History

Since its foundation in 1925 in St Leonard’s, Sussex with just four pupils, Claremont School has grown steadily to evolve from a small private school to a well-regarded outstanding education institution, now welcoming more than 500 students from age 2-18 to the Prep and Senior schools.

Throughout this change, the ethos of nurturing academic excellence and individual development remains at the heart of the ethos of the school.

Claremont School - Prep Site Drone
Claremont School - History

1925 – 1945: Claremont Prep School is established

Claremont Preparatory School’s history dates back to 1925 when Mr. M. O’Byrne founded it in Hove with just four pupils. In 1945, after outgrowing its initial home, Claremont relocated to its current site in St Leonards-on-Sea, merging with Langley Place School. The stately Baldslow Place mansion, built in the 1880s, became Claremont’s new home.

Claremont School - History 1943-44
Claremont School - History 1943-44

1945 – 1990: The school grows

Under the leadership of Mr. O’Byrne and, later, his son and wife, Claremont developed a strong local reputation for the quality of its teaching. After their death, a refurbished chapel and a new organ were dedicated to their memory.

The 1960s brought several milestones: Claremont was established as a Charitable Educational Trust, went co-educational and then merged with Summerfields Falconbury School.

There were difficult times in the 1970s when a fire destroyed the original gymnasium, but this loss brought about further renewal. The school purchased replacement modular buildings and Claremont’s first school minibus at this time. Today, a growing fleet of over 20 minibuses service a broad range of pick-up points across major towns in Kent and Sussex. Further fundraising efforts also made an outdoor swimming pool possible to enrich school life.

In 1982, Claremont officially became co-educational and even damage from the Great Storm of 1987 couldn’t prevent its future expansion.

Claremont School - Prep School is established
Claremont School - History 1994

1990 – 2024: Expansion and an international outlook

Under the leadership of Mr. O’Byrne and, later, his son and wife, Claremont developed a strong local reputation for the quality of its teaching. After their death, a refurbished chapel and a new organ were dedicated to their memory.

Today

Claremont currently educates over 500 pupils and consistently enables more than 90% of Sixth Form students to access their first-choice university. The school has achieved an “Outstanding” rating from Ofsted in four consecutive inspections, won two national awards for its Performing Arts programme, launched powerful environmental projects and developed an internationally-renowned Football Academy. From humble beginnings to soon-to-begin centenary celebrations, we remain committed to supporting every child to become their best through a culture of courage, compassion and community.

Claremont School