United Kingdom, Oxford
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The curriculum includes social and emotional learning as a core component of education. It delivers social and emotional learning through PSHE and RHSE and other curriculum contexts, and students learn about safeguarding so they recognise when they are at risk and how to get help when they need it. The online safety education is part of the curriculum to help students understand the risks of new technologies and how to use them responsibly. Students are encouraged to talk about their feelings and are offered access to a range of appropriate adults for support as needed. The safeguarding framework supports safe, respectful interactions and includes anti-bullying measures. The safeguarding and pastoral teams (IB World School and International College) meet weekly to monitor welfare matters.
Staff are trained to recognise the needs of children with special educational needs (SEND) and to respond with appropriate support. The safeguarding policy notes that some students have SEND and may require early help. Training for staff covers the needs of children with SEND and the importance of timely assessment and intervention. Safeguarding procedures emphasise equality and fairness, ensuring SEND students are considered in safeguarding planning. Safeguarding records, including those related to students with SEND, are maintained in CPOMS or relevant safeguarding systems as part of the college's welfare monitoring.
English language courses are offered through St Clare's International College, including English for Everyday Use, English for Examinations, English Combination Course, and Personal Language Training.
Mental health is addressed within safeguarding. All staff should be aware that mental health problems can be indicators of abuse or risk; only appropriately trained professionals should diagnose mental health issues. Staff should observe students and escalate concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, with emphasis on early help and intervention. The policy recognises the impact of trauma on mental health and wellbeing and the need for a safeguarding-pastoral approach to support students' resilience and self-esteem.
Safeguarding and child protection are central responsibilities. The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Elena Hesse, with deputy leads including Emily Woodeson, Kelly Gilbert, and Julia Radlinger. The safeguarding and pastoral teams meet weekly to discuss welfare matters. The governing body monitors safeguarding arrangements, safer recruitment practices, and related governance. Safeguarding records are kept securely, staff receive ongoing safeguarding training, and there are clear procedures for reporting concerns and liaising with external agencies when required. Online safety and anti-bullying measures are in place as part of safeguarding provisions.
St Clare’s, Oxford, founded in 1953, operates as a co-educational day and boarding college in North Oxford. It is the longest-established International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in England. The curriculum focuses on the IB Diploma Programme for students aged 16 to 19, alongside a Pre-IB pathway and Middle School options for younger students. The campus consists of 25 Victorian and Edwardian buildings integrated into the residential Summertown area, featuring specialized science laboratories, an art studio, and a dedicated library with over 35,000 volumes. Students benefit from the "Oxford as a Classroom" initiative, which utilizes the city’s university museums and academic resources for field trips and research. Residential life is organized across several houses, where boarders from over 45 nations live in a supervised environment. The college is known for its history as a center for international cooperation and its focus on preparing students for university entry through a non-denominational, multicultural lens.