St Hugh’s School, Oxfordshire, is delighted to announce a significant milestone in its long‑term development strategy: the acquisition, subject to contract, of nearly 20 acres of land immediately west of the existing school site. As noted in the Headmaster’s letter to parents, the purchase “will almost double the size of the school’s usable open area” and represents “a bold statement of ambition from the Governing Body” as the school looks ahead to the next decade of growth.

The newly acquired land will play a central role in the school’s strategic vision for the next 5–10 years. St Hugh’s has been working closely with architects to shape a comprehensive development plan, including a new Dining Room, enhanced teaching spaces, and expanded facilities for the Pre‑Prep, Prep, and the new Senior School which formally openings in June this year.

The additional land will allow for new activities on-site such as clay shooting, but perhaps one of the most exciting developments is the creation of a new school farm promoting field-to-fork education. This initiative will “significantly expand our outdoor education provision,” particularly for younger pupils, with plans to involve children and local farming families in shaping the project. Full details will be shared with the school community later this year.

A Community Effort

The school has expressed deep gratitude to the alumni whose generosity made the purchase possible, as well as to the Woodgate family, the land’s vendors, for their support throughout the process. Completion is anticipated in late summer, with parts of the land expected to come into use by the Autumn Term.

Headmaster David Griffiths described the moment as “an extraordinary moment of growth, optimism, and possibility,” emphasising the school’s commitment to delivering an exceptional educational environment for current and future pupils.

On the map below, the dark blue area indicates the current school site, whilst the green, pale blue and red indicate the areas of expansion: