St Clare's, Oxford
North Oxford · Founded 1953 · England's Oldest IB School
Overview
| Full Name | St Clare's, Oxford |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1953 (originally to foster relationships between British and European students) |
| Location | 139 Banbury Road, North Oxford OX2 7AL |
| Campus | Distributed campus — multiple Victorian and Edwardian buildings along Banbury Road (no single enclosed campus) |
| Type | Independent, co-educational, day and boarding Sixth Form college |
| Age Range | 15–19 (Pre-IB from age 15, IB Diploma from age 16) |
| IB World School | Since 1977 — England's oldest IB school (World School #000041) |
| IB Pedigree | Only 13 institutions worldwide have more experience teaching the IB |
| Admissions | Non-selective |
| ISI Rating | Excellent |
| Ofsted (Boarding) | Outstanding |
| Contact | reception139@stclares.ac.uk / +44 1865 552031 |
| Website | stclares.ac.uk |
Academics
| Curriculum | IB Diploma + Pre-IB only — no A-Levels, no GCSEs |
|---|---|
| IB Average (2025) | 35.1 points (UK avg 35, global avg 30.58) |
| Above Benchmark | 93% of students surpassed the global benchmark |
| Top Scores (2025) | 21 students scored 40+; 3 students scored 43/45 |
| Peak Year (2021) | 6 students achieved maximum 45/45 (top 0.2% worldwide) |
| Bilingual Diplomas | 58% of 2025 cohort |
| Pass Rate | 100% |
| 3-Year Average | ~35 points (consistently 5 points above global average) |
| Class Size | 8–10 students (maximum 15) |
| UK Ranking | 12th in UK (Times League Table, 2020) |
IB Diploma Structure
- 6 subjects: 3 at Higher Level (HL) + 3 at Standard Level (SL)
- Must include 1 subject from each of Groups 1–5; 6th from Group 6 or repeated from Groups 1–5
- Core: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (4,000-word research project), CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service)
Distinctive Academic Features
- English Literature available in 25+ languages — unique in the UK
- Languages offered: Dutch, French, Spanish, Mandarin, German, Russian, English as a Foreign Language, plus many self-taught literature options
- Many staff are active IB examiners, giving students direct insight into assessment expectations
- St Clare's serves as an IB teacher training centre for Europe
Pre-IB Programme
| Entry Age | 15+ |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year |
| Start Dates | September, January, or April |
| Purpose | Prepares students for the IB Diploma by strengthening academic and language skills |
Student Body
| Total Enrollment | ~262 (90 boys, 172 girls — approx 35:65 split) |
|---|---|
| Nationalities | 46–50 |
| International Boarders | ~85% from overseas (~210–250 students) |
| Day Students | ~15% |
| British Students | ~30% |
| SEN Support | 11.7% |
Culture & Ethos
- Rooms shared with students of a different nationality to promote integration
- No uniform policy — students dress casually
- First-name basis with all teachers
- Student Council leadership model (no traditional prefects)
- School deliberately maintains nationality balance — no single group dominates
- Described as "inclusive, outward-looking, and friendly"
Leadership Team
| Name | Title | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Duncan Reith | Principal (since Sept 2022) | 20+ years international education across 3 continents; formerly Headteacher of Charterhouse Shenzhen and Vice Principal of Shrewsbury Guangzhou |
| Becky Allen | Vice Principal, Pastoral & DSL (since Sept 2023) | Previously Deputy Head: Pastoral and Head of Middle School at Roedean School Brighton; Sixth Form Housemistress at Ardingly College Sussex |
| David White | Vice Principal, Academic (since Sept 2023) | 17 years at United World College of South East Asia (Singapore) as IB Diploma Coordinator and Vice Principal; IBO teacher and examiner |
| David Fowkes | Director, IB Institute (since 2003) | Long-serving; St Clare's is an IB teacher training centre for Europe |
Teaching Staff
- Many are active IB examiners
- Institution serves as an IB teacher training centre
Tuition & Fees (2025–26)
| Option | Annual Fee | Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Student | £23,592 | £10,718 | £7,145 | £7,145 |
| Full Boarder | £49,310 | £22,401 | £14,934 | £14,934 |
Note: VAT at 20% is added to all fees. Effective annual cost with VAT: ~£28,310 (day) / ~£59,172 (boarding).
What Boarding Fees Include
- Accommodation
- All meals (catering)
- Laundry
- Basic insurance
- Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Centre membership
Additional Costs
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee | £100 (non-refundable) |
| International Trips | £600–£700/year |
| Weekend Activities | ~£250/term |
| Music Lessons | Individual pricing |
| Duke of Edinburgh | Individual pricing |
| Study Visits / Field Trips | Individual pricing |
Scholarships & Bursaries
| Awards | 40+ partial and full scholarships awarded annually |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Open to both UK and overseas students (day and boarding) |
| Full Scholarships | Cover tuition, fees, accommodation, and all meals |
| Duration | All scholarships awarded for full course duration |
| Fundraising | 70th Anniversary Scholarship Fund actively raising funds |
Facilities
Boarding Houses
- 15 dedicated boarding houses within ~25 total college buildings
- All within walking distance along the Banbury Road corridor
- Mix of Victorian/Edwardian villas (converted) and purpose-built modern accommodation
- "121" House: Architect-designed, wood-panelled, en-suite rooms (flagship residence)
- Each house accommodates 16–18 students with a resident House Parent
- Room types: single, twin, and triple options
- Communal spaces: common rooms, kitchens, outdoor green areas
- 24-hour pastoral, academic, and medical support on site
Academic Buildings
- Pamela Morris Building (2014): Purpose-built Science & Mathematics centre with 3–4 laboratories; cost ~£3.3M (designed by Berman Guedes Stretton)
- Art Studio & Residence (2015): Contemporary art studio with attached dormitory; cost ~£5.5M
- Library building
- Music studio
- Dining room
- The Globe — on-campus cafe
- Careers & University Counselling Centre (3 full-time advisors)
Sports & Physical Facilities
St Clare's does not have on-site sports facilities (limited by the distributed North Oxford campus). Instead:
- All students receive membership to Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Centre (included in fees) — gym, 50+ fitness classes, tennis courts, swimming pool
- Competitive team sports: football (boys & girls), basketball, badminton, volleyball, tennis
- Access to Oxford's wider sporting infrastructure
Important: This may not suit students who are highly sports-focused or want traditional on-site playing fields.
Arts Facilities
- Drawing, painting, printmaking, graphics/illustration/design
- Sculpture/ceramics, textiles, animation
- Photography, video, digital art
- Music studio on campus
- Theatre available as IB subject and CAS activity
University Destinations
3 full-time university counselling advisors provide individual interview preparation, research support, and application support for worldwide destinations.
UK Destinations
- University of Oxford (4 Oxbridge places from 13 applications in recent cohort)
- University of Cambridge
- Imperial College London
- London School of Economics (LSE)
- University College London (UCL)
- King's College London
- University of Edinburgh
- Durham University
- University of Warwick
International Destinations
- Princeton University
- Stanford University
- Columbia University
- University of Chicago
- UC Berkeley, UCLA
- New York University (NYU)
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of Toronto
- National University of Singapore (NUS)
- University of Hong Kong
- Utrecht University
- Minerva University
Inspections & Accreditations
| Body | Rating | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) | Excellent (Academic) / All Standards Met (Regulatory) | 2023 — met across all 8 areas |
| Ofsted (Boarding) | Outstanding | Highest possible rating for boarding quality |
| IBO | IB World School since 1977 | World School #000041 |
ISI Key Findings (2023)
- "IB results surpass global averages, supporting consistent pupil advancement"
- Proactive bullying prevention
- Robust safety compliance
- Extensive extracurricular activities for boarders
- Good welfare, health and safety measures
Admissions
| Selectivity | Non-selective — the school values commitment and potential over strict academic thresholds |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee | £100 (non-refundable) |
| Availability | Places available for 2025/26 and 2026/27 |
Entry Points
| Programme | Entry Age | Start Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-IB | 15+ | September, January, or April |
| IB Diploma (Year 1) | 16+ | September |
Application Process
- Submit application form with £100 registration fee
- Provide school reports from previous 2 years
- Sit placement tests in Mathematics and English
- Attend interview (if reports and tests are satisfactory)
- Receive offer — accept with deposit
Tests assess placement level, not pass/fail. Interview assesses motivation and fit.
Who St Clare's Suits Best
Ideal For
- Independent, self-motivated learners
- Students who feel constrained by traditional school structures
- Those seeking a genuinely international environment
- Students targeting top global universities
- Families who value the IB philosophy
May Not Suit
- Students wanting a traditional, enclosed boarding school campus
- Highly sports-focused students (no on-site facilities)
- Those needing significant structure and supervision
- Families wanting a quintessentially "English" school experience (85% international)
Parent Sentiment
Positive
"Truly international community — 46 nationalities in 262 students is remarkable density."
"Where students from a multitude of countries and cultures are given the stimuli and the space to grow, guided by most dedicated and talented teachers."
"Classes are taught by experienced staff who often go out of their way to help students; there is a strong community feel; the campus is located in a beautiful area of Oxford."
"Wide range of extra-curricular activities and opportunities provide students with valuable experience."
"Dedicated staff fosters an environment where students are not just learning, but truly thriving." — Edarabia (5/5 stars)
"Academic outcomes strong (IB 35.1). Pastoral care highly rated. Best for independent, internationally-minded learners."
Negative
"No on-site sports facilities — this is a real limitation for active students."
"Distributed campus across separate buildings — lacks the traditional school atmosphere some families expect."
"Sixth-form only (ages 15–19) — no continuity for younger children."
"Small school size may limit subject breadth compared to larger institutions."
"Not ideal for students requiring centralized campus facilities or intensive sports." — Muddy Stilettos