Stonyhurst or Sedbergh?

[pinkshopaholic]

We are currently looking at Sedbergh and Stonyhurst for our twins ( one boy, one girl) who will enter Year 9 in September 2024. Due to work commitments overseas, they will both be boarders but we have family within an hour of the schools. They are both academically strong and good at sports. Does anyone have experience of either of these schools?

This is very late but just spotted your post. We have experience of both, but have been most thrilled with stonyhurst. It really depends on your children, but the sport and academic teaching is excellent at both, but stonyhurst has something for everyone. It provides a wealth of opportunities and most importantly they come out of the school as such rounded young men and women. All their friends are a pleasure to know. Highly recommend it!

What are your work commitments out of interest?

We are a military family so that’s why we started with boarding- most are full boarders but there are some weekly boarders at Stonyhurst, not sure if Sedburgh are doing weekly now? Someone else might be better informed as it’s been a while since we were there. I’ve had a job change so am able to get to school more often now, but there’s lots of military children at both, so full boarding is very “normal” there, if that’s what your work commitments require. Either school would be great I'm
sure.

Hi, I know it's quite late in time now but please save yourself while you can from stonyhurst. I have had the worst experience with my daughter and I know many others who have too. Lots of bullying. I know of a girl who got bullied and the staff didn't do anything even after it being brought to the attention of the senior leadership team and her parents decided to remove her from the school and still had to pay the next terms fees. The school doesn't care about the students doing drugs and the most they will get is a two day suspension even if it isn't the first time. They don't even follow there own policies. There are many more reasons so please don't hesistate to ask any more questions.

@jellybelly65 Would you mind me dropping you a pm? Was considering Stonyhurst for senior, albeit a few years away as DS is in year 4 currently, and disappointed to hear bullying is an issue 😕

(obviously not happy about the drugs either!) I did come across an Instagram account for Stonyhurst that seems to have been set up by the students which was a little eye opener...
(Was looking for their account after DS did an event there)

Yes of course

Obviously the bullying may not be a problem by the time your DS joins but as soon as my daughter joined I think she had about 1 year where there was no issues and then everything went downhill. The management of the school and communication between teachers and parents is also terrible and once it took 2 weeks in term time to get a response. In regards to the Instagram page I believe there’s more than 1 run by students and some of the things on them are terrible (especially making jokes about students). Feel free to PM me if u would like any more info x

I’ve just written on another post actually. I’d recommend having a look at Ampleforth. I feel like it’s a hidden gem that people are reluctant to look at because of the previous safeguarding issues. They’ve really turned things around and it is a lovely nurturing school with great leadership, staff and facilities. They’re not afraid to discuss their past but they are absolutely in a new chapter. Couldn’t be more pleased we opted for it. Very happy children! If you’re boarding anyway I wouldn’t feel confined to Stonyhurst or Sedburgh.

Hello,
I have had a daughter at Stonyhurst, she has just left. She had the most amazing time. I found the school to be very proactive in their response to any issues. Last year they appointment a Director of Safeguarding who has been really great at nipping things in the bud. Happy to share my personal experience if it helps.