Education for the Next Generation: An Open Letter from the Executive Head of Clare House School Porthcawl
Schools hold a special place in any community. They are where children take their first steps into the wider world, where lifelong friendships are formed, and where young people begin to discover their strengths and interests.
For many families in the local area, education has always been something that spans generations. Grandparents, parents and children have all experienced the importance of a local school that understands its community and helps young people grow with confidence.
As we prepare to open Clare House School Porthcawl in September 2026 for children in Early Years to Year 6, it is a privilege to become part of that story.
Education for today’s children
Your children and grandchildren are growing up in a world that is rapidly changing. Academic knowledge will always be an essential part of school, but it is only one part of preparing children for the future.
Young people also need resilience, curiosity and confidence. They need to learn how to collaborate, how to think independently and how to adapt when the world around them changes.
It is my belief that education today must give children both strong academic foundations, and the character and mindset to thrive in the world they are growing up in.
Reimagining education in our community
Clare House School has been created with this belief in mind.
Our approach focuses both on what children learn, but also importantly on how they learn. We want children to be active participants in their education — asking questions, exploring ideas and discovering connections between subjects and the world around them.
This means building strong academic foundations while also encouraging attributes such as curiosity, open-mindedness and self-awareness.
It also means ensuring that every child is known. In smaller school communities, relationships create a strong sense of belonging. This allows teachers to understand each child’s strengths and challenges, and learning is responsive and personalised to their development.
For us, education is about preparing children for summative assessment, such as exams, whilst also ensuring they understand themselves and their place in the world.
The importance of place and community
One of the great advantages of Clare House School is its setting.
Situated within 11 acres and only minutes from the coastline, the school is surrounded by an environment that offers extraordinary opportunities for learning. Woodland areas and open spaces allow children to explore nature, while the seaside provides a natural extension of the classroom.
Schools should always feel connected to the places they serve. Our community and our surroundings are an important part of the educational experience.
The next generation
Every generation hopes to give the next a little more opportunity than the last.
Education plays a central role in that aspiration. At Clare House School, we see education as an opportunity — giving children access to knowledge, experiences to develop skills, and a community that allows them to realise what they can achieve.
Our ambition is to be a place where children are supported to explore their interests, engage critically with their learning and develop the confidence to take on new challenges. Through meaningful experiences, strong relationships and a clear sense of purpose, we aim to give every child the opportunity to thrive in school and beyond it.
My invitation to the community
Opening a new school is both a responsibility and a privilege.