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Claires Court School克莱尔庭院学校, Ray Mill Road East, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 8TE
Tel: 01628 411470 Fax: 01628 411466
Website: 
• BOYS, GIRLS, MIXED SIXTH, 2_–18, Day
• Pupils 905, Upper sixth 41
• Termly fees £1860–£2895
• ISA
• Enquiries/application to the Registrar

What it’s like
Founded in 1960 as a prep school. A secondary department (13–16) was added in 1977 and a sixth form in 1994. The sixth form is co-educational; boys and girls are taught separately in the remainder of the school. The school is on three sites. The senior boys’ school is near Boulters Lock, on the River Thames, not far from the centre of Maidenhead; the junior boys are at Ridgeway, to the west of the town. The girls’ school is The College in the town. Co-educational sixth-form teaching is at both the boys’ and girls’ schools. Academic standards are good and results creditable. Music, drama and art are well supported. A fair range of sports and games (including sailing and rowing on the Thames, and judo). Community work and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme are popular.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 2_–18; 905 day pupils (623 boys, 282 girls). Senior department 11–18, 495 pupils (361 boys, 134 girls).
Entrance: Main entry ages 2_, 11 and 16. Entrance by interview, school reports; for sixth-form entry, usually GCSE at least grade C in sixth-form subjects (but B in maths). All skills appreciated (particularly sport, music, drama); no religious requirements (20% pupils Catholic but all denominations represented). 50% of senior intake from state schools (plus few to sixth form).

Scholarships, bursaries & extras 30 pa scholarships, value £100–£2000: 16 academic, 4 all-rounder, 2 sport, 2 art, 2 drama and 4 music (20 at 12, 10 at 16). Variable number of bursaries. Parents expected to buy textbooks from Year 9.

Head & staff
Principal: James Wilding, in post from 1980. Educated at Douai and Leicester University (biology, psychology). Previously Second Master and Science Master at the school. Also Member of Executive Council and Area Co-ordinator London West of ISA.
Teaching staff: 50 full time, 35 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 41.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 57 pupils in Year 11: 70% gained at least grade C in 8+
subjects; 18% in 5–7 subjects. Average GCSE score 49 (51 over 5 years).
A-levels: 41 in upper sixth: 88% passed in 3+ subjects; 12% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 290.

University & college entrance In 2003, 85% of sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (20% after a gap year). 6% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 6% in science & engineering, 27% in humanities & social sciences, 27% in art & design, 34% in vocational subjects (eg business studies, languages, sports science). Others typically go straight into work.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. Study skills taught in Years 7 & 8. 17 GCSE subjects, 22 at AS/A-level.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, all take AS-level general studies (A-level optional). 30% take science A-levels; 30% arts/humanities; 40% both.
Vocational: Work experience available.
Special provision: Qualified teachers give individual help to dyslexics. Also ESL help.
Languages: French (compulsory from age 7), German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS-level and A-level. Regular exchanges (France, Germany and Belgium). Twinned with Belgian and French schools.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (2 lessons/week) and across the curriculum, eg collation of data in scientific experiments. 25 computers for pupil use (12 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts
Music: Over 20% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 5 musical groups including orchestra, choir, jazz band and rock group. Pupils involved in Maidenhead secondary school music festival and East Berks Music Centre.
Drama & dance: GCSE and A-level drama may be taken; dance offered for girls. All pupils may be involved in school productions.
Art & design: On average, 30% take GCSE; 20% take A-level. Design also offered.

Sport & activities
Sport: Rugby, soccer, cricket, athletics, swimming compulsory to age 13 for boys; netball, hockey, swimming for girls. Additional options: rowing, sailing, tennis, badminton, basketball, judo, squash. Sixth formers are members of local health and fitness facilities. GCSE and A-level sports studies, RYA awards may be taken. Competes nationally in rowing and sailing, finalists in ARA National Championships every year; county representatives in cricket, rugby, athletics, tennis, hockey and netball.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. 20 clubs eg public-speaking, electronics, photography, hovercraft.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, appointed by Principal after consultation with staff and pupils. Year group councils.
Religion: Non-denominational. Morning assembly compulsory.
Social: Boys’ and girls’ schools combine for public-speaking, drama and music. Exchanges with Belgium, France and Germany; annual ski and sailing trips. Pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to complete it by the next lesson; those caught smoking on the premises could expect suspension, pending further action, including expulsion.

Alumni association is run by Mrs Rosemary Barker, c/o the school.