FOR THE FIRST time in its 400-year history Stonyhurst College has thrown open its doors to accommodate the youngest of pupils by holding a free mother and toddler group on Wednesday afternoons.
The newly founded “Hodder Toddlers” is enjoying all the facilities older children have at the prestigious school including safe play areas, swimming sessions as well as feeding the ducks on the estate, picnics in the woods and themed activities.
The toddler group at Hodder House, the pre-prep department of Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall, has only been formed for a few weeks and already it has regular atten dees, aged from newborn to four years.
Twin sisters Elley and Isla Naisbitt regularly attend with their mother and recently held their first birthday by holding a “pink party” to celebrate the event with other youngsters. Their elder brother Finlay already attends Hodder House fulltime.
Marie Lea, head of preprep at Hodder House, said: “We thought we should take the opportunity to share our superb facilities by welcoming local families in to Hodder House, completely free.
“Stonyhurst has a long tradition of supporting the local community, and as the children who attend Hodder House full-time are busy elsewhere learning music and drama on Wednesday afternoons, we decided to open our doors and let other children in.” Anyone interested in coming along should call Marie Lea on 01254 827073. Hodder Toddlers is open to all accompanied children up to four years old. The group is open every Wednesday during the school term from two o’clock to 3.45 in the afternoon.
Stonyhurst is a co-educational Catholic school for pupils aged three to 18, faithful to the teachings of the Church and to the educational principles of the Society of Jesus.