Admissions Enquiries: 01656 789966
School Office: 01656 782509

Welcome to St Clare's School

Welcome to St Clare’s, a leading independent school for children aged 2 ½ to 18 years of age, carrying a very strong academic profile.

Located in the historic village of Newton, we are close to the coast on the outskirts of Porthcawl, South Wales. St Clare's has a rich tradition of providing exceptional education for over 85 years to pupils from Nursery all the way through to Sixth Form.

The St Clare’s approach reaps rewards, with results from academic yearly progress tests exceeding the national average in all core subjects. We are particularly proud to be in the top 5% of top-performing A-Level schools in the UK for ALPS (A-Level Performance System) since 2018.

Our Nursery has won the Daynurseries UK "Top 20" Award (Wales) for 4 years in a row, based purely on our parents' 10/10 reviews scores.

St Clare's independent school is structured to provide your child with the best education and life skills and you can feel confident your child will be nurtured to realise their full potential.

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Achievement

We provide a supportive and caring environment where every child feels a sense of belonging. Pupils are championed as individuals to develop their own talents and potential within a safe learning space.

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Challenge

A culture of aspiration is entwined with our curriculum, delivered by our teaching staff and reflected in our academic outcomes. No two children are the same, and our personalised approach allows for more tailored teaching and learning at every stage of school.

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Excellence

Our data has shown over many years that a child who joins us in Y7 on leaving the school in Year 13 will attain a grade higher per subject than a child of a similar ability in another school.

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Book a Visit

Every day is an Open Day here at St Clare's

We are delighted that you are considering a place at St Clare's for your child and would like to welcome you to our wonderful school.

Whether you are looking for an immediate start, or for the 2026/27 academic year, please do book a personal tour and see for yourself what makes St Clare's such an exciting, welcoming place to send your child.

Book a Personal Tour
Meet our Headteacher, Mrs Helen Hier

Mrs Hier became Head at St Clare’s School in June 2018 after 5 years as Deputy Headteacher and 15 years as a Spanish Teacher. She has a passion for modern foreign languages, and introduced the impactful Enrichment Programme at St Clare’s.

“In order for a child to be successful academically, it is extremely important that they are happy.”

- Helen Hier, Headteacher

5 min watch

St Clare's Nursery

  • Specialist teaching in Spanish, French, Forest School

  • Top 20 Nursery in Wales (DayNurseries.co.uk) for past 4 years

  • From as little as £48.89 per day (or £37.75 with the Bridgend Early Years Funding applied), our surprisingly competitive fees include early drop off from 08:00, healthy hot home-cooked lunch and after school care from 3:30 - 5:30.

  • Bridgend Early Years Funding Grant offered (10 hours)

Learn more about our Nursery provision

Join us for a Personal Tour

We warmly welcome families throughout the year, offering tailored personal tours on a day that suits you, including school holidays.

Enjoy a guided tour around the school by a member of our friendly Admissions Team who can answer any questions you may have.

Book a Personal Tour

FACILITIES & LOCATION

Nestled in 11 acres of magnificent grounds.

Our pupils learn and discover in a beautiful setting within walking distance of the coast, easily accessible from the M4 motorway.

Extensively refurbished, our beautiful buildings, sports grounds, Early Years centre, Sixth Form Hub and calm outdoor space provide pupils with the inspiration to achieve and excel.

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Find out more about our Facilities and Location
The school exceeds its reputation. We knew it was good but for us, it is even better in real life.

 – Parent, St Clare’s School

Follow St Clare's on Social Media

The sun shone brightly as St Clare`s Prep pupils took all our food bank donations down to St John`s the Baptist Church in Newton village for a wonderful Harvest Festival service.

Cognita`s 6th Global Be Well Day saw the entire St Clare`s community, from Nursery to SIxth Form, united with over 90,000 pupils worldwide. This year`s theme was "Giving", focused on creating positive change within our local community.

#wearecognita #stclaresfamily #beyoubrilliantly #globalbewellday2024 #globalbewellday #wellbeing #wellbeingmatters #kindnessmatters #giving #community #porthcawl

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The sun shone brightly as St Clare's Prep pupils took all our food bank donations down to St John's the Baptist Church in Newton village for a wonderful Harvest Festival service. Cognita's 6th Global Be Well Day saw the entire St Clare's community, from Nursery to SIxth Form, united with over 90,000 pupils worldwide. This year's theme was "Giving", focused on creating positive change within our local community. #wearecognita #stclaresfamily #beyoubrilliantly #globalbewellday2024 #globalbewellday #wellbeing #wellbeingmatters #kindnessmatters #giving #community #porthcawl

Happy World Teachers` Day! 🍊 Today we celebrate the incredible educators who inspire, challenge and nurture young minds across the globe 🙏

Let`s appreciate the dedication and passion teachers bring to our classrooms everyday. Thank you for shaping so many futures.

The best teachers don`t give you the answer, they spark within you the desire to find the answer yourself.

#worldteachersday2024 #worldteachersday #stclaresfamily #wearecognita #independentschool
#independenteducation #earlyyears #infantschool #juniorschool #seniorschool #sixthform

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Happy World Teachers' Day! 🍊 Today we celebrate the incredible educators who inspire, challenge and nurture young minds across the globe 🙏 Let's appreciate the dedication and passion teachers bring to our classrooms everyday. Thank you for shaping so many futures. The best teachers don't give you the answer, they spark within you the desire to find the answer yourself. #worldteachersday2024 #worldteachersday #stclaresfamily #wearecognita #independentschool #independenteducation #earlyyears #infantschool #juniorschool #seniorschool #sixthform

We are now FULLY BOOKED for tomorrow`s Open Day but if you`d like to book your own personal tour at St Clare’s, please visit our website!🌟 (link in our bio) or call our friendly Admissions Team on 01656 789966.

Mid-year starts can take place at any time. Last academic year, more than half of all our new pupils joined us mid-year. This can be due to a number of reasons:

💫families relocating;
💫pupils who have not settled or are unhappy in their new school;
💫pupils who are more able and need to be academically stretched;

Whatever the reason, we are here to help as much as we can. We are very used to, and experienced, with the process of welcoming children mid-year 🙏

#beyoubrilliantly #stclaresporthcawl #independentschool #stretchandchallenge #wearecognita

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We are now FULLY BOOKED for tomorrow's Open Day but if you'd like to book your own personal tour at St Clare’s, please visit our website!🌟 (link in our bio) or call our friendly Admissions Team on 01656 789966. Mid-year starts can take place at any time. Last academic year, more than half of all our new pupils joined us mid-year. This can be due to a number of reasons: 💫families relocating; 💫pupils who have not settled or are unhappy in their new school; 💫pupils who are more able and need to be academically stretched; Whatever the reason, we are here to help as much as we can. We are very used to, and experienced, with the process of welcoming children mid-year 🙏 #beyoubrilliantly #stclaresporthcawl #independentschool #stretchandchallenge #wearecognita

Super proud of our Year 3 pupil, William E, who won the under 10s class at his first British showjumping event held at the David Broome event centre in Chepstow. Well done, William!

#beyoubrilliantly #stclaresfamily #wearecognita #talent #achievementchallengeexcellence #stretchandchallenge

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Super proud of our Year 3 pupil, William E, who won the under 10s class at his first British showjumping event held at the David Broome event centre in Chepstow. Well done, William! #beyoubrilliantly #stclaresfamily #wearecognita #talent #achievementchallengeexcellence #stretchandchallenge

We are delighted to share our latest LAMDA exam results.

LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) examinations offer students prestigious formal qualifications in Drama and Public speaking. They greatly help to build children’s confidence, communication and public speaking abilities. The higher LAMDA grades give invaluable UCAS points for those students applying to university or colleges.

Congratulations to Lauren, Moli, Niamh, Ellie, Abigail, Halle, Noah and Sylvie.

#wearecognita #beyoubrilliantly #stclaresporthcawl #lamda #lamdaexams #proud

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We are delighted to share our latest LAMDA exam results. LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) examinations offer students prestigious formal qualifications in Drama and Public speaking. They greatly help to build children’s confidence, communication and public speaking abilities. The higher LAMDA grades give invaluable UCAS points for those students applying to university or colleges. Congratulations to Lauren, Moli, Niamh, Ellie, Abigail, Halle, Noah and Sylvie. #wearecognita #beyoubrilliantly #stclaresporthcawl #lamda #lamdaexams #proud

What an absolutely brilliant day with Martin Daws, former Poet Laureate for Wales, award-winning performance poet and creative educator. Martin delivered inspirational workshops all day to St Clare’s pupils from as young as Reception up to Year 9.

Stretch and challenge lies at the very heart of teaching and learning at St Clare’s which is why we are proud to celebrate our ‘St Clare’s Meets’ programme. This unique programme is designed to offer More Able and Talented pupils across the Key Stages the opportunity to speak with successful role models in fields ranging from medicine to musical theatre, sport to science.

#stclaresmeets #stclaresporthcawl #stretchandchallenge #beyoubrilliantly #wearecognita #moreableandtalented

Open
What an absolutely brilliant day with Martin Daws, former Poet Laureate for Wales, award-winning performance poet and creative educator. Martin delivered inspirational workshops all day to St Clare’s pupils from as young as Reception up to Year 9. Stretch and challenge lies at the very heart of teaching and learning at St Clare’s which is why we are proud to celebrate our ‘St Clare’s Meets’ programme. This unique programme is designed to offer More Able and Talented pupils across the Key Stages the opportunity to speak with successful role models in fields ranging from medicine to musical theatre, sport to science. #stclaresmeets #stclaresporthcawl #stretchandchallenge #beyoubrilliantly #wearecognita #moreableandtalented

Join one of the UK`s best performing A-Level schools (Top 5%).

St Clare`s Sixth Form invites prospective students and parents to join us at our Sixth Form Open Evening this Wednesday, 25th September from 4-6pm.

It`s a great opportunity to meet our Head, Helen Hier, along with the Head of Sixth Form, Diane Trenoweth, as well as other members of staff and our Sixth Form students. Come and find out about the wonderful opportunities available for students.

Book via the link in our bio or call Admissions on 01656 789966.

We look forward to seeing you there!

#beyoubrilliantly #happyandhighachieving #sixthform #alevels #stclaressixthform

Open
Join one of the UK's best performing A-Level schools (Top 5%). St Clare's Sixth Form invites prospective students and parents to join us at our Sixth Form Open Evening this Wednesday, 25th September from 4-6pm. It's a great opportunity to meet our Head, Helen Hier, along with the Head of Sixth Form, Diane Trenoweth, as well as other members of staff and our Sixth Form students. Come and find out about the wonderful opportunities available for students. Book via the link in our bio or call Admissions on 01656 789966. We look forward to seeing you there! #beyoubrilliantly #happyandhighachieving #sixthform #alevels #stclaressixthform

Wow! What a fantastic turn out for our Spelling Bee tonight! 🐝

Thank you to the teams from St Clare`s Prep, Oakleigh House, Y Bont Faen Primary and St Mary’s RC Primary for taking part, you all did amazingly well! 💫

A special mention also to our fantastic judges, poet and creative educator, Martin Daws, actor and screen writer, Karen Paullada and our Head Student, Max 🙏

Huge congratulations to the Spelling Bee Champion, Mariam, from Oakleigh House 🏅 and to St Mary`s RC who were runners-up. 🏅 It was a very tense contest and you should all be so proud of yourselves!

#cognitaway #beyoubrilliantly #stclaresporthcawl #stclaresspellingbee #spellingbee #spellingbeecontest #valeofglamorgan #bridgend #swansea #cardiff #independenteducation #seniorschool #sixthform #gcse #alevels #stretchandchallenge #achievementchallengeexcellence

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Wow! What a fantastic turn out for our Spelling Bee tonight! 🐝 Thank you to the teams from St Clare's Prep, Oakleigh House, Y Bont Faen Primary and St Mary’s RC Primary for taking part, you all did amazingly well! 💫 A special mention also to our fantastic judges, poet and creative educator, Martin Daws, actor and screen writer, Karen Paullada and our Head Student, Max 🙏 Huge congratulations to the Spelling Bee Champion, Mariam, from Oakleigh House 🏅 and to St Mary's RC who were runners-up. 🏅 It was a very tense contest and you should all be so proud of yourselves! #cognitaway #beyoubrilliantly #stclaresporthcawl #stclaresspellingbee #spellingbee #spellingbeecontest #valeofglamorgan #bridgend #swansea #cardiff #independenteducation #seniorschool #sixthform #gcse #alevels #stretchandchallenge #achievementchallengeexcellence

School News

Categories
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    22/08/2024

    St Clare’s Celebrates Exceptional GCSE Results

    St Clare’s School in Porthcawl is celebrating a superb set of GCSE results again this year, with more than half of all grades at A*-A, over 80%...

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    15/08/2024

    A-Level Results Day

    Sixth Form students at St Clare’s are celebrating the school’s track record for outstanding results at A-Level, having achieved 35% A*/A grades with 100% of students securing...

    Read more
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    04/07/2024

    Nursery Graduation 2024

    Graduating from Nursery is a significant milestone for our Busy Bees and it was heartwarming to see them donning their royal blue caps and gowns. They received...

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    28/04/2024

    Daynurseries UK

    Exciting news! We are thrilled to share that we’ve been awarded Daynurseries UK ‘Top 20’ Nursery (Wales) for the fourth year in a row!   This incredible...

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    22/11/2023

    Hot Chocolate with the Head for X-C Podium Finishers

    Our six podium finishers enjoyed delicious hot chocolate and Belgian waffles with the Head, Mrs Helen Hier, as a reward for their super efforts at the last...

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    25/08/2023

    St Clare’s celebrate well-deserved GCSE results

    St Clare’s School, Porthcawl is celebrating brilliant GCSE results again this year. More than a third of our pupils secured 35% Grade 7+ (A**/A) and 93.4% Grade...

    Read more
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Begin an unforgettable adventure.

Children who join St Clare’s private school develop their confidence and gain a genuine love for learning, putting them on the path to success.
Your child's learning journey
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Nursery

2 ½ - 4 yrs old

...
Reception Class

4 - 5 yrs old

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Preparatory School

5 - 11 yrs old

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Senior School

11 - 16 yrs old

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Sixth Form

16 - 18 yrs old

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Admissions

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St Clares School

Enquiries :01656 789966

Office :01656 782509