MixedIndependentBoarding

Clayesmore School

Blandford Forum, Dorset, South West · DT11 8LL

Founded in 1896, Clayesmore is a small Church of England school in Blandford Forum that takes pupils from 13 to 18, with an 11+ entry point and a strong boarding tradition. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated it good in 2025, and singled out personal development as excellent, with all compliance standards met. With 494 pupils, including 154 in the sixth form, it offers an intimate community and a breadth of qualifications spanning GCSE, A-level, BTEC and the EPQ. Families should weigh the headline academic data carefully: at GCSE, attainment sits well below national averages, so the school's appeal lies more in its rounded, pastoral character than in raw results.

494

Pupils

good

ISI

£35,672

Day fees / yr

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Overview & data

Gender: Mixed
Type: independent (fee-paying) school
Age range: 13-18
Pupils: 494
Location: Blandford Forum, Dorset, South West
Website: http://www.clayesmore.com
Telephone: 01747 813111

Entrance & admissions

Entry age: 11

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Headteacher

Acting head Mrs Nicola Jones

Latest results

Attainment 8

28.5

National average 46.9

GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)

National average 47%

GCSE grade 9-7

33%

A-level A*-A

27%

A-level A*-B

56%

Teaching & academics

The qualification mix is unusually broad for a small school, combining academic A-levels with vocational BTEC routes and the Extended Project Qualification. At A-level, 27% of grades reach A*-A and 56% reach A*-B, with popular choices ranging from Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics to Photography, Product Design and Business Studies. GCSE outcomes, however, are markedly below national benchmarks, with an Attainment 8 score of 28.5 against a national average of 46.9 and 33% of grades at 9-7. Languages are limited to French and Spanish.

Sixth form

Sixth-form pupils: 154

Popular A-level subjects

Art and Design (Photography)BiologyChemistryDesign and Technology (Product Design)EconomicsEnglish LiteratureGeographyMathematicsBusiness StudiesPsychology

Qualifications offered

GCSEA-levelBTECEPQ

Learning support & SEN

SEN support: 0%
EHC plans: 0%

Arts & extracurricular

Scholarships

All-rounderArtAcademicPerforming artsSwimmingTechnical dramaSport

Languages

FrenchSpanish

Popular GCSE subjects

SpanishPhysicsPhysical Education/Sports StudiesMusicGeographyFrenchDesign & TechnologyD&T Food TechnologyComputer Studies/ComputingChemistryBusiness StudiesBiologyArt & Design

Sport

Main sports

RugbyHockeyNetballCricketTennis

Beyond the classroom

Sport is a clear strength, with rugby, hockey, netball, cricket and tennis at the centre of school life, and swimming recognised through a dedicated scholarship. The scholarship programme is wide-ranging, rewarding all-rounders alongside specialists in art, academics, performing arts, technical drama and sport. This signals a school that values pupils with varied talents rather than purely academic high-flyers.

Ethos & heritage

Founded: 1896
Religious character: C of E
Boarding: Yes

Mobile phone policy

Year 9-11: Yondr pouches used during the school day, which can be unlocked at 5.15pm. At designated times in the evening and before published bedtimes, phones are taken in. Sixth form: mobile phones allowed in the sixth form common room and in private during the day in dorms, but must not be seen around the school site and must be silent during lessons and SPS. Boarders in year 12 hand in phones before 10.30pm on weeknights and Sundays, until at least the February half term when houseparents will relax these rules if the student has taken responsibility for their phone use.

Money matters

Day fees (per year): £35,672
Boarding fees (per year): £49,510

Inspection reports

ISI rating: good
ISI personal development: excellent
Last inspected: 11 November 2025

Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

A small, boarding-rooted school where personal development shines and sport and the arts are taken seriously. Best suited to families who prioritise pastoral care and breadth over top-tier exam results.

The Passmate verdict