We are proud of our historic connections with the Services both directly, through the Frewen family, and through our predecessor schools.

 

A number of Frewens have served their country with distinction down the centuries, from Major Sir Edward Frewen (1661-1723) down to Admiral Sir John Frewen KCB (1911-1975), who established the Frewen Educational Trust in 1972. Other members of the family have served as MPs, clerics (including an Archbishop of York) and physicians.

 

Down House School, the first school known to recognise and welcome dyslexics, was established in Rottingdean, Sussex prior to the First World War, evacuated to Worcestershire during the Second World War, and then moved here to Brickwall in 1946. This followed the repatriation of the Canadian forces billeted here at ‘Brickwall Fortress’ during the war. (One dormitory, ’Hellcats’, still bears witness to their time here, as does a certain amount of damage to the brick walls!) A memorial to seven old boys of Down House who gave their lives in the First World War was recently rediscovered in our basement, and re-mounted and unveiled on Remembrance Day in 2007.

 

A significant number of old boys have gone on to serve their country, and we understand at least one is now serving in Afghanistan. Another recent leaver, Nick Wood, came in to school to say 'hello' to old friends after passing out of marine training at Lympstone to join the Royal Marine Commando. 

 

We believe that our warm and homely boarding houses are at the heart of what makes Frewen so special.

Jane and Richard Sage, our Joint Heads of Boarding, have a wealth of experience, both with Service families and with special educational needs. As well as having raised their own three children, they were foster parents for over 20 years before taking on their first boarding house. They are also qualified teachers, so provide a valuable link between the academic and pastoral aspects of the school.

Jane and Richard and their team are keen to make Frewen feel like ‘home from home’, so provide a relaxed environment within a well-ordered and disciplined structure. Activities are very varied, including sports, cinema and theatre trips, camps, skate-boarding, Playstation and swimming. Boarders are expected to join in with activities for at least an hour each evening to help develop their social skills.

Week-end boarding is available at no extra cost, and if space allows we welcome day pupils for temporary boarding visits, and there is no shortage of takers! We provide minibus or train transport to London for exeats and half terms. We can also provide transport to and from Gatwick at the beginning and end of terms and half terms, subject to arrangement.

Fully flexible boarding on site for girls was introduced in September 2009 and has proved so popular that we are already having to plan for extra spaces.

 

We recognise the importance of encouraging growing children to participate in games and outdoor activities, to help develop social and team skills and healthy bodies. However we also recognise that children are individuals, so we do not force the issue if they really don’t want to join in.

 

For such a small rural school we have excellent facilities for sports and other activities. Please see the 'Outdoor activities' and 'Facilities' sections for more information.          

Catering, cleaning and laundry are exceptional, and regularly commended by inspectors.

 

Catering is undertaken in-house, and uses locally sourced produce wherever possible (including some from our own gardens!). We were one of the first schools to adopt the ‘National Nutritional Guidelines’, and we currently cater for 17 special diets. The food is regarded by all as delicious: go to the dedicated pages to learn more.

 

Cleaning and laundry are also undertaken in house, with all bedrooms cleaned every day.     

Frewen College is approved by the Children’s Education Advisory Service (CEAS) for payment of the Special Educational Needs Allowance (SENA).  

 

Fully flexible boarding is available, with no additional charge for full boarding. Our generous fee discounts for Service families mean that fees are fully covered by the SEN Allowance (except for individual music lessons, riding etc). 

 

If you are reading this you will probably already have identified that your child has special educational needs beyond those that their existing mainstream school can deal with effectively. You have probably discussed their needs with their teacher, and you may have arranged for an assessment by an Educational Psychologist.

 

If you have not already done so, you should now contact the Children's Education Advisory Service (www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/ServiceCommunity/Education/ChildrensEducationAdvisoryService.htm), who will be able to advise you on how to apply for the Special Educational Needs Allowance (SENA).