Clayesmore School A GSG School
- Clayesmore School
Iwerne Minster
Blandford Forum
Dorset
DT11 8LL - Head: Mrs Joanne Thomson
- T 01747 812122
- F 01747 813187
- E mmccafferty@clayesmore.com
- W www.clayesmore.com
- A mainstream independent school for pupils aged from 13 to 18 with a linked junior school
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Dorset
- Pupils: 466; 245 full boarders; sixth formers: 182
- Religion: Church of England
- Fees: Day £26,220; Boarding £35,730 pa
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
- ISI report: View the ISI report
- Linked schools: Clayesmore Preparatory School
What The Good Schools Guide says..
‘Still marked as being a school where they do a fabulous job with learning support but they’re brilliant with everybody else as well,’ said parent. Not everyone will get A*s and As but ‘what you will see is people who nobody ever expected it doing well.’ Strong sense of community. Boarders and day pupils ‘all mix and match,’ said a parent. ‘School is really lovely if you want to have a boarder for the weekend.’ Pain of staying in eased by dogs (owned by staff in three out of five boarding houses), hot chocolate and plenty of talking therapy...
What the school says...
Clayesmore is a thriving, forward-looking boarding and day school where both prep and senior pupils share the same idyllic setting. Clayesmore's all through provision means that pupils can make a worry free step up to senior school accompanied by a sense of familiarity, but with a change in staff, timetable and buildings that marks a new stage in their education. It also means siblings can go to school together; an added advantage much appreciated by busy parents.
Clayesmore Senior School has been deemed excellent across the board following a recent Independent Schools Inspectorate inspection. A wide range of activity, both in and out of the classroom, gives the school a real buzz and provides a wealth of opportunity. Academic results for a mixed ability school are impressive at all levels and the highly regarded learning support department offers individual attention, exam strategies and effective study skills.
When you add to the mix some welcoming boarding accommodation, nurturing pastoral care and boundless opportunities to shine, its clear that Clayesmore offers a winning combination. Clayesmore's range of A-level subjects is also expanding and it now offers Psychology and Photography as well as new BTECs in Hospitality, Sport and ICT. Along with these impressive improvements, the majority of students also get into the university of their choice.
Providing a seamless education from 3-18 years, Clayesmore is a flourishing school offering excitement, opportunity and a confidence boosting family atmosphere. ...Read more
What the parents say...
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Other features
All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.
Sports
Fencing
What The Good Schools Guide says
Head
Since 2016, Joanne Thomson BA MBA 940s). First headship. Previously joint deputy head for eight years at Christ’s Hospital School, preceded by 13 years at Aiglon College. First post after finishing degree was at Repton Prep as English teacher, assistant houseparent and sports coach.
Model of modern marriage offers cheering example of give and take. Husband Frank, also a senior teacher, is head of PSHE here, has worked at most of same schools and is happy to let Mrs T take the lead. ‘There’s never a power struggle,’ she stresses. Two children, both at young adult stage (younger attending sixth form here).
Parents at Christ’s praised her ‘industriousness and conviviality’. What comes across above all is calm, understated kindness (the only head this reviewer has ever met who...
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Special Education Needs
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. Nov 09.
| Condition | Provision for in school |
|---|---|
| ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder | |
| Aspergers | |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders | |
| CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia | Y |
| Dyscalculia | |
| Dysgraphia | |
| Dyslexia | |
| Dyspraxia | |
| English as an additional language (EAL) | |
| Genetic | |
| Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory | |
| Has SEN unit or class | Y |
| HI - Hearing Impairment | |
| Hospital School | |
| Mental health | |
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty | |
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment | |
| Natspec Specialist Colleges | |
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability | |
| Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
| PD - Physical Disability | |
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty | |
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health | |
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication | |
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty | |
| Special facilities for Visually Impaired | |
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
| VI - Visual Impairment |
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Who came from where
| School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashdown House School | 2015 to 2016 | 2 | 1 | Sports Scholarship |
| Castle Court | 2017 | 8 | 5 | Drama Scholarship; Sports Scholarships (4) |
| Chafyn Grove School | 2016 to 2017 | 4 | 1 | |
| Clayesmore Preparatory School | 2017 | Majority to the senior school | ||
| Dragon School | 2017 | 1 | ||
| Dumpton School | 2017 | 4 | 2 | |
| Knighton House School | 2017 | 1 | 1 | Art Scholarship |
| Salisbury Cathedral School | 2017 | 2 | ||
| The Pilgrims' School | 2017 | 1 | 1 | Music Scholarship |
| Windlesham House School | 2015 | 1 |
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