Address: Stonyhurst, Hurst Green, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 9PZ
Website: stonyhurst.ac.uk
Founded: 1593
Pupils: 692, co-ed (571 at Stonyhurst College, 121 at Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall Prep School)
Ages: 3-18
Termly Fees: £4,321-£16,246
Head Teacher: Mr John Browne (Stonyhurst), Fr Christopher Cann (Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall)
Religious Affiliation: Roman Catholic school in the Jesuit tradition
Entrance Procedure: Application procedures include entry assessments, interviews, character references/references from the child’s current school, school reports and taster days/overnight stays
Contact: Helen Eastham, director of admissions & marketing; admissions@
School Visits: Next open days 4 October 2025, 9am-1pm (college and prep school) and 9 October 2025, 6-9pm (sixth form)
The Curriculum
The prep school follows the international primary curriculum up to the age of 11. At the college, GCSE through to A levels are offered as well as the Pre IB, IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) and the Cambridge Technical Diploma in business or sport. There is an extensive co-curricular programme of over 75 activities for pupils to choose from.
Games & The Arts
Pupils achieve on the sports field, as well as in music, drama and dance. Stonyhurst has a national reputation for rugby and a very strong reputation for hockey and netball. Pupils have success in outdoor pursuits such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award, fell running and shooting. The Stonyhurst Combined Cadet Force is one of the oldest and most distinguished in the country. The sports centre includes a golf course, world-class, LTA-registered tennis dome, Olympic size all-weather pitch, 37 fitness station multi-gym and swimming pool. In addition to sports, Stonyhurst offers excellent opportunities in music, art, drama, dance, stage management and photography.
Pastoral Care
Pastoral care at Stonyhurst is rooted in its Jesuit ethos, with every pupil supported to grow as ‘men and women for others’. Through dedicated houseparents and tutors, the ‘line families’ system ensures that each child is known and nurtured, while a comprehensive health and wellbeing centre provides professional medical care, emotional support,and guidance to promote resilience and balance. The school’s safe, countryside setting provides space to flourish, and this commitment to care was recognised nationally when Stonyhurst received The Week’s Best of the Best Award for Boarding 2025.
University Places
Stonyhurst pupils go on to pursue a wide and impressive range of opportunities after leaving the college. The vast majority attend universities, both in the UK and abroad, while every year some pupils are supported in applying for apprenticeships or employment opportunities. Some pupils are also guided through applications for specialist institutions, such as music conservatoires. A special programme of support is given to those applying to Oxford or Cambridge, and every year some pupils take up places at these prestigious universities. The award-winning careers department at Stonyhurst also supports a wide range of international applications, including US universities, Asian universities and a vast number of European universities.
Head Teacher’s Philosophy
The purpose of a Stonyhurst education has always been, in the words of St Ignatius, to ‘set the world on fire’ – to equip young people with the courage, compassion and curiosity to live purposefully for the greater glory of God and the common good. To remain true to this calling, a Stonyhurst education must anticipate the needs of a changing world. The simple truth: innovation is our tradition. As the oldest continuously operating Jesuit school in the world, we embrace both the privilege and the responsibility of our position – sustaining our mission, deepening our culture of innovation, and shaping a global future for our pupils. In a world of constant change, our Jesuit identity keeps us grounded, our tradition fuels our progress – and our ambition is to form the leaders of tomorrow.
Outstanding Characteristics
- A Jesuit, Catholic foundation: rooted in the Jesuit tradition, Stonyhurst forms young people of competence, conscience, compassion and commitment, grounded in faith and a deep sense of justice
- A global outlook: Stonyhurst prepares pupils to engage confidently with the world. Through intercultural experiences, international outreach, and a global network of Jesuit schools, the school nurtures empathy, leadership and a commitment to the common good
- Academic excellence: Every pupil is challenged to achieve their personal best, supported by outstanding teaching and tailored academic pathways. Drawing on centuries of heritage and the Ignatian commitment to cura personalis (care for the whole person), the curriculum blends intellectual rigour with innovation, spanning the arts, sciences, humanities and languages
- A vibrant community and full boarding programme: Stonyhurst is a family like no other – a joyful, inclusive community where young people are known, valued, and supported to flourish. The full boarding programme offers a home-from-home experience, enriched by vibrant weekend activities, dedicated pastoral care, and global friendships. Day pupils are fully immersed in the life of the community, with access to the same outstanding teaching, co-curricular opportunities and pastoral support as boarders
- The Stonyhurst collections: Stonyhurst brings history to life through its world-class museum and collections, using rare books, manuscripts, artefacts, and specimens as hands-on teaching tools across the curriculum. From the Junior Curators scheme for younger pupils to IB and A level projects, children of all ages handle and interpret objects ranging from Neolithic spearheads to Shakespeare’s First Folio, fossils, and taxidermy
