Introduction to Clarence

Welcome to Clarence!

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 nine or ten other girls within one of Clarence's nine ‘houses'. 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 adventures.

Instead of Housemistresses, the girls now have the support and guidance of the Clarence Senior Academic Tutors, Amy Wallace and Aya Yuasa. Though easily accessible and available for consultation, the CSATs (as they are more commonly known) will allow the 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 CSAT who, in close consultation with the Head of Sixth Form and Sixth Form Tutors, oversees her tutees' work, commitments in and out of school and social activities, and who writes a summative report. The CSAT is responsible for her tutor group's pastoral care and is the girls' and their parents' first port of call.

Miss Fox, Head of Sixth Form, has responsibility for overseeing the Upper Sixth year. She works in close liaison with Miss Boswell, Director of Higher Education, and in particular oversees the completion of girls' university applications. 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.

Mrs Gough, Clarence Administrative Manager, has responsibility for the domestic arrangements within Clarence. She is responsible for girls during the day when they are in the House, providing extra pastoral care, as well as administrative support to the CSATs and Head of Sixth Form.

Mrs Jones is the Clarence Residential House Tutor; she is on-duty in certain evenings and weekends to support the CSAT on duty. She provides another source of pastoral support for the girls and always participates in whole-house events.

Clarence has two joint Heads of House, called Chairmen, who are the House's official representatives and who change halfway 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 important Leavers' events in the Summer term. House Representatives organise kitchen 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 and publicity. The choice of play is agreed by the company the level of involvement is up to the individual. It is hard work but immensely rewarding and culminates in a performance early in the Spring Term.

Caledonian Society

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

Other occasions...

In November, Clarence welcome their parents to their annual variety show, Clarence Cabaret, for which they also host suppers within their houses. In February the Upper Sixth always have the honour of opening the school dance show, Highlights, performing as Clarence Academy. Later that term we also have the opportunity to hear our very top Clarence musicians perform concertos at the school Spring Concert. The year concludes with the student-and parent-lead Leavers' Ball. This is always a spectacular and enjoyable event which provides a memorable and glamorous conclusion to the girls' time at school.