EMPOWERING
INDEPENDENCE FOR LIFE
At St Clare’s we treat all our students with respect and dignity.
We prepare students for university and future life through encouraging them to learn to develop a balanced healthy lifestyle, considering their studies but also the importance of rest, exercise and a social life.
‘Students really appreciate the way in which they learn to adapt and relate to others, thus preparing them for the next stage of their lives as global citizens.’ ISI Report 2019
The atmosphere is friendly and informal, with no uniform and students on first-name term with teachers, removing barriers between adults and young people to make learning collaborative and exciting. Walking around, you see individualism and character, engagement with the community, independence, and happy, fulfilled young people readying themselves for the world.
Our safe and engaging environment nurtures individuals into self-assured, open-minded people who enjoy truly meaningful friendships. The relationships students develop whilst studying here promote international-mindedness, improve linguistic as well as intercultural competence and strengthen social skills - vital attributes for life. We focus on developing our students holistically, empowering them to become confident, resilient, healthy and independent young adults.
 |  |
Pastoral Support
With a high staff-to-student ratio, St Clare’s offers dedicated support to help students thrive. Each student has a Personal Tutor who monitors their progress and provides one-to-one guidance on both academic and pastoral matters. Additional support is provided by teachers, Careers and Higher Education Advisers, the College Nurse, the College Counsellor, and Peer Supporters, ensuring students benefit from comprehensive care. House Parents provide a friendly, supportive and homely boarding environment, ensuring boarding students have access to round-the-clock support throughout their time at St Clare’s.
‘Pastoral care “Excellent”.’ Good Schools Guide
TYPES OF SUPPORT
Safeguarding Team
We are committed to promoting the safety and wellbeing of our students. Our specialist team offers a depth of experience in pastoral support and safeguarding. Safeguarding and behaviour policies are designed to protect our students and are enforced fairly and consistently.
Our IB World School safeguarding team is responsible for the welfare and support of students:
| Safeguarding Team |
|
Medical And Counselling Support
Our Medical and Wellbeing Room provides a dedicated space for your personal welfare.
- Onsite medical support – Our College Nurse provides personal care for your medical needs
- Counsellor – Our College Counsellor is a qualified health professional who offers confidential support throughout your studies, and students are welcome to self-refer at any time
- Medical professionals – You will be registered at the local NHS surgery, Banbury Road Medical Centre, where you can consult a doctor or medical professional independently
Guardianship
We require all Pre-IB (PIB) and IB Diploma (IB) students studying at St Clare’s under a Child Student Visa with parents and/or Legal Guardians overseas, regardless of their age, to have a nominated Educational Guardian in the UK.
| Approved Guardianship Organisations |
The websites above have a list of guardians who have the BSA Certified Guardian certification which is an assurance of professional quality. |
Learning Support at St Clare's
At St Clare’s, we value the individuality, strengths and potential of every student. We are proud to be an inclusive IB World School that welcomes students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) wherever possible within our admissions criteria, accessibility arrangements, and available staffing and resources.
Our approach is rooted in the belief that all students can thrive when barriers to learning are identified early and the right support is put in place. We work closely with students, families and, where appropriate, external professionals to ensure that each learner is supported to engage fully in college life and achieve their personal and academic goals.
 |  |
Our Inclusive Approach
St Clare’s follows the principles of the International Baccalaureate Organisation, promoting inclusion, equity and awareness of varied learning styles. We recognise neurodiversity as a natural part of human difference and aim to create a learning environment where differences are understood, accepted and supported.
Our SEND provision focuses on:
- Early identification of learning needs, including the use of orientation events and arrival assessments.
- A familiar and inclusive classroom environment (aiming for fewer than fifteen students per class and fewer than twelve students per tutor group) allowing teachers and personal tutors to have a strong understanding of every student as an individual.
- Regular monitoring of academic progress and wellbeing, with tri-weekly internal tracking reviews and termly formal assessment windows.
- Drop-in sessions with the learning support coordinator, learning support assessor, nurse and school counsellor available to all students to support wellbeing and guidance to achieve academic excellence.
- Preparation for successful progression to university or future career pathways with an outstanding careers team.
Support is tailored to the individual and may include study skills development, executive function support, individual education plans (IEPs), Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs) and, where appropriate, inclusive access arrangements for assessments and examinations.
Identifying and Supporting Students
The leadership team, teachers and personal tutors closely monitor progress and wellbeing throughout each student’s academic journey. SEND is never assumed based on attainment alone; instead, decisions are made collaboratively, taking into account academic progress, social and emotional needs, and the views of the student and their family.
Students with SEND at St Clare’s have an individual educational plan (IEP) which is developed and shared with relevant staff through the Toddle and Teams platforms to ensure consistent support across subjects and to champion best outcomes for our students.
Further Information
You can read our full policies here: