A History of the Foundation - Andrew Reed Foundation
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 - 27 Sep
Today we were pleased to welcome students from to to participate in Launch Car Challenge, a STEM activity designed for Year 5 students. pic.twitter.com/iSUJoXkAep
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@ReedsFoundation - 27 Sep
The annual MFL in celebration of was hotly contested with over 50 entries from pupils & staff. The World Cup Rugby-related cakes were a popular theme and some magnificent food-related cakes showed off awe-inspiring baking skills! pic.twitter.com/EXNP1SXoZe
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@ReedsFoundation - 20 Sep
Today we are pleased to welcome students fromSt James CofE Primary School to to participate in Launch Car Challenge, a STEM activity designed for Year 5 students. pic.twitter.com/yME41JD89E
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@ReedsFoundation - 15 Sep
All set for - the grounds are looking beautiful (thanks to our amazing gardeners & grounds team), teachers have set up fun activities & newly printed Prospectuses are ready! Looking forward to welcoming the 600+ families who have booked to visit us tomorrow morning! pic.twitter.com/mBFq2KJtZZ
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@ReedsFoundation - 13 Sep
Today we welcomed students fromSt James CofE Primary School to to participate in Launch Car Challenge! pic.twitter.com/jEM8ukOEW0
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@ReedsFoundation - 13 Sep
Our fantastic Medical Team are running the Parks half marathon to raise funds for the Royal Brompton Hospital ❤️. Please follow the link, read the Biography and donate if you wish 🤞 https://t.co/fF3lzTYC1D
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@ReedsFoundation - 11 Sep
Welcome to all our new parents and welcome to our first event of the year! Casino night - it's super social, relaxed and fun even if you do not play the tables. See flyer below & tickets go on sale Friday 15th September. See you there! pic.twitter.com/x91KclkQLN
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@ReedsFoundation - 8 Sep
Do you know a girl who has lost the support of a parent? We offer transformational bursaries for girls to attend the Sixth Form Applications for September 2024 entry close on 6th October! pic.twitter.com/0EXZqD4iDM
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@ReedsFoundation - 5 Sep
It has been lovely to welcome our new co-hort of Foundations students. We look forward to supporting them through their journey https://t.co/gCANL8JjnJ
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@ReedsFoundation - 24 Aug
Huge congratulations to the students who we support through the Foundation. Not only did they achieve some very impressive grades but they did this whilst overcoming some very challenging times. Very proud! https://t.co/50rILnVwIJ
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@ReedsFoundation - 18 Aug
As we head into the weekend, we wanted to share this wonderful created by Diana, the Head of the Foundation Committee. pic.twitter.com/DwYEV2bYid
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@ReedsFoundation - 18 Aug
Do you know a boy going into Yr 6 who has lost the support of one or both parents and would benefit from a life-changing education at Reed's School? Applications for September 2024 are now open! pic.twitter.com/hN1Bt04l07
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@ReedsFoundation - 18 Aug
Proud of our amazing Foundation students and everything they achieved during their time https://t.co/G4ctdyle57
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@ReedsFoundation - 10 Aug
Do you know a girl who has lost the support of a parent? We offer transformational bursaries for girls to attend the Sixth Form Applications for September 2024 entry are open! pic.twitter.com/byXm5DwXYf
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@ReedsFoundation - 4 Aug
It's halfway through the summer holidays already! Hope that our pupils, parents & teachers are enjoying the summer break, despite the weather. Lots of exciting projects going on here at school - at least the sun is shining today! The beautiful roses are still in bloom too.🌹 pic.twitter.com/8EwBOfWxys
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@ReedsFoundation - 21 Jun
We are grateful for the commitment and inspiration shown by the teaching and support staff in helping us to deliver a comprehensive outreach programme to over 3,000 children in Surrey and London. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/b4ONLIPofY
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@ReedsFoundation - 8 Jun
On we wanted to share some photographs from our archives. The Foundation has been supporting children who have lost the support of a parent since 1813! Things have changed, but what remains the same is our mission to create brighter futures! pic.twitter.com/vgbobkGNYR
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@ReedsFoundation - 8 Jun
Do you know a boy in Year 5 who has lost the support of one or both parents and would benefit from a life-changing education at Reed's School? Applications for September 2024 are now open! pic.twitter.com/t4ze14rTdE
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@ReedsFoundation - 7 Jun
It's exam season at - bet you don't miss those days ? But how lucky are we to be surrounded by so many for pupils, staff & visitors to relax, breathe & take in nature. Thanks to our ground staff for your #goodforthesoul#taketimeout pic.twitter.com/ULCvbtRe0b
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@ReedsFoundation - 6 Jun
It's exam season at - bet you don't miss those days ? But how lucky are we to be surrounded by so many for pupils, staff & visitors to relax, breathe & take in nature. Thanks to our ground staff for your #goodforthesoul#taketimeout pic.twitter.com/ULCvbtRe0b
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