The college which offers excellent preparation for the IB for students from predominantly affluent but forward-thinking international families. First-class teaching, supportive pastoral care, very high-calibre careers advice and the nurturing of independent learning create a unique offering for future global citizens.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 290 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 247 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- Day £25,008; Boarding £52,269 pa
- Local authority
- Oxfordshire County Council
- Area guides

Headteacher
Principal
Duncan Reith
Since 2022, Duncan Reith, educated at Glenalmond. With impressive academic credentials, more than twenty years’ experience in education management, and a long-held belief in the value of international collaboration and co-operation, he has a CV that
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Learn what pupils and parents really think of this school, along with our expert opinion on the headteacher’s leadership style, the school’s academic results and facilities, the focus on pastoral care, and the range of extra-curricular activities.

Entrance
Although officially non-selective, in reality, students self-select. From wealthy families with the confidence to leave their home countries to travel overseas to study in English (pre-supposing a high level of proficiency in English), they possess
- Open days
- September, November, January and May

Exit
All straight to higher education or gap years – about half to UK universities, many others to the US. Popular choices include London colleges (LSE, UCL, Imperial) which are often favoured over Oxbridge by international students. Russell Group and new

Latest results
In 2024, IB average point score was 35.
Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Teaching & learning
The longest established World IB School in England, St Clare’s is a sixth form college famous for pioneering the country’s first IB programme in 1977. If IB is what you are looking for, its results, given its non-selective entry requirements, are top
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- IB

Learning support & SEN
Learning difficulties identified at interview and via medical questionnaire prior to arrival. This is used by LDD coordinator and SENCo to determine future pathways. Mild to moderate learning difficulties supported. International students, unlike

Arts & extracurricular
St Clare’s does not offer the all-singing, all-dancing facilities of a traditional public school but it doesn’t try to. ‘There’s no concert hall for a thousand here.’ This is a sixth form college where students are free to explore their interests

Sport
Whilst St Clare’s does not have its own dedicated playing fields, a raft of team sports on offer include football, basketball, volleyball and badminton, with options to take part in local, national and international competitions. All students are

Boarders
Some 85 per cent of students from overseas, about 15 per cent day students. Boarding houses all single-sex and located around the school or in nearby Summertown, within walking distance of both teaching facilities and local eateries and shops. All

Ethos & heritage
Founded after World War II by visionary educationalist Anne Dreydel, who lost both legs during a bombing raid over London. A real postwar pioneer in bringing students together from many nationalities to learn from one another’s perspectives and

Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Students thoroughly enjoy their diverse international community and like not being constrained by the English culture. They are given a lot of freedom but taught that with freedom comes responsibility. Support is there when it is needed and if needs

Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
There is no mobile phone policy, but we have an ‘acceptable and responsible use of IT resources’ policy which covers all technology equipment and internet use, security, plagiarism, and protection.

Pupils & parents
With about 12 per cent of students British and St Clare’s keen to grow this number, those from families returning to the UK after living abroad have often attended international schools. We wonder whether local families are missing a trick here.

Money matters
A number of generous means-tested scholarships available for the IB diploma.
- Fee information
- Day £25,008; Boarding £52,269 pa

The last word
The college which offers excellent preparation for the IB for students from predominantly affluent but forward-thinking international families. First-class teaching, supportive pastoral care, very high-calibre careers advice and the nurturing of
