Frequently Asked Questions

Q.	I've clicked on download a document, but nothing seems to happen?
A.	You may have selected a download which is of a considerable size, please choose the smaller download of the 2 and see if the problem occurs again. Download speeds are directly related to your connection speed to the internet.
Q.	Why can't I login to this site?
A.	The login is at present only available to S.O.G.A members. They may request access to their contacts page through the S.O.G.A team.
Q.	Why was an e-mail I sent to my daughter returned due to "forbidden content" ?
A.	Our mail server has a very strict criteria on what is and isn't spam. Spam is generally of an unpleasant or malicious nature and as a supplier of your daughters e-mail service we are legally bound to have in place measures to prevent such content reaching your child’s inbox. Please re examine the wording carefully. As a rule the words should be of the same acceptability as you would use in public when speaking to your child. Our guidelines are there to protect not restrict. If you have any problems contacting your child please contact the school immediately and we will help in any way we can.
Q.	What is my daughters e-mail address?
A.	Your daughters e-mail address will normally follow the format of a.student@stonarschool.com, "a" being their initial, "student" being their surname.   To aid us in dealing with your e-mails efficiently, when corresponding with the STAFF at Stonar via e-mail, you should always enter your daughters name in the subject line. This will ensure your e-mail is dealt with at the earliest opportunity.
Q.	When should I register my daughter for entry?
A.	As soon as possible. We will then keep you in touch with developments at Stonar via termly newsletters and invitations to functions at Stonar.
Q.	Where do I purchase uniform?
A.	There is a uniform shop on site. Please get in touch with our domestic bursar on 01225-701751. Appointments can be made during the summer holidays.   SCHOOL UNIFORM SHOP OPENING HOURS   MONDAY 12.45 – 1.30pm (Prep) TUESDAY 1.00 – 2.00pm THURSDAY 3.30 – 4.30pm FRIDAY 1.00 – 2.00pm
Q.	Should I bring my daughter on our first visit to the school?
A.	Prospective pupils are always welcome, either on an individual visit or at our regular Open Mornings. We even offer a crèche for younger members of the family at Open Mornings
Q.	How can I contact my daughter after office hours?
A.	Each term parents are issued with a school calendar. On an inside page you will find contact numbers for all the boarding houses.
Q.	Can my daughter bring her horse to Stonar?
A.	Yes, of course. We have stabling for over fifty and many girls bring their own horse.
Q.	How much pocket money should my daughter bring?
A.	This depends on her age and involvement with extra curricular activities. If she is a rider she will probably need extra funds to cover entry to competitions, etc. A suggested sum is given in the joining instruction booklet, sent to all parents on acceptance of a place.
Q.	What do boarders do at the weekends?
A.	Housemistresses organise a weekend programme of activities for the girls. There is a Prep session on Saturday morning followed by activities ranging from judo to Origami. Excursions are also organised to such venues as Alton Towers, Horse of the Year show and Badminton Horse Trials. Transport is provided on Sunday afternoon to take pupils to Bath for a little retail therapy.
Q.	My daughter is anxious that she will get lost on her first day. Can you reassure her?
A.	Certainly. She will be provided with an escort and allowances will be made for any lateness at lessons in the first few days. Prior to joining we hope that she will have spent at least one visiting day with us, thus helping to familiarise herself with the layout of the school.
Q.	When is your entrance examination?
A.	This traditionally takes place on a Saturday, early in January. Candidates are tested in both Maths and English, as well as having an informal interview with a senior member of staff.
Q.	Can my daughter apply for a scholarship?
A.	As well as offering academic scholarships, Stonar offers scholarships in sport, music, drama and riding. Please get in touch with the registrar for further information.
Q.	Do the Sixth Formers wear uniform?
A.	No, girls in the Sixth Form are allowed to wear a suit of their choice, either with skirt or trousers in a plain dark colour. A white or pastel shirt should be worn underneath. In the evenings or at the weekends, more casual clothing is permissible.
Q.	Can I bring my pet hamster to school? He’s very well behaved!
A.	No, unfortunately, as we feel that small pets are better cared for at home.
Q.	I haven’t got a horse but I would love to look after one. Is there an opportunity to do this at Stonar?
A.	Some of our pupils become stable helpers. This means that they are willing to get up early in the mornings to go on the Yard to muck out and feed one of Stonar’s horses. The same procedure has to be repeated in the evening. In return for this, girls are able to ‘earn’ extra riding time.
Q.	It’s the summer holidays and I’ve just realised that I’ve left my swimming costume at school.
A.	The school office remains open throughout holidays periods between 9am and 4pm, so if you have a problem, there is always someone available to assist.
Q.	My daughter will be arriving at Heathrow Airport for the first time. We are quite anxious about this. Will someone be there to meet her?
A.	Once you have booked your daughter’s flight, please contact our travel secretary on 01225-701776, giving details of terminal, flight number, airline and time of arrival. A member of Stonar staff will be at the airport at the designated time.
Q.	How will my daughter get advice on GCSE and A-level subject choices?
A.	There are opportunities to discuss important decisions such as these with senior members of staff and staff in charge of the careers department. Stonar has a well-equipped careers room.
Q.	My daughter has an allergy to some foods. Will she be catered for at Stonar?
A.	We are able to cope with certain allergies and foods containing nuts are carefully marked. It is helpful to have photographs of the pupil concerned so that the catering staff can readily identify her.
Q.	I see that I am asked to send a cheque for £35 on registration, plus an additional £300 once the offered place has been accepted. What happens to this sum?
A.	It is offset against any outstanding accounts when your daughter leaves Stonar, the balance is then returned
Q.	I was at Stonar about twenty five years ago and have lost touch with my old school friends.
A.	Stonar has a very good Old Girls’ Association. You can link to the SOGA website through the main school website. Members of the Old Girls’ Association traditionally hold their AGM on Speech Day. We are always happy to receive visits from old girls.
Q.	I’m moving into the area and as both my husband and I work, it is vital that our daughter attends a school with a reliable bus service. Does Stonar have school transport?
A.	We have a comprehensive bus service, with pick up points in Frome, Warminster, Marlborough, Bath, Trowbridge and many more. Please contact our travel secretary(travel@stonarschool.com) who will be pleased to help.
Q.	My daughter is not very organised and finds it difficult to settle to homework. How can I be sure that she is keeping up to date with assignments?
A.	She will be given a student planner at the beginning of term in which to write all tasks to be completed. Parents are asked to initial this book each week to show that they have seen it. Tutors may also add comments on topics needing action.
Q.	How do we know what is happening at Stonar? We would like to come along to plays and concerts provided we have sufficient notice.
A.	All parents receive a school calendar at the beginning of each term. This contains details of events during the coming term, parents’ evenings, sports fixtures, etc. A copy of the calendar can be found on our website.
Q.	My daughter has been attending a small prep school where she was one of a very small number of boarders. As we shall now be living abroad, I am anxious to know that there will be other boarders with a similar background.
A.	Many of our boarders are full-time and, as such, are able to take part in an exciting programme of weekend activities. In addition, with your permission, your daughter might well be invited to spend a day or weekend with the family of one of our day girls. We encourage integration between day and boarding pupils and pride ourselves on the lack of divide between the two groups.
Q.	I haven’t been charged for my daughter’s involvement in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Why?
A.	Optional extras such as D of E and riding are charged termly in arrears. It will therefore appear on your next school bill.
Q.	Does the school provide bedding or should my daughter bring her own duvet?
A.	We are able to provide bedding although we do find that girls prefer to bring their own pillow, duvet and bed linen, particularly if the bed linen depicts one of her favourite literary characters. The school has an on-site laundry, able to cope with all washing, apart from hand wash, although sixth formers have their own facilities in the boarding house and do often opt to cope with their own washing
Q.	I cannot find the school fees listed on the website
A.	This varies according to the age of your daughter on entry to the school. Please contact our Registrar, Karen Ibbott for the most up to date information. Telephone number 01225 701741, email: admissions@stonarschool.com