Clayesmore School

Clayesmore supports and challenges every pupil to fulfil their potential and contribute to the world with confidence, ambition and compassion. It is a co-educational independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 2-18, set in the heart of the beautiful Dorset countryside. It is a flourishing community of 460+ senior pupils aged 13-18, with a further 210+ pupils who are members of our Prep School. There are 240 boarders in the Senior School and 65 in the Prep School. Clayesmore’s inclusive, wide ability ethos means that we can be a family school in every sense. Accepting that children in families may differ in terms of interests and abilities, it is understood that, unless if would clearly be wrong for the school or the child, having taken the first sibling into Year 9, all the rest may follow. This family ethos is further enhanced by the co-location of Prep and Senior schools, meaning that children of all ages may attend school together. The School lies in 62 acres of parkland and playing fields at the foot of Hambledon Hill, a beautiful historic site. Facilities are generally excellent and there has been considerable development in recent years. In addition to dedicated space for each curriculum area, there is a Sports Centre complete with 25m indoor pool, squash courts and fitness suite, a floodlit all-weather hockey pitch and tennis surface, and lovely playing fields. Clayesmore Prep School moved to Iwerne Minster in 1974 from Charlton Marshall and occupies purpose built accommodation in its own area of the school grounds. It has all its own amenities for teaching and boarding and shares certain facilities with the senior school. Clayesmore is large enough to be challenging and to offer a wide-ranging curriculum and many activities, yet small enough to be intimate and for every boy and girl to be valued, known and noticed; this is central to our ethos.