School Development & Fund

This is an exciting new opportunity for Alumnae, Trusts and Foundations, Legacy pledgers and our current community to support our wonderful school. Some families are already choosing to do this by opting for their deposit fee to be donated to our Development Fund. This is a really good way to ensure future income for large school development projects.

If you would like to know more about our plans and ways to support Thornton College via:

Making a Donation
Setting up a Legacy Donation
Gifts in Kind
Corporate Sponsorship
Sponsoring items for school such as apple trees, instruments etc.
Supporting Friends of Thornton
Deposit Fee Donations
Other ideas

Please contact Mrs Rachael Loughnane, via email RLoughnane@thorntoncollege.com.

School Capital Developments

The School has expanded significantly over the past 90 years. Every decade has seen major building developments. Last year alone we redeveloped our Dining Room, converted The Villa into our Year 13 Boarding House and refurbished our ICT suites. In 2019 we developed our Forest School programme complete with Eco Park, fire pit, den building zone and dipping pond! In 2016 we created the Sixth Form involving huge refurbishment within the main Manor House building. Our Sixth Form provides large bright and modern classrooms and common rooms as well as the wonderful Friends Café, purchased by Friends of Thornton and enjoyed by all Sixth Formers every day. The St Clare Building (an Award Winning Design), was opened in 2010 and houses our new Prep Classrooms and Specialist Science Laboratories. In 2008 we opened a purpose built Expressive Arts Studio for Creative and Performing Arts and in 2002 we opened The Thevenet Wing housing our Pre-Prep.

Operating Costs

We offer excellent value for money at Thornton and it remains vital to maintain our fees at an affordable level to ensure that the very special education Thornton provides is as accessible to as many children as possible. To do this, we will need to devote as much of the fee income as possible to meeting the School’s operating costs.

School fee income finances the day to day running of the School, the extensive upkeep and maintenance programme for the buildings and estate and small improvements and refurbishment projects.

Unlike many independent schools, Thornton does not have access to an endowment fund or legacies. Development of the capital facilities in the past have been predominantly donated by our Founders the Sisters of Jesus and Mary, Friends of Thornton and Old Thorntonians.

Single Sex Education

At Thornton College, we believe that an all‑girls environment offers something uniquely powerful. It creates a space where every student...

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Academic Life

Everything we do at Thornton College focuses on the happiness and welfare of the children in our care.

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Inspection Reports

In March 2025 The National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE) named Thornton the 497th school to be accredited with the...

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Policies

See Thornton College’s main policies.

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Admissions

We are delighted you are considering Thornton College for your daughter’s education. We understand that choosing the right school is a very important decision for you to make, and we will be pleased to help you and your daughter with a smooth transition to Thornton College.

Our admissions office will help you through the enquiry and admissions process, making it as simple as possible, and enjoyable as we get to know you and your family.

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