Clayesmore School

The Good Schools Guide Review of Clayesmore School, Blandford Forum, DT11 8LL

Our View

A well-structured school, ideal for a child needing a supportive environment, with a bubbling far-sighted head in charge. Not a snooty school - perfect for the child who needs extra care.

Headmaster

Since 2000, Mr Martin Cooke BEd (Hons) FCollP (mid-fifties), an ex-St Paul's chorister and organ scholar who was educated at Monkton Combe and did his BEd in music at Sussex. Describes his hobbies as music in general, playing the organ and information technology. A human dynamo, he originally came to the school in 1994 as head of Clayesmore Prep. We met and lunched with him and his wife, Eleanor, who plays an active part in both schools. Previously head of music at Bembridge School and, whilst he no longer teaches, plays the organ for chapel on occasion and 'interferes' (his word) with the musical output 'occasionally'. He reckons that running a music department is excellent training for a headship as 'you do a lot of handling of people, dealing with the whole "congo"' (as in congregational choir practice).

Trenchantly hands-on, keeps himself well-informed on all pupil issues including bullying. Lots of new appointments since he took over; has focused his attention on making the sixth form an exciting environment and spruced up the school's image. 'We are now a small school of 425 rather than of 300,' but no intention of changing the central ethos of a small, caring school dedicated to bringing out the potential in each individual child. Wish list included a new prep school building and classrooms (which are now opened), improved boarding facilities plus new upper sixth house and an extension to the chapel.

Academic Matters

Year groups of 90, five sets in most subjects except maths for which there may be six. Pupils setted in French, science and maths. French, Spanish and German all available to A level. 98 per cent average A level pass rate in the last three years. Tiny class sizes equal more attention from committed staff. Tutors responsible for a small group of pupils and monitor assessments every three weeks. Fantastic new extensive builds all over the shop including the award winning Jubilee Building housing an entire new science department, two large computer suites and the new learning support centre with small lecture hall. Plus the Spinney Centre, which opened in 2004 with new classrooms for geography, history, business studies and careers, all bristling with the latest computer technology. Impressive.

A school on a roll. All the dys-strata catered for. Outstanding learning support for children with moderate to medium learning difficulties from one full- and 12 part-time staff (all fully qualified) in the superb new learning support centre (LSC) atop the new Jubilee Building, 'and anyone can get there,' though, sadly, the senior school SENCo was on a school trip in Rhodes during our visit. All children are assessed, by an educational psychologist if needed, extra help in maths, English and science (but not modern languages). More than 35 per cent of all pupils have some form of support, and a 'tiny number' have serious needs. Progressively more group lessons, particularly in study skills. 'We need children to laugh and feel successful.' Pupils generally come out of language classes, and extra sessions can be timetabled if necessary, plus evenings, but can pop in whenever - early morning sessions, exam and coursework, 'Try anything'. Good communication between LSC staff and subject teachers means that each pupil will have the individual attention they need, detailed pupil profiles for each. Help for the most able too. CReSTeD category B - CReSTeD listing essential for 'forces stock', who will be deprived of 'unlimited help indefinitely' if the school is not part of the system. Strong EFL too, with up to six hours a week, either individual or in pairs. Extra charge for both, from £27.46 for individual lessons to £7.00 for lessons shared by up to five.

Games, Options, the Arts

All pupils do sport three times a week. You name it, they play it: swimming, rugby, squash, badminton, hockey, football, netball, athletics, cross-country, rounders, sailing and tennis. Lots of matches and some notable successes against bigger schools. A good sprinkling of county players. School is 'potty on orienteering' and regularly in the ribbons. Locals use the leisure complex on site with pool, gym, squash courts and modern fitness suite, including weights (from 16 and under supervision) and a mirrored salle, but pupils say, 'The public are not that much of a hassle'. Presumably a planning requirement. Sports science strong. CCF opportunity for pupils in years 10, 11 and sixth form, and enthusiastic D of E participants – tranches of golds et al. Sailing at Ringwood popular.

Thriving music school in purpose-built building run by enthusiastic head of music. Vibrant, terrific impromptu piano recital during our visit ('Actually my main instrument is the flute'), in a classroom filled with primitive instruments collected from all over the world - and some of them sound amazing. Sophisticated electronic keyboards too, recording studio and good participation in national choirs and yoof orchestras. Composition master class in Salisbury, loads of internal concerts, plus masses of travel; pupils can play almost anything, plus woodwind ensemble, brass group, flute choir and string ensemble.

Strong thespian tradition, with a terrific head of drama, whom we met in the (tiny) black theatre, but he is keen that actors should give several performances and not just be a one-off. Tremendously strong, with masses of tripettes: Bristol, the Old Vic, London. Pupil technicians (approximately 60 in the school at the moment) as important as actors themselves; fantastic costume department, with sewing machines and London type input. 'Reading plays' give access to more pupils, who need not learn the part but can perform, on stage, in costume, with script in hand. 'Theatre studies A level and drama work closely together.' Mystery plays for all, including the prep, at Christmas. Outstanding art department housed in lovely old primary school past the pub in the village – pottery, photography, textiles, drawing, painting and ceramics, really bustling and fun, sixth formers have a dedicated work space.

Trips to galleries in London and Paris. Huge range of extra activities four afternoons a week and all staff expected to run at least one. Pupils can do anything from fencing and yoga to textiles and pottery.

Background and Atmosphere

Idyllic setting: large country house set in sixty two acres of well-maintained grounds with lake, in the pretty village of Iwerne Minster in rural Dorset, five miles north of Blandford Forum, which boasts a post office and butcher's (and an awfully large collection of those blue/grey morris minors). Some slightly surprising room divisions in the main house but fireplaces to die for (and glorious computer room on ground floor). Well-used social centre, lots of inter-house competitions. Superb grub with salads and vegetarian option. Good cross-cultural influences - staff helped the small group of Chinese pupils cook a celebration meal for Chinese New Year and school meals are occasionally themed around different international celebrations.

Pastoral Care and Discipline

Head keeps a well-practised eye: 'No overt and terrible sin'; the odd cigarette equals letter home and it can get more severe. A tiered system of punishments ranging from academic 'satis' for prep missed/inappropriate clothing etc to gating and suspension for more serious behaviour problems. Tight eye kept on discipline by the deputy head. Pupils air complaints and suggestions at pupil forum with the head, who is well on top of the situation and not as relaxed as you might think. Has a 'very bad memory' for sin, which means that the next time a pupil sins 'he is down upon him like a ton of bricks', but otherwise the offence is deleted.

'Fantastic collection of houseparents' currently; five boarding houses (three boys' and two girls' houses) – all on site except one boys' house in the village. Traditional smell of toast, pupils graduate from dorms to study bedrooms. Houses run by married staff often with small children and dogs, with full support staff of matrons and house tutors (choose own in sixth form) - 'A good school for the expatriate child who might otherwise have been lost with parents far away.' Campus living in a small school is a double-edged sword: on the one hand this big family feel with lots of people to turn to; on the other, there can be pervasive claustrophobia; great efforts made to have buzzy weekends for boarders, including discos, talent contests and popular sixth form parties, houses take turns to organise.

Shopping buses organised to local towns such as Blandford, Shaftesbury and Sherborne (none of which will set the world alight). The Southampton shopping mall streaks ahead of the rest, staff go too. Duty staff organise excursions to local places of interest such as Bath (ditto) after Sunday chapel. Children of any denomination welcome.

Pupils and Parents

Number of day children, local buses: Salisbury, Poole, Bournemouth, Dorchester and the A30; can't flexi-board, but can stay over if late night activities, weekly boarding OK (casual boarding, if space available, for parents' or pupils' convenience, £22, post school function £11). Senior pupils can bring their own cars. Progressively more London refugees (this is getting to be the norm), home counties and a good sprinkling of ex-pat children (Services, diplomatic etc) plus a small number of foreign students - Dubai, Russia and Germany. Fair number of first time buyers. No great green wellie influence. Two-night exeats.

Entrance

By common entrance at 13 (50 per cent) and interview with the head, who looks for potential and the all-roundedness of prospective boys and girls. Just under half come through from the prep with the rest from a variety of local (and some further afield) prep schools: Forres Sandle Manor, Hordle Walhampton, Highfield, Durlston Court, Port Regis, Dumpton, Sherborne Prep and Castle Court plus local maintained schools. Rash of academic, music and art scholarships, several species of all-rounder awards made each year. Sixth form entrants need five A/C passes at GCSE.

Exit

Mainly universities, certain number of Oxbridge candidates, some Services, some vocational courses. School turns out vets, medics, all the usual suspects plus strong art, drama and music stream.

Money Matters

Oodles of scholarships - sixth form up to eight, with a minimum of four reserved for those not presently in the school, plus for local candidates (means tested) plus internal, plus music (string players preferred). Trillions too (though not quite so many) of scholarships, exhibitions and bursarial help for academics, music and art for entry into senior school, plus continuity awards from 11 to A level via the prep school (bursarial help available here too) and more closed awards at 13 – means-tested again. Plus closed bursaries for serving members of the Forces. Impressive collection.

Special Education Needs Survey

SEN Statement

The Learning Support Centre is an integral part of the school's academic provision. We work sensitively to develop academic abilities, enabling pupils to grow in self-esteem and achieve optimum results in exams. All pupils who receive learning support follow a mainstream academic programme, taking both GCSE and A level examinations in due course. Therefore, individual learning plans are tailored to developed the unique gifts of every girl and boy, enabling them to be proud of their talents and achievements.

We are a CReSTeD school, category DU, that is we have a dyslexia unit that provides specialist tuition on a small group or individual basis, according to need.

September 2011

Autistic Spectrum Disorder

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Aspergers Syndrome Mild
Aspergers Syndrome Moderate
Aspergers Syndrome Severe
Autism Mild
Autism Moderate
Autism Severe
Semantic Pragmatic Disorder
Other Autistic

Behavioural Difficulties

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Attention Deficit Disorder Mild
Attention Deficit Disorder Moderate
Attention Deficit Disorder Severe
Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorders Mild
Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorders Moderate
Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorders Severe
Emotional and behavioural difficulties Mild
Emotional and behavioural difficulties Moderate
Emotional and behavioural difficulties Severe
Conduct Disorders
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
Oppositional Defiant Disorders
Tourettes and other tic disorders

Genetic and related Disorders

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Down's Syndrome Mild
Down's Syndrome Moderate
Down's Syndrome Severe
Fragile X
Other genetic

Learning difficulties

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Moderate learning difficulties
Profound and multiple learning difficulties
Severe learning difficulties

Specific learning difficulties

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Dyscalculia Mild
Dyscalculia Moderate
Dyscalculia Severe
Dyslexia Mild
Dyslexia Moderate
Dyslexia Severe
Dyspraxia Mild
Dyspraxia Moderate
Dyspraxia Severe
Other Specific Learning Difficulties Mild
Other Specific Learning Difficulties Moderate
Other Specific Learning Difficulties Severe
English as an additional language

Sensory Impairment

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Hearing Impairment Mild
Hearing Impairment Moderate
Hearing Impairment Severe
Multi-sensory Impairment
Speech and Language Difficulties
Visual Impairment Mild
Visual Impairment Moderate
Visual Impairment Severe

Medical and Related Needs

	Currently no provision for.	Can provide for but no experience of	Experience of	Now provide for in school	Centre of Excellence for.
Cerebral Palsy Mild
Cerebral Palsy Moderate
Cerebral Palsy Severe
"Delicate" children
Epilepsy
Eating disorders
Physical Difficulties (Not indicated elsewhere.)
Other

General Questions

Are all children tested for SEN on entry to the school?		Internal assessment or current IEP report.
Please outline the screening programmes used by the school.
How many children with statements of need or equivalent do you have in the school?		1
Do you make special provision for exceptionally gifted children?		Differentiation in class; extra-curricular groups and individual mentoring to extend able pupils. Able pupils may also attend Gifted and Talented conferences.
Please outline what is on offer for such children
Please indicate if the school has or has available to it any of the following:
Behaviour Support Unit.
Learning Support Unit.
Pupil Referral Unit.
Other withdrawal.
Specialist language centre		Language Centre for those for whom English is not the first language.
Schemes or Initiatives such as SHARE or Playing for Success.
Please indicate if the school has any of the following characteristics:
SEN accreditation, for example by CRESTED?		CReSTeD.
Centre of excellence for SEN that is Not already outlined?
Good wheelchair access
Provides outreach support?
Receives outreach support?
Do children with SEN participate fully in sport and other extracurricular activities?
Please provide information on staffing. Does the school have:
A SENCO or equivalent?
Staff who will administer prescription medicines to a child
Qualified teaching staff with learning support or SEN commitment(please say how many, in full-time equivalent).		5
Non-teaching staff with learning support or SEN commitment(please say how many, in full-time equivalent).		0.5
Please list specialist qualifications held by teaching staff with learning support or SEN commitment.
Please list specialist qualifications held by non-teaching staff with learning support or SEN commitment.

School Features

Curricula

GCSE - standard English curriculum

A level - standard English curriculum

GCSE - International

OFSTED Outstanding school

Curriculum features

Combined Cadet Force

School associations

Service Children's Education (SCE)

SEN attributes

Has SEN unit or class

CReSTeD registered

Sports

Horse riding

Fencing

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