Forfar Education acquires Horris Hill School

Specialist school investment and advisory business Forfar Education has acquired an independent day and boarding prep school in Hampshire.

Horris Hill School, near Newbury, was founded on its present site in 1888 and educates boys aged from four to 13.

“This is a hugely exciting opportunity [which will] secure a bright future for the school,” said chair of governors, Marina Lund.

Forfar Education has unveiled extensive refurbishment plans for Horris Hill, including new STEM and art facilities, an adventure playground and an outdoor forest school. The sports hall, as well as boarding and staff accommodation, will also be comprehensively overhauled.

A purpose-built nursery is slated to open in 2022, plans for an indoor swimming pool are currently being studied and there is also active consideration of proposals to make Horris Hill co-educational.

One thing that will not be changing is the school’s day-to-day management, with the current team all set to remain in situ for the coming academic year.

“[Horris Hill] is and will remain one of the great preparatory schools,” said John Forsyth, founder and CEO of Forfar Education.

“[The school] will continue to build children’s confidence and ensure that they are well-positioned to access the right schools for them, be they academic, artistic or athletic,” added Forsyth.

“Its proximity to London and its regular transport to London, Marlborough and Winchester means that, for a small school, it has a truly global appeal.

“Its newly opened lower school, as well as the new nursery planned for next year, will help to ensure that Horris Hill becomes firmly rooted in the local community. Forfar aims to underpin the legacy of the founders by continuing to carry out the duty of preserving the school’s character and high educational standards. We are proud to be part of the next chapter of Horris Hill’s long history of excellence.”