Reed’s School and Feltonfleet to Merge, Creating the Reed’s Schools Charitable Trust offering a co-educational pathway from ages 3-18| News | Feltonfleet | Private School in Surrey

Historic merger creates a co-educational pathway from nursery to A Level, as Reed’s School announces transition to full co-education starting from 2027.

Reed’s School and Feltonfleet Preparatory School are today delighted to announce that they will merge, along with Ripley Court School, to create the Reed’s Schools Charitable Trust, establishing a seamless, co-educational pathway for families from the age of three through to A Level. The merged Trust will comprise three outstanding schools: Reed’s School (ages 11-18), Feltonfleet (ages 3–13), and Ripley Court (ages 3–11).

Alongside this merger, Reed’s School announces that it will become fully co-educational, admitting girls into Year 7 from September 2027 and expanding co-education across all year groups by 2031. Reed’s already operates a flourishing and oversubscribed co-educational Sixth Form, which has long been recognised as achieving outstanding academic results.

All three schools share a common vision and ethos placing the child at the heart of education, with a focus on character, integrity, compassion, responsibility, inclusion and service.

For Reed’s a Return to its Founding Roots

Reed’s was established in 1813 as a co-educational school and only became single-sex after the Second World War. Since its original founding, through the Andrew Reed Foundation, the School has supported children who have lost the support of one or both parents. This merger represents a return to Andrew Reed’s founding mission, extending opportunity and excellence to girls and boys of all ages across the new Trust.

Feltonfleet Remains Feltonfleet

Within the new Trust, Feltonfleet will retain its name, identity, ethos and values. It will continue to operate as a co-educational 3–13 preparatory school, including boarding, with its characteristic warmth and deep commitment to every individual child. 

Increased Flexibility for Families

Reed’s has strong relationships with a wide range of prep and primary schools and will continue to work with and welcome applications from these schools. Reed’s will continue to offer places to pupils for 11+/13+ from any primary and prep school based on their ISEB exams and our on-site interview days. 

Likewise, Feltonfleet will remain outward-facing: pupils will continue to be prepared for a wide range of senior school destinations with full freedom of choice maintained.

Benefits for Families

The merger delivers significant benefits for families across all three schools:

• A clear and continuous co-educational pathway from age 3 through to A Level within the Reed’s Schools Charitable Trust
• Freedom of choice preserved: Feltonfleet pupils retain full choice over senior school destination 
• Stronger curriculum continuity and enriched opportunities for collaboration in teaching, learning and staff professional development
• Broader experiences through shared resources, facilities and service-led initiatives across all three schools

Comments from the Heads

“This is an exciting moment for Reed’s School, a decision reached with great confidence that builds on our strengths, honours our heritage, and opens new opportunities for every family in our community. Our co-educational Sixth Form has flourished for years; it is oversubscribed, academically outstanding, and a model of the collaborative, vibrant environment we aspire to offer throughout the School. We look forward to deepening educational collaboration across all three schools within the Reed’s Schools Charitable Trust, and to sharing this journey with our families.”

Mark Hoskins, Headmaster, Reed’s School

“We are delighted to be embarking on this exciting new phase. Together with a shared ethos, aligned values, and a common commitment to excellence, we can create even greater opportunities for our pupils, staff, and families. The warmth, ambition, individuality and nurturing spirit that makes Feltonfleet so special will remain at the heart of everything we do. Building on what already works so well as part of the Reed’s Schools Charitable Trust strengthens Feltonfleet, and secures a vibrant and sustainable future that benefits everyone in our community.” 

Shelley Lance, Headmistress, Feltonfleet

Looking Ahead

The Reed’s Schools Charitable Trust looks forward to welcoming families and building a future shaped by the values, ambition and care that have always defined these exceptional schools.

Both schools will continue to communicate openly with their respective communities as plans develop. Further information is available on the Schools’ websites. Families are also invited to attend open events at both schools, where the Heads and senior leadership teams will be available to answer questions.