Stonar School

Ensuring excellent academic progress is at the absolute core of Stonar life and this begins in the Prep School with an exciting curriculum and a focus on developing the skills of learning.

Small classes and dedicated and imaginative teachers continue to inspire throughout the school. Stonar consistently scores in the top 10% of schools for added-value, which is measured annually in an independent long-term Durham University study of over 40,000 secondary school students.

Our pupils make exceptional progress with an average 0.5-1 uplift in grades in their final GCSEs achieved against predictions measured at the start of Year 10. An ‘average’ score would gain an overall value added score of zero, while a good school might expect an uplift of 0.2% improvement.

Whilst we have a broad academic intake, Stonar’s students of all abilities therefore do better than they could have expected.

Alongside academic progress, we provide a wealth of opportunities for all pupils to develop the personal and interpersonal skills that they will need to flourish as adults. We foster the development of respect, resilience and integrity through tutor programmes, leadership opportunities and our co-curricular programmes.

Stonar is set in a stunning 80 acre campus in rural west Wiltshire, close to both Bath and Chippenham. The school's peaceful location on the outskirts of the village of Atworth ensures pupils benefit from an abundance of space and fresh air.

The school is located 20 minutes west of Bath and 25 minutes south west of Chippenham, where trains run regularly to London Paddington. The M4 motorway is also easily accessible.

Many day pupils use our school minibuses, which serve pupils from a number of nearby towns and villages. More information can be found on our School Minibus page.

Our mission is to prepare each student to live successfully in a globalised world by furnishing them with the skills and attitudes to flourish academically and personally.

We provide an inspirational learning-centred environment where each student is encouraged to understand how to learn and to achieve the highest possible results

Personal development is key to success in a globalised world and we encourage pupils to understand the core values of respect, resilience and integrity as well as the prep school personal learning goals, and to live them out in their daily lives.

A foundation of British values and the UK curriculum is complemented by an outward looking attitude and the opportunities afforded to pupils from membership of the Globeducate group of schools. Language teaching and experiential learning opportunities allow pupils to feel at ease working with students from different cultures both at home and abroad

Pupils gain knowledge and skills beyond the academic curriculum through our extensive co-curricular programme and outstanding equestrian facilities.

In 1920 Stour House School was taken over by three joint heads Miss Gladys Crook, Miss Isabel Blackwell and Miss Edith Joslin, affectionately known by Stonarians as "the Three". They expanded the school to the extent that it outgrew its premises. The school was packed up and moved over the bridge to Stonar House "close to the sea, smoke-free air and spacious accommodation." From then on it became Stonar House School.

With its newly acquired extensive grounds, the first Stonar pony arrived – Tufty. By 1934 riding was firmly established at Stonar House.

Stonar House remained the school's home until 1939 and the outbreak of the Second World War, when the MOD requisitioned the land and the entire school community was forced to decamp. Luckily one of the Heads had relatives in Wiltshire who alerted her to Cottles Park. The school was packed up and moved to its current location. The School ponies, a goat called Ambrosia, a dog, a cat and a bowl of goldfish moved too. In the words of Miss Blackwell:

The 'Three' continued to run Stonar until they retired in the 1960s. Their successor Miss Doreen Denmark expanded and developed the school for 20 years, until her retirement in the 1980s.

Since then Stonar and its unique Equestrian Centre have flourished with a committed staff, strong governance and excellent facilities within its superb parkland setting.

Founded as a single-sex school, the school made the decision to accept boys throughout the Prep School. Following this successful transition, 2016 was our first year of Senior co-education and the school is now fully co-educational.

The school was acquired by the Globeducate Group in 2013, who are committed to developing and enhancing the educational provision at the school while ensuring it continues to retain what makes it special. Crucially, the school's pervading ethos from its earliest days, of warmth, support and a 'can do' attitude are as strong as ever.

Stonar and its unique Equestrian Centre has been able to flourish due to a body of committed staff and strong governance. On the following pages you will find a comprehensive list of all staff members at Stonar as well as contact details.