About us
Our Vision is to establish a Catholic secondary school in the Oxford area that provides an outstanding classical education, alive to the Faith and rooted in virtues.
So far, this project consists of a shared vision and willingness to explore practical next steps. If you would like to hear more, have children at primary school, or are keen to discuss the vision outlined above, please consider joining the mailing list.
The Project
‘Project Pippo’ is led by a group of parents in Oxfordshire, exploring the potential for a Catholic, co-educational, affordable secondary school, with an emphasis on classical education. This school will be “designed not only to develop with special care the intellectual faculties but also to form the ability to judge rightly, to hand on the cultural legacy of previous generations, to foster a sense of values, to prepare for professional life” (Gravissimum Educationis). 'Pippo' was St Philip Neri's childhood nickname, and we have called this Project Pippo hoping to gain the supportive prayers of St Philip Neri, whose ethos of joy and service has encouraged us.
Thank you for initiating this very welcome project. We would be so thrilled and relieved if such a school could come into being.
A father of 2, Oxford
Thank you for this initiative and the hard work that has already gone into this project. Keep the spirit and keep going!
Parent of 4 primary aged children, Oxfordshire
First Townhall meeting
In March 2025, the Project team hosted a 'Townhall' meeting in Oxford to present our work so far, the vision and direction of travel. A summary of the event was published here.
Upcoming events
Project Pippo is supported by prayers, working groups on curriculum and fundraising, and a core project team of parents. All voluntary.
The events listed here include adoration, where supporters are invited gather to pray for the project; periodic information sessions where we provide an update to supporters; and roundtable sessions where we discuss and seek feedback on progress that has been made.
Saturday 17th May / 13:00 h
Adoration - Pray for Project Pippo
@Holy Rood Church, followed by tea/cake
Saturday 14th June / 15:15 h
Adoration - Pray for Project Pippo
@Saint Gregory and Saint Augustine's, followed by tea/cake
Wednesday 18th June / 20:00 h
Information session - Project update
Online session: please fill up the form to get the invite
Saturday 19th July / 17:30 h
Adoration - Pray for Project Pippo
@the Oxford Oratory, followed by refreshments in Cafe Neri
You can help: here is how
We encourage all who are interested in this project to spread the word and pray for it.
Pray for the Project
The core team, with the kind support of several Catholic Parishes around Oxford, organises monthly Adoration events for all families to come together and pray for the future school - Check the dates above
Help with fundraising
A key aspect for success is ensuring the sustainability of the project. While a sound financial model will secure long-term stability, we will incur significant costs in the onset. Can you help us raise funds? - Please get in touch with us via: ProjectPippoOxford@gmail.com
Academic support
Another key aspect is defining the Academic path for our students so that the Classical approach and a suitable Qualifications route are optimally combined. Can you help us with advice or direct involvement? - Please get in touch: ProjectPippoOxford@gmail.com
Frequently Asked Questions
This project is at a very early stage, and we have a long way to go before we welcome our first cohort. We are working hard to articulate our vision, put in place the right structures, explore and establish feasibility, and fundraise.
Prayer - please support us in prayer, Adoration (above) provides an opportunity to pray together for this project.
Spread the word - feel free to share this website, the sign-up link
Academic - we are seeking advice on all things academic, including curriculum, school day etc.
Financial support - we are convening a working group to support fundraising. Please let us know if you can help.
A group of five families, all of whom are based in and around Oxford and have primary school children, are the core 'project team' of Project Pippo. We have been encouraged and supported by Fr Benedict Manning Cong.Orat., and many other parents and prospective teachers that have been in touch so far!
If you have contacted us to express interest or offer support, we will get back to you as soon as we can. Please bear with us as we set up the Financial and Academic teams, and organise some of the actions needed for the Feasibility phase. When in doubt, do reach out again!
Be in touch
Please click on the button below to fill out our Form and join the mailing list:
Alternatively, you can get in touch with the core team by emailing: