Ages 
Unfusty and modern, with high academic expectations but bucketloads of quintessential prep school stuff: expect a busy equestrian team, competitive den-building and pencil sharpeners shaped like catapults. Bright-eyed children work industriously in lessons and, come breaktime, they hurtle around in their wellies, pinafores tucked into waterproof trousers, running on the grass or clambering across the gorgeously crooked wooden climbing frame. ‘We did go and see the other local preps,’ says one parent, ‘but honestly they felt a bit like going to a nice hotel when St Hugh’s was like the Ritz.’ For a joyful, five-star prep school, look no further.
Why read our school review?
Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
Unlock to accessSpark your child’s love of reading with FREE gifts
Get three months of First News digital for free and £5 off Scholastic books when you read our school reviews.
Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 340 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- Day £17,928 - £30,966; Boarding £34,704 - £37,920 pa
- Local authority
- Oxfordshire County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Head
Mr David Griffiths
Since 2023, David Griffiths, previously head of Old Buckenham Hall near Ipswich. Brought up in South Wales and read ancient and modern history at Cardiff. After an MA in educational leadership at Buckingham he returned to Wales, teaching in Cardiff
Entrance
For nursery and reception, places allocated according to date of registration, with siblings getting a preference. Further up, ‘not overly academically selective’, says head, though prospective pupils attend a taster day, including English and maths
Exit
A handful leave at 11+ but the majority stay until the end of year 8. Radley, Cheltenham College, Marlborough, St Edward’s, Oxford and Stowe draw lots of boarders; day pupils look at Headington Rye, Bloxham, Cokethorpe and Abingdon. Hitherto around
Latest results
There are no results to show for this school. Find out more.
Teaching & learning
Learning support & SEN
Boarders
One boarding house and nine dorms – five for boys, four for girls – to accommodate primarily flexi boarders. Years 4, 5 and 6 flexis do at least one night a week and years 7 and 8 at least two. School tries to keep year groups together within dorms.
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review We are a no device school, which includes mobile phones. Devices required for school work are supplied in school.
Pupils
Money matters
Fees amongst the highest in the area, but parents reckon ‘You get what you pay for.’ ‘We spend more per child than at different schools,’ points out head, who’s not squeamish about the price point. Current structure includes lots of the extras –
- Fee information
- Day £17,928 - £30,966; Boarding £34,704 - £37,920 pa
Our view
With class sizes averaging just 14 across the school, pupils and parents here are well-known and a strong family feel runs throughout. At 330 pupils, with a bit of room for growth, St Hugh’s is happily medium-sized; a manageable and nurturing
The last word
Unfusty and modern, with high academic expectations but bucketloads of quintessential prep school stuff: expect a busy equestrian team, competitive den-building and pencil sharpeners shaped like catapults. Bright-eyed children work industriously in
