St. Clare's is a co-educational day and residential college located in elegant north Oxford and has been offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma for over 35 years, longer than any other school or college in England. The college has a worldwide reputation as experts in providing the IB Diploma and embraces internationalism and academic excellence as its core values.
Students from over 40 countries study at St. Clare's, including British students. The atmosphere is informal and friendly, with an equal emphasis on hard work and developing personal responsibility. Each student has a personal tutor who overseas welfare and progress. St. Clare's has an especially wide range of subjects on offer at higher and standard level and, in addition, currently teaches 28 different languages. Our Pre-IB course provides an excellent preparation for the full IB Diploma. The college also runs a highly successful IB Institute providing introductory and revision courses for students in the summer. It is also authorized to run IB workshops for both new and experienced teachers in cooperation with the IBO. St. Clare's is located in the elegant North Oxford Conservation Area. The college campus is made up of 27 large Victorian and Edwardian houses to which purpose-built facilities have been added. These include a beautiful library building with over 35,000 volumes, a careers and higher education information centre, four science laboratories, art and music studios, dining room, a popular student café and wireless facilities in all buildings and houses. Students live in college houses close to the central campus, under the care of residential staff. There is an extensive programme of social, cultural and sporting activities and students are encouraged to take full advantage of the opportunities that Oxford provides. St. Clare's, has the best sixth form results in Oxfordshire and has the 9th best sixth form results amongst independent schools in England. Recent examination results are impressive; 99% of students passed the IB (against a world-wide pass rate of less than 80%) and each year students achieve the perfect score of 45 points, the highest possible score in the IB: this is the equivalent of passing 5 A* at A Level. We put our success down to a combination of factors - small class sizes, students who are serious about their work, the stimulating experience provided by the IB curriculum, excellent teachers and a supportive environment where young adults are able to flourish. The atmosphere is informal and friendly, encouraging personal responsibility and international friendships. The college welcomes applications from students irrespective of gender, religious belief or national origin. Entry is based on previous academic results and interview. There is a competitive scholarship and bursary programme awarded by examination, interview and group exercises.- To look at the pattern of our recent IB results, please follow this link
- Classed as Outstanding, the highest rating for the quality of its boarding, follow this link to read our full recent Ofsted report
- Take a look at the latest Independent Schools Inspectorate report for St. Clare's
- We are members of the Independent Schools Council and the Independent Schools Association
- Our students regularly win places at Oxford, Cambridge, LSE and other leading UK universities as well as Harvard, Yale and Stanford in the USA
Why choose the IB?
The IB Diploma is a very well established and highly regarded international qualification and students are choosing to study for the IB rather than traditional British A' levels.- With the IB Diploma students are accepted at the best universities and colleges worldwide. The depth and breadth of the Diploma enables students to offer that bit extra not only at higher education institutes but also within future careers.
- The IB is a two-year programme for students aged 16 and above preparing for university entry.
- As an international qualification students can follow university or career options within a global market.
- Time and again, education research and reports show that the make up of the diploma develops a well rounded individual with challenging views.
- By offering full and part scholarships we positively encourage able students to consider taking the IB Diploma at St. Clare's
- As we are experts at teaching the IB we are one of the few schools worldwide who run workshops for experienced and new teachers of the IB
- The difference between A levels and the IB are described in detail in this article published in the Oxford Times