UK private school to trial free bus travel for pupils

St Hugh’s School, a co-educational day school and boarding school for pupils aged three to 13, is located at Carswell Manor, and is about to launch a new senior school.

The independent school will welcome its first cohort of Year 9 pupils in September 2026, with the first group of GCSE pupils completing their studies in 2029.

READ MORE: UK private school prepares for expansion

The opening of the senior school follows the purchase of nearly 20 acres of land next to the existing site.

Pupils at St Hugh’s School (Image: St Hugh’s School)

The newly acquired land will play a central role in the school’s strategic vision for the next five to 10 years.

To coincide with the launch of the senior school, free bus travel is being trialled for pupils.

The school said in a statement: “We are thrilled to share our new initiative for all our families in September 2026.

“Through our existing bus routes, and an additional Oxford route, we are offering our families a free bus service to and from school for pupils in Years 1-9.

“We are hoping this offering will support our families both financially and logistically, whilst delivering on our pledge to be more sustainable as a school and to reduce congestion within the local area.”

Pupils at St Hugh’s School (Image: St Hugh’s School near Faringdon)

The school added buses can be booked for just morning or afternoon each day.

It said: “In addition, we will offer a free breakfast club for pupils in Year 1 and above who are unable to use our current offering of bus routes.

“Supper will also be available for all Year 3 pupils free of charge. This is an addition to our existing free wrap-around care provision before and after school for children from reception upwards.

“We hope that this initiative will offer families greater flexibility to ensure we support them logistically on a day-to-day basis.”

Both the free transport and meal provision will run as a trial for the 2026-2027 academic year, during which the school will assess enthusiasm, viability, and long-term sustainability.

If uptake remains strong, the school hopes to expand the offer further in future. 

To ensure fair access for as many as possible, and to prevent block bookings for unused seats or meals, St Hugh’s will introduce a small charge to cover costs in cases where journeys or meals are missed at short notice.

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 opens in June this year.

An open morning for prospective parents and pupils was held on May 8, and places at the senior school are now being advertised.