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Sherborne Preparatory School, Sherborne

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Sherborne Preparatory School details

Address:
Sherborne Preparatory School
Acreman Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3NY
Telephone:
01935 812097
Fax:
01935 813948
Email:
sh@prep.sherborne.com
Website:
www.prep.sherborne.com/ prep_school.htm
Authority:
Dorset
Gender of entry:
Mixed
Age range:
3-13
Number of students:
244
Affiliation:
IAPS
Last inspection:
November 2006. Read the full inspection report.

Find a school:

ISC accredited

General information

Headteacher: Peter Tait, appointed in June 1998.

Staff: 22 (men 11, women 11).

Background: Founded in 1885, the school, which comprises a number of attractive buildings as well as some more recent additions, is set in 12 acres of grounds and gardens in the centre of the historic town of Sherborne. Latin and French classes are specialist subjects offered in addition to the national curriculum. There are specialist teachers for chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, English, history, geography, religious education, information technology, art, music and craft, design, technology. Three-quarters of pupils learn a musical instrument. Sports offered include rugby, hockey, netball, football, cricket, rounders, swimming, tennis, athletics and cross-country. The school has a strong academic record reflected in the number of scholarships awarded to pupils as well as notable sporting success. Links with the community include raising money for the local hospital and over the last two years substantial donations have been made to the Helen House Hospice, Kosovo aid organisations, CLIC and World Vision, through which the school sponsors two children, one in Vietnam and the other in Mozambique. After-school care is provided for year?s three to eight. The school aims to provide an all-round education for children based on Christian values.

Approach to discipline: Strict but fair. The school has a number of policies regarding conduct and bullying, and a code of conduct. Behavioural expectations are high. Discipline focuses on helping children to modify behaviour through positive re-enforcement (merit cards etc). A detention (academic) and ?strikes? (general) discipline system also operates, monitored by the senior staff and pastoral care committee.

Uniform: Blue blazer, light-blue blouse, grey trousers or kilt, school tie (blue, red and green), grey socks or navy tights or socks for girls and black lace-up shoes. Uniform is strictly enforced.

Special needs: Three teachers give one-to-one tuition in a separate classroom.

Inspection: November 2006: 'Sherborne Preparatory School successfully meets its aims and aspirations, which are reflected in the excellent personal qualities and independence of its pupils. Pupils are well prepared for the next stages of their education. Pastoral care is outstanding. The wide range of learning opportunities is complemented by an impressive range of extra-curricular activities and an international dimension organised by hard-working and dedicated staff. Pupils have very well-developed literacy, numeracy and scientific skills; they organize their learning very efficiently. Highly successful spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is represented in the pupils? excellent attitudes to work and personal development. This is a happy school where children readily support each other. The headmaster is an inspirational leader, and with a highly effective senior management team, inspires high staff moral and outstanding behaviour in pupils. Pupils, teaching and non-teaching staff are proud of the school. Consequently, teaching staff are responsive to advice. However, the roles of middle-managers do not yet have a systematic involvement in monitoring pupils? achievement, learning and teaching. The school development plan does not reflect the distinctive culture of the school and does not yet include information from all the successful strands of monitoring and review. Since the last inspection, the school has improved the curriculum in the preparatory school, allocations of time to subjects and the shape and extent of the school day. Resources and accommodation for ICT have improved, and DT is now a highly successful subject. The accommodation and organisation of the library have significantly improved within the new building, and accommodation for specialist subject areas has been greatly enhanced. Significant improvements to the structure of the senior management team have enabled them to be fully involved in monitoring and evaluation. The roles of the governing body have been improved, and a new structure of sub-groups and working parties has strengthened their involvement in the school. The school meets all the regulatory requirements.'

Secondary schools: Sherborne School (18 pupils).

Boys' age range: 3 to 13.

Girls' age range: 3 to 13.

After-school care: Until 18.45.

Day pupils: 199.

Weekly boarders: 28.

Full boarders: 17.

Average class size (Year 5): 14.

Subjects taught at seven: 11.

Subjects taught at 11: 12.

All teachers hold teaching qualifications?: Y.

Teachers with degrees: 100%.

Specialist teachers used: Spanish in year two and again from year seven, German, music, art, science, languages, design and technology, computing and PHSE from year three, Mandarin from year four, geography, history, English, mathematics from year five and Latin from year seven.

Subjects taught in addition to national curriculum: Physical Health Social Education, Latin, Spanish, German and Mandarin.

Sports offered: Rugby, football, netball, rounders, cricket, swimming, tennis, athletics, cross-country and hockey.

On-site sports facilities: Games pitches and all-weather Astroturf.

Off-site sports facilities: Swimming pool at Sherborne School.

Percentage receiving instrumental tuition (Year 5): 78%.

Daily act of collective worship?: Y.

Pupils sit SATs?: N.

Common entrance?: Y.

Percentage admitted to senior schools on reduced fees: 24%.

Major scholarships won: Specialist Music Scholarship to Wells Cathedral School. Major Academic Awards to the Park School.Music Scholarship to Sherborne School for Girls.Academic Scholarship to Bryanston.

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