MixedIndependentBoarding

St Hugh's School

Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, South East · SN7 8PT

A small independent prep school in Oxfordshire, St Hugh's takes pupils from age 3 to 13 and offers both day and boarding places. With around 340 pupils and a pupil-to-teacher ratio of roughly seven to one, classes are intimate and individual attention is built into daily life. The Independent Schools Inspectorate judged the school excellent for both education quality and pupil personal development, and found it fully compliant with regulatory standards. An equestrian focus and a deliberately device-free environment give the school a distinctive character.

340

Pupils

excellent

ISI

£30,966

Day fees / yr

Free month · No card needed · Cancel anytime

Overview & data

Gender
Mixed
Type
independent (fee-paying) school
Age range
3-13
Pupils
340
Pupil:teacher ratio
7
Location
Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, South East
Website
www.st-hughs.co.uk
Telephone
01367 870700

Entrance & admissions

Entry age
11

Want your child to win a place at St Hugh's School?

Passmate builds a personalised practice plan from your target schools' exact 11+ topics - so every session moves your child closer to a place.

  • Practice matched to St Hugh's School's 11+ format
  • See precisely where your child stands, topic by topic
  • A profile of how they think - not just scores
Try Passmate for free →

Free month · No card needed

Headteacher

Head Mr David Griffiths

Teaching & academics

The exceptionally low pupil-to-teacher ratio of about seven to one allows for close, responsive teaching, and the ISI's top rating for the quality of education reflects this. Nearly a fifth of pupils receive some form of SEN support, suggesting a school used to adapting to a range of learning needs. Academic scholarships are available at 11+ entry alongside awards in music, art and drama.

Learning support & SEN

SEN support
19.57%
EHC plans
0%

Arts & extracurricular

Scholarships

AcademicMusicSportsDramaArtEquestrian

Sport

Main sports

Equestrian

Beyond the classroom

Equestrian is the school's headline sport, with scholarships available for talented riders alongside awards in sport, music, drama and art. The no-device policy, with school-supplied technology only for work, points to a culture that prioritises hands-on activity and face-to-face interaction.

Ethos & heritage

Boarding
Yes

Mobile phone policy

No device school, which includes mobile phones. Devices required for school work are supplied in school.

Money matters

Day fees (per year)
£17,928 - £30,966
Boarding fees (per year)
£34,704 - £37,920

Inspection reports

ISI rating
excellent
ISI personal development
excellent
Last inspected
4 November 2025
Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

A small, well-rated prep where tiny class sizes, boarding options and a horse-friendly, screen-free ethos set the tone. It suits families wanting close attention and an unusually distinctive co-curricular life.

The Passmate verdict

Have you considered?

St Hugh's School 11+: frequently asked questions

Where is St Hugh's School located?

St Hugh's School is located at Carswell Manor, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, SN7 8PT.

What type of school is St Hugh's School?

St Hugh's School is an independent (fee-paying) school in South East.

How many pupils attend St Hugh's School?

St Hugh's School has approximately 340 pupils on roll.

What is St Hugh's School's inspection rating?

St Hugh's School is inspected by the ISI and was judged "excellent" at its inspection on 4 November 2025.

Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.