Our Story So Far

A brief history of the Oak-Tree Group of Schools

The Oak-Tree Group is made up of three privately-owned independent schools in the Epping Forest area, all owned and managed by the Hagger Family. Each school has its own individual character, offering an excellent standard of education in happy, secure and family-orientated environments.

The Hagger Family took over Oaklands in Loughton in 1982, which is fast approaching its 90th Anniversary after its founding in 1937. Located on a large site with extensive grounds, with buildings that have newly been extended, the Haggers are only the second set of owners and the third generation of the Hagger family have recently been at the school.

Oaklands School in Loughton

Originally a large country house, Coopersale Hall in Epping was purchased by the Hagger Family in 1988 and welcomed its first children as a school in 1989 following much transformation. Its beautiful grounds have been extensively remodelled over the years with facilities including a large all-weather pitch, sports field, and music studio. A newly built, large senior department has recently been completed and the school now takes pupils up to Year 11.

Coopersale Hall in Epping

Normanhurst in North Chingford joined the Group in 1996 and has become one of the most respected ‘all-through’ schools in the area for girls and boys from 2½ to 16. The school has an excellent track record preparing children for their GCSEs and life beyond, and the majority of pupils go on to leading VI Form schools and colleges.

Normanhurst School in North Chingford