St Hugh's Prep School Faringdon

[mumm3]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to move out of London and would love to hear anyone's experiences with St Hugh's school in Faringdon in the last year and if you know who their main competitor is? We're looking for excellent pastoral care and inspiring teachers to instill children with creativity!

My children go to St Hugh's. It’s had a tricky time under a Head who didn't work out but it’s completely transformed since he left last summer. We looked at other schools in the area (we've got boys and a girl) - Abingdon prep (just boys), Manor, Pinewood, Hatherop (you might want to look at Chandlings too but it wasn’t the right area for us) but St Hugh's stood out for its facilities and we just really liked the size and feel of the place. In our experience, staff really care about the children and have been quick to act the few times we've needed to raise anything. We really rate the quality of the teaching and if art, drama and music are important to you, you should definitely consider it – we really like that every child gets included in all the extra stuff. They do lots of sport too. My trio - who are all quite different - are thriving and we're really happy that we chose the school.

I think St H has a reputation for being the "just moved out of London" school in the area.
For me, it felt too posh. Too over privileged. Whereas I felt Abingdon Prep had a more down to earth feeling.

Do you want co-ed or girls or boys? Do you have a senior school in mind?

There is another thread about St Hugh’s here www.mumsnet.com/talk/education/3970946-St-Hughs-or-Kitebrook-Prep

@houselikeashed yes I agree with you. It has lovely grounds but it is all the drama and entitlement you get in London has been ‘exported’ to the countryside at St Hugh’s.

OP, it is hard to say who is the main competitor of St Hugh’s but a good clue is to look at who they play against at sports.
So near by you are looking for co-ed at Manor Prep, Pinewood, Chandlings, Cokethorpe, and if just for boys then Abingdon Prep and Cothill, and then a bit further away Kitebrook, the Dragon, Cheam etc.

The labelling of “people who have just moved out of London” as a certain type is quite hilarious. Every home county prep school will be full of people who once lived in London. So every parent in London is the same? In my experience (and I seem to be the only one in this thread with direct experience) St Hugh’s has a real mix of families and the vast majority are really lovely rather than being posh, dramatic and entitled because they may have once lived in our capital city. OP, I suggest you call the school and arrange a visit - see for yourself whether it’s right for your family. And have a good trip out of London!

I have a boy and a girl at St Hugh’s, we are very happy with the school and so are our children. We’re both professionals working full time, not ‘entitled or over-privileged’ as seems to be the suggestion from other posters who don’t actually have children at school.
OP- we chose the school due to its small class sizes, facilities and learning support. Wrap around care is also included in fees so it works well for working parents.
It has a lovely family atmosphere and feeds into many senior schools of varying location and type. I would encourage you to go and have a look and see if it’s right for your child.

I have direct knowledge of the school.
And Abingdon prep. And the Manor.
To be honest, I don't think it's possible to get a "feel" for a school until you are there, living it day to day.
You can always move if you don't like it.
Good luck.

When you and your child are at a school you are very invested in it. And nobody likes to admit they could have made a wrong choice. It is very disruptive (and quite expensive) to move schools. However we have many neighbours and acquaintances with children at St Hugh’s and having heard them complain about the head & various behaviour that goes in, I wonder why they are persisting. I suppose they assume that all schools are like this. And yes I am sorry but quite a lot of London private schools are like this too, so it is what they are used to. But it does not have to be this way!!

It has had a tricky time (see above) with a lot of high staff turnover. I believe (but stand to be corrected) that the current head is a caretaker head whilst they appoint a permanent head. Having made a big mistake previously, I think they will not rush their decision this time and are more likely to get it right but it could be a gamble.

The facilities are lovely. All their competitors are mentioned above. The local state primary to St hugh's has an excellent name and one of the few primaries to have maintained outstanding under the new ofsted framework. You may want to consider that too if you're moving locally.

@mumm3 My family joined the school having been very impressed with the 'big mistake Head who didn't work out' as* *@eish and @Morganplusfour describe him and we were sorry to see him go. Choosing a school is about what feels right for you not what is right for others. I would suggest you go and visit as that is the only way you will find out if you really like it. One of the Deputies is currently the Interim Head and there is a new Head starting in September '23. Our family hopes he is given more of a chance than the previous one who clearly put children at the heart of everything he did. Local competitors if you want co-ed are The Manor (only up to 11 and pretty narrow in outlook towards St Helens and Abingdon), Pinewood, Cokethorpe Junior School, Chandlings (only up to 11) - boys only there is Abingdon Prep (no guarantee of a place in the senior school btw) and Cothill (mostly trad full boarding). Hope this helps and good luck with choosing.

We've got a child at St Hugh's and one who left last year. I'm not sure I'd agree with the previous post - the last head had his strengths but he rather put himself at the heart of everything rather than the children and that's why it all went wrong. The vibe is very different now and it feels like a very happy place. There have been some really positive changes under the temporary head (who is very liked and respected) and the new head joining in September is very impressive and likeable (we've met him in school a few times). We chose the school for lots of reasons and we're pleased we did. Incredible facilities and grounds, excellent teaching, lovely parents (on the whole!) and there is a lot on offer in terms of extra-curricular - lots of drama, art, sport, music to a really high standard. I don't get where this 'posh and entitled' reputation comes from and as a parent (who isn't posh and entitled) I find this labelling quite objectionable!! @mumm3 I suggest you go and see the school if its on your radar.