Great Expectations – ‘Claremont has a genuinely holistic programme and we have the highest expectation of all our students’
Claremont Senior School, founded in 2011, has had a remarkable first six years, quickly establishing itself as a leading centre of academic excellence in the South East. Recent examination results are among the best in East Sussex and despite being the South East’s youngest independent school, Claremont has quickly acquired a reputation for academic vision and ambition. Within five years student numbers have grown to 250, and there is no doubting the growing popularity of the school. The school’s management has responded by developing the Bodiam site with a wide range of new facilities. A new Sports Hall, Sixth Form Centre, Boarding House, Performing Arts Centre and a wide range of new teaching facilities have all been completed since September 2011. A new flood-lit Astroturf is due for completion in March 2017 and in September 2018 work will start on a brand new two-storey classroom block as part of a redevelopment programme in the heart of the school.
All aspects of the school’s educational programme now have considerable pedigree. Impressive Football and Cricket academies are in place, the Performing and Creative Arts are thriving and despite being an academically non-selective school, Claremont attracts some of the most talented students in the area. Outstanding results have followed. Last year 47% of all GCSE grades were an A*/A; the current cohort of Year 13s are destined for top universities throughout the country, having received offers from, amongst others, Imperial College London, Exeter, Durham, Bristol, Bath, Loughborough and St Andrews. To cap off a fine year Claremont have their first offer of places at Oxbridge. Alex Cornelius who joined the school in the Nursery and Ben Laurense have been offered places at Trinity College, Cambridge, to read Law and Mathematics respectively.
Headmaster Giles Perrin is understandably delighted by the progress Claremont is making. ‘Claremont has a genuinely holistic programme and we have the highest expectation of all our students, regardless of their ability. We expect them to fully contribute to all aspects of school life, whether in the classroom, through our service projects, or within our sporting or creative programmes. Claremont remains proudly non-selective and yet it attracts students of the highest calibre. When the Ofsted inspectors came last May and asked me how we were managing to deliver such fantastic results, they discovered what we already knew: that Claremont school has a unique atmosphere, the relationship between staff and pupils is second to none and the support and care that is given to each individual is exceptional. The resulting inspection report graded Claremont as Outstanding in every department.’
Currently, Claremont educates pupils aged 1 – 18 and has over 600 students overall. Situated 8 miles to the south of the Senior School is the long established Claremont Preparatory School, which is holding Open Mornings on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th March from 9.30 – 1pm. Should you wish to visit either school site tours can be arranged by contacting the school office on 01580 830396.
