Oxford Brookes University originates from the School of Art, founded in 1865. It became Oxford Polytechnic in 1970 and amalgamated the Lady Spencer-Churchill College of Education in 1976.
John Henry Brookes, after whom Oxford Brookes University is named, was Principal between 1934 and 1956, laid the foundations for the modern university, and secured the Headington site in 1949. Oxford Polytechnic was given degree-awarding powers in 1991 and became Oxford Brookes University the following year. Dorset House School of Occupational Therapy became part of the institution and in 2000 the University merged with Westminster College to create the new Westminster Institute of Education.