An independent school located close to Faringdon will begin offering secondary-level education.
St Hugh’s School, a co-educational establishment providing both day and boarding facilities for pupils aged three to 13, is situated at Carswell Manor.
The school intends to welcome its inaugural cohort of Year 9 pupils in September 2026, with the first group of GCSE students projected to finish their studies in 2029.
The launch of the senior school follows the purchase of roughly 20 acres of adjacent countryside.
This newly acquired land represents a key element of the school’s five to ten-year strategic blueprint.
Design professionals have been partnering with St Hugh’s on a comprehensive development initiative that includes a new dining hall, upgraded teaching spaces, and expanded facilities for the pre-prep, preparatory, and forthcoming secondary departments. The senior school commences operations this June.
Families interested in enrolment can visit during an open morning on Friday, May 8, and secondary school places are currently being accepted.
In communication sent to parents, Headmaster David Griffiths noted that the land purchase would effectively double the school’s usable outdoor area and represented a clear statement of purpose from the governing body as the school enters the next decade.
The strategy to create the senior school was first announced the previous year.
At that juncture, Mr Griffiths stated that this constitutes a tremendously thrilling progression for St Hugh’s. He explained that they are building upon their firm foundations as a preparatory school while meeting the clear need for excellent senior education locally. He added that their new secondary school will preserve the same nurturing environment, high academic standards, and community-focused ethos that characterise their school.
The expansion came after thorough assessment of educational needs and growing demand for academically rigorous co-educational day schooling complemented by comprehensive pastoral care.
The institution has pledged to maintain its friendly atmosphere while refraining from rapid or excessive growth in pupil numbers.
Full information about the expansion can be found in the school’s Strategy 120 publication.
The additional land will facilitate new activities such as clay pigeon shooting, along with the creation of a working school farm. This will significantly expand outdoor educational opportunities, particularly for younger pupils, with plans to involve students and local farming communities in developing the project.
The school has thanked former pupils whose donations enabled the land purchase, as well as the Woodgate family who sold the property for their support.
Initially founded as a small boys’ boarding establishment in the London area, St Hugh’s later evolved into a co-educational preparatory school.