Sherborne Preparatory School

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: £8 250 – £8 600 Day: Nursery £3 020, Pre-Prep £3 020, Prep £4 675 (y3), £5 719 (y4-8) 

Head Teacher: MrNick Folland, BSC (Hons), PGCE, MIAPS, MISI 

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 

Contact: Charlotte Carty

Email: [email protected] 

School Visits: The School occasionally holds traditional open day events but is currently hosting online virtual events.

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. 

Games & the Arts

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. Where support is required it is provided in a nurturing and supportive way to 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 40% 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 Teacher’s Philosophy

Sherborne Prep aims to meet the needs of each child as an individual. They are supported by enthusiastic and committed staff but also by each other as a community and family. There is a real warmth and vitality about the School and visitors always comment on the happy children. Children are confident and enquiring and are happy to be learning about the world around them.   

Sherborne Prep provides a wide range of opportunities on the academic, creative and sporting front whilst allowing children to be children.  

Pupils are successful at reaching the Senior Schools of their choice and the School guides them in their choices. 

The Head believes that education should convey a real sense of meaning and purpose and grow open and enquiring minds. Sherborne Prep values imagination, individualism and variety and wants its young people to fulfil their talents wherever they lie. 

The Head believes that the School’s teachers are outstanding and have ambitious vision for pupils whom they inspire in their learning, promoting endeavour and interest. 

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 throving, 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.