History of the foundation 1

A History of the Foundation

THE BEGINNING

A huge debt of gratitude is owed to one man: the Founder of Reed’s School, Reverend Dr Andrew Reed, a visionary and social reformer, ahead of his time. 

In the early 1800s, as a young Minister based in Stepney, Reed found himself holding the hand of a dying parishioner. The man’s wife had passed away and his final wish was that his two young daughters would be cared for. Reed’s own mother had been left a penniless orphan and, recalling this, he agreed to help. 

The granting of this simple wish would lead the way to a life dedicated to philanthropy, changing the futures of thousands of children over the next 200 years.  In his search to find suitable care for the girls, Reed visited many orphanages and was appalled at the circumstances he found. He believed that a better solution must exist and, with the help of a small but committed group of supporters, who all shared his vision that the poor should not surrender their dignity in the face of poverty, resolved to make it reality.

The outcome was the founding in 1813 of a charitable foundation: the London Orphan Asylum in Clapton, East London. The word ‘asylum’ was carefully chosen to signify a place of shelter, safety and education for vulnerable children. Indeed, so driven was Reed by the need for social reform, he founded several other charitable institutions including the Royal Hospital for Incurables in Putney (now the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability), the Reedham Orphanage and the Infant Orphan Asylum in Wanstead.

FROM 1813 TO TODAY

With a move to Watford in 1871, the London Orphan Asylum charitable foundation was renamed the London Orphan School (LOS), which later became Reed’s School in the early 1940s. This heritage attests to the fact that we are not a school with a Foundation but, importantly, a Foundation with a school.

Funding this charitable foundation was a constant challenge, but Reed refused to be daunted. His resolve saw him appeal to wealthy members of the City, the gentry and the Royal Family. He knew that their patronage would bring prestige to the charity and also instil confidence in its other benefactors. This support remains today.

During World War Two, the boys were evacuated to Totnes in Devon and the girls to Towcester in Northamptonshire. In 1946, the girls moved to Dogmersfield Park in Hampshire and the boys took up residency at our present site in Cobham.

From 1813 to the late 1950s, every pupil who attended the School had lost the support of one or both parents and so was fully funded by the Foundation, receiving the education and care to transform their futures. Then, due to financial difficulties, it became necessary to take on fee-paying pupils as well, creating the thriving and successful School we are today. 

The Foundation remains central to our purpose: the challenge is to ensure we can continue to offer no less than 10% of our pupils, who come from vulnerable social backgrounds, the opportunity to change the course of their lives by raising aspirations, inspiring confidence and providing a well-rounded education.

VISIT REED'S HERITAGE SITE

VIEW OUR TIMELINE

 

The Foundation in the News

@ReedsFoundation - 6 Dec
Today we are pleased to welcome students from to Reed's School to participate in Launch Car Challenge, a STEM activity for Year 5 students. pic.twitter.com/xrnqW7it5w
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@ReedsFoundation - 21 Nov
ONLY ONE MORE SLEEP until our fabulous Christmas Fair opens at 12noon tomorrow - Friday 22nd November 2024. It's the perfect place to start your Christmas shopping with exciting and varied hand-picked stalls, festive music from our talented musicians and not forgetting the… pic.twitter.com/c7DXfflmcq
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@ReedsFoundation - 21 Nov
Our online FutureCareers Seminar on AI and Data Science this week provided a thought-provoking exploration of the future of careers in AI and data science, leaving attendees with a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead. First speaker, Jason Hill a parent… pic.twitter.com/zLLW2d9nvq
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@ReedsFoundation - 15 Nov
Today we are pleased to welcome students from to Reed's School to participate in Launch Car Challenge, a STEM activity for Year 5 students. pic.twitter.com/xE22Y0gp7m
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@ReedsFoundation - 15 Nov
Great to spot Tom Zachary (Ca24) at ! As an apprentice of , he (& 2 students) had kindly been invited...not your every day outing! Congrats to WCoSP on their 25-year anniversary and thank you for your support of 😍 pic.twitter.com/OHKhC7Qlpo
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@ReedsFoundation - 11 Nov
This morning, we took time to remember our past Foundationers, their courage, and their sacrifice. This incredible post-box topper was created by our wonderful Foundation Board member Diana. pic.twitter.com/hkOUduwGkb
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@ReedsFoundation - 8 Nov
Today we are pleased to welcome students from to Reed's School to participate in Launch Car Challenge, a STEM activity for Year 5 students. pic.twitter.com/pYQoBPLE9U
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@ReedsFoundation - 8 Nov
Today's focus during ISC's Partnerships Week is on our extensive Outreach Programme at pic.twitter.com/ZdtpGO95nX
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@ReedsFoundation - 6 Nov
Not long to go until our infamous CHRISTMAS FAIR on Friday 22nd Nov from 12noon to 5:30pm. Everyone in the community is welcome to come along - kick start your Christmas shopping, have a go on the tombola, and enjoy festive music whilst taking a break in the cafe! … pic.twitter.com/qGeYgzGZvv
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@ReedsFoundation - 5 Nov
During ISC's Partnerships Week, we wanted to highlight some of the wonderful community initiatives that are part of Sixth Form Community Action Programme. pic.twitter.com/pD5GxVAhML
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@ReedsFoundation - 23 Oct
Providing a bursary is about more than a financial agreement, its about transforming lives and creating brighter futures. We are proud to be working with to offer transformational bursaries to students who have lost the support of one or both parents. https://t.co/lQ0wzgdeex
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@ReedsFoundation - 21 Oct
The grounds look beautiful during Autumn. For some of our Foundationers having this outside space, provides a welcome break from city living and a safe space to play and exercise. pic.twitter.com/0RlThTnGpM
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@ReedsFoundation - 18 Oct
The Foundation has supported a staggering 13,000 children since our Founder, Reverend Dr Andrew Reed founded the Foundation in 1813! Today was Mufti Day thank you to the wonderful parents, students & staff for your donations!#transforminglives pic.twitter.com/juatzTSknH
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@ReedsFoundation - 18 Oct
NEW REED'S BETWEEN THE LINES PODCAST RELEASED! Join our familiar trio—Mr Hoskins, Mr Ha, and Dr Smith—as they welcome Head of History, Mr Waller & Third Form pupils, Toby & Zakier, to discuss their recent trip to the First World War battlefields in Belgium. Prepare to be… pic.twitter.com/FJZRP8kzmV
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@ReedsFoundation - 18 Oct
Today we are pleased to welcome students from to Reed's School to participate in Launch Car Challenge, a STEM activity for Year 5 students. pic.twitter.com/Az4s7N5yCo
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@ReedsFoundation - 11 Oct
Today we are pleased to welcome students from to Reed's School to participate in Launch Car Challenge, a STEM activity for Year 5 students. pic.twitter.com/WWXQH2lK8s
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@ReedsFoundation - 11 Oct
There was a spectacular display in the sky across Reed's last night - incredible aurora borealis!! Thank you Mrs Hoskins for the fabulous photos 👍👍#auroraborealis#amazingsky pic.twitter.com/Qm50FUG2kA
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@ReedsFoundation - 10 Oct
On we wanted to share some photographs from a recent visit to to take part in Launch Car Challenge! As a Foundation, we are committed to sharing our resources with primary schools. pic.twitter.com/q65yKzeGin
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@ReedsFoundation - 7 Oct
Today we are pleased to welcome students from to Reed's School to participate in Launch Car Challenge, a STEM activity for Year 5 students. pic.twitter.com/ByjlPH4st0
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@ReedsFoundation - 2 Oct
Do you know a boy in Year 6 who has lost the support of one or both parents and would benefit from a life-changing education at Reed's School? pic.twitter.com/0Kd6vucQI2
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