Lower Grammar Boys Boarding House
The Boys House
The Lower Grammar Boys' boarding area is located off the Lower Gallery, by the Ambulacrum, where the old swimming pool was, an area of the College which is still referred to as 'The Plunge'.
Ethos
Lower Grammar boys are encourage to be respectful, honest, kind and helpful to one another and to treat others as they wish to be treated. Each boy is treated as an individual and the House Parent provides a secure, supportive, and friendly environment for each boy to feel at home and to feel settled within their new surroundings. Boys in Lower Grammar boarding are urged to treat the house as they would at home, to respect it, look after it, to tidy up after themselves and to think of their peers and not just about their own needs. The Lower Grammar boarding community is one that works hard, plays hard and rests when needed. Boarders are taught to respect each other's point of view and allow their peers to freely express their own.
About the Lower Grammar Boys House Parent
Mike Lightbown has been the Houseparent for Lower Grammar Boys since 2023, having previously been assistant in Grammar Boys. Mike has worked in boarding education since 2012, which includes time as a housemaster at a prep school in Lincolnshire.
A qualified teacher, Mike has worked in the History department at SMH and is now also part of the Religious Studies department in the College. Mike strongly believes in getting ‘stuck in’ to all Stonyhurst has to offer, as seen with his assistance in coaching the College football teams, involvement with CCF, and leading Shireburn Line.
Outside of Stonyhurst, Mike has been a keen sportsman, having played cricket, both codes of rugby, as well as football, among others. Much of his spare time is now spent devoted to his family at their home on Merseyside.
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Our daily routine
The daily routines starts with a wake up at 7:00am to be registered at breakfast between 7:15am and 7:45am. Room inspections commence, with electronic devices being handed out shortly after. From then, the boys will be out of the boarding house in lessons or games, until the end of the school day, where they will either have free time or attend activities or clinics before supper and then studies at 19:00pm. Studies last till 20:15pm and afterwards the boys have free time. Often free time is spent making use of the Astro Turf, playing football or rugby, socialising with Lower Grammar girls, playing table tennis or computer games. At 21:00pm the boys hand in all the electronics, take evening prayers, shower and get ready for bed. 21:45pm it is lights out.
Evenings & weekends
Evening activities vary from day to day but include more than 75 different clubs and activities alongside time for prep and studies. These include golf, photography, dance, debating, orchestra, scuba, charities and management groups. Weekend activities vary from week to week but include movies, theatre going, going to watch football matches, shopping, playing sport, visiting the Trafford Centre, Blackpool Pleasure Beach and fishing in the Hodder River and many more. Free time can also be spent having some down time so that the boys are ready for the next day, playing computer games, going for a swim in the river Hodder or watching a film with friends.
Key Contacts for Lower Grammar Boys House
Mr Chris Bennetts
Mr Mike Lightbown
Excellent pastoral care and the excellent boarding experience further contribute to pupil’s resilience and independence.
ISI Report