Education in the parish
Thornton College
The later educational life of Thornton Hall and the community that grew around it.
On this page
The building now occupied by Thornton College forms part of the historic manor associated with Hasley and Thornton. The manor itself is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, although much of the surviving house is traditionally associated with a substantial phase of development during the mid-fourteenth century.
Over the succeeding centuries, the estate passed through several prominent families, most notably the Cavendish, Ingleton and Tyrell families. Their connection with the property survives not only in the documentary history of the manor, but also in architectural details preserved throughout Thornton Hall. Their names were subsequently adopted for the school’s Houses.
In 1917, the property was acquired by the Sisters and entered a new chapter as an educational institution. Today, Thornton College occupies and preserves this historic setting as an independent day and boarding school for girls aged three to eighteen. It is one of the most successful non-selective schools in the UK and offers a warm and nurturing educational environment alongside a rigorous and exciting curriculum. Students receive an outstanding education and make excellent progress at Thornton College. Your daughter would be encouraged and expected to achieve her personal best in all she does. We believe that teaching and learning should be both challenging and enjoyable for students of all abilities and aim for the highest possible standards. Whether she is the most gifted academically, a good all-rounder or needs additional help in some areas, your daughter will receive a stimulating and rewarding educational experience suited to her needs. Our academic results are a testament to the way the girls are challenged and motivated to give their best in all they do. In 2020 Thornton College won the prestigious Independent School of the Year Award for its outstanding Student Careers Programme. Thornton was one of three Finalist schools for the ISA Outstanding STEAM provision Award from over 550 independent school members across the UK.
