Tips on settling into a UK boarding school by Mr Jackson

A primary focus of ours within the pastoral team at Stonyhurst College is to create a ‘home away from home’. Our pastoral ethos from a boarding perspective is holistic; we take great pride in managing all aspects of our boarding pupils’ affairs and work closely in conjunction with families and guardians to ensure that all bases are covered. With such a diverse range of nationalities within my house, it is essential to create a relaxed, honest culture where the pupils are free to express themselves and build friendships which will hopefully last a lifetime.

A detailed induction programme on arrival, followed by a regular daily structure, gives the boys both confidence and continuity, allowing them to develop excellent personal habits such as the important of time-keeping, responsibility and respect. Within that structure, we provide plenty of opportunities for exploration, be it co-curricular advancement with a plethora of fantastic options for them to try, or regular trips to some of the North West’s finest destinations via our weekend activity programme. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced hand, you will be encouraged to embody our Quant Je Puis (As Much as I Can) ethos as a boarder during your time at Stonyhurst College.

We generate a number of our new students via recommendation; they have connections to current or former pupils that have attended the College and I would strongly encourage anyone considering a UK boarding school to explore this avenue of recommendation. This will provide you with an honest and detailed assessment of whether the school you are considering is the right fit for your son or daughter.

Marcus Jackson