UK private school sold for £4.5m to open under new ownership

Carrdus School was an independent co-educational preparatory school near Banbury, owned by Tudor Hall School, which officially closed in July 2025 after a decision taken in December 2024.

In November 2024, governors blamed the government’s decision to introduce VAT on fees and increased employers’ National Insurance contributions.

The site will reopen as Olive Frances School, named after a former Oxfordshire Labour politician, mayor and anti-nuclear weapons campaigner.

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It forms part of the Polaris Community, one of the UK’s leading children’s services providers, and is due to open in September.

The school will provide specialist education for children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and those with a neurodiverse profile from across Oxfordshire.

It will serve up to 84 pupils and their families where mainstream provision may not meet their needs, and class sizes will be capped at eight pupils to ensure a nurturing and supportive environment.

Facilities will include a teaching kitchen, science lab, art suite, forest school and sports areas, alongside sensory breakout spaces and extensive grounds.

Loren Cahill, head of organic growth at Polaris, said the aim is to create a “safe and nurturing learning environment for children with additional needs”.

A new headteacher has been appointed and is due to start in September.