We are a family like no other
SMH girls at break time

Where friendships are formed that last a lifetime.

Encouraging creative expression

Through the visual and creative arts.

We empower our boys and girls to be the best that they can be

Shaping leaders of the future.

A loving environment for young people to flourish

Our pupils are fully supported and understood.

Stonyhurst is a springboard to a life of purpose
2 Stonyhurst prep school girls walking along path

Where young people nurture their individual talents.

Inspiring curiosity and fostering creativity

Allowing children to be inquisitive and explore the world.

Discover a sport you can pursue for life

Focused on sporting excellence.

We empower our boys and girls to be the best that they can be
SMH girls at break time

Shaping leaders of the future.

 

We watch as our pupils become ‘men and women for others’
Pupil running across Stonyhurst fields

We inspire pupils to make a difference.

Roommates who become brothers and sisters

St Mary's Hall is a family like no other.

Creating positive disruptors

Who challenge the status quo.

Children strive to be the best they can be...

Living by our school motto 'Quant Je Puis', 'as much as I can'.

Welcome to the UK's leading co-educational Catholic boarding and day school for 3 - 18 year olds

Stonyhurst St Mary's Hall is a springboard to a life of purpose. We empower our boys and girls to be the best that they can be, shaping leaders of the future who carry a sense of purpose and a desire to make the world a better place. As we guide every pupil through their own individual academic, sporting, creative, spiritual and emotional journey, we watch with great pride as our boys and girls grow to be men and women for others.

Quant Je Puis - 'As Much As I Can'.

 

What Others Say

ISI

Report highlights:

• Rated Excellent in all areas.

• Pupils possess strong study skills and take an inquiry-based approach to their studies.

• Pupils are highly articulate and speak with eloquence when addressing others.

• Pupils show strong levels of perseverance when faced with challenges.

• Pupils demonstrate high levels of self-esteem.

• Pupils have a strong appreciation for the multi-cultural nature and diversity of the school community.

Read More about ISI
Good Schools Guide

The national curriculum, enriched by the International Primary Curriculum, integrates cross-curricular themes, providing an opportunity to utilise the extraordinary Stonyhurst collection: studying the Tudors means touching Anne Boleyn's prayer book or Thomas Moore's hat.'

Read More about Good Schools Guide
Tatler Schools Guide

'With the oldest museum in the English speaking world and five libraries at their disposal, it's no wonder academic results are strong. Success extends outside the classroom: the girls' cricket team are the 2020 indoor champions, Little Shop of Horrors was a hit, and, thanks to a pupil led initiative, a Syrian refugee family now lives happily in the local community. 'Quant je puis' indeed.'

Read More about Tatler Schools Guide

Year 5 and 6 Entry

Stonyhurst St Mary's Hall offers a very unique and dynamic learning environment that allows children to be children and to extend that great adventure of a natural childhood that little bit longer.

 

Owing to increasing demand we are expanding capacity for Year 5 and 6 entry. Join us for an Entrance Examination.

Register here

 

Life at Stonyhurst St Mary's Hall

We provide an exceptional education in the Jesuit tradition and prepare pupils for successful and fulfilling lives in the modern world.

 

Take a look around

 

Admissions

If you believe that Stonyhurst St. Mary's Hall could be the best private school for your son or daughter, the admissions section below provides information about the application process for UK and international applicants, plus other information that you will find useful in guiding your decision.

 

Meet Sarah!

Our St Mary's Hall Registrar, who will be happy to help with any questions you have about life at the Prep School.

Our Mission and Identity

Every child should be happy, secure, valued and confident. especially during the early stages of their life. At St Mary's Hall (SMH), our philosophy is to value every child as a unique individual, who enjoys learning and thinking for him or herself. We have a story that is more than 200 years old and we now sit at the cutting edge in prep school education with our traditions to support us.

We make the learning relevant through cross-curricular topics and child-centred learning and strive to be positive role models, providing a secure and enabling environment in which every child can flourish and learn at their own pace and in their own individual way. We encourage the growth of social skills and empathy amongst the children in line with the Jesuit Pupil Profile. The relationships which the children develop with each other and with our staff are central to their happiness and lay the best possible foundation for their future.

We recognise our pupils as citizens of a future world we do not yet know and seek to equip them for this world with creative and problem-solving skills.

 

Learn about Stonyhurst's ethos

SMH girls at break time
2 Stonyhurst prep school girls walking along path
SMH girls at break time
Pupil running across Stonyhurst fields

Learn about Stonyhurst St Mary's Hall

Inspired by the beautiful Stonyhurst estate and the heritage of the world’s oldest continuous Jesuit school, our students pursue academic excellence alongside spiritual and emotional growth and learn to embody their school motto: Quant Je Puis, as much as I can, in every activity.

Our observatory

is fully operational

We have over

35,000 artefacts within our museum

Hodder House

Was named after the original school building, Hodder Place

J. R. R. Tolkien

wrote The Lord of the Rings at Stonyhurst

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

was a pupil here

 

The school

was founded in 1806

1806

We are

the oldest prep school in England

We have educated

3 Rugby World cup winners

Whole student approach

with a rich heritage adhering to the Jesuit tradition

St Mary's Hall News

Upcoming Events

Attending one of our open events is a great way to see the full spectrum of the school 'in action'. We hold regular open days for the College (13 - 18 years) and Stonyhurst St Mary's Hall (3 - 13 years) during the Christmas term, along with an open evening that focuses specifically on sixth form options (16 - 18 years). In the Easter and Summer terms we hold more informal Open Doors events.

Online registration is available, and will allow us to tailor your open event experience to the needs of your child.