Private school Clayesmore school

We Are Clayesmore

Clayesmore School is located in the picturesque village of Iwerne Minster in Dorset, southwest England. The school was founded in 1896 by renowned educator, activist and philanthropist Alexander Devine. The beautiful, nature-rich, comfortable and cozy campus of the school is located 3 hours drive from London.

The school values ​​each child and provides them with an atmosphere of warmth, trust and care, which is necessary for children to develop. Here, pupils gain the confidence to achieve their future goals.

The school has a student population of around 530.

Headteacher (2026)

Joanna Thompson, University of Warwick.

Notable alumni

• Sir Rodney Sweetnam, President of the Royal College of Surgeons

• Brian Epstein, manager of The Beatles

• Eric Fernyhough, motorcyclist, world speed record holder

• Robin Denny, artist

• Tony Hart, artist

• Mike Scott, television commentator

• Anthony Allen, rugby player

• Martin Bott, geologist

• John Craxon, artist

• Glynn Edwards, actor (The Seventh Sign film)

• Nicole Faraday, actress (Peter Kingdom Will Not Leave You)

• Johnny Martin, singer and guitarist

• Augustine Casely-Hayford, cultural historian and art critic

• Julian Rathbourne, writer

• John Plamenatz, political philosopher

• George Devine, theatre manager

• Nicholas Handy, theoretical chemist

• Marcus Hack, diplomat

• Edward Ardizon, writer and illustrator

• Hugh Stewart, film editor

Key factors

• Children achieve excellent exam results.

• 100% of Clayesmore leavers go on to university, many to prestigious Russell Group and other leading universities.

• The school offers 140 activities, clubs and societies everyone will find something to do.

• For senior students, the school has a careers department that helps students decide on a profession, apply to university, and visit universities of interest.

• For international students, EAL (English as an additional language) classes are held.

Facilities

Clayesmore School is located on 26 hectares of rural Dorset. The central place is occupied by the main building, which contains classrooms, a library, a canteen and one of the residences. The school has a theater, an art department, a science block, a business school, a design and technology department.

The school has excellent sports facilities: beautiful playing fields and courts. There is a full-size all-weather floodlit hockey rink, which in the summer turns into a large number of tennis courts. Indoor sports centre with a large hall, cricket and badminton pitches, squash courts, a gym and a 25-metre swimming pool.

Program

GCSE

A two-year programme to obtain a certificate of general secondary education. Compulsory study of 6 subjects, 4 subjects are studied optionally.
What is the difference between IGCSE and GCSE programmes?

A-level

A two-year programme to prepare for university entrance. Students choose 4 or 5 subjects for in-depth study.
Find out more about A-level program

BTEC

An alternative to the A-level program: a pre-university preparation course with maximum emphasis on developing practical skills, applying theoretical knowledge in real life. You can get a BTEC qualification in the following specialties: sports, hospitality industry, health and social care, information technology, performing arts, music technology..
Find out more about BTEC program

Accommodation and meals

Accommodation in theSchool residences. There is a relaxed and happy family atmosphere. Girls and boys live in separate houses. Each house is run by a dedicated team of staff who are responsible for the well-being of each child. There are 6 houses in the school, each with its own special atmosphere and its own little traditions. The houses have a common room for relaxing and socialising and a kitchen where snacks and drinks can be prepared.

Meals are provided in the school canteen. A wide range of food is available. Breakfast includes cereal, toast, milk, juice, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and also cooked food. For lunch there is always a choice of a main hot meal, which can include traditional roasts, curries, fish pie, chicken fajitas or vegetarian options. There is always a large selection of freshly cooked vegetables. Fruit is always available for children.

Sport

The main sports are rugby, hockey and cricket for boys, and hockey, netball and tennis for girls. Athletics, basketball, football, swimming, cross-country running, squash, rowing and sailing are also available. The girls' cricket team is popular and successful. Horse riding is available to all pupils and the school has a very strong team that competes all over the country.

Many pupils represent the school in sport, taking part in local and national competitions. Overseas sports tours have long been a part of the sports programme, with recent tours to the Netherlands, India, Spain, South Africa and Sri Lanka. In October 2019, the senior school students went on a joint hockey trip to Barcelona.

Extracurricular Activities

The school has a wide range of clubs to choose from, including dance, creative writing, Lego, lifesaving, art, model United Nations, Cadet Corps (CCF), science and many more. Pupils are encouraged to take the initiative and start their own clubs or societies. Senior pupils are encouraged to lead discussion groups and forums or organise events for younger pupils.

Clayesmore School is the perfect place for creative children. The Art Department offers excellent facilities for their classes. The school has seven art teachers, specialising in drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture. This gives pupils the opportunity to explore a wide range of artistic disciplines, as well as develop as artists. 2D and 3D artists.

Pupils’ work is always on display at school and they are encouraged to take part in exhibitions and competitions. Graduates go on to study fine art, photography, fashion or ceramics at some of the UK’s top art schools, including Central St Martins, Falmouth, UCL and the London College of Communication.

Clayesmore’s musical life is extremely rich and varied. Over 70% of pupils play an instrument. Many do so to a very high standard, achieving impressive exam grades and some gaining places in regional and national orchestras and choirs.

Children have great opportunities to perform, whether individually, as part of an ensemble or in a group. Small concerts are held every week and a major concert is held once a term. School musical groups regularly tour abroad, to Italy, Belgium, Germany and Spain. The choir has also performed in Italy and was honoured to be invited to celebrate Mass at St Mark's Basilica in Venice. Graduates go on to some of the most prestigious music schools in the world: the Royal Academy, Royal Holloway and the Royal Northern College of Music.

Theatre is a place where children discover about themselves and society. Theatre is a team effort and each pupil feels they are making a contribution, whether it is acting or working on the technical side of a production. Graduates have gone on to study at the renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and one former pupil was part of the team that won an Oscar for computer animation on The Jungle Book. Disney company.

Cost, 2026-2027

£11,298 - £16,503 per semester (depending on age). 
There are 3 semesters in an academic year.

• Registration fee - £300

• Deposit - £10,000

• Flight

• Transfers to/from the airport

• Visa

• Educational company services

• Guardian selection, which is a mandatory requirement of the British school

Our services and fees