Age range. 3–13.
Number of boys and girls. 191.
Fees (2024–2025). Nursery & Pre-Prep: £3,834, Year 3: £5,880, Years 4–6: £7,218, Years 7–8: £7,500 Boarding: £10,224-£10,788.
The school is a co-educational day and boarding school for children aged 3–13 years. Founded in 1858, it is set in 12 acres of attractive grounds and gardens in the centre of Sherborne, with fantastic facilities including access to two indoor swimming pools, four all-weather pitches and two state-of-the-art sports centres, a concert Hall and two theatres. It is very well served by road and rail links with a direct line to London Waterloo.
The Pre-Prep Department is housed in a fully equipped and purpose-built classroom building, with experienced and well-qualified, passionate and nurturing staff, providing an excellent ratio of teachers to children. The children enjoy weekly swimming lessons and a varied programme of after-school activities, including, sports, music, performing arts and crafts and design.
The Prep School (Years 3–8) offers a broad academic and skills-based curriculum leading to scholarship examinations or a final PSB (Pre-Senior Baccalaureate) certificate. The PSB is an academic framework that aims to develop the children’s knowledge, skills, attitudes and values, enabling them to succeed and flourish in an ever-changing world. Children are encouraged, recognised and celebrated in their achievements, and are directly prepared for the next step of their educational journey. Ultimately, Sherborne Prep pupils will leave school with a toolbox full of skills rather than just a briefcase of grades. Despite being a non-selective school ourselves, a significant number of pupils gain scholarships or awards to leading independent schools, including Sherborne School, Sherborne Girls, Downe House, Winchester and Canford.
Co-curricular activity – the fun, the adventure, the challenge beyond the schoolbook and classroom – forms the very beating heart of life at Sherborne Prep. With time, focus and energy devoted to the gaps in the timetable, our very own Minister of Fun has one job, and that is to give every child here the opportunity to try everything they possibly can in the years they have with us. The School’s ISI report in January 2023 stated The Prep as being ‘Excellent in all areas’ and described the quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements as ‘excellent’.
The school accepts CEA but, for those military families not eligible for CEA, they offer a military discount of 10% off fees. Scholarships are available from Year 6 upwards (scholarship assessments are held at the beginning of the Spring term each year). Families may also apply for further support through their means-tested bursary scheme. Charitable status.
Sherborne Prep School is a Registered Charity, number 4002575.