At Wycombe girls experience a real transition when they move at the end of their Lower Sixth year into Clarence, the Upper Sixth House.  Here each girl has her own study bedroom and shares living facilities with a small group of eight or nine other girls. Responsible for some of their own catering and laundry, they emerge at the end of the year having learnt how to juggle study, recreation and domestic arrangements before setting off for university or exciting Gap year ventures. 

Though easily accessible and available for consultation, the Clarence Housemistresses will allow girls the chance to organise their own life without constant supervision.  As they progress through the year, they are able to enjoy increasing independence.

Clarence is divided into two tutorial groups and each group has its own Housemistress who oversees her tutees’ work, commitments in and out of school and social activities, and who writes her summative reports.  The Housemistress is responsible for her tutor group’s pastoral care and is girls and their parents’ first port of call. 

Mrs Tear, Head of Sixth Form, has responsibility for overseeing the Upper Sixth year. She works in close liaison with Dr Kirk, Director of Higher Education, and in particular oversees the completion of your UCAS forms.  She also maintains an overview of each girl’s academic progress, liaises with staff and parents and is available to advise both girls and their parents.

Sunrise over Clarence

Mrs Morris, Clarence Housekeeper, has responsibility for the domestic arrangements within Clarence.   She is also be responsible for girls during the day when they are in the House. 

Mrs Jones is the Clarence House Tutor; she will be on duty on certain evenings and weekends to support the Housemistress on duty. 

Clarence has two joint Heads of House, called Chairmen, who are the House’s official representatives and who change half way through the year.  They relay information to the rest of the year and collect information from them on behalf of members of staff, including the Headmistress.  Their day-to-day duties are not arduous but their leadership qualities are essential to the smooth running of the House.  They organise the House Chapel Services in the Autumn and Spring terms and all four Chairmen work towards organising the two important Leavers’ Services in the Summer term.  House Administrators organise duty rotas and food orders within their individual houses. 

Clarence Play

This production is one of the highlights of the school year.  A theatre company is formed, with a student assistant working alongside the director, Miss Livesey.  Girls may choose any area in which to get involved – acting, design, stage management, costume, light, sound, make-up, hair, production or publicity.  The choice of play is agreed by the company and the level of involvement is up to the individual.  It is hard work but immensely rewarding!

Caledonian Society

This society is chiefly for Clarence.  We have regular Scottish dancing practices with Eton boys culminating in a fabulous St Andrew’s Day Ball in the School Hall at Eton in the Autumn term and our own Burns’ Night Ball in January.  We are very happy to arrange informal Ceilidhs with other schools as well.