Frederick Bremer School is a mainstream, co-educational secondary school for children aged 11-16, situated in Walthamstow, East London. There are 900 students on its roll.

The school has a large and highly specialist special educational needs team, which supports a large number of pupils with needs ranging from visual impairments to cognitive learning needs.

Frederick Bremer School was named after a local entrepreneur who invented the first petrol-driven car in 1894, which he drove around the local streets of Walthamstow.

Headteacher: Ms Jenny Smith

Values and ethos:

Frederick Bremer School is a creative and supportive school where all staff and pupils are inspired to be ‘the very best they can be’. The school is truly a community school, we are a microcosm of the area and are representative of the diversity of our area. Everyone is welcome and included at Bremer. We are an SEN ‘magnet’ school - around 10% of our school population have EHCPs and these pupils are fully included in the mainstream of the school.

We are judged as a good school across all areas and our SEND provision is outstanding. Our vision and values are central to our practice, we are committed to ensuring every pupil is not only academically successful but is also equipped with the skills, qualities and attributes to be a successful 21st century citizen.

Equality and diversity are at heart of Frederick Bremer’s ethos and values. This is embodied in our curriculum, behaviour policy, pastoral provision and across all areas of the school. Our pupils and staff represent a diverse community and we value and respect everyone’s identity. We also promote inclusivity at the heart of our work, and have active LGBTQ groups, equality groups and provide space for issues led teaching. This is a school where we want pupils to become the individuals that ‘they want to be’. 

The well-being of staff and pupils has been central to our school's strategic planning. We recognise that we are ‘humans first and professionals second’. Our pupils study an extensive well- being curriculum primarily taught through our tutoring programme and we follow a trauma informed approach to behaviour. This means we actively cultivate a climate where pupils feel safe so that they can achieve in their learning - a high challenge, low threat culture.

Our pupils are a pleasure to work with; they are ambitious for themselves and their community and we are on an exciting journey of continuous improvement towards excellence.

Our Values: Inclusive (we all belong), Innovative (we are all curious & creative) and Ambitious (we all can succeed)

Ofsted report:

Frederick Bremer School is a vibrant and diverse community school located in Walthamstow. Our commitment to excellence is demonstrated by our recent 2024 Ofsted visit, where we received a good rating, highlighting our continuous improvement and dedication to high-quality education. 

Frederick Bremer School is a creative and nurturing environment where all staff and pupils are inspired to be ‘the very best they can be.’ Our vision and values are central to our practice, focusing on equipping every pupil with the skills, qualities, and attributes needed to be successful 21st-century citizens. 

Our school is truly representative of the local Walthamstow community. With no ethnic group making up more than 18% of the school population and over 50% of pupils eligible for Pupil Premium, we celebrate and embrace our diversity. Although we have two-thirds boys to girls due to the impact of three girls’ schools in the Authority, girls thrive both academically and socially at our school.

Frederick Bremer School is a values-driven community school. We believe that positive human relationships are the key driver for individual and collective success. Therefore, we are deliberately cultivating our school culture to create a climate of ‘high challenge, low threat’— where great teaching can enable pupils to learn and improve in an atmosphere of safety and kindness, and with a belief that we all have potential to fulfill. We are building on our heritage and culture to unlock the potential for greatness for our Generation Alpha pupils.

Ofsted June 2024:

"Pupils feel they really can be themselves at school. Social inclusion is at the heart of this community. Leaders and staff expect every pupil, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who are neurodivergent, to engage fully with school life."

"This is a happy school. Pupils, parents and carers recommend it unreservedly. They value its creative ethos and enrichment opportunities. In line with the school motto, pupils strive to be ‘the best they can be’."

"The school is well led and managed. Staff enjoy working here. They feel trusted and supported, and they benefit from fulfilling professional development. Leaders constantly check on staff well-being and make appropriate adjustments to reduce workload."

View Frederick Bremer School's latest Ofsted Report 

What our staff say about our School:

• I get to support students who are still figuring out who they are and what they’re capable of, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see their progress—both academically and personally. I also enjoy being part of a team of educators who genuinely care about students. The environment is dynamic, challenging, and never boring, and I feel like my work actually matters.

• The school is a good place to work, the staff are really helpful and always there if you need anyone.

• The values of the school - strong inclusive ethos and strong pastoral systems. Genuine care for children at all levels and commitment to social justice. The brilliant team in the Additional Needs Department. It is the most inclusive mainstream school I have worked in.

• The pupils, FB provides a unique challenge that I do not believe exists anywhere else. Everyday I come in and even if I am not feeling 100% there is always a lesson that makes me remember why I became a teacher.

• I like the support from all members of staff, very tight knit community/family feeling from everyone

• I really get to see first hand the schools ethos being modelled into every lesson, assembly and even in conversations between staff. It really feels like this is not just a school but also a community where everyone helps and supports each other whilst upholding high standards for all and also positive wellbeing.

• I really value the people I work with, and I enjoy working with them. I also feel deeply appreciative that the school allows me time off to see my kids' concerts/ performances. There are other things but these are the most important to me