On-site BHS-approved Equestrian Centre has 65 stables, indoor and outdoor arenas, and a cross-country course.
Co-educational British boarding school with on-site equestrian centre
Why this school
On-site BHS-approved Equestrian Centre has 65 stables, indoor and outdoor arenas, and a cross-country course.
BTEC in Equine Management at sixth form — among very few such programmes offered at UK secondary level.
Member of Globeducate, a network of 28 international schools, giving students access to cross-school exchange opportunities.
Stonar School is a co-educational day and boarding school for students aged 2 to 18, set on a country estate in Atworth, Wiltshire, around 10 miles from Bath and roughly 90 minutes from London Heathrow. Founded in 1895, it sits within The Society of Heads and holds ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate), BSA, and ISC accreditations. With around 500 students and a through-school structure from nursery to sixth form, it occupies a distinctive position among British boarding schools: genuinely broad in its curriculum, unusually strong in equestrian provision, and part of the Globeducate network of international schools.
The curriculum runs from early years through to A levels and BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) qualifications at sixth form. GCSE options cover the standard core alongside art, photography, drama, and music. The sixth form offers A levels across more than 20 subjects, as well as BTEC routes including a dedicated BTEC in Equine Management — one of very few such programmes available at secondary school level in the UK. A Cambridge Diploma in Fashion Design and Textiles is also on offer.
In 2024, the school recorded a 100% A level pass rate, with 46% of grades at A*–B and 20% at A*–A. Stonar consistently places in the top 10% of UK schools nationally for value-added at GCSE, meaning students regularly outperform their predicted grades.
Sixth formers choose between A level and BTEC pathways, with the option to combine subjects across both. The structure accommodates students with vocational interests, particularly in equestrian sport, alongside those targeting university entry.
A-Level results
100% pass rate, 20% A*-A, 46% A*-B (2024)
Boarding is available from Year 5, with separate accommodation for junior and senior age groups. International boarding fees for Years 9–Upper Sixth are £56,760 (2025/26) per year, inclusive of VAT. The international boarding package includes up to four EAL (English as an Additional Language) group lessons per week and visa administration support, relevant for families relocating from outside the UK.
The school runs a full seven-day week on the boarding side. Weekend activities and equestrian commitments form a significant part of the schedule for many boarders. Pastoral oversight runs through the house system, with consistent adult presence across the school week.
Equestrian sport is the most distinctive co-curricular strand. The on-site British Horse Society-approved Equestrian Centre has 65 stables, indoor and outdoor arenas, and a cross-country schooling course designed by international course designer David Evans. Students can compete in dressage, show jumping, and eventing, with residential riding camps available during holidays.
Beyond equestrian, the school offers creative and performing arts at GCSE and A level, covering drama, music, photography, and art. Fashion Design and Textiles runs as a Cambridge Diploma course. The school holds Eco-Schools accreditation for active environmental work across the site. Short courses and English language summer programmes attract visiting international students throughout the year.
The school occupies a country estate in Atworth, Wiltshire, with grounds that accommodate the equestrian centre, sports facilities, and academic buildings. The site is approximately 10 miles from Bath and within comfortable reach of Bristol. As a member of the Globeducate network (which spans 28 schools internationally), Stonar has access to cross-school resources and exchange opportunities not typically available to standalone independent schools.
Bristol Airport is around 30 minutes by car. London Heathrow is approximately 90 minutes via the M4. Bath Spa railway station, roughly 10 miles away, connects directly to London Paddington in around 80 minutes. These links make Stonar accessible for families arriving from mainland Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
Annual tuition
£56,760 per year · full boarding · Senior · Years 9-13
Other tier breakdowns shown below.
| Stage | Year groups | Type | Audience | Fee / year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Prep | Reception, Years 1-2 | Day | — | £13,320 |
| Junior | Years 3-4 | Day | — | £15,570 |
| Junior | Years 5-6 | Day | — | £17,955 |
| Senior | Years 7-8 | Day | — | £23,955 |
| Senior | Years 9-13 | Day | — | £25,845 |
| Junior | Years 5-6 | Full boarding | UK / EEA | £38,745 |
| Junior | Years 5-6 | Full boarding | International | £40,665 |
| Senior | Years 7-8 | Full boarding | UK / EEA | £42,135 |
| Senior | Years 7-8 | Full boarding | International | £46,320 |
| Senior | Years 9-13 | Full boarding | UK / EEA | £51,900 |
| Senior | Years 9-13 | Full boarding | International | £56,760 |
Additional fees
Deposit
£500
Registration
£100
Bristol Airport (~30 min); London Heathrow (~90 min via M4)
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International full boarding fees for Years 9 to Upper Sixth are £56,760 (2025/26) per year, inclusive of VAT. This covers up to four EAL (English as an Additional Language) group lessons per week and visa administration support. For younger international boarders in Years 7–8, the fee is £46,320 per year.
Yes. The on-site Equestrian Centre is British Horse Society-approved and includes 65 stables, indoor and outdoor arenas, and a cross-country schooling course designed by international course designer David Evans. Students can train and compete in dressage, show jumping, and eventing. A BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) in Equine Management is available at sixth form level.
Students can sit GCSEs across a broad range of subjects, then choose A levels or BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) qualifications at sixth form. The school offers more than 20 A level subjects alongside BTECs including Equine Management. A Cambridge Diploma in Fashion Design and Textiles is also available.
In 2024, the school achieved a 100% A level pass rate, with 46% of grades at A*–B and 20% at A*–A. Stonar consistently places in the top 10% of UK schools for value-added at GCSE, meaning students regularly exceed their predicted results.
Boarding is available from Year 5 (age 9–10 upwards). The school takes day pupils from age 2, with full boarding opening from junior school age. For international families, Years 9–Upper Sixth is the most common entry point for senior boarding.
Stonar is in Atworth, Wiltshire, approximately 10 miles from Bath. Bristol Airport is around 30 minutes by car, and London Heathrow is approximately 90 minutes via the M4. Bath Spa station connects to London Paddington in around 80 minutes.
Yes. Stonar is a member of Globeducate, an international network of 28 schools. Students have access to cross-school opportunities, and the school has a broader international context than most standalone independent schools.
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