The Clere School is a secondary school for pupils aged 11-16, with capacity for 145 children in each year group – a total of 725 places overall. However, the school has seen a reduction in pupil numbers over time, with just 382 pupils on roll in the spring. With falling birth rates nationally, fewer children are coming through from local primary schools and, as of August this year, just 35 new children were expected to join the school in year 7. In addition, many families in the school’s catchment are opting for other secondary schools, largely over the border in West Berkshire or Wiltshire. Together, this has resulted in reduced demand for places at The Clere, with forecasts showing that this trend is set to continue over the next five to ten years.
In January 2025, Ofsted found that the school required significant improvement and, despite making a number of positive changes since then, pupil numbers have remained low. This has a direct financial impact because the majority of Government funding for schools is based on the number of pupils attending. The Clere’s declining pupil numbers have therefore led to substantial financial pressure, also affecting its ability to provide a broad and effective curriculum and to recruit and retain staff.
In April 2025, the school was advised by Government that it must convert to an academy. However, the school’s low pupil numbers and significant financial challenges have meant that this is not considered a sustainable long-term solution.
Commenting on the school’s challenges, Councillor Roz Chadd, Cabinet Lead Member for Children’s Services, said: “I know that staff at The Clere School have worked incredibly hard to successfully improve outcomes and that we as a County Council have also provided significant support throughout this time. Despite these efforts, the school continues to face low pupil numbers and all the financial, curriculum and staffing implications that come with that. This raises significant concerns about the school’s long-term viability, making the proposed closure a regrettable but now necessary consideration.
“Understandably, there will be strong interest in this proposal from families, staff and the local community, and I highly encourage them to share their feedback through the consultation process. I can assure everyone that all views will be thoroughly considered before deciding whether to proceed to a second, statutory consultation.”
As part of the consultation, parents, carers and other stakeholders will have an opportunity to share their views and ask questions at the following public drop-in events:
- Year 7 and Year 8 families: Tuesday 22 September, 3.45pm-5.45pm – The Clere School
- Year 9 and Year 10 families: Wednesday 23 September, 4pm-6pm – The Clere School
- Year 11 families and other stakeholders: Thursday 24 September, 5pm-7pm – The Clere School
In the event of a closure, the County Council is proposing to give children at The Clere the option to transfer to The Hurst School in Tadley. Full details including FAQs and how to respond to the consultation are on the County Council's website.