Pastoral Care
Pastoral Excellence
The happiness and wellbeing of our pupils is a top priority. We want them to enjoy their time at Stonyhurst in a safe and nurturing environment, and we hope that they will look back fondly upon the many memories they will make here. The structure we have put in place for pastoral care is designed to ensure that each pupil feels emotionally secure and knows who to turn to should they need that little bit of extra support.
At Stonyhurst, we develop strong links with our pupils’ families, and we encourage parents to be closely involved with us.
About the Refectory
Food at Stonyhurst
The area in which Stonyhurst is situated is famous for its high quality culinary restaurants, and this continues at Stonyhurst. We understand the importance of a balanced diet and good nutrition for the health and wellbeing of our pupils.
Assistant Heads
Each year group (known as a Playroom) has an Assistant Head who will have an overview of each pupil’s complete experience at Stonyhurst. From academic performance to pastoral issues, the Assistant Head maintains a holistic view.
Pastoral Team
There is also a team of pastoral staff, headed up by an experienced Deputy Head, Pastoral, and our team of Houseparents. This team is responsible for the emotional wellbeing of day pupils and boarders and is dedicated to ensuring that rules are followed to make Stonyhurst a positive and vibrant community where every individual pupil feels secure and at home.
The pupil’s tutor will also become a key source of support over his or her years in the College. Your child will be assigned a tutor whose role is to guide their tutees and advise them with regard to academic matters, co-curricular involvement and university applications when in Higher Line.
Excellent pastoral care and the excellent boarding experience further contribute to pupil’s resilience and independence.
ISI Report
Playroom System
Stonyhurst’s Jesuit founders believed it was of paramount importance to allow pupils of the same age to develop strong ties. To support these ties, our founders provided each year group with a room in which they could socialise and, under the direction of their Playroom Master, create a theatrical play about an important spiritual or moral issue, literally a “play” room.
Our unique Playroom system provides an outstanding quality of pastoral care, where the pupils bond as a year group (Playroom) and remain together as they move from Playroom to Playroom every year. The strength of their friendships they create within their Playroom is palpable, as is their support for and understanding of one another. As a group, they learn to respect one another’s differences, face challenges together and delight in one another’s success. They have the support to grow in personal and academic confidence, to step beyond their comfort zone without fear, and to contribute to the community both within and beyond Stonyhurst itself.
Take the next step
Support
Parental Support
For professional parents with an extended working day, it is comforting to know that there is always someone there for your child and a broad range of relevant and exciting activities for children to enjoy after school. Flexi-boarding or occasional boarding are also very popular options, perhaps when family life is a little more hectic than usual, to share a special occasion with their boarding friends or simply as a treat.
Chaplaincy
Chaplaincy Support
The Emmaus Centre within the College is where our Chaplains are based. Pupils are free to drop in here at any time. Based here are our Jesuit Priest, Father Tim Curtis SJ (Tel 01254 827009) and our Lay Chaplain, Catherine Crombie, (Tel 01254 827143). The Chaplains arrange tutor group Masses, confessions and other services within and across the Playrooms.
We teach the importance of spirituality, promote daily prayer, stress the need for gratitude, especially for God’s gifts, and encourage students to empathise with the needs of others. We also introduce students to forms of spiritual reflection inspired by St Ignatius, founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).
With Christ at the centre of our caring, supportive and prayerful community of pupils, staff and parents, we know our children as individuals, provide for their specific needs and help them to grow with the long-term goal of becoming well-rounded 'men and women for others' in the Ignatian tradition.
Additional Support
There are many people to whom pupils can turn for advice, support and understanding throughout the years that they spend at Stonyhurst College. You can find their contact details on the Key Contacts page.
We aim to ensure that all pupils feel able to confide and discuss any matters with Stonyhurst staff members. However, in the event that pupils or parents wish to seek support or confide in someone from an external organisation, we have compiled a list of useful numbers and web addresses below.
| Organisation | Contact details |
|---|---|
| Office of the Children’s Commissioner, Anne Longfield |
info.request@childrenscommissioner.gsi.gov.uk 020 7783 8330 |
| Childhood Bereavement Network |
www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk 020 7843 6309 |
| Childline – National helpline for children |
0800 11 11 |
| Citizens’ Advice Bureau | www.adviceguide.org.uk |
| National Youth Advocacy Service |
0800 61 61 01 |
| Samaritans |
08457 90 90 90 |
| Independent School’s Inspectorate |
0207 600 0100 |
| NSPCC |
0808 800 5000 |
| Young Minds | www.youngminds.org.uk If you need urgent help text YM to 85258 |
The playrooms for each year group however – the social and pastoral planks of the school - are full of inspiring pictures, quotes, games tables. They are terrific and age-appropriate, each room having its own distinct identity.
The Good Schools Guide