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Sherborne Preparatory School

By Coby F

2 years ago


Address: Acreman Street, Sherborne, Dorset, South West England. DT9 3NY

Website: www.sherborneprep.org

Founded: 1858

Number of Pupils: 210

Ages: 3-13

Fees: Boarders: £7310 – £8 600 Day: Nursery £3 020, Pre-Prep £3 020, Prep £4 675 (y3), £5 710 (y4-8) 

Head: Annie Gent

Religious Affiliation: Based on Christian values

Entrance Procedure: Sherborne Prep is non-selective. Entrance is by interview with the Head and previous school report, plus informal assessment when pupils come in for a taster day before joining 

Email: [email protected] 

School Visits: The School offers flexible, bespoke tours, to be arranged directly with the Registrar. 

The Curriculum

Classes are small and are of mixed ability, apart from scholarship sets at the top of the school. We grow through the Prep and usually have 2 classes from Y4 rising to 3 in Ys 7and 8. Learning support is provided by the Learning Hub. Children receive one-to-one help or work in small groups. Outdoor learning runs through the School with an outdoor classroom in Pre-Prep and weekly lessons for year 3 and 4. 

Co-Curricular

A Sherborne Prep education aims to bring the best out of its pupils as individuals. The School prides itself upon the breadth of experience and inspiring pupils to achieve. Co-curricular activities bring enormous value in a school like ours. They provide a chance to step away from formal learning, garnering a rich variety of experiences that form character, deepen understanding and stimulate new knowledge.

Every child in our School community has a chance to shine, and we can celebrate the diversity that is at the very heart of our life together. We enable pupils to develop a drive and self-determination that will ensure they are prepared for the ever-changing world and develop a global outlook and understanding that will set Sherborne Prep pupils up for life.

Pastoral Care

Sherborne Prep seeks to ensure its  pupils happiness and positive self-esteem are central to the School and sees these as vital to their personal and social development. The School seeks to establish an environment where children feel highly valued and safe and one in which they know where and how to seek advice or help at any time. Sherborne Prep works hard to ensure that the School is a place where pupils are happy, engaged and where they can flourish both as day pupils and boarding. 

The School’s Dragon values of kindness, perseverance, awareness, generosity, honesty and independence are embedded within the School, its curriculum and within its pastoral care. 

School Motto is Non Nobis Solum 

Recent Scholarships

On average 50% of year 8 pupils gain a scholarship award to a variety of senior schools across a range of disciplines, including academics, music, art, DT, Drama and Sport. 

Head’s Philosophy

We are a warm, welcoming and inspiring community of passionate educators committed to doing the very best for every child entrusted to our care.

Alongside academic success, we focus on providing a magical childhood experience and the positive development of character and values.  Our Sherborne Prep Dragon Values are a perfect guide and springboard that enable our children to become kind, thoughtful, solution-focussed, courageous and intuitive young people well prepared to embrace their future – whatever that may be. Sherborne Prep has a well-deserved reputation for the nurture and care provided by a superb body of staff capable of the stimulation and inspiration that children need and deserve.

The recent merger with Sherborne School also provides exciting opportunities to expand still further the breadth of each child’s experience through academic enrichment, the arts, sport, co-curricular activities, innovation and collaboration. Children today are curious and creative. They seek authenticity and thrive upon connection and discovery.

Our commitment to our children and their families is burning bright and is the expression of a team who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of others.

Outstanding Characteristics

Happy, vibrant atmosphere, where pupils can develop a love of learning as well as enthusiasm, determination and curiosity to become independent learners. ISI 2018 

Sherborne Prep is seen as one of the leading independent schools in the South West of England and a leader in curriculum change. IAPS 

The School combines the best of both worlds – its five minutes’ walk from the centre of a thriving, vibrant town with a strong local community but also has 12 acres of its own grounds. 

Sherborne Prep offer a Saturday activity programme which is optional for pupils to attend. With a broad offer of clubs from junk modelling, to drama, dance, crafts and community action over 95% of pupils attend each week. 

Sherborne Prep have 14 Instrumental ensembles, 75% of children have music lessons and it provides the choristers for the Sherborne Abbey choir. 

Creative arts are exceptional, artist of the week, weekly art videos showcase pupil work whilst drama have a production for every year group each year and weekly lessons. DT is incredibly well-resourced with a laser printer and very popular.