Stonyhurst is over 400 years old having been originally founded in Saint-Omer, near Calais, France, in 1593 by Fr Robert Persons SJ under the patronage of Philip II of Spain.

Learn more about Stonyhurst's history

Many of our pupils go on to pursue successful careers. Some of our famous alumni include: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Author of Sherlock Holmes), Charles Laughton (actor), Will Greenwood, Kyran Bracken & Iain Balshaw (Rugby World Cup Winners), and Mark Thompson (Director General of the BBC and former CEO of the New York Times).

Discover more of our notable alumni

Education at Stonyhurst is a 3 –18 continuum and comprises: 

• Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall Pre-Prep – pupils aged 3-7
• Stonyhurst St Mary's Hall Prep School – pupils aged 7-11
• Stonyhurst College & Sixth Form – pupils aged 11-18

There are approximately 700 pupils across Stonyhurst College and St Mary’s Hall.

There are three terms in the UK school year. The first term (Christmas Term) runs from the beginning of September until the middle of December; the second term (Easter Term) from early-January until late-March; the third term (Summer Term) from late-April until the end of June or beginning of July. There is a half-term holiday in the middle of each term.

View our latest term dates

As a boarding school, lessons at Stonyhurst are taught on Saturday mornings, with sport in the afternoon. School is also in session on UK Bank Holidays and children should expect to follow their normal timetable on these days. It is worth bearing in mind, however, that our school holidays are much longer than those in maintained schools.

An Exeat is a shorter period of time, usually a weekend, when pupils may leave school during term time.

Stonyhurst does not have compulsory exeat weekends, unlike many other schools, but exeats for boarding pupils can be arranged with the permission of the relevant House Parent, and it is often the case that boarders spend an exeat at the home of a day pupil.

We have approximately 27 different pupil nationalities across our entire school. This vibrant, global community offers pupils the opportunity to learn about different cultures and faiths, while forming lasting friendships and valuable future connections.

The Stonyhurst pupil-teacher ratio is approximately 1:7.

Our small class sizes and an inspiring and highly qualified teaching faculty ensure that pupils get the absolute best out of their education. Small class sizes often lead to enhanced confidence, better results and more opportunities for pupils to participate.

Stonyhurst is located on a rural 1,000-acre estate, offering pupils the opportunity to exercise, explore and socialise with friends in the stunning surrounding countryside of Lancashire's Ribble Valley.

Learn more about our location

Overall, 58% of our pupils are either full or weekly boarders at Stonyhurst.

Boarders account for 73% of pupils at our College and Sixth Form, and 30% at our St Mary's Hall Prep School.

We are delighted you are interested in a Stonyhurst education for your child. Please complete the enquiry form to take the first step towards joining the Stonyhurst family. 

• Entry assessments
• Interviews
• Character references / references from current school
• Submission of school reports for the previous two years for age appropriate year groups
• 500-word handwritten personal statement for College pupils or completion of a personal information sheet for St Mary's Hall
• Disability assessments (if applicable)

The following information provides a general guide to the entry requirements and procedures, but we do also consider each application on its individual merit. For any enquiries in relation to entry requirements / procedures, please contact the Admissions team.

Entry at 3+
Pupils can join our Pre Prep unit in the term that their third birthday falls. A completed application form should be submitted online and where relevant, two recent school/nursery reports and a reference from the child’s current school/nursery. The school offers a limited number of EAL supported places for pupils with little or no English language skills. We are no longer a registered provider of the free early education scheme (nursery vouchers). This follows the very careful consideration of a number and range of factors, the most significant being our desire to offer greater flexibility in the education of the children with regard to the sessions and timings, which best fit our timetable and our approach to teaching and learning.

Entry at 7+
Entry into any year in KS2 is based upon the submission of the child’s school reports from the previous two years, a school reference from their current school and completion of an online assessment. For those starting in Year 5 and above children may also be required to attend an interview (via video or telephonic conference, if international) with the Headmaster or Head of KS2 and complete a personal information sheet along with completion of a full taster day. The school has an expert EAL support department and therefore we offer places for children with little or no English language skills.

Entry at 11+
Applicants for admission at the age of 11 are asked to sit an online entrance assessment (this can be done remotely for international pupils). We also require submission of the child’s school reports from the previous two years, a school reference from their current school, completion of a personal information sheet and to attend an interview (via video or telephonic call, if international) with the Headmaster. Entry into Year 8 is based upon the submission of the child’s school reports from the previous two years, a school reference from their current school, completion of an online assessment and personal information sheet and required to attend an interview (via video or telephonic call, if international) with the Headmaster. The school has an expert EAL support department and therefore we offer places for children with little or no English language skills.

Entry at 13+
Pupils already members of the Stonyhurst community based at St Mary’s Hall will normally transfer to the College as a matter of course, but they will sit an internal assessment designed to help in placing the pupil in the correct class setting. Entry into Stonyhurst College at 13+ (Lower Grammar) from other schools is based upon interview (via video or telephonic call, if international), school reports, completion of a handwritten 500 word personal statement and a satisfactory performance in the online entrance assessment. Some international pupils may be required to sit the Oxford Placement test.

Entry at 14+
Entry into Stonyhurst College at 14+ (Grammar) from other schools is based upon interview (via video or telephonic call, if international), school reports, completion of a handwritten 500 word personal statement and a satisfactory performance in the online entrance assessment. Some international pupils may be required to sit the Oxford Placement test.

Entry at 15+
Entry into Stonyhurst College at 15+ (Syntax) from other schools is based upon interview (via video or telephonic call, if international), school reports, completion of a handwritten 500 word personal statement and a satisfactory performance in the on-line entrance assessment. Some international pupils may be required to sit the Oxford Placement test. Applications are welcomed at this stage for entry onto a structured Pre-IB programme. This course may be of particular interest to overseas students looking to join the Sixth Form and follow the International Baccalaureate Programme.

Sixth Form Entry
Entry to the Sixth Form is based upon interview (via video or telephonic call, if international), a satisfactory performance in the entrance examination, completion of a 500-word handwritten personal statement and submission of satisfactory school reports. We would also expect good performance at GCSE (or equivalent). Applicants would normally be required to have obtained a minimum of 5 Grade 6 passes at GCSE (or equivalent). Some international pupils may be required to sit the Oxford Placement test.

Pupils usually start in September, but can be accepted at other times of the year, providing we have places available.

The registration fee is £125 for UK and £150 for Rest of the World pupils.

Our fees are dependent on the age of the pupil and the residential status. Please visit our Fees page for the full list of fees for the latest academic year.

Stonyhurst’s fees include tuition, boarding, four daily meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner), plus snacks for boarders. Each pupil from Lower Elements to Rhetoric will have full and sole use of a personalised Microsoft laptop provided and supported by Stonyhurst, which is also included in the fees.

Please note that fees do not include the cost of the full school uniform, which can be found here, or the cost of weekend activities for pupils at the College. Fees for St Mary's Hall are inclusive of daily meals and some activities, but there is a charge for those run by external providers.

The cost of exams is also an extra.

Stonyhurst welcomes the opportunity to educate the siblings of both current and past pupils. However, admission is not automatic and there may be occasions where we judge that a sibling is likely to thrive better in a different educational environment.

Many siblings do join us and, in recognition of the incremental financial cost to families who wish to educate more than one of their children at Stonyhurst, the Governors have agreed a sliding scale of support as outlined below. This reduction of fees applies whilst the children are in attendance at the same time and will be adjusted appropriately as each sibling leaves.

• 1st child in attendance 0% 
• 2nd child in attendance 5% reduction 
• 3rd child in attendance 10% reduction
• 4th child in attendance 15% reduction 

The school prospectus and accompanying materials provide a comprehensive overview of life at Stonyhurst. However, it is not always possible to adequately reflect the vibrancy and warmth of the school community through the pages of a prospectus or indeed via our website.

We would therefore like to invite you to visit our wonderful school in person, either at an open event or as a private visit, where you and your family will be assured of the warmest of welcomes, with opportunities to speak with all relevant members of staff. Simply book your place and a member of our Admissions team will be in touch with further details.

We also understand that visiting us in person can be a struggle if you are an international family or are not local to Stonyhurst, so we would recommend a virtual visit via our 360° virtual tour, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We recognise that military life can disrupt continuity of education for children and that a long-term, stable environment provides more opportunities to develop all-round potential. We have a long tradition of welcoming children from families who work in the Armed Forces through offering the best in British boarding and one of the most generous fee support packages for eligible families.

Visit our Forces Families page for the most up to date support and fee information.

Scholarships at Stonyhurst provide an enriched pathway within a pupil's relevant discipline (Academia, Music, Drama and/or Sport) and are awarded based on merit at various entry points at the discretion of the Headmaster. They are available to both boarding and day pupils and carry a small amount of fee remission.

The bestowal of any scholarship carries with it privilege and responsibility, in which each Scholar is expected to set an example to other pupils in their conduct and life at Stonyhurst.

Find out more about our available scholarships.

A guardian takes over the physical role of the parent while your child is at school in the UK. They are the emergency contact, dealing with transport and providing emotional support if needed.

Their role also includes attending parents' evenings and making termly visits to the school to check that the child is having a positive and fulfilling experience. Your child may stay with their guardian during the holidays or if they are unable to return home for any reason.

All overseas pupils will need to have a UK-based guardian while boarding at Stonyhurst.

We can provide details of several guardianship agencies on request. Contact our Admissions team to learn more.

Please contact our friendly Admissions team and they will happily walk you through the application process, whether it's for Stonyhurst College or St Mary's Hall.

All payments to the school are to be made in GBP. Credit cards are also accepted.

We welcomes bursary applications from families who might, under ordinary circumstances, not consider Stonyhurst for their child for financial reasons.

Visit our Fee Support page for the most up-to-date information on bursaries for a Stonyhurst education.

New pupils will be sent a joining pack in the Summer Term before they start. This provides all the information needed for when they start at Stonyhurst.

Outside of the classroom, there are many opportunities through Stonyhurst's vast co-curricular provision for pupils to mix with different ages, genders and nationalities and meet a range of new friends.

Boarders are grouped in a horizontal House system which means they mix with pupils of the same age in the same boarding house.

And during the induction programme there are a number of 'getting to know each other' sessions where pupils come together with their year group, as well as Line competitions, which continue throughout the academic year.

All correspondence to parents is sent out via iSAMS. Your contact details used for this are pulled from the school management system. It is therefore important to advise the school office (t.ashton@stonyhurst.ac.uk) if you change your email address or phone number or else you risk not receiving any urgent communications, which may include changes to events and (very rarely) bad weather closure.

All school communication is sent via this system, although the Games department do send information separately via CHQ, which is the sport/activity SMS.

There is also communication with parents through the termly newsletter, featuring a varied range of news and updates from across the entire school.

Our Assistant Heads (College) or Tutors (SMH) are the main contacts for parents. You will be given their contact details before your child arrives at Stonyhurst and their details can also be found in our Key Contacts.

In regards to regular communication, College Assistant Heads are also in control of private Playroom Facebook groups, which are available for parents, pupils and family members to join. Here they will post images, videos and updates from the year group.

During the induction, there is time for parents to meet the key pastoral staff who will be responsible for the welfare of their child, along with introductory activities to help pupils get to know one another and find their way around.

New pupils also have peer mentors who are another line of support as they settle into the routines and rhythms of the school. This support continues throughout their time at Stonyhurst and the atmosphere of friendship, respect and kindness is palpable.

All new pupils to the College have their own dedicated induction days. These days are traditionally the two days prior to the start of the Christmas Term where new arrivals will meet their tutor, Assistant Head and their Houseparent (if they are a boarder). They will receive their timetable, tour the College buildings and take part in various icebreaker activities designed to help them get to know other new pupils. Importantly, these two days are quieter before the returning pupils arrive back at the College and are a great opportunity for those new to Stonyhurst to explore and to adjust to new routines before the College returns to its normal busy and bustling state.

There are network points around the School, with a wireless network available all over the campus. Access in the first instance will be sorted as part of a pupil's induction.

Stonyhurst provides a bus service for day pupils to and from school, Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, transport will only run in the morning. There are currently three bus routes with services from Burnley, Preston and Cowling/Gisburn. Full details can be found on our Bus Routes page.

There is an on-site health centre, which is manned with trained nurses 24 hours a day, and also doctors who visit the College for routine appointments twice weekly.

The Health Centre team also hold pupil drop-in clinics throughout the day, offering first aid, health advice, emotional support and referral to specialist services.

Read more about the Health Centre

Uniform, toiletries, stationery, stamps and sundries may be purchased from the on-site School Uniform Shop. Please contact the shop to arrange an appointment before making a visit.

Local pupils are advised to collect uniform and sports kit from the shop during the summer holidays, while boarders should collect their uniform as soon as they arrive.

Most Stonyhurst memorabilia can be purchased at the on-site School Uniform Shop, with other specific and gift items such as mugs, umbrellas, jewellery and Stonyhurst Monopoly available to purchase from the online Non-Uniform Shop, previously known as the Foundation Shop.

At our St Mary's Hall Prep School we operate a zero-tolerance mobile phone policy.

For all College year groups, mobile phones are not allowed in school from 8am - 7pm.

The school calendar is regularly updated with term dates and events, and is able to be downloaded to your personal laptop, phone or other device.

All prospective pupils will be encouraged to visit the school and to meet with Mr John Browne (Headmaster of Stonyhurst) or Fr Christopher Cann (Headmaster of St Mary's Hall) as part of their visit.

Stonyhurst accepts boarders from Year 3 (age 7/8) at our College.

Your child’s Houseparent is the first and main person who will care for them, with support from a team of House tutors and an Assistant Head at the College.

The Houseparent looks after their boarding community and lives in their respective boarding house with the pupils. A Deputy Houseparent also resides in each House and both are supported by a strong team of non-resident Tutors of whom they will work closely with to promote an understanding of the academic progress of pupils.

Houseparent details can be found within the Joining Booklet that each pupil is issued with prior to starting at Stonyhurst, as well as on the Key Contacts page.

Pupils must wear uniform during the school day. In the evenings and weekends, however, and at certain other times, pupils in all year groups are permitted to wear casual clothes of a tasteful nature. To avoid any potential loss of clothing, we strongly recommend to have the pupil's full name and pupil number clearly sown into all items.

Pupils will join their respective boarding houses which correlate to their age and gender.

At the College, boys board in single Year Groups, generally in rooms of 5-6 in Lower Grammar (Year 9), 4-5 in Grammar (Year 10), 2 in Syntax (Year 11), then reducing to single rooms in Poetry and Rhetoric (Years 12 and 13).

The girls at the College board in separate areas, with Lower Grammar and Grammar in the same boarding house, on opposite sides of a large social area. Syntax girls have their own boarding house with 2 to a room, whilst Poetry and Rhetoric girls have their own boarding house with single rooms.

Read more about boarding at the College

Pupils in Years 7 and 8 who now form part of Aloysius House (previously the Prep School) continue to board together in one boarding house in the St Mary's Hall building. Girls and boys sleep in opposite areas of the floor, with shared facilities such the kitchen and common areas.

Read more about boarding at St Mary's Hall

We have nine boarding houses in total across the Stonyhurst campus. At St Mary’s Hall there is one house for boarders, with separate boys’ and girls’ bedrooms and sitting rooms, and a joint common room and kitchen. There are eight boarding houses within the College, which are split between year group and gender.

All boarding houses are different. At St Mary’s Hall, all rooms are shared dormitories, while at the College there are a variety of shared and singular rooms.

We believe shared dorms allow pupils of different backgrounds and ethnicities to learn and understand the cultures and faiths of other pupils by making friends and living in a thriving community based on mutual respect, which we believe is excellent preparation for the adult world. International non-native speakers of English also usually make significant progress in their English because of the close daily contact and shared activities with our English-speaking pupils.

Pupils are not allowed to stay in school during any of the holidays. There is, however, a residential sports camp run by the Stonyhurst Experience team during the school summer holiday, providing a great opportunity for attendees to get active, learn from experienced coaches and meet new friends from outside of school.

Find out more about the Stonyhurst Sports Camps

Boarders typically live in bedrooms with 2-5 peers of a similar age from within their own playroom. We consider the interests, backgrounds and personalities of boarders when arranging the dormitories to help them settle in, so the rooms always tend to be a good mixture of nationalities, enabling pupils from all over the world to learn from one another. Every evening there are at least seven members of boarding staff on duty to ensure the boarders are well supervised and well looked after.

Read more about boarding at St Mary's Hall

Rather than pupils boarding in vertical houses, like at many other independent schools, we group boarders using a horizontal system by year group. There are five horizontal boarding houses for boys and three boarding houses for girls. Each house is run by a live-in Pastoral Head, supported by a Deputy and team of teaching staff.

Read more about boarding at the College

Stonyhurst provides a laundry service, with pupil laundry collected daily and returned to their bedside for them to put away in the evening. Pupils will be helped with the routines for handing in laundry and ensuring clean laundry is put away tidily.

It is important that small items are sent in laundry/sock bags and that all clothes are clearly labelled with their name and school number. Unmarked clothes can be mislaid and there is no guarantee they will be returned to the owner.

Any dry cleaning or laundry charges for items left at school will be charged to the pupil’s account.

Bedding is provided at St Mary's Hall, although many pupils bring their own quilt covers to make it more homely.  At the College, pillows, sheets and pillowcases are provided, but the rest must be brought.

If your child has a laptop or tablet alongside a phone they may bring this for use during leisure time. Laptops and tablets should be marked with their name and school number, carefully looked after and handed back in before quiet reading time in the evening.

The ICT suite is available to use every evening for all boarders, who will be given a password to access their own personal account. All pupils are expected to read, sign and follow the school’s e-safety policy.

Each pupil from Lower Elements to Rhetoric shall have full and sole use of a personalised Microsoft laptop computer, provided and supported by Stonyhurst, which is included in the fees.

There are many people to whom pupils can turn for advice, support and understanding throughout the years that they spend at Stonyhurst.

The key members of pastoral staff are listed on our Key Contacts page, and there are school councillors also available on-site.

College main point of contact: Assistant Head

St Mary's Hall main point of contact: Pupil Tutor

If pupils are unwell and need medical attention, the Nurse will take them to the Health Centre. Only when they have fully recovered will they be taken back to boarding. Doctors visit twice weekly from the Castle Medical Group in Clitheroe.

Read more about our Health Centre

Boarders are allowed to personalise their dorms with photos and posters, but these must be attached to pin boards or wooden surfaces. Blu-tack and pins must not be used on walls. Boarders can also bring items such as books, games and favourite cuddly toys.

We expect all boarders to keep their rooms clean and tidy and to cooperate with our domestic staff who work extremely hard. 

While we do all in our power to ensure the security of the pupils’ possessions, Stonyhurst cannot be held responsible for accidental loss or damage. We therefore advise that items of significant value are not brought into school.

Please note that any items of value that are brought to Stonyhurst, such as laptops, tablets and watches, should be covered by the family’s household insurance. Before arriving in September, please check that your insurance covers all relevant items that your child will bring with them. All personal items should be clearly and permanently marked with your child’s name and school number.

Yes, when there is room. The majority of boarders at Stonyhurst are full or weekly boarders, but we do offer other boarding options to meet the needs of families and pupils.

Our flexi-boarding enables pupils to board for any period of time from occasional one-offs to a regular one or two nights per week.

There are a range of supervised activities provided for boarders every evening after supper and studies, including sport, time to contact home, and creative activities. A snack is available every weeknight in the Boarding Kitchen and tuck is on offer on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Supported revision takes place daily in the time period leading up to examinations.

Weekend activities vary from week to week. This includes movies, trips to the theatre, going to watch football matches, shopping (Manchester's Trafford Centre), playing sport, visiting theme parks (Blackpool Pleasure Beach), fishing in the Hodder River and many more.

College pupils eat their meals at the New Refectory, which is situated on the College site, while our Prep School pupils eat in their own Refectory on the ground floor of the St Mary's Hall building.

In short, yes, absolutely. Pupils can start the day with a full English cooked breakfast, with more continental alternatives also on offer, such as pastries, waffles and pancakes. An assortment of fresh fruit and yogurts is also available, along with fresh fruit juices and tea and coffee.

Lunch is considered the main meal of the day and always includes a choice of three main courses with a vegetarian and a pasta option available. The homemade soup of the day is another daily addition as a starter or a much lighter lunch-alternative, and there is also a choice of freshly made hot and cold desserts. As pupils progress from the servery into the main dining room, they have access to a large salad bar which contains a number of salad items and freshly chopped fruit.

Supper at the end of the school day is generally considered as a lighter offer, but still provides a substantial meal for pupils with at least three choices, including a vegetarian option. This would normally include some of the pupils’ favourites like freshly made pizzas, assorted burgers and lasagne, to name just a few. As with lunch, salad items, fresh fruit and yoghurts are also available.

Read more about mealtimes at St Mary's Hall and the College

Pupils and staff are encouraged to dine together in the main dining halls, with an emphasis on good table manners and friendly conversation. The emphasis on mealtimes is that it should be an enjoyable occasion, so everyone has a positive relationship with food.

Stonyhurst has a Pupil Council containing representatives from each year group who meet on regular occasions throughout each term. All suggestions related to food and mealtimes are discussed with the Catering Manager, including likes and dislikes, snack choices and even additional food items to be added to the menus.

Children at St Mary's Hall are supplied with snacks and an unlimited amount of juice or water at both the mid-morning and mid-afternoon break times. These snacks include freshly baked goods such as biscuits and flapjacks, alongside a selection of fresh fruit. Dairy free, gluten free and vegetarian options are always made available too.

Pupils at the College have access to drinks and vending machines in their common rooms, and also enjoy afternoon tea as part of their mid-afternoon break from lessons.

The variety and range of mealtime options throughout each week provides ample opportunities for pupils to try foods that they may never have come across before. This is especially true on our special themed days, which we aim to provide at least twice a term to celebrate occasions throughout the year, such as VE Day and Saints Day, as well as Chinese, Italian, American and Mexican international themes. These special days allow the chefs to recreate specific dishes and dressing up the whole servery and dining area.

Boarders will be able to go for breakfast at the SMH Refectory between 7 - 7.45am (Monday - Saturday).

Lunch and supper is taken at different times for different year groups, with the Refectory open from 12 - 1.30pm for lunch and then 5 - 6.30pm in the evening.

On Sundays, boarders can go for breakfast between 8 - 8.45am, followed by lunch at 12pm in which the boarding committee provide a rotation of traditional meals from various parts of the world, and supper at 5.30pm.

The boarding committee also meet twice a week with the Head of Catering to discuss meals, snacks and different options that the boarders may have requested to improve their dining experience.

Boarders will be able to go for breakfast at the Refectory between 7.30 - 8am (Monday - Saturday).

Lunch times are taken at different times for different year groups and can also vary depending on a pupil's commitments, but the Refectory is open from 12.15 - 1.30pm, with supper between 5.45 - 7pm.

On Sundays, College boarders can go for breakfast from 8.30am, followed by 'brunch' at 12pm, with a traditional Sunday roast often then on offer for their evening meal.

The summer months are an exciting time for our pupils. This is when we are able take our dining experience outdoors and enjoy whole school BBQs and picnics. Sausages, burgers, chicken, and ice cream are just some of the available options. Our magnificent lawns and views provide us with a great backdrop for these fun-filled occasions.

Sample menus can be found on the individual Food and Nutrition pages for St Mary's Hall and the College.

The specialist knowledge within our Catering Team means they are able to provide and respect all special dietary and religious-based food requirements. The team works closely with parents to ensure all children are appropriately catered for and are provided with a well-balanced meal, three times a day.

A Health Information sheet will need to be completed before your child starts at Stonyhurst, which will allow you to specify any dietary requirements and/or food allergies. Please also notify a member of our Admissions team with any special dietary requirements prior to a visit to Stonyhurst.

Yes, Stonyhurst is the oldest continually active Jesuit school in the world, having first started educating pupils in 1593.

Stonyhurst is, and always has been, a Catholic, Jesuit school. Our Jesuit principles provide the foundation for our mission to develop our pupils’ unique gifts and talents, challenging them to give of their very best in all that they do, finding God in all things and dedicating their efforts 'Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam' (to the greater glory of God).

We welcome children of all faiths and none, helping them to develop the character virtues of the Jesuit Pupil Profile throughout life at Stonyhurst.

Read more about our Spiritual Life

Our pupils are expected to actively engage in all aspects of College life, including our spiritual offerings. We are delighted to welcome students from a variety of faith backgrounds who are expected to attend Church, showing respect for the religious beliefs that underpin our school’s ethos, and taking part in the school’s community events, which include Masses and other Prayer Services throughout the year.

Pupils do not need to be religious. At Stonyhurst, all religious traditions, beliefs and none are respected and supported.

Pupils are, however, expected to attend and participate in our religious events as a core part of our school community’s life, though we are mindful of differences of beliefs. There are opportunities to learn about these differences and celebrate all faiths through our Chaplaincy programme.

We have four beautiful chapels in use at Stonyhurst, in addition to the Jesuit Church of St Peter's, which sits on our College site. There is one at St Mary's Hall and a further three at Stonyhurst College. Most can be viewed through our Virtual Tour platform.

There is an on-site Health Centre, manned with trained nurses 24 hours a day, and doctors who visit the College for routine appointments twice weekly. The Health Centre team hold pupil drop-in clinics throughout the day, offering first aid, health advice, emotional support and referral to specialist services.

Read more about the Health Centre

Stonyhurst offers an exciting environment both indoors and outdoors within a countryside setting. Pupils have access to vast facilities within the campus, including indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a swimming pool, sports pitches, golf simulator, a theatre, an observatory and access to our award-winning on-site Museum - the oldest museum in the English-speaking world.

See our full list of facilities

You can also view a number of our facilities through our Virtual Tour platform.

There are over 40 co-curricular activities offered at our Prep School and over 75 to choose from at the College for pupils to enjoy outside of their normal curriculum. The co-curricular programme is designed to allow our pupils to expand their minds, try new things, and experience a fully rounded education. Co-curricular activities range from fencing, polo, shooting and horse riding, to swimming and a variety of societies such as politics, chess club, drone racing and charitable endeavours.

Learn more about St Mary's Hall Co-curricular

Learn more about College Co-curricular

We have five wonderful libraries across Stonyhurst College and St Mary’s Hall. Three of these make up our historical libraries which house over 70,000 antiquarian books including a Shakespeare First Folio. Pupils will be able to visit these libraries as part of History lessons throughout their time at Stonyhurst and will have the opportunity to study there when in Rhetoric (Year 13).

Our other operational libraries include the More Library at Stonyhurst College and the Tolkien Library at St Mary’s Hall. The More Library contains over 35,000 books and is extensively used for reading and research throughout the day as a popular venue at break times and after school. The library provides access to academic online databases, as well as a wide range of academic journals and popular magazines.

We have an extensive number of excellent indoor and outdoor sports facilities for our pupils to enjoy and improve their sporting prowess. With our strong reputation in a number of sports, and a dedicated Sports Scholarship programme, we are able to offer our pupils some of the best sporting facilities in the region.

See our full list of sports facilities

Our unique and award-winning museum holds more than 35,000 artefacts, including 50-million-year-old fossils, medieval textiles, baroque silver, paintings, old master prints and important natural history and science groupings. Many of these extraordinary objects are displayed in the museum, with our three adjoining historic libraries housing over 70,000 antiquarian books, including a Shakespeare First Folio, which celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2023. The Stonyhurst Archives cover over 900 years of western and world history.

Read more about the Stonyhurst Museum and its exhibitions

The Museum is usually open to the public on specific dates during the Summer holidays and occasionally at other times during the year. Available dates can be found on our Visit page, where you can also book to visit. Group bookings (6+ people) for guided tours of the museum can also be arranged by directly contacting the Museum & Archives team.

Yes. It is the oldest working school observatory in the UK, having been built in the 1860s to accompany the nearby meteorological observatory, which had been built 30 years before.

The former Meteorological Observatory at Stonyhurst College was once one of seven important weather stations in the country and the temperature records taken there from 1846 are the oldest continuous daily records in the world.

Five. In addition to the Jesuit Church of St Peter's, which sits on our College site, we have four beautiful chapels in use at Stonyhurst - there is one at our St Mary's Hall Prep School and three within Stonyhurst College.

Find out more about the chapels and chaplaincy at Stonyhurst

Yes, horse riding is a co-curricular activity, offered off-site in a local village.

The Mission Garden was built entirely by our pupils under teacher supervision and is used by our Prep School pupils for outdoor lessons and gardening clubs, teaching them how to grow organic fruit and vegetables while also caring for the environment.

The Garden also includes a wildlife pond, pollinator-friendly planting and a fire pit, where the children are able to cook food that they have grown, again under teacher supervision, with other produce from the Garden often donated to local food banks.

Yes, Stonyhurst is proud to have been a World IB School since 2012 and delivered the IB programme since 2013. We have continually seen strong results across the board, which are consistently above the worldwide points average, and are also regularly recognised as one of the top IB Sixth Forms in the UK.

Learn more about our IB Diploma programme

Sports and physical activities have always been an important part of a Stonyhurst education, offered as part of a fully rounded programme within which all pupils can achieve their full potential: personally, physically and socially.

All pupils at the College actively partake in structured games sessions throughout week, with further opportunities to represent the College or a pupil's Line or Playroom in these activities. For a majority of pupils, especially those in Lower Line (Years 9-11), this involves participation in traditional team games.

It is fully appreciated that not every pupil in the College will have the aptitude to represent the College teams, but what is expected from every individual is wholehearted participation underlined by determination and resilience to improve in physical activities at a level commensurate to their ability. A full programme of high quality coaching is also provided, supporting pupils to participate in levels of competition appropriate to their stage of development.

Regardless of the level of participation, every pupil is expected to strive for the highest possible levels of sportsmanship, performance, commitment, self-discipline and courtesy at all times, as well as adhering to high standards of behaviour when practising, competing and spectating.

All pupils experience traditional games in their first three years at Stonyhurst College. In the Christmas Term, rugby and hockey maintain a prominent role for boys and girls respectively. We recognise that these sports are not suited to everyone, so alternatives such as swimming, cross country running, badminton and outdoor pursuits for boys, and netball, dance and multi-sports for girls, become available on certain days each week.

In the Easter Term, the girls follow a similar programme to that of the Christmas Term, but with netball replacing hockey as the major sport, although hockey can still be played as an alternative, along with dance and multi-sports. For the boys, a reduced squad is run from each of the Lower Line Playrooms to fulfil the Rugby 7's programme, with others free to participate in one or more of the following: badminton, basketball, cross country running, football, swimming, and outdoor pursuits. Those pupils selected for the Rugby 7's squad access a similar variety on one day each week where they can make a selection from the same list of options. In the second half of the Easter Term there is further variety available with the opportunity for boys to prepare for the summer sports of cricket, tennis and golf.

During the Summer Term, cricket is the prominent sport for boys to represent the College, and if not within the cricket squad, boys may select tennis, golf, swimming, fell running or outdoor pursuits. For the girls, tennis, cricket, rounders and athletics are the main summer sports, with the added options of dance, multi-sports, golf and outdoor pursuits.

Pupils in Higher Line have an open choice of the sports and activities they wish to participate in for all three terms.

port for boys includes: rugby, football, basketball, cross country running, swimming, badminton, weight training, outdoor pursuits, cricket, tennis and golf. For girls the choices available are: hockey, netball, cross country running, basketball, swimming, badminton, fitness training, outdoor pursuits, rounders, athletics, tennis, golf, yoga, pilates and dance. In line with the College motto 'Quant Je Puis', if capable and selected to represent a particular team, any pupil would be expected to do so.

Team sports such as athletics, badminton, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, hockey, netball, rugby, swimming and tennis are scheduled at times when teams can be at full strength. This arrangement also allows more pupils to be involved in each particular sport, thereby not only sustaining the high standards of the school's top representative sides, but through increased numbers, introducing representative teams at lower levels commensurate with lower levels of playing abilities. This ensures a wide range of representative games made available to all the pupils as well as competition in each sport at the appropriate level.

Yes, pupils at Stonyhurst can choose to play from 20+ different musical instruments, and we also remain one of the very few schools that offer tuition for both the organ and the harp.

Read more about Music at Stonyhurst College

The full updated list of subjects can be found on our Pre-Prep Learning page.

The full updated list of subjects for Years 3-6 can be found on our Prep Learning page.

The full list of subjects available to study at Stonyhurst College (Years 7-11) and Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13) can be found on our Academics Departments page.

Stonyhurst boasts a vibrant and extensive co-curricular provision, with Combined Cadet Force (CCF) training one of the most popular activities at the College, taking place every Thursday afternoon. There is also a diverse range of clubs and societies which include drone racing, fencing, dog walking, astronomy, angling and clay shooting, to name but a few. Adding to the creative mix, talented budding photographers and videographers capture stunning aerial views of the school grounds using drones, with the footage and imagery regularly used on the school website and social media platforms.

Stonyhurst pupils can also start their own societies, along with taking on the leadership of traditional societies that have been handed down from generation to generation of pupils. Notably, Stonyhurst pupils have initiated two pupil publications: The Eye, a magazine that humorously explores College life through satire and student journalism, and The Eagle, offering a Stonyhurst perspective on global issues alongside traditional pupil journalism focused on school matters. To enhance their skills, pupils regularly engage in meetings with the school's in-house Graphic Designer, gaining hands-on experience in page layout and design. Other pupil-led activities include 3D printing, coding, and The Conan Doyle Society, named for Conan Doyle’s scientific credentials rather than his literary reputation, where the topics discussed as lectures range from AI to cutting-edge medical research.

Changemakers is another pupil-led co-curricular endeavour that focuses on social justice topics chosen by the group. These topics serve as the foundation for group dialogues and initiatives aimed at raising awareness within the College community, encouraging pupils to make a difference and embody the values of service to others.

Learn more about our co-curricular provision

Stonyhurst is able to cater for all the lower-level learning needs such as dyscalculia, dysgraphia mild and moderate dyslexia, speech and language difficulties and some social and emotional and mental health needs.

We meet the needs in these areas through quality-first teaching (differentiation in the classroom), pastoral department and, where needed, extra support lessons in the learning support department at no extra cost to parents.

All the other areas are assessed individually. Depending on the level of care and individual support that the pupil requires, we may ask that further funding is given by parents or a county education and health care plan, for any 1-1 support or outside agency intervention that is required on a regular basis.

Read more about our Learning Support

Stonyhurst is located in the heart of the Ribble Valley in Lancashire - a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the north west of England.
Our 1,000-acre estate is stunningly peaceful and inhabited by many varieties of wildlife for pupils to discover during lessons and in their free time.

Learn more about our location

Stonyhurst is approximately a one hour drive from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Leeds Bradford Airport and Manchester Airport.

There are a number of beautiful rural walks around the Ribble Valley, allowing visitors to take in one of the most glorious landscapes in Britain, which was a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The Tolkien Trail is a 9km circular walk starting and finishing in Hurst Green, passing through the Stonyhurst grounds, and the Pendle Hill circuit is also popular within the area. Discover more walking routes in the Ribble Valley.

In our nearest town of Clitheroe, visitors have plenty of opportunities to sample local food and drink. Holmes Mill - a former textiles mill in the centre of the town - features a large beer hall, hotel, food hall and much more, offering a perfect place to indulge, unwind and explore.

For those interested in history, Clitheroe’s historic castle and grounds are well worth a visit. This historic landmark provides a stunning vantage point and intriguing galleries covering 350 million years of history and geology of the local area. Another historic must is Whalley Abbey - the 14th Century Cistercian Abbey ruins are set in beautiful gardens and woodland beside the River Calder.

Something a bit different that small children may enjoy is Bowland Wild Boar Park. Situated in the Forest of Bowland, an Area of Natural Outstanding Beauty, families can watch the animals, explore their habitats and meet smaller residents in the petting area.

And for those looking for something more cosmopolitan, the cities of Liverpool, Manchester and York are all within easy reach via train or car, with opportunities for theatre visits, shopping and dining out in many illustrious, award-winning restaurants.

View more things to do in and around the Ribble Valley

It can be cold and wet in Lancashire, so make sure your children wrap up warm, pack a thick coat and plenty of thermal layers, especially for outdoor activities. Temperatures rarely fall much below freezing during the winter months, with occasional snowfall, and it can usually get quite mild during the summer term, with the hottest weather usually during the Stonyhurst Summer School and Sports Camps.

As a non-selective school, our pupils achieve strong results across a wide breadth of subjects. Our pass rate is a testament to the school staff and the hard work of our pupils, and we are very proud of the effort they put in.

View our latest GCSE and A level results

Stonyhurst IB pupils have consistently achieved above the World Points Average, with instances of 40+ points (equivalent to four A*s at A level) seen over the last few years.

View our latest IB averages

Typically, two-thirds of our UCAS applicants in Rhetoric (Year 13) are placed in Russell Group universities, following fantastic continued success with A level and IB results, which place Stonyhurst as one of the top performing Colleges both regionally and nationally.

The majority of our Oxbridge (Oxford and Cambridge) applicants are called for interview each year with some securing places.

The word ‘Playroom’ has a dual meaning at Stonyhurst. It is the name of the year group and also the name of the common room area where pupils relax and socialise.

‘Playroom’ comes from the emphasis placed on drama in a Jesuit education. Plays and dramatic performances helped to encourage a sense of community amongst the pupils, improved their confidence and public speaking, enhanced their memory and encouraged fluency in Latin.

'Quant Je Puis' (As Much As I Can) is our overarching principle and underpins everything that we do.

This ethos encourages the Stonyhurst community to strive for personal excellence in all that they do. Each child is encouraged to give of their best, whether it is in the classroom, on the sports fields or through the myriad of other opportunities they have for their personal development and all-round growth. One of our principal aims is for every child to feel that their contribution to school life is valid and worthwhile, and their individual needs are recognised.

Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam, meaning "To the greater glory of God", which pupils write at the top of all pieces of work.

Laus Deo Semper, meaning "Praise God at all times", which pupils write at the bottom of all pieces of work.

Educational excellence at Stonyhurst extends far beyond academic subjects and classrooms. Cura personalis (care for the whole person) is at the heart of Jesuit schools, with co-curricular activities and formation of character therefore an important part of a Stonyhurst education.

This Jesuit principle is a foundation for an education that nurtures individuality and encourages generosity. Living in a supportive and diverse community, our pupils are helped to develop those qualities of character that will distinguish them in later life as 'men and women for others', striving to create positive change to make the world a better place.

Your child’s House Parent is the first person who will care for them, along with a team of house tutors and a Head of Playroom (College). The House Parents look after their boarding community and live in their respective boarding houses with the pupils. Deputy House Parents also reside in each house and are supported by a strong team of non-resident Tutors of whom they will work closely with to promote an understanding of the academic progress of each pupil.

OS stands for ‘Old Stonyhurst’. All pupils who have left the College become OS, with most joining the Stonyhurst Association and returning for many reunions throughout their lives.

Pupils are encourage to join Stonyhurst Link once they leave the College, allowing them to network amongst fellow OS.

Lines are the “House” system at Stonyhurst. All pupils belong to one of 4 Lines: Campion, Shireburn, St Omers, and Weld. There are many Interline competitions throughout each year, such as Interline Swimming, Interline Rugby, Interline Netball and Interline Music, with points awarded to the winning Line in each instance, culminating in an overall Line Champion at the end of the academic year.

These are Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 (Figures, Rudiments, Lower Grammar, Grammar and Syntax).

Read more about the Lower Line year groups

These are Years 12 and 13 (Poetry and Rhetoric).

Read more about the Higher Line year groups

The Head Boy and Head Girl at the College are Head of Line.

Rec is play time / break time for our pupils. This is their free time during the day and they can use it how they wish.

Shortened from The Refectory, this is where pupils dine at every mealtime.

Hodder House:

• FSP - Pre-Foundation Stage
• FS1 - Foundation Stage 1 (Nursery)
• FS2 - Foundation Stage 2 (Reception)
• PP1 - Year 1
• PP2 - Year 2

St Mary’s Hall:

• Lower Prep - Year 3
• Upper Prep - Year 4
• Lower Elements - Year 5
• Upper Elements - Year 6
• Figures - Year 7
• Rudiments - Year 8

Stonyhurst College:

• Lower Grammar - Year 9
• Grammar - Year 10
• Syntax - Year 11

Sixth Form:

• Poetry - Year 12
• Rhetoric - Year 13