- Location
- Cobham
- Age range
- 10–19
- Attendance
- Day and boarding
About Reed's School
Schoolscout directory record ·
Reed's School is a distinguished independent institution that nurtures academic excellence and personal growth in a vibrant, supportive environment. Locate...
Supplementary catalogue notes ·
Reed's School was founded in 1813 by the philanthropist Andrew Reed as the London Orphan Asylum — a boarding charitable institution specifically for boys whose fathers had died, providing free education and boarding for fatherless boys whose mothers could not provide for them. The Reed Foundation preserves this founding philanthropic intent through one of the most generous bursary programmes of any UK independent school — around 50% of boys at Reed's today receive some form of fee remission via the Foundation, with full-fee remissions reserved specifically for fatherless boys whose mothers cannot afford the fees.
The school operated initially in central London and moved in 1946 to its present 40-acre rural campus at Cobham, Surrey. The school became partially co-educational in 1991 (girls in the Sixth Form only) and fully co-educational in 2017, and today educates around 838 pupils ages 11-18 with a substantial boarding population. The Headmaster is Tom Wheare. The school is a member of the HMC and the Boarding Schools Association.
The school's contemporary co-curricular reputation rests particularly on its football programme — Reed's was the first English school to host an exhibition appearance by Pelé, the Brazilian World Cup winner widely regarded as the greatest footballer in history, who visited the school in 1972 during his Santos tour of England. The school's football pitches are accordingly known informally as "the Pelé pitches".
The school's most internationally recognisable contemporary alumnus is the actor Tom Hardy — Mad Max: Fury Road, Inception, The Dark Knight Rises (Bane), Venom — who attended Reed's in the early 1990s before progressing to Drama Centre London. The school operates a substantial Foundation bursary programme that continues the founder's 1813 philanthropic intent of providing educational access for fatherless boys regardless of family means.
School life and highlights in the catalogue
- Founded 1813 by Andrew Reed — 213-year history
- Originally founded as the London Orphan Asylum for fatherless boys
- Co-educational ages 11-18 (girls' Sixth Form 1991; full co-ed 2017)
- ≈838 pupils with substantial boarding population
- Set on a 40-acre rural campus at Cobham, Surrey
- HMC and BSA member
- Strong football programme — Reed's was the first English school to host Pelé in 1972
- Substantial Foundation programme — 50% of boys receive some form of fee remission via the founder's bursary
- Founded 1813 — 213 year tradition
- 838-pupil community
- Day and boarding places available
- Church of England foundation
Education and school life
- Education levels
- Prep, Senior, Sixth Form
- Age range
- 10–19
- Attendance
- Day and boarding
- Pupil intake
- Co-educational
- School type
- Mainstream
- Headteacher / principal
- Mr M W Hoskins
- Religious ethos
- Church of England
- Listed inspectorate
- ISI
Subjects and qualifications
- Sport (football — Reed's was Pelé's first English school visit 1972)
- Sciences
- Mathematics
- Modern languages
- Music
- Drama
Listed memberships and accreditations
- HMC (Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference)
- BSA (Boarding Schools Association)
- ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate)
Progression and destinations in the catalogue
- Oxbridge
- Russell Group (Bristol, Exeter, Edinburgh)
- Medical schools
- Sandhurst
Alumni notes
- Old Reediennes active in UK professions, military and the arts
Supporting school records
These dated records may contain different information. Ask our team about current details.
Supplementary catalogue notes ·
- Headteacher / principal
- Tom Wheare (Headmaster)
- Founded
- 1813
- Religious ethos
- Christian (originally for fatherless boys)
- Campus setting
- Rural
- Scholarships / bursaries
- Options indicated; confirm availability and eligibility.
Pupil information
- Total pupils
- 838
- Boys
- 730 · 87.11%
- Girls
- 108 · 12.89%
- Pupils receiving SEN support
- 245 · 29.24%
- Pupils with an EHCP
- 2 · 0.24%
Counts and percentages are reproduced from the directory. SEN means special educational needs; EHCP means Education, Health and Care Plan. A pupil census year is not supplied.
A-Level results
- Results year
- 2025
- Progress score
- 0.05 (Average)
- Average grade
- B+
- AAB percentage
- 20.00%
Results refer to the year shown. The directory does not provide a cohort size or a full methodology for these measures.
Tuition and costs
The fee year is not specified. Ask our team about current fees, VAT and included services.
Schoolscout directory record ·
| Attendance | GBP · Period and VAT unverified |
|---|---|
| Day | £8,995.2 – £10,864.8 |
| Boarding | £12,115.2 – £14,169.6 |
Current fees and VAT treatment require confirmation from the school. Directory labels are not a verified school quotation.
Check whether boarding, meals, registration, deposits, examinations, trips and guardian arrangements are included. Amounts are in pounds sterling (GBP), without currency conversion.
Ask about current feesPlanning your application
Talk to the UniCampus team about entry points, available places, assessments, language requirements and application dates. Admission arrangements vary by age and year group.
Read the directory’s school and admissions questions below.
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Explore MEC guidanceQuestions in the school directory
Schoolscout directory record ·
What type of school is Reed's School?
Reed's School is a co-educational independent mainstream school for pupils aged 10 to 19, located near Cobham in Surrey. The school offers education from Prep through to Sixth Form, with pathways leading to GCSEs and A Levels.
How do I apply to Reed's School?
Historical directory text below. Its fees, billing period and VAT have not been verified with the school.
The admissions process usually starts well in advance of entry and may involve assessments and interviews. The school admissions timeline guide outlines key stages and deadlines.
What are the fees at Reed's School?
Historical directory text below. Its fees, billing period and VAT have not been verified with the school.
Fees at Reed's School are approximately £8,995–£14,169 per term, depending on the year group and whether pupils board. Families can learn more about UK private school fees and what is typically included.
Is Reed's School a day or boarding school?
Pupils at Reed's School can attend as day and boarding.
Is Reed's School selective?
Reed's School may use interviews or entrance assessments as part of its admissions process.
School location and enquiries
- Street address
- Sandy Lane
- Town / locality
- Cobham
- County
- Surrey
- Region
- South East
- Postcode
- KT11 2ES
- Country
- United Kingdom
Talk to our team about this school, current fees and your application.
Enquire about this schoolView the school locationSandy Lane, Cobham, Surrey, South East, KT11 2ESSchoolscout directory record ·
Supplementary catalogue notes ·
Additional source record ·
Collection and catalogue update dates are shown above; they are not fee years or pupil census dates. Source text is retained in its original language. The school’s official information takes precedence for current admissions, programmes and fees.