Stonar School

Pupils with SEND achieve highly because of the support they receive.

“Pupils with SEND and/or EAL achieve highly as a result of the support that they receive.”

The school offers inclusive education through a whole-school approach to SEND.

“We are committed to offering an inclusive education to ensure the best possible progress for all our pupils, whatever their needs or abilities. We actively promote a whole school approach to meeting Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), in which all members of the School community have an understanding of their role”

Houseparents are supported by tutors, assistant Houseparents and Graduate Resident Assistants.

“The Houseparents are supported by a team including tutors, assistant Houseparents and Graduate Resident Assistants.”

Each boarding house has a resident Houseparent responsible for boarders' pastoral wellbeing and for coordinating with tutors about academic progress.

“Each House has a dedicated Houseparent who lives on-site, alongside the boarders. Houseparents have overall responsibility for their boarders' pastoral wellbeing, as well as working closely with each child's tutor to monitor their academic progress.”

The school has a STEM focus featuring experiential science learning and infotech activities.

“An ex-army bomb-squad officer leads a science department that fore-grounds experiential learning - leading a third of sixth-form leavers to take science-based degrees - and a new 'infotech' offering includes clubs for robotics, cybersecurity, coding and VPS quadcopter drones."”

Creative arts and design recorded a perfect 100% run of A–B A-level grades in 2023, while computer science is described as popular.

“Computer science is popular - pupils are in the middle of a pioneering AI project called 'h!ai' - and the creative arts and design department, housed in a newly completed centre, has been particularly successful, scoring a perfect 100 per cent run of A-B grades at A-level in 2023."”

The school states that students benefit from small class sizes.

“Individual mentoring, small class sizes and a wealth of co curricular and leadership opportunities help students prepare for life beyond Stonar.”

Small classes enable flexible, differentiated learning adapted to pupils' needs.

“With our small class sizes it is possible to provide a flexible approach to learning that can be adapted to the needs of all pupils by providing differentiated teaching in class, in addition to further specialist teaching for those with special educational needs or for whom English is a second language.”

The wider school experience includes sport, riding, creative arts, languages, expeditions and leadership.

“Sport, riding, drama, public speaking, music, art, photography, languages, outdoor expeditions, leadership …we expect our pupils to get involved in all aspects of a rich and varied school life.”

Sixth-form pupils participate in whole-school sustainability education focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“The whole school community, from nursery to 6th form, has participated in “The World’s Largest Lesson” to learn about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals”

The school sets high standards and provides personalised attention in a supportive but challenging environment.

“We set high standards for our pupils and are proud of exceptional achievement across the school. Our learners are afforded a high degree of personalised attention in a supportive yet challenging educational environment.”

The school community is founded on kindness and integrity, with pupils heard and supported.

“The School prides itself on having a community built on kindness and integrity; pupils here are heard and supported, and their self-confidence flourishes.”

Lower Sixth is a main entry point at age 16.

“Age 16 (Lower Sixth)”

The school provides Sixth Form education for students aged 16–18.

“- Sixth Form (ages 16-18)”

Academic Scholarship candidates are expected to achieve at least five GCSE grades at 8–9.

“The Sixth Form Academic Scholarship is for candidates who are expected to achieve at least five GCSEs at grades 8-9 .”

The school runs Open Days in May and September.

“Our Open Days are run in May & September.”

Approximately 95% of students gain entry to their chosen university each year.

“Each year approximately 95% of our students gain entrance to their chosen university.”

The school states that 95% of students achieve their first-choice university.

“95% of students achieve their first choice university”

Creative arts and design achieved 100% A–B grades at A-level in 2023.

“Computer science is popular - pupils are in the middle of a pioneering AI project called 'h!ai' - and the creative arts and design department, housed in a newly completed centre, has been particularly successful, scoring a perfect 100 per cent run of A-B grades at A-level in 2023."”

Stonar reports being consistently in the top 10% of schools for value added, with pupils outperforming predictions.

“The result is that Stonar is consistently listed in the top 10% of schools for value-added, meaning that pupils regularly obtain higher results than predicted.”