Bruern Abbey School
Bicester, Oxfordshire · OX26 1UY
AAB+ A-level
—
9–7 GCSE
11.5%
Day fees
£36k
Inspection
Not yet inspected
Bruern Abbey is a specialist independent school for neurodiverse pupils across both prep (Chesterton, Bicester) and senior (Chilton, Aylesbury) sites. The school explicitly positions itself as 'the leading mainstream independent school for neurodiverse pupils' with tailored support for dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, ADHD, and executive function difficulties. It combines academic ambition with exceptional pastoral care, boarding provision, and an explicitly inclusive ethos. The school is transitioning to co-education, signalling modernisation alongside its specialist mission.
- →Specialist expertise in supporting neurodiverse learners (dyslexia, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyscalculia) within a mainstream academic setting
- →Dedicated educational support and individualised learning approaches rather than segregated provision
- →Full boarding and day options with strong pastoral infrastructure designed for pupils requiring additional emotional and organisational scaffolding
- →Mainstream curriculum rigour without the pressure of competitive league table culture
Who thrives here
Neurodiverse pupils (particularly those with specific learning differences or attention regulation challenges) who are academically capable but benefit from structured support, smaller class sizes, and individualised adaptations. Pupils requiring boarding for therapeutic consistency or geographical reasons.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
Chesterton Manor, Chesterton
Bicester, Oxfordshire
OX26 1UY
Nearest stations
Recent investment
Frequently asked questions
What are the fees at Bruern Abbey School?
Day fees at Bruern Abbey School are approximately £35,829 per year (2025/26). Boarding fees are higher.
How do you get into Bruern Abbey School?
Bruern Abbey School admits pupils at 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by Interview, Assessment. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
What are Bruern Abbey School's exam results?
At Bruern Abbey School, 11.5% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Is Bruern Abbey School a boarding school?
Bruern Abbey School offers boarding as well as day places.
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Specialist expertise in neurodiverse support; pupils feel understood rather than 'fixed'
✓Small classes and individualised attention; genuine differentiation rather than lip service
✓Pastoral care and boarding quality; strong duty of care and emotional containment
✓Inclusive ethos that celebrates neurodiversity as a difference, not a deficit
✓Structured environment and routines that enable regulation and independence
✓Mainstream academic outcomes achieved through specialist methodology
Common concerns
!Dual-site model (Bicester prep, Aylesbury senior) may complicate transition and parental engagement
!Recent Ofsted inspections not yet conducted; limited external validation of teaching quality
!Fees likely premium relative to mainstream independent schools (specialist provision commands cost)
!Smaller pupil population may limit breadth of co-curricular offer compared to larger independent schools
!Co-education transition still in planning; implementation and integration model unclear