Admissions Enquiries: 01656 789966
School Office: 01656 782509
Limited Nursery spaces available for 2024/2025

Find out more

Limited Nursery spaces available for 2024/2025

Find out more

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 2025/26 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

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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

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Unsettled in your current school? Start afresh where you can thrive! At St Clare’s School, pupils find a welcoming community, inspiring teachers, and the perfect environment for academic success.

Mid-year starts can take place at any time. These can be due to a number of reasons:

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

Find out just how beneficial a mid-year start can be. We want to support you and your family and can be flexible with start dates. Whatever the reason for a mid-year start, 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, creating a warm and welcoming environment with our buddy system and curriculum catch-up packs

✨ A new senior school parent shared: “One term later our lives have transformed. Our son loves school - particularly his teachers! The small class sizes, consistency in teaching staff, nurturing and understanding atmosphere have allowed him to flourish since moving to St Clare`s. His academic results are improving once again and most importantly he is happy.”

🌟 Let’s make your story just as successful. Find your new home with us.

📩 Contact us today to learn more or arrange a more personalised personal tour at your convenience https://www.stclares-school.co.uk/open-days-and-visits/#book-a-personal-tour

#beyoubrilliantly #myfutureschool #stclaresschool #stclaresporthcawl #wearecognita #changingschools #gcsesucces #alevelsuccess #stretchandchallenge #independentschool #independenteducation #educationmatters #wellbeingmatters #thrivingtogether #holisticeducation #learningforlife #gcseresults #alevelexcellence #futurefocused #findyournewhome #stclaresfamily #myfutureschool #newbeginnings #maketheswitch #unsettlednomore #yourfuturestartshere

Open
Unsettled in your current school? Start afresh where you can thrive! At St Clare’s School, pupils find a welcoming community, inspiring teachers, and the perfect environment for academic success. Mid-year starts can take place at any time. These can be due to a number of reasons: • families relocating; • pupils who are more able and need to be academically stretched; • pupils who have not settled or are unhappy in their current school. Find out just how beneficial a mid-year start can be. We want to support you and your family and can be flexible with start dates. Whatever the reason for a mid-year start, 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, creating a warm and welcoming environment with our buddy system and curriculum catch-up packs ✨ A new senior school parent shared: “One term later our lives have transformed. Our son loves school - particularly his teachers! The small class sizes, consistency in teaching staff, nurturing and understanding atmosphere have allowed him to flourish since moving to St Clare's. His academic results are improving once again and most importantly he is happy.” 🌟 Let’s make your story just as successful. Find your new home with us. 📩 Contact us today to learn more or arrange a more personalised personal tour at your convenience https://www.stclares-school.co.uk/open-days-and-visits/#book-a-personal-tour #beyoubrilliantly #myfutureschool #stclaresschool #stclaresporthcawl #wearecognita #changingschools #gcsesucces #alevelsuccess #stretchandchallenge #independentschool #independenteducation #educationmatters #wellbeingmatters #thrivingtogether #holisticeducation #learningforlife #gcseresults #alevelexcellence #futurefocused #findyournewhome #stclaresfamily #myfutureschool #newbeginnings #maketheswitch #unsettlednomore #yourfuturestartshere

Stretch and challenge is always a feature of teaching at St Clare’s School and so we took a number of our Year 11 and Sixth Form students to get a taste of the A-Level English Literature syllabus by visiting the Jane Austen Centre in Bath.

Students learnt about Austen’s life and works as well as the wider Regency context of her novels.

Many pupils are excited to build upon their outstanding GCSE English Literature results by studying the subject at A-Level:

2024 GCSE English Literature Results:

100% A*-C
66% Challenge Grade (at least 1 grade above their MEG)
55% A*-A
83% A*-B

#stretchandchallenge #stclaresporthcawl #alevelenglishliterature #sixthform #wearecognita

Open
Stretch and challenge is always a feature of teaching at St Clare’s School and so we took a number of our Year 11 and Sixth Form students to get a taste of the A-Level English Literature syllabus by visiting the Jane Austen Centre in Bath. Students learnt about Austen’s life and works as well as the wider Regency context of her novels. Many pupils are excited to build upon their outstanding GCSE English Literature results by studying the subject at A-Level: 2024 GCSE English Literature Results: 100% A*-C 66% Challenge Grade (at least 1 grade above their MEG) 55% A*-A 83% A*-B #stretchandchallenge #stclaresporthcawl #alevelenglishliterature #sixthform #wearecognita

Year 7 were lucky enough to experience a first-hand look at innovation and sustainability in practice during a visit to Sony’s Pencoed factory this week.

It was an action-packed visit, with pupils engaging in advanced learning sessions where they brainstormed creative solutions for global issues. They also had a tour of the factory and learnt more about how Artificial Intelligence can work alongside - rather than replace - essential human roles.

The children returned to St Clare’s briming with ideas about the future of collaborative technology in creating a greener future and we are excited to watch their ideas unfold….watch this space!

#stclaresporthcawl #beyoubrilliantly #WeAreCognita

Open
Year 7 were lucky enough to experience a first-hand look at innovation and sustainability in practice during a visit to Sony’s Pencoed factory this week. It was an action-packed visit, with pupils engaging in advanced learning sessions where they brainstormed creative solutions for global issues. They also had a tour of the factory and learnt more about how Artificial Intelligence can work alongside - rather than replace - essential human roles. The children returned to St Clare’s briming with ideas about the future of collaborative technology in creating a greener future and we are excited to watch their ideas unfold….watch this space! #stclaresporthcawl #beyoubrilliantly #WeAreCognita

Owen W in Year 6 is raising money for Pontyclun Scouts and will be taking orders for Magic Reindeer Food (environmentally friendly) this week.

It`s just £1 per bag and orders will be delivered by the end of next week to the children.

#beyoubrilliantly #christmas #christmasatstclares #stclaresfamily #christmas #reindeerfood #wearecognita #community

Open
Owen W in Year 6 is raising money for Pontyclun Scouts and will be taking orders for Magic Reindeer Food (environmentally friendly) this week. It's just £1 per bag and orders will be delivered by the end of next week to the children. #beyoubrilliantly #christmas #christmasatstclares #stclaresfamily #christmas #reindeerfood #wearecognita #community

Our Reception class went to visit St Fagans as their current topic is `Houses and Homes`.

The children enjoyed looking at the old houses and seeing how life was so different.

They met Betty Bwt, who showed them how she used to do the washing years ago on the farm. They had to help her – it was hard work!

St Clare’s seeks to provide a balance and breadth of outings from school, and also visitors to school, to support and extend our children’s rich learning experiences both in the curriculum and the community.

#wearecognita #holisticeducation

Open
Our Reception class went to visit St Fagans as their current topic is 'Houses and Homes'. The children enjoyed looking at the old houses and seeing how life was so different. They met Betty Bwt, who showed them how she used to do the washing years ago on the farm. They had to help her – it was hard work! St Clare’s seeks to provide a balance and breadth of outings from school, and also visitors to school, to support and extend our children’s rich learning experiences both in the curriculum and the community. #wearecognita #holisticeducation

Super proud of our Year 11 pupil, Grace J, who has just been presented with her Welsh cap!

Grace represented Wales in a Surf Lifesaving competition, racing on Aberavon Beach. Grace was 1st in the swim and 4th in her run, racing athletes 18 years old and under. Wales won the Celtic Cup overall.

Well done, Grace!

#beyoubrilliantly #achievementchallengeexcellence #stclaresporthcawl #stretchandchallenge #wearecognita

Open
Super proud of our Year 11 pupil, Grace J, who has just been presented with her Welsh cap! Grace represented Wales in a Surf Lifesaving competition, racing on Aberavon Beach. Grace was 1st in the swim and 4th in her run, racing athletes 18 years old and under. Wales won the Celtic Cup overall. Well done, Grace! #beyoubrilliantly #achievementchallengeexcellence #stclaresporthcawl #stretchandchallenge #wearecognita

The sustainability event at Sony UK TEC’s Pencoed site was a great success! 🎉 Our Sixth Form students shone brightly as they toured the manufacturing centre and saw how it operates.

Eco activist, Phil Williams, encouraged the students to tackle real-life sustainability challenges 🌍✨ with a lively group discussion on climate change and its consequences.

They impressed Phil and the Sony engineers with their innovative ideas to combat rising ocean levels and temperatures. A huge well done to our future engineers, scientists, and technologists! 🚀👏

During their visit, they were fortunate to gain an insight into the employees’ sustainability programme, as well as the company’s economic, global support and funding.

Our dedicated Sixth Form tutor team work hard to build a solid framework that not only helps our students in their roles but also encourages them to take ownership of their responsibilities. By promoting accountability, we’re looking to boost their teamwork, time management, and organisational skills.


#Sustainability #FutureLeaders #SonyTEC #stretchandchallenge #beyoubrilliantly #STEM #sixthform #climatechange #sustainability #sixthformbridgend #sixthformneath #sixthformswansea #sixthformporthcawl #sixthformcowbridge #wearecognita

Open
The sustainability event at Sony UK TEC’s Pencoed site was a great success! 🎉 Our Sixth Form students shone brightly as they toured the manufacturing centre and saw how it operates. Eco activist, Phil Williams, encouraged the students to tackle real-life sustainability challenges 🌍✨ with a lively group discussion on climate change and its consequences. They impressed Phil and the Sony engineers with their innovative ideas to combat rising ocean levels and temperatures. A huge well done to our future engineers, scientists, and technologists! 🚀👏 During their visit, they were fortunate to gain an insight into the employees’ sustainability programme, as well as the company’s economic, global support and funding. Our dedicated Sixth Form tutor team work hard to build a solid framework that not only helps our students in their roles but also encourages them to take ownership of their responsibilities. By promoting accountability, we’re looking to boost their teamwork, time management, and organisational skills. #Sustainability #FutureLeaders #SonyTEC #stretchandchallenge #beyoubrilliantly #STEM #sixthform #climatechange #sustainability #sixthformbridgend #sixthformneath #sixthformswansea #sixthformporthcawl #sixthformcowbridge #wearecognita

St Clare’s School & Nursery warmly invites you and your Little Explorer to an exciting Forest School adventure!

Our brilliant Early Years team is holding a FREE Forest School lesson with our current Nursery and Reception classes.

Join us in the Forest to find out more about our exciting Outdoor Learning provision – just one of the many benefits your child could experience at St Clare’s School & Nursery.

Booking is essential and places are strictly limited. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To register your interest, please contact St Clare’s Admissions on 01656 789966 or email info@stclares-school.co.uk

#nursery #daynursery #forestschool #outdoorlearning #porthcawl #porthcawlnursery #wearecognita #beyoubrilliantly

Open
St Clare’s School & Nursery warmly invites you and your Little Explorer to an exciting Forest School adventure! Our brilliant Early Years team is holding a FREE Forest School lesson with our current Nursery and Reception classes. Join us in the Forest to find out more about our exciting Outdoor Learning provision – just one of the many benefits your child could experience at St Clare’s School & Nursery. Booking is essential and places are strictly limited. Children must be accompanied by an adult. To register your interest, please contact St Clare’s Admissions on 01656 789966 or email info@stclares-school.co.uk #nursery #daynursery #forestschool #outdoorlearning #porthcawl #porthcawlnursery #wearecognita #beyoubrilliantly
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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

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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