Students and teacher chatting in classroom

STUDENT WELFARE 
AND SUPPORT

FEEL SUPPORTED, FEEL INCLUDED, FEEL AT HOME

St Clare’s is a welcoming and inclusive community where every student can feel they belong and succeed. 

We support each student to reach their full potential, in a friendly and informal atmosphere. We take a holistic approach to wellbeing—supporting academic progress, personal development, and social connection. This helps build confidence, independence, and respectful relationships across our international community.

‘Relationships between staff and students, and amongst the students themselves, are excellent with a strong culture of mutual respect, integration and tolerance.’ ISI PFE Report 2024

Walking around, you see individualism and character, engagement with the community, independence, and happy, fulfilled young people readying themselves for the world.

Pastoral Support

We promote a safe and inclusive environment, including a 24-hour support team, designed to meet your needs. Your support team includes:

  • The Accommodation and Welfare officer: supports students by offering a listening ear during office hours (Monday to Friday), helping with any concerns—big or small—and guiding to internal and external services as needed.
  • Your personal tutor: Your Personal Tutor meets with you regularly to provide support and guidance with academic and non-academic aspects of your life at St Clare’s.
Residential Support

24-hour personal support is provided by House Parents (in under 18 accommodation) and Residential Managers, who are experienced in offering care and notifying the pastoral team if required.

Student and teacher chatting while teacher writes on clipboard
Peer Support
Our peer supporters are student volunteers who have been trained to act as a resource and helping hand to fellow students facing a range of emotional challenges.
Medical and Counselling Support

You have access to:

  • Our College Nurses provide personal care for your medical needs between 8am and 4.30pm during term time
  • Our College Counsellor is a health professional who can provide confidential support during your studies
  • Doctors – You can visit a doctor privately, or if you are here for over 6 months, registration is at the local NHS surgery, Banbury Road Medical Centre
Additional Needs and Support for Learning

e.g. dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, neurodiversity, autism, ADHD, ADD

We ask you to share any learning needs prior to arrival, to ensure that we support you from day one. This information helps our Learning Support and Neurodiversity Coordinator plan next steps, including requesting an educational psychologist’s report if needed for any additional accommodations.

Reports are used to:

  • Develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP) in consultation with you, that outlines your strengths and challenges and provides strategies for success
  • Provide relevant information to teachers so that they can support you in your classes
  • Request permissions from Awarding Bodies, e.g. for extra time in exams or the use of a computer
  • Allow similar accommodations for internal exams and assessments
Guardianship

If you are under 18 and studying with us for over 6 months, you need to appoint an Educational Guardian based in the UK.
Educational Guardians provide additional support in the event of an emergency, serious illness, or need for accommodation when the college is closed.

The Boarding Schools Association (BSA) lists BSA Certified Guardians and offer an assurance of professional quality.

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 policies on bullying behaviour, peer-on-peer abuse and substance misuse are designed to protect our students and are enforced fairly and consistently.

Our International College safeguarding team is responsible for the welfare and support of students. The key contacts are:

  • Dobrila Arezina – Designated Safeguarding Lead
  • Paul Bright – Governor with responsibility for safeguarding
  • Nadja Middleton – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

 

TYPES OF SUPPORT

Further Information

You can read our full policies here:

Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

SEND Policy

Students ages under 18 at the International College Policy