Clayesmore School is one of the warmest and most supportive schools in our portfolio. Pupils with learning difficulties, as well as those without, receive outstanding support here.
Nestled in beautiful, green countryside just an hour’s drive south of Bath, Clayesmore is one of the smaller boarding schools, with around 400 pupils. Thanks to small class sizes, teachers can focus on each individual pupil. High-achievers are encouraged to reach their full potential, while those who struggle are expertly supported.
In its family atmosphere, pupils also enjoy an exceptional range of extracurricular activities and a truly outstanding art department.
Even at weekends, there’s always something going on — sports, museum visits, and even full-scale excursions are extremely popular. Boredom simply doesn’t exist here.
Akademis makes history – A Triple Award-Winning Consultancy (2023, 2024 & 2025) 🏆
Akademis has been recognised three years in a row by StudyTravel for excellence in the education sector:
2025 & 2024: Winners of the StudyTravel Secondary School Award (Best Western European Agency)
2023: Winner of the StudyTravel Star Award
(Best Western European Agency)
The StudyTravel Awards are among the most prestigious honours in international education, recognising outstanding quality, client focus and trusted partnerships. Being the first consultancy ever to win for three consecutive years is something we are deeply proud of. For us, these awards highlight our commitment to offering the very best guidance, personal service and long-term support for families embarking on this exciting journey.
Quick Overview
Age range: 5-18
Number of students: 400
Boarders: 52%
International students: 8%
Boarding fees per term: £ 16,503.60
Key sports offered beyond traditional team sports: cricket, hockey, rugby, netball, tennis
Nearest airports: Southampton (1h)
https://clayesmore.com
Key Strengths at a Glance
Excellent academic support
Rich weekend activity program
Studio-style art department
Warm and welcoming atmosphere
Clayesmore School – Photo Highlights
Clayesmore School in Detail
Academics
At Clayesmore, academic support is a top priority. Pupils with learning difficulties, particularly dyslexia, receive additional, tailored support. Specialised teaching methods are individually designed for them, and staff are specifically trained and regularly upskilled. The school holds numerous certifications for its support of pupils with learning challenges. But pupils without learning difficulties also thrive here! Some even go on to attend top universities like Oxford and Cambridge.
Art
The arts are a real strength at Clayesmore, both academically and creatively. Under the guidance of highly experienced teachers, over 70% of pupils learn a musical instrument, and they also have the opportunity to experiment with a wide variety of media. The art department is housed in a charming building in the nearby village of Iwerne Minster, which feels more like a proper artist’s studio than a classroom. This inspiring setting makes drawing, painting, pottery, and textile work even more enjoyable. In the school’s own photography studio, pupils can also explore different lighting techniques and filters, honing their skills further.
Sport
The school’s sports centre boasts its own sports hall, swimming pool, multiple squash courts, hockey and tennis courts, and a fitness centre. For boys, the main sports are rugby, hockey, and cricket; for girls, hockey, netball, and tennis — though girls can also join the highly successful cricket team. The school is ranked among the Top 100 cricket schools in the UK. Athletics, basketball, football, as well as riding, rowing, and sailing are also offered. The 25-metre pool invites pupils to swim competitively, with matches against local, national, and even international opponents.
Leisure
We think the leisure programme at Clayesmore is excellent. On Saturdays, pupils take part in LEX (the school’s own activities programme), with options ranging from filmmaking, dancing, and mountain , to sailing or building their own website. Sundays offer a wealth of outings and experiences — such as a trip to the Jurassic Coast — but also time to relax in cosy dorms and common rooms, ready for the week ahead. Exeats (out-of-school weekends) give international pupils the chance to join school-organised trips to destinations like London, Edinburgh, or Paris.
Voices of Our Pupils
Lukas
“My time at Clayesmore was an extremely valuable experience. The lessons were excellent, the teachers very competent, and the organisation was very good. Getting to know Clayesmore and comparing it to my school was very interesting — I find Clayesmore to be a much better school in every respect, particularly in terms of teacher expertise and the structured, media-rich lessons. Using the 3D printer was the most fascinating part for me. I can wholeheartedly recommend Clayesmore to other families — it is a very good school where a German-speaking pupil is very well looked after and can learn a lot.”
Our Visit
Behind the gates of this impressive main building, we found not only modern facilities but also particularly engaged pupils. On this expansive campus (which, by the way, is truly vast), we constantly encountered independent, cheerful students who radiated enthusiasm for their school and their sports.
Photos From Our Visit
What our clients say about us
Get a free consultation and find out more about Clayesmore School
Fees at Clayesmore School
The fees at Clayesmore School are £16,503.60 per term, or £49,510.80 per academic year.
Fazit Clayesmore School
Clayesmore ranks among the friendliest and most supportive boarding schools in the UK. The staff care deeply about ensuring that every pupil achieves their best and leaves with confidence and optimism for life ahead.
That said, Clayesmore is by no means the only boarding school in the UK offering strong learning support. We warmly recommend arranging a consultation with us to discuss your specific wishes and expectations.
With our years of contact with the schools, we understand their individual characteristics and can provide authentic insights. We are confident we can find the right boarding school for your child, together.
We are also happy to advise you on other schools in England. You can find an overview on our Boarding Schools in England page.
Take Advantage of:
- Support with entrance exams
- Years of experience in placement
- Authentic, first-hand insights
- Our excellent relationships with Admissions Offices
What Makes Akademis Stand Out?
- We remain your trusted contact throughout your child’s stay, well beyond the placement process.
- We provide support with guardianship, visa applications and recognition of qualifications within the German school system.
- We offer fully tailored advice. Our school recommendations are unique to each child and can run to 40 pages in length.
- Families receive our 30+ page boarding school guide, packed with practical tips and insights.
- We prepare your child thoroughly for entrance exams and interviews to maximise their chances of success.
- We arrange school visits, ensuring you have the opportunity to experience each school first-hand.
Every boarding school has its own character and ethos. Having personally visited more than 100 schools, we understand these nuances. We also work with schools that do not pay commission, ensuring that our advice remains independent and always in the best interest of your child.
Our roots lie in the UK. For years, we have placed 200–300 families annually into British boarding schools. While our portfolio now includes schools beyond Britain, the UK remains at the heart of what we do.
Our tailored approach results in exceptional acceptance rates. For example, in 2022/23, all seven students we placed at the highly selective Malvern College received offers – a 100% success rate.
We arrange for prospective families to speak with our current students to hear first-hand accounts of life at a UK boarding school.
