Claires Court reaffirms single-site ambition under new ownership

Claires Court School in Maidenhead has changed ownership – potentially leading to a revival of plans to combine its sites into one co-ed campus.

The school’s long-term owners, Hugh and James Wilding, are preparing for retirement – and the brothers want to secure Claires Court’s future.

It has joined the LTC Education Group (LTCEG) effective immediately. This is a family of schools within the Licensed Trade Charity, which has more than 200 years of experience in education.

LTCEG was selected because it understands Claires Court’s ethos and has ‘a deep-rooted understanding of what it takes to help young people learn, grow, and succeed.’

Already under this group is LVS Ascot, an independent day and boarding school.

The move follows ‘many years of admiration and mutual respect’ between Claires Court and LVS Ascot – and represents ‘the natural next step’ in a relationship based on shared values and ‘a common vision for the future of education.’

According to a joint FAQ from the school and LTCEG, Claires Court will retain its name, identity, ethos, and day-to-day operation.

This includes teaching, learning, pastoral care, safeguarding arrangements, and curriculum.

Moreover, the current leadership team will continue to lead the school day-to-day. James Wilding will remain the principal for Claires Court for the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile, being part of a wider family of schools may enhance access to facilities and various networks.

Pupils ‘will see opportunities gradually expand’ in areas such as sport, performing arts, academic projects, leadership events, trips, and wider-group programmes.

Claires Court’s strengths, such as its rowing programme, are also thought to benefit from shared expertise.

The FAQ addresses whether there will be any redundancies, saying that there are no guarantees, and there may be staffing changes.

“The independent education sector is operating in a challenging and evolving environment, and Claires Court is not immune to those wider pressures,” the FAQ says.

A structured review of the Junior School was already taking place, and this work will continue.

As for what the future will hold, LTCEG will work with Claires Court’s management to support the school’s development in ‘a thoughtful and phased way’.

This includes ‘a shared ambition’ to bring the school community together on a single site over time and ‘move towards a fully co-educational model.’

This echoes patterns of the past; in 2018, Claires Court submitted planning applications for a £36million project to consolidate its three separate sites into one large campus in Cox Green.

There was opposition from campaigners and RBWM refused planning permission in 2019.

Claires Court appealed, but after a planning inquiry in 2020, the inspector dismissed this, concluding the harm to the greenbelt's openness would outweigh the benefits of the campus development.

James Wilding, co-owner and academic principal of Claires Court, said: “After many years as owners, my brother’s and my priority has been to ensure that Claires Court’s future is placed in the right hands; hands that understand education, value people, and are committed to long-term stewardship rather than short-term gain as we plan our retirement.

“The LTC shares Claires Court’s values, its belief in high-quality education and its commitment to care and community.

“I am confident that this step protects Claires Court’s legacy and secures a strong, sustainable future for the school.”