Stonar School
This content has been reviewed and approved by Professor Lucy Heller
In the process of preparing the material, we referenced the following sources: Wikipedia, GOV.UK, International Baccalaureate
Description of Stonar School
- Founded: in 1895 (originally located in Sandwich, southeast of England)
- Location: Atworth, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
- Students age: 2-18 years old
- Total number of students: 360 people (approximately 110 at the boarding house )
- Accommodation type: residence (boarding house)
- Type of studying: mixed
- Language of instruction: English.
A British school with a global perspective, Stonar develops the talents of every pupil through small class sizes, excellent teaching, high expectations, individual support and an exceptionally wide range of opportunities. Our pupils are active, ambitious and energetic – they pack a huge amount in to their busy days. With a well-established culture of care and attention to the individual needs, Stonar pupils do more, and do better, than they ever thought possible.   
We excel at ‘adding value’ to a child’s education, which means pupils generally score higher grades than predicted at GCSE and A Level. In 2020 our pupils on average gained a value-added score of 1.5 (a whole grade and a half!) at GCSE and 0.8 for A Level, i.e. on average every Stonar pupil achieved a grade plus better in every subject than other pupils of the same ability did across the UK.
These value-added scores put Stonar in the top 1.5% of the independent schools in England using these assessments nationally (over 10,000 pupils) for GCSE and the top 2.5% for A Level. After excellent results students can enter any sixth form colleges in UK.
Pupils’ achievements demonstrate in many areas – academic, riding and sports, performing and visual arts, community spirit. Our pupils become accomplished in tackling challenges, team working, leadership, building strong relationships and move on to achieve success and fulfilment in a huge range of university courses and careers.
As part of the well renowned Globeducate Schools Group, Stonar has partner schools around the world with whom we collaborate to offer a unique educational experience, including academic projects, exchanges and joint music, drama and sporting festivals. 
When is the ideal time to apply to UK schools, and what should applicants expect?
Generally, the earlier, the better. Some prestigious schools close their admissions 1-2 years before the start of the program. Consider entrance exams, which require preparation, and visa processes, which don't fare well with last-minute arrangements.
Programs and prices, tuition fees in Stonar School
GCSE
Years 10 and 11 lead to GCSEs. We want pupils to enjoy their time at Stonar, so we build the timetable, as far as we can, around their choice of optional academic subjects and outside interests – so that competitive riders and keen athletes, for instance, have time to practise.
Throughout their academic journey, we want to motivate pupils to think for themselves, to explore new ideas and develop independence, imagination, resilience, high aspirations and a sense of responsibility for their own progress. In this way they will acquire life-long learning skills and the ability to adapt to change.
A-Levels
With small class sizes of typically 2 to 7 students and close working relationships with teachers and tutors, Stonar’s Sixth Form provides a fantastic environment for fulfilling your academic potential.
Alongside this, our Sixth Formers are given the opportunities for personal development, leadership and co-curricular activities they need to become happy and successful young adults. An outstanding tutor team will support you and go the extra mile in helping you at every turn. Relationships between staff and students are excellent – both in and out of the classroom.
You will study 3-4 subjects of your choice and will be guided and advised by tutors and subject teachers every step of the way to ensure you in reaching your full academic potential. We will teach you, but just as importantly, you will learn how to study and research for yourself, just as you will be at university.
Whilst qualifications are of course an intrinsic focus of your time in the Sixth Form, extra-curricular life and the social side of life is also important. A vibrant range of opportunities are available, from additional courses in Equestrian, Cookery (including the Leith’s Toolbox), the EPQ and Duke of Edinburgh Awards via our Explorer Scout group. Pupils also take part in drama, music, sport as well as having access to leadership opportunities via the prefect team.
An active social program combines events in school with trips out to the theatre, cinema and meals out. Find out further information about our excellent Sixth Form.
Accommodation, meals, prices
Stonar is a traditional private schools in UK with a vibrant, multicultural boarding community. Each House has its own distinctive identity but all share a family atmosphere.
In a safe, rural environment, pupils are really well looked after. Their happiness and wellbeing is every bit as important as their academic progress. The cosy environment ensures that pupils can relax, be themselves – and have a lot of fun. Because Stonar has such a friendly, inclusive and nurturing environment in mixed-age houses, pupils naturally develop a strong sense of responsibility, caring for fellow pupils, their school and the wider world.
Day pupils are also all members of our Houses, so everyone mixes together and benefits from the experience of a residential style of education.
We do not have Saturday lessons, so weekends are for socialising, sport and study. Stonar is a full boarding school, so there are no exeat weekends and students can even stay and study during the Spring and Summer half terms. A boarders' activities program runs every weekend with choice and variety taking place both inside and outside school. Pupils enjoy a diverse range of trips such as kayaking, shopping in Bath, go-karting and trampolining at AirHop. A visiting climbing wall experience has come to the school, along with falconers, archery and fencing instructors. Craft, sport and baking are all regular features of weekends at Stonar.
Subjects and sports
Activities Stonar School
Life at Stonar is enriched by a vibrant co-curricular program and a competition house structure so there is always plenty going on for pupils to get involved with.
Our co-curricular program offers a range of activities for all interests, with arts and crafts clubs, music groups and sports clubs, as well as choices such as Beginner’s Japanese, Debating, Lego Robotics and Kit Car.
Stonar’s Explorer Scout group gives pupils the chance to get out and about, learning skills such as campfire cookery, map reading and bush craft skills, and put those skills to the test with night hikes and camp-outs. Our Scouts also get out on trips to try activities such as caving or climbing, and they can also embark on their Duke of Edinburgh awards through the group.We do not have Saturday lessons, so weekends are for socialising, sport and study. Stonar is a full boarding school, so there are no exeat weekends and students can even stay and study during the Spring and Summer half terms.
A boarders' activities program runs every weekend with choice and variety taking place both inside and outside school. Pupils enjoy a diverse range of trips such as kayaking, shopping in Bath, go-karting and trampolining at AirHop. A visiting climbing wall experience has come to the school, along with falconers, archery and fencing instructors. Craft, sport and baking are all regular features of weekends at Stonar.
Stonar is a British Horse Society approved Equestrian Centre and riding has been a core feature of the school for several decades. The outstanding onsite facilities include first class indoor and outdoor schools, stabling for 65 horses, a cross country schooling field with a wide variety of different fences and a hacking track. The Equestrian Centre is centrally located within the school, enabling pupils to easily access the stables during the school day. In fact, pupils often pop down to pat their favourite pony during their morning break or lunchtime.
Facilities and equipment at Stonar School
On the school territory of 80 acres there are stunning parkland and gardens, excellent sport and arts facilities including an indoor pool, floodlit AstroTurf, tennis courts, sports hall, fitness suite, dedicated music school and drama hall. Stonar’s renowned Equestrian Centre offers pupils the chance to ride, whatever their level of expertise, and has stabling for up to 65 horses.
Admission dates and extra charges
Pupils may be invited to participate in programs such as Leith’s Cookery Course, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, or optional school trips. Fees for these activities will be advised on invitation.
Extras:
- Registration fee (for a programme/course) 100 GBP
- Deposit for a course/programme 1000 GBP
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
International pupils, for whom English is a second language, will be required to take an EAL examination plus an online entrance assessment. They will also need to provide a current school report, translated into English.
When it is not possible to meet applicants from overseas, the school relies on the judgement of partner agents who interview the pupils and recommend them to us. Where an agency is not used, overseas applicants are required to follow the standard UK admissions procedure. Pupils represented by an agent will sit our online entrance assessment and an EAL examination prior to arriving at Stonar. All pupils will have an online interview to assess their level of spoken English.
Literature and references
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about Stonar School
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
