Founded in 1593 at St Omers, it moved first to Bruges then to Liege. Forced to leave the continent at the outbreak of the French Revolution, it established itself at the Hall of Stonyhurst in 1794. It has very fine buildings in a beautiful setting in the Ribble Valley on the slopes of Longridge Fell. The prep school, St Mary's Hall at Stonyhurst, is adjacent. Extremely well equipped with modern facilities, the college is a foundation of the Society of Jesus, and describes itself as a community of young people, parents, Jesuits, lay staff, former pupils and friends. It undertakes to provide instruction in Catholic doctrine and to educate pupils in the principles and practice of their faith; enquiries from other Christians are also welcome. Now a co-educational school: girls were admitted throughout the school in 1999 (to the sixth form ten years earlier). There is a staff:pupil ratio of 1:8. Excellent teaching is provided and examination results are good. It is very strong in music and drama and there is a wide range of games, sports and activities. Excellent standards in games with a number of county and national representatives. Considerable emphasis on outdoor pursuits for which the environment is ideal. There is a highly regarded cadet corps contingent, substantial commitment to local community schemes and charities and a good record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
Pupils: Age range 13-18; 456 pupils, 169 day (99 boys, 70 girls), 287 boarding (205 boys, 82 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects). Special skills taken into account. Pupils are largely Roman Catholic although Christians of other denominations are encouraged to apply. Significant intake from own prep school, St Mary's Hall, Stonyhurst ( tel 01254 826242).
Wide range of scholarships awarded at age13 and 16, value 10-50% fees: academic, all-rounder, art, music; also awards at 11 (via St Mary's Hall Prep), Bursaries available. Parents are not expected to buy textbooks; other extras variable.
20+% live within 30 miles; 20+% live overseas; 25% from Home Counties/London.
Headmaster: Andrew Johnston, in post from 2007. Educated at Skinner's School, Tunbridge Wells, and at universities of Bristol (French and Spanish) and Portsmouth (education management). Previously Deputy Head at Birkdale and Head of Modern Languages at Winchester. Teaching staff: 63 full time, 20 part time. Annual turnover 5%.
GCSE: Typically, 70-80 pupils in fifth: 87% gain at least grade C in 5+ subjects (average in 8.1 subjects). A-levels: 100 in upper sixth: 17% passed in 4+ subjects; 64% in 3; 13% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 346.
All sixth-form leavers go on to degree courses (25% after a gap year under the auspices of the Jesuits), 10% to Oxbridge. 7% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 15% in science and engineering, 69% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design, 4% in vocational subjects (eg agriculture, property management).
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21 GCSE subjects (plus astronomy in sixth form); 25 at AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. On average 35% take science A-levels; 35% arts/humanities; 30% both. Key skills being piloted. Special provision: EAL classes inside and outside the timetable (small groups). Specialist teaching for pupils with dyslexia and other special needs. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level (Italian as an extra). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum (eg data logging, production of language texts, use of email). 250 computers for pupil use (14 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access; all upper sixth have networked computers in their rooms. Video conferencing facilities.
Music: Over 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams are taken. Musical groups include orchestras, concert band, training band, string and wind chamber groups, jazz band, dance band, several choirs. Drama and debating: Pupils and staff in school productions; majority of pupils in year group productions. 3-4 major productions each year. Art and design: On average, 20 take GCSE, 6-8 A-level. Design and pottery also offered; separate design and technology department. 2-3 entries each year to art and design foundation courses.
Sport: Rugby, cricket, hockey, athletics, netball compulsory. Optional: soccer, badminton, squash, tennis, cross-country, basketball, fencing, swimming. Many county and national representatives in rugby and other sports. Strong outdoor pursuits. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Cadet Corps compulsory for 1 year in year 10, a popular option thereafter. Community service optional at all ages; very active, including regular exchange visits with local primary school and work with disabled children. Up to 20 clubs, eg astronomy, maths, debating, fishing, hill walking, video, science, computing, scuba diving, philosophy, theology, historical, literary.
Uniform: School uniform worn by all (home clothes for part of weekend). Houses and prefects: Competitive houses for sports only. Prefects and head pupil - appointed by the Headmaster. Religion: Roman Catholic. Compulsory Sunday Mass, year group Mass regularly, Sunday evening service. Daily morning prayers. Social: Links with Jesuit colleges in Reims, Sydney, Melbourne, Zimbabwe and Berlin. Some meals formal, some self-service. School shop. Alcoholic drinks allowed occasionally at sixth-form socials.
Pupils failing to produce work assignments can expect some loss of free time. College teaches pupils about the dangers inherent in becoming involved in illegal drugs and underpins its teaching with a clearly defined disciplinary structure. Those found selling or distributing illegal drugs are removed immediately. Any pupil found to have used illegal drugs is likely to be suspended and discussions initiated with parents; pupils offending a second time will be asked to leave. All pupils and parents receive a copy of the Family Handbook.
Sixth formers have own study bedroom; third and fourth form in small dormitories. Houses divided by age group; separate houses for sixth-form and junior girls. Resident qualified full and part time nursing staff. Central dining room. Exeats on application to Assistant Headmaster. Visits to the local town allowed, with permission, for older pupils.
The Stonyhurst Association, c/o the College.
General Vernon Walters (former US Ambassador to UN); Arthur Conan Doyle (author); Charles Laughton (actor); Paul Johnson (journalist); Sir Cecil Clothier (Judge of Appeal, Isle of Man); Bruce Kent; Bill Cash MP; Kyran Bracken (England rugby); Lord Chitnis; Eduardo Lopez de Romaņa (president of Peru); Patrick McGrath (novelist); Bishop Crispian Hollis; Mark Thompson (Director General, BBC); Charles Sturridge (film producer/director); Brendan O'Friel; Greg Wood (BBC economic correspondent); Lord Lilford; Leonard Ingrams (merchant banker and opera impresario); Sir Tim Chessells (Legal Aid Board); Iain Balshaw (England Rugby).
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