

For a full and detailed list of our school fees, please visit: bredonschool.org/fees

Admissions Process

Submit Reports and Assessments

All submitted reports are reviewed by our Admissions panel. Prospective pupils with Special Educational Needs will also be reviewed by our Head of Learning Support who will confirm that any specific learning requirements your child has can be supported at Bredon

Visit and Informal Interview

Prospective Pupils and Parents /Guardians will be invited for an informal interview with the Headmaster along with a tour of the School.

Registration

Following a successful review prospective pupils need to formally register, completing an Application Form and paying a £150 Registration Fee.

Taster

Prospective pupils will be invited to undertake a taster with us which consists of five consecutive days and nights at the School Arriving on a Sunday evening and departing on a Friday afternoon.

Offer of a place

Following a successful Taster prospective pupils will be offered a place.

Acceptance of place

To accept a place, an Acceptance Form together with an acceptance deposit of £750 is payable by UK residents. For all non-UK residents, the deposit is £7,250.

Working with Agents

We pay commission for the first child or children in a family: 15% of the full School Fees payable for terms 1 to 3 terms (first full year). A further 5% will be paid for the second year of study. The introduction fee is payable to the Consultant within 30 days of the full School fees being received as cleared funds in the school's receiving account.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with:

Esther O'Reilly-Cain Registrar

+44 (0) 1684 293 156 admissions@bredonschool.co.uk

Becky Jones Admissions Officer

+44 (0) 1684 293156

admissions@bredonschool.co.uk

Photographs and videos are available on our website, which is updated regularly: https://www.bredonschool.org

PARENT TESTIMONIALS

“Since our daughte and character. She she has self belief an “To date, (our so universities and a c been lucky enough university, where h been possible throu of the B

“Thank you for eve him and everythin

“The boarding house provides an instant circle of friends and social opportunity, which has enabled her to develop hugely socially also. We are so fortunate to have found this school!”