Sherborne School Review: Rankings, Fees And More
Located in the picturesque county of Dorset, Sherborne School is an HMC independent full boarding and day school catering to boys aged 13-18. The institution, steeped in prestige, has won numerous accolades over the years, most recently the Lifetime Achievement Award in the 2024 Tatler Schools Awards.
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Summary Of School
- Type of school: All-boys
- Age range: 13-18
- Pupils: 584; sixth formers: 248
- Fees: Day – £36,150 pa; Full Boarding – £45,600 pa
- 2023 A-Level Results: 40.9% A*-A
- 2023 GCSE Results: 45.8% 9/7
Table of Contents
Sherborne School Overview
Sherborne school is one of the oldest schools in the uk. Established as a cathedral school in 705 AD, Sherborne traces its roots back to King Ine of Wessex’s directive to Aldhelm, a revered churchman and scholar, to establish a cathedral and college of clergy at Sherborne. This initiative aimed to alleviate the burden on the expanding see of Winchester.
Today, Sherborne carries on the legacy of excellence through its quality education programs and extracurricular activities, such as music, arts, and sports, with a focus on preparing students for the future.
The school is very proud of its alumni, fondly known as “Old Shirburnians”, many of whom consist of entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, businessmen, and TV celebrities. Notable alumni include Chris Martin from Coldplay and Charlie Cox, the lead actor of Daredevil.
In 2021, Sherborne School merged with its preparatory counterpart, Sherborne Preparatory School, offering a co-educational day and boarding school education for children aged 3-13.
Sherborne School Courses and Programmes
Sherborne School offers both GCSE and A Levels. At GCSE, the school provides a strong foundation in the core subjects – English, Mathematics and Science while providing a variety of optional subjects for students to choose from such as Greek or Latin, History, Geography, Music, Art and Design Technology.
At the A Levels, Sherborne is dedicated to guiding students toward success in the next stage of their educational journey. Through rigorous academic training, the school aims to support, nurture, and inspire students, preparing them for their future endeavours.
In addition to core study, sixth formers have plenty of enrichment options, such as the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which gives them the opportunity to investigate a topic of their choice in detail, then produce a 5,000-word essay and project presentation on their findings. The EPQ is aimed at preparing students for university study, and is very popular among pupils who enjoy going deep into subjects close to their hearts.
Sherborne School Application Deadline
The application process can start as early as three years preceding the regular open days. For Year 9 entry, usually, the final deadline will be September of the year before the intended start date. Application dates vary so it is recommended to contact us for the latest information.
Sherborne School Rankings And Results
In 2023, 40.9% of A Level grades were A*-A and 45.8% of GCSE grades were 9-7, a testament to the quality of education and hard work of students at Sherborne. The school did not partake in the A Levels league table for 2023.
Sherborne School Fees
The fees for Sherborne School are as follows:
Full Boarding is priced at £15,200 per term (per annum – £45,600), while Day schooling comes to £12,050 per term (per annum – £36,150).
In addition to these fees, there is a non-refundable registration fee of £250, applicable to all parents seeking admission for their son, regardless of whether a place is offered.
Upon acceptance of a place, a deposit of £2,000 is required from all parents. For parents residing outside of the UK, an additional deposit equivalent to one term’s fees balance is necessary, payable before the commencement of the term of entry to the School.
Sherborne School Entry Requirements
Overseas applicants for Year 9 to 11 will need to take the online UKISET aptitude tests, which replaces the written papers in Maths, English and Science. The same minimum requirements are applicable. Interested candidates for Year 10 will follow the school’s own testing procedures, which include entry tests in English, Maths and Science. Some exceptional cases can join in Year 11.
The school also considers CAT 4 online cognitive tests, which include Maths, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, plus an EAL (English as Additional Language) paper, which can be sat at a British Council, an approved educational agent’s office like Britannia or at a boy’s current school.
For entry into Sixth Form, GCSE results will be considered, as well as English Test results. Students may also be required to attend an online interview.
Not sure if you qualify? Speak with our qualified educational consultants and we can help assess if you are a good fit for this school.
Sherborne School Reviews
“An esteemed private school with a heritage dating back into medieval history when it received its royal charter.”
“A perfect balance of tradition and modernity, the school develops incredibly well rounded children in a beautiful and nurturing environment.“
“I cannot rate highly enough. My boys are excelling academically and pastorally it is second to none! So many people have noticed and commented on how my eldest son has grown into such a caring, kind yet confident young man and my youngest is loving all the opportunities that have come his way already. Any worries or concerns I’ve had have been dealt with quickly and comprehensively. It’s a wonderful place.”
Sherborne School Accommodation
There are 8 boarding houses in total, offering a nurturing environment for living and studying. Each house accommodates approximately 70 boys from all year groups.
- Abbey House
- Abbeylands
- Harper House
- Lyon House
- School House
- The Digby
- The Green
- Wallace House
The House team is wholly dedicated to the well-being of each student. Led by the Housemaster, along with Matrons and a team of Tutors, they closely monitor the boys’ progress, forming strong connections with them and striving to provide optimal opportunities for their development.
A key feature at Sherborne is living in a community spanning year groups, which fosters mutual support among the boys. Younger students look up to their older peers, drawing inspiration from their achievements, while senior boys exemplify compassion and kindness, caring for their younger counterparts in both formal and informal capacities.
Sherborne School Pastoral Care
One of the strengths of Sherborne school is its pastoral care system. Student’s well-being is prioritised, ensuring they receive the necessary care and support to thrive. Each pupil’s House serves as the focal point for pastoral care, led by the Housemaster and their team. With personalised attention from a dedicated Tutor, pupils receive ongoing support and guidance to monitor their progress and address concerns promptly.
Close observation and strong relationships are also emphasised. House staff are attuned to changes in behaviour or attitude, liaising closely with parents to ensure a collaborative approach to student well-being. Pupils also play a vital role, forming supportive bonds across year groups, while academic teachers, co-curricular staff, and the School Chaplain contribute to our holistic care approach, ensuring pupils always have someone to turn to for support.
The school takes mental health seriously, and employs 2 counsellors, whom students can reach out to confidentially via email. The “Pupil Listening Service” is also a great additional layer of support, which is a peer-led support system available to students who need support.
Sherborne School Co-curricular Activities
Music
Sherborne is widely recognised as one of the UK’s top Independent Schools for Music, earning praise from publications like The Week, which hailed it as the ‘Number One Independent School for Music’ in 2015. Students have access to a state-of-the-art Music School, highlighting the school’s commitment to nurturing young music talent. Sherborne School also has a great track record of students who ace Music and Music Technology at GCSEs, with many progressing to university music programmes and conservatoires each year.
Sports
Sherborne offers a diverse array of sporting activities and nurtures some of the finest young athletes in their community. The Sherborne Sports Centre consists of state-of-the-art facilities and modern amenities to support sporting excellence. Students have a variety of sports to choose from, such as rugby, football, cricket and hockey, to fulfil their passions and interests.
Art And Design Technology
The Art and Design Technology (D&T) department at Sherborne fosters a culture of creativity and problem-solving among students. The Art Studios and D&T workshops are accessible throughout the day and weekends, enabling students to pursue their creative endeavours in their free time.
Clubs And Societies
Sherborne also offers a plethora of clubs and societies catering to diverse interests and passions. From artistic pursuits to intellectual discussions and athletic endeavours, there’s something for everyone to explore and engage in. Here’s a glimpse of the wide range of clubs and societies available:
- Art Hall Club
- Aural Club for Music Scholars
- Barbell Club
- Board Games
- Brass Band
- CCF Army, Navy, and Royal Marines Sections
- Ceramics Club
- Chapel Choir
- Chess
- Classics Society
- Cooking Club
- Creative Writing
- Debating Society
- Drama Club
- Gardening Club
- Geography Society
- Golf Club
- Grade 5 Music Theory
- History Society
- Nature and Rewilding Group
- Oxbridge Discussion Group
- Philosophy Club
- Sherborne Radio
- Robotics and Coding Club
- Swimming
- Symphony Orchestra
- Tennis
- Water Polo
Sherborne School Contact Information
- Official website: https://www.sherborne.org
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone call: +44 (0)01935 812249
- Location: Sherborne School, Abbey Road, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3AP
Apply For Sherborne School
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