The benefits of boarding schools are endless, offering children extensive opportunities to become well-rounded individuals.
Boarding at Stonyhurst is a wonderful option for families, allowing children a full and exciting school experience. Opting to board allows parents to choose the school which is best suited to their child’s interests and talents, encouraging them to be the very best they can be.
Wellbeing, safeguarding and positive mental health are at the forefront of our pastoral teams, creating a Stonyhurst family like no other, in which all our young people belong.
Horizontal Boarding
Unlike many other boarding schools, we operate a horizontal boarding system, which means our boarders mix with pupils of the same age within the same boarding house. This is beneficial because young people bond as a year group and develop life long friends, based on mutual respect, which is excellent preparation for the adult world. It is also beneficial for Houseparents because they can focus and cater to the specific needs of an age group and plan activities accordingly. In the same way, boarding houses are equipped with the appropriate facilities for that particular age group. In the traditional vertical model, where boarding pupils are spread across a number of houses in which they remain throughout, there might be only a few friends of a similar age at weekends, which would never happen at Stonyhurst.
Over 75+ Unique Co-curricular Activities
We are proud to be able to offer over 75 exciting co-curricular activities for pupils to take part in before, during and after the school day. Activities range from the Astronomy Society, Drone Racing Club, Angling Society and many more... These activities now form part of the newly launched Stonyhurst Diploma. The history of the College provides us with a template for the key aspects of an all-round education that helps facilitate this personal growth. These are: Adventure, drawing upon a history of Jesuit exploration, scientific innovation and global travel; Chaplaincy, ensuring our key identity as Jesuit Catholic school remains at the heart of all we do at the College and in our wider community; Performing Arts where we continue to develop our ability to articulate what we believe and the confidence to say it before others; and Sport where the shared endeavour of a community that has always been integral to the College comes through most clearly. Through a programme of activities, societies, trip and events, we seek to help our pupils discover their passions and support them in maximising their potential.
World Class Facilities
Boarding at Stonyhurst means that children can take advantage of all the opportunities on offer at school, particularly the co-curricular clubs and sports training opportunities. This extra access to the school’s facilities helps to create well-rounded pupils, with multiple interests and hobbies.
Our outstanding facilities are one of the top reasons parents choose us. Whether it’s swimming in our 25-metre indoor heated swimming pool, our on-site 9-hole golf course, our croquet putting green, competing on one of our 22 sports pitches, reflecting in one of 7 chapels, visiting the museum and historic libraries, shooting clays in our indoor or outdoor shooting range, playing a competitive game of tennis in our tennis dome, performing in our professional theatres, or watching the stars glisten in our observatory; we provide opportunities in a wide variety of fields for all interests and talents.
An Exciting and Busy Life
Full-time boarders stay at Stonyhurst for seven days a week, allowing them to enjoy all of the exciting opportunities that are part of life at boarding school. Stonyhurst has a thriving community of boarding pupils between the ages of 7 to 18, throughout the Prep School and the College. Our school roll is made up of 70% boarders and approximately 800 pupils across the campus, meaning that the school is a hive of activity seven days a week. On weekends, boarders have an exciting itinerary, with trips to local attractions such as rowing, tobogganing, skiing, paintballing, laser tag and quad biking. They also make the most of the facilities at school, with CCF workshops, discos, inflatable fun on the grounds, competitive swimming and lots more. Trips out include visits to theme parks and the theatre, to name just a few!
Over 28 Nationalities
Stonyhurst has a diverse range of pupils from 28 nationalities. Pupils travel far and wide for a Stonyhurst boarding experience which is usually passed down from generations of OS (Old Stonyhurst) who have had an unforgettable experience. Most of our dorms are shared and believe this allows pupils to learn and understand other cultures and faiths, by making friends and living in a thriving community based on mutual respect. Our school pupil body is 60% British, meaning international pupils will make progress in English in leaps and bounds because of the close daily contact and shared activities with English-speaking pupils.
'Excellent pastoral care and the excellent boarding experience further contribute to pupil’s resilience and independence.' - ISI Report 2016
Please visit our boarding page to learn more about boarding or sign up for one of our Open Days to visit our school, virtually, or in person.