Information for Families

I N F O R M AT I O N

F O R FA M I L I E S

W E L C O M E F R O M

T H E D I R E C T O R O F A D M I S S I O N S

F O R B O Y S : Welcome to Sherborne School and to our thriving, happy community Boys join us from many different schools; traditional prep schools, middle schools, secondary schools and international schools, and it is this variety and diversity that makes being a pupil at Sherborne so enjoyable no matter where you are at school, you will find a very warm welcome and a home-from-home at Sherborne

F O R P A R E N T S : We appreciate that choosing a senior school for your son is a major decision, but choosing Sherborne is one which will provide him with a superb foundation on which to build future success Sherborne exists to support our boys in making a positive difference, whether locally, nationally or internationally. We help them to develop the necessary skills, resilience, and flexibility they will need to make their way in an increasingly competitive and globalised world We encourage them to have a clear set of values that enable them not just to enjoy their own success, but to also contribute to the happiness and wellbeing of others

Sherborne

Dorset DT9 3LF, United Kingdom +44 (0)1935 810403

admissions@sherborne.org sherborne.org

W E L C O M

F O R A L L : Although we are a single-sex school for boys, we enjoy many wonderful coeducational moments with Sherborne Girls This is an important and unique part of our two schools; the boys and girls join together for many sports, clubs and academic societies including ccF, Duke of edinburgh, tennis, and sailing, as well as every Saturday night for house and/or year-group socials – it really is the best of both worlds.

many Sherborne families have boys with us and their sisters at Sherborne Girls our proximity to each other ensures that they have plenty of opportunity to meet up as siblings, whilst allowing each to have their own, unique education.

my team and i are here to support you at every step of the way, and we look forward to welcoming you to Sherborne School.

Alongside our rich heritage, we pride ourselves on being a vibrant, forward-looking school that prepares young people to embrace the opportunities and challenges of the modern world. in addition to enjoying a first-rate academic education and a myriad co-curricular opportunities, all our pupils benefit from being part of a warm, inclusive, and supportive community

We place particular emphasis upon the strength of relationships The full boarding nature of our School allows pupils to grow, to be supported as individuals and to develop friendships for life. Above all, Sherborne’s educational experience is based upon the development of character and values Kindness

is of supreme importance as we support our boys in becoming thoughtful, empathetic and engaging young men who, whilst pursuing their own fulfilment and success, embrace their responsibilities towards others and the importance of helping make the world a better, fairer and more sustainable place for everyone

i hope you will gain a sense for this as you explore your interest in Sherborne further. We would be delighted to tell you more about our school and the very special community in which all our pupils, whatever their backgrounds, are uniquely valued members

“My son has been given a unique combination of direction and freedom to grow into himself as a curious, kind, confident and attentive teenager.”

A C A D E M I C

T U D I E S

At Sherborne, our single-sex status puts the boys at an academic advantage from the outset. evidence highlights that boys achieve better results in such an environment, but this needs to be balanced, and our relationship with Sherborne Girls ensures that it is. Boys are not only taught how to obtain excellent exam results, but also how to handle the process with confidence To enable each boy to be treated individually, our timetable is designed to be flexible W ith a wide range of GcSe, iGcSe, A Level and BTec options, together with a programme of academic enrichment, our boys are offered a wellrounded education fit for an ever-evolving world

Academic outcomes are excellent, as one would expect from a top UK boarding school, but the valueadded routinely places Sherborne in the top 10% of schools in the country We are a selective school, but not highly so, and therefore the results that boys can and do achieve are outstanding, and proof were it needed that our teaching and our approach to academic studies is first rate

Following excellent pathway provision from our Sixth Form support team, at the end of their studies the majority of our boys leave to take up places at top universities in the UK, including oxford, cambridge, Durham, Bristol, imperial college and the London School of economics Whilst three quarters of our boys head off to Russell Group universities, global universities (and especially those in USA, canada and europe) are becoming attractive options Vocational courses at The courtauld, Royal Academy of music

and Royal college of music, and Degree Apprenticeships are also popular choices, but whatever path they choose, it is the result of expert guidance from Higher education specialists, a broad curriculum and outstanding opportunities both in-and-out of the classroom.

our academic enrichment programme is wide ranging, and is designed to help boys grow into independent learners – curious thinkers who want to know more, and have the skills to explore The programme welcomes olympians, politicians, mountaineers, entrepreneurs, educationalists and authors as visiting speakers, and to further enhance boys’ habits of learning, we offer various subjects as enrichment options at AS Level Allied to the extended Project Qualification that boys can complete in the Sixth Form, we believe our overall culture at Sherborne is more akin to that of a university environment than of a school – making it the ideal preparation for a boy’s next steps

“Pupils have excellent study skills. They are analytical thinkers, well organised and will readily hypothesise.”

There are a huge number of sporting options for boys at Sherborne, whether they are part of our high-performance pathways or just wish to take part in the plethora of sports that the School has to offer. While we are well equipped to bring out the very best in elite sportsmen, we are just as committed to the participation in sport of every single boy

For us, sport is a success if a boy finds an activity that he enjoys and will stick with once he leaves School We want our boys to form habits of healthy living; shaping a commitment to regular

exercise because we recognise its importance to both physical and mental wellbeing, and our state-of-the-art sports centre with swimming pool, climbing centre, sports halls, squash courts, multipurpose studios, golf analysis suite, physio centre, fitness suite and dedicated performance gym is integral to this

We foster strong partnerships with external providers, allowing our high-performance pupils the opportunity to train and compete at a level beyond the school environment We have built strong relationships with numerous partners including

Bath and exeter Rugby, Dorset and Somerset cricket, Dorset Football, and Dorset Athletics

The High-Performance Programme ensures that pupils receive personalised strength and conditioning plans, as well as seminars and lectures about nutrition, sleep, psychology, culture and values, leadership, teamwork, performance lifestyle, time management, and video analysis This comprehensive approach provides our athletes with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive both on-andoff the field

“Sherbor ne allows me the freedom to grow and pursue the things I most care about alongside my academic studies and other commitments.”

M U S I C

Music runs right through the heart of Sherborne and is considered by many to be the top nonspecialist school for music in the country. Fantastically equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the music School boasts spacious practice rooms with pianos, performance studios that have tie-lines to the Recording Studio, and two music classrooms that contain thirty composing workstations between them

From the 109-strong choir that sings in the Abbey, the chamber choir and close Harmony group –singing is “cool” at Sherborne – to the smallest instrumental duo, there is quite literally something for everyone. The W ind Band is enormous but there are smaller groups that cater for all standards of musician The auditioned Swing Band is one of the finest big bands in the South of england and the two orchestras are joint with Sherborne Girls and The Gryphon (a local secondary school) chamber music proliferates with several ensembles entering national competitions each year with great

success. Rock and Pop groups are pupil led and focus upon the annual courtsFest (a large screen open-air performance each summer), whilst there is a further performance opportunity each term and at least two “Unplugged” events per year

For advanced instrumentalists there are performance opportunities every Friday lunchtime in public concerts held in a nearby church, and informal concerts and masterclasses, competitions, and internal workshops are open to all As the School that chris martin of coldplay attended, Sherborne provides musical opportunities at every level and genre

Unsurprisingly in a School that has produced so many fine actors, boys have the chance to participate in annual House plays, as well as School plays and joint productions with Sherborne Girls. With the purpose-built Powell Theatre, boys gain valuable experience at performing on the big stage and if they prefer not to be in the limelight, there’s ample opportunity for them to develop skills behind the scenes too.

LAMDA lessons are hugely popular at Sherborne, and boys enjoy great success, with over 75% gaining a Distinction in their exams at Grade 8.

At Sherborne, you’ll discover creativity around every corner, and we understand that flourishing for our boys involves more than academic success By providing the space for boys to pursue the creative arts, and the high value we attach to them, we demonstrate how vital they are to Sherborne’s culture and to a boy’s future. Drama School alumni include Hugh Bonneville, Jeremy Irons and James Purefoy

Sherborne has a culture in which all creative endeavour is prized. W ith an art gallery on site exhibiting work by artists of international renown, and with teachers who are professional artists themselves, there is much to inspire the boys to pursue their own enthusiasms, and many demonstrate real flair for drawing, print making, photography or digital design

in both Art and Design, boys work on real-world projects, focussing on relevant, effective and structured problem solving We believe that boys who learn how to be imaginative and creative are better prepared for the future; they can think on their feet and have confidence in their ability to formulate ideas and influence people

“No-one is pigeon-holed at Sherborne. We’re given so many opportunities to develop our passions both in and beyond the classroom. Everyone’s talents are appreciated, and whether artistic, academic, musical, great at sport or brilliant at debating, you’ll find your niche in this community.”

Sherborne School has been given the accolade of ‘Great for Co-curricular’, by The Week Magazine in their Best of the Best awards.

C O M B I N E D

C A D E T F O R C E

( C C F )

O U T D O O R

E D U C AT I O N

There is never a dull moment at Sherborne! Boys are encouraged to take part in a wide range of co-curricular activities, from debating to archive club, from campanology to radio broadcasting, as well as opportunities to support others through charity work and volunteering. A limited example of options include:

Sherborne CCF is a joint endeavour with Sherborne Girls. We have three sections in the ccF: Royal navy, Royal marines and Army. each section does something different whether sailing, field craft and tactics, military knowledge, or handling a weapon safely. ccF provides leadership opportunities that are not on offer in other areas of school life, and we enter national competitions such as the Rifles cadet cup, the Pringle Trophy and the ccF Sailing Regatta They will parade for Remembrance Sunday and the Biennial inspection, and intrepid cadets can join camps and courses, including adventure training in norway and Transylvania or parachuting!

In addition to CCF, our Outdoor Education programme gives boys the opportunity to extend their experiences beyond their comfort zone. We aim to provide opportunities to learn skills such as navigation, campcraft and rope work through activities such as sport or challenges. The main opportunities available include Ten Tors, Duke of edinburgh and climbing and, like ccF, are jointly run with Sherborne Girls climbing is a sport option all year round and held in our state-of-the-art climbing centre Whether using the climbing wall, or opting for bouldering, our boys compete both locally and nationally in events such as the annual independent Schools’ climbing competition

“From sports to CCF, the list of possibilities goes on and on, for all to enjoy whatever they find interesting. The abundance of opportunity sets this school apart from any other, not to mention the value of the opportunities for selfimprovement.”

“At Sherborne I was able to have experiences and opportunities I otherwise would not have been able to encounter. I had an amazing time.”

T O G E T H E R

W E G O O F F T H E

B E AT E N T R A C K

At Sherborne we believe we have a right to claim uniqueness. We are a boys’ school and a girls’ school, both full-boarding, located right next to each other in a small, bustling Dorset town. And because the two schools overlap in so many places, the opportunities for joint activities within the school day are endless –from music to sport, from drama to the debating society, from joint socials to coffee in town. This combination of circumstances is a rare privilege. The best of both worlds, in fact

“Each time I go into the house I can sense the happiness and spirit across all year groups.”

A R D I N G L I F E

Sherborne is a full-boarding School, and our boys live within a close, supportive community. everyone knows that they play a role in helping the whole community to thrive, and acquire habits of kindness, compassion and thoughtfulness that set them up for life

Sherborne believes that every boy has the right to feel safe, happy, and valued as an individual Pastoral care has the highest priority in the incredibly supportive House system Resident House staff and a team of tutors provide guidance, support, and encouragement in all areas of school life

Pupils form strong bonds across the year groups, underpinned by mentoring between the junior and senior boys W ith the boarding house at the heart of their experience, it quickly becomes a place to call home – somewhere boys are encouraged to be themselves, to unwind and grow in a safe and trusting environment, and to relish the fellowship of their friends By living alongside our boys and watching them grow together, we can provide unrivalled pastoral care and work closely with parents to give every boy the very best possible chance to thrive

Boarding houses are busy places! Unlike many other boarding schools, we do not offer weekly or flexiboarding, meaning that each House is as full at weekends as it is during the week A typical weekend will start with Saturday morning lessons, usually followed by a whole School lecture Saturday afternoons are given over to the School’s extensive sports programme, in which every boy has a chance to participate, before they gather in Houses for

Assembly in the evening Supper is followed by a programme of social activities, together with Sherborne Girls on Sunday mornings, breakfast/brunch is followed by quiet time in Houses, during which boys catch up with work, prepare for the week ahead or simply relax Various trips take place on Sundays, including outdoor activities like paintballing, go-karting, zorbing, or visits to watch professional sports matches or perhaps the cinema inter-house competitions are regularly scheduled for Sunday afternoons as well as during the week, and in activities as diverse as debating, football, and water polo most weeks, the whole School comes together on Sunday evening for a service in the Abbey

The food at Sherborne is of exceptional quality and mealtimes are eagerly looked forward to meals are taken in the Dining Room, with boys enjoying homemade morning and afternoon snacks in their House W ith food locally sourced wherever possible and a strong emphasis on freshness, there is a choice of several delicious hot options every day, as well as homemade soup and bread, a pasta and baked potato bar, a huge salad bar, and a range of hot and cold desserts Fresh fruit is available at every meal and in House Vegetarians, vegans, halal, and specific dietary requirements are all catered for, and we celebrate special cultural events from around the world.

As a result of the encompassing nature of boarding life, above all, Shirburnians know that they are cared for, that the whole community is looking out for them, celebrating the highs and supporting them during the challenges of teenage years

“The welfare of the boys in this busy environment is placed centre stage.”

A S A F

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L O C AT I O N

W E L L B E I N G A N D

M E D I C A L C A

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Sherborne is a thriving yet peaceful town with a tangible community spirit, making it an enviable location for a school like ours. It is a safe environment in which our boys can grow up, knowing that the dangers and aggressive pressures of a busier, urban setting are unlikely to arise We hope that by providing opportunities for the boys to mix and engage with the town, the local community and other schools, they will develop a respect for others, a sense of belonging not only to their School but to an ever-changing community beyond, and that they will learn habits of hospitality and service that they continue to practise beyond School and on into their lives.

“I haven’t always been a naturally outgoing person, but I feel Sherborne has helped a lot along the way; it is where I found my people.”

Our 24-hour, on-site Health Centre provides a high-quality medical service for all boys during term time. Registered nursing staff provide 24-hour cover in this clinical setting which is fully equipped to manage day-to-day medical and nursing appointments, as well as comfortable accommodation for those needing extra care.

The School Doctor holds surgeries each morning to facilitate any medical assessments or medications required, and physiotherapy is also available mental and physical health often go hand in hand, and all staff in the Health centre are trained professionals, ready and willing to support any mental health concerns The range of support is vast and always takes an individual approach it may be as simple as talking and being supported by the duty nurse, speaking to the School counsellor or it may require a referral for more specialist help, but in every case, the boy’s needs are our priority

The ‘Pupil Listening Service’ is a wonderful additional layer of support available to boys at peer level This is a real cause for celebration and is testimony to the caring and empathetic boys we have here at Sherborne All Pupil Listeners have undergone specialist training to undertake the role and are prepared to support any pupil who would like to talk to another pupil about their feelings

Sherborne is very well placed and benefits from a mainline train station just four minutes’ walk from the centre of School, with trains running to London Waterloo every hour. The station is a hive of activity at exeats and the end of term as Sherborne School and Sherborne Girls’ pupils gather for the supervised train ride home or ‘Hogwarts express’, as it is affectionately known onward transport arrangements can be made for those travelling to/from Bournemouth, Bristol, exeter, Gatwick, Heathrow, London city and

Southampton airports, as well as to central London and other areas on request These services are usually run by Hounslow’s Sherborne Taxis with DBS checked drivers

W ith a dedicated school-based Travel and Transport officer, our international families can take comfort knowing that their son can be supported with his travel to and from School, if required and the School provide supervised coach services to/from London Heathrow at the beginning and end of each term and half term.

T

I S I S

E N T R Y T I M E L I N E F O R 1 3 +

September Year 6 or Year 7

Sherborne at Work

october – December Year 6 or Year 7 Boys to take iSeB Pre-Tests at current school*

January Year 6 or Year 7 Assessment day/interviews*

September Year 7 Activity Day

June Year 7 Super Sunday

october Year 8 Boarding open House

november Year 8 Scholarship application and/or bursary deadline

January/February Year 8 co-curricular Scholarships

February Year 8 Academic Scholarships

easter Year 8 House allocations

June Year 8 common entrance

June Year 8 new Boys’ Day

Summer holidays

25 September 2024

21 october 2024

19 & 21 november 2024

1 December 2024

9 December 2024

Spring Term 2025

April 2025

Sixth Form pack sent to prospective LVi pupils

Sixth Form Tour Afternoon

Registration deadline

Sixth Form Assessments and Scholarships

Place decisions

Acceptance deadline

Subject choice confirmation

House allocations confirmed

Summer Term 2025 new Boys’ webinar/gathering

August 2025

September 2025

GcSe results (forward to Sherborne for verification)

Welcome to Sherborne!

Registration Fee

Acceptance Deposit

Termly fees

Boarding

Individual Music Tuition

First instrument

Second instrument

Hire of instrument

Learning Support

individual

Group of two

Group of three

Group of four

extra support group

Language lessons 1-1

£250

£2,000 (refundable against final account)

£15,200

£36.00 per 35-minute lesson

£24 00 per 35-minute lesson

£52 50 per term

£46 50 per 45-minute lesson

£23 00 per 45-minute lesson, each

£17 00 per 45-minute lesson, each

£11 50 per 45-minute lesson, each

£7 00 per 45-minute lesson, each

£41 50 per 45-minute lesson

“We want our children to be humble and polite and we feel that Sherborne shares these values.”

Sherborne School

Abbey Road

Sherborne

Dorset DT9 3LF, United Kingdom

+44 (0)1935 810403

admissions@sherborne org

sherborne.org