Forces Families

 

A Long Tradition of Welcoming Forces Families

Stonyhurst College, together with its Prep School, Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall, is the UK’s leading co-educational Catholic boarding and day school for children aged 3–18, with boarding available from 7 years of age. 


Set within a magnificent Grade I listed building in the heart of Lancashire’s beautiful Ribble Valley, Stonyhurst offers an inspiring and secure environment in which young people can thrive.

For more than 100 years, Stonyhurst has proudly welcomed Forces families from all Services, ranks and religious backgrounds. Here, every child is known and valued as an individual, 

- William Doherty, Head of Stonyhurst

Why families choose Stonyhurst

The Affordability of a Stonyhurst Education

2026/27

St Mary's Hall

Preparatory School (8-11 years)

Stonyhurst College

Aloysius House (11-13 years)

Stonyhurst College

Senior School (13-18 years)
Termly Fee inc. VAT & lunch £918.40 £1,158.60 £1,158.60

Stonyhurst is fully committed to a fee structure that provides maximum support for Forces families. We currently educate more than 40 pupils from HM Forces and the FCDO, representing all ranks and Services across both our Prep and Senior Schools.

Our fee policy sets the parental contribution at 10% of the relevant Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA), fully incorporating VAT and lunch. We also waive the standard deposit requirement and offer a reduced registration fee of £10.

Our Forces Families package is designed to be transparent and comprehensive. Fees at Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall and Aloysius House include an extensive weekend activities programme, with additional charges applying only to selected co-curricular activities. At Stonyhurst College, some co-curricular and weekend activities are offered as optional extras and may incur an additional charge.

Standard SEND support and technology are also included, with pupils benefiting from tailored learning support, digital resources and a school laptop from Lower Elements (Year 5). Our dedicated Forces Families Liaison Officer provides guidance, continuity and support for pupils and parents throughout their Stonyhurst journey.

Scholarships are also available to Forces families and may provide a pathway to further means-tested fee support.

To find out more about a Stonyhurst education, please contact our Admissions team at the link below.

Contact Admissions

Read more about CEA

Our daughter had already been to five different primary schools before we found Stonyhurst. So when we received notice of another posting, we did not have the same worries we had faced before. Stonyhurst gave her the stability and continuity she needed. She settled into boarding quickly, built lasting friendships and continued to thrive both academically and personally. For the first time, another posting did not mean starting all over again.

- A Stonyhurst Forces Parent

Boarding at Stonyhurst

Stonyhurst comprises Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall (Prep School) and Stonyhurst College. Together, the campus provides a seven-day boarding environment, offering a genuine home-from-home for young people. 

There are no compulsory exeat weekends at Stonyhurst. However, pre-arranged exeats can be organised flexibly to accommodate the commitments and needs of Forces families. 

Boarding houses remain lively and fully active at weekends, with pupils enjoying a vibrant programme following Saturday morning lessons and afternoon sport and activities.

College Boarding  Prep School Boarding

 

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Open Days and Events

Stonyhurst College front from south view

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Stonyhurst Sign Armed Forces Covenant

Stonyhurst announced that it has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown, and their families, are treated with fairness and respect in their communities, economy, and society for which they serve with their lives.

In supporting those who serve, have served, and their families, and the value they bring to our community, Stonyhurst will seek to uphold the principles of the Covenant by:

  • promoting that it is a military friendly organisation;
  • enabling pupil bursaries to qualifying members of the Armed Forces community subject to standard procedures; supporting Armed Forces families throughout their time at Stonyhurst, particularly before, during and after a parent’s deployment
  • supporting the employment of veterans, recognising military skills and qualifications in our recruitment and selection-process;
  • striving to support the employment of Service spouses and partners; offering a degree of flexibility in granting leave for Service spouses and partners before, during and after a partner’s deployment;
  • supporting our employees who are members of the Reserve Forces; supporting any mobilisations and deployment; actively encouraging members of staff to become Reservists;
  • supporting our employees who are volunteer leaders in military cadet organisations, granting additional leave to attend annual training camps and courses; actively encouraging members of staff to become volunteer leaders in cadet organisations; supporting local military cadet units; recognising the benefits of employing cadets/ex-cadets within the workforce
  • actively supporting Armed Forces Day, Reserves Day, the Poppy Appeal Day and Remembrance activities

Read more   

Read the Covenant

Hear from Stonyhurst boarder Libby, whose father serves in the RAF

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