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Sherborne School, Sherborne

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Sherborne School details

Address:

Sherborne School
Abbey Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3AP

Telephone:

01935 812249

Fax:

01935 810 422

Email:

registrar@sherborne.org

Website:

www.sherborne.org

Authority:

Dorset

Gender of entry:

Boys

Age range:

12-18

Number of students:

564

Affiliation:

HMC

Gender of sixth form:

Boys

Last inspection:

October 2003. Read the full inspection report.

General information

Headteacher: Simon Eliot, appointed in September 2000.

Staff: 70 (men 67, women 16).

Background: Sherborne School dates back to the early eighth century but prides itself on its modern, outward-looking approach. While strictly a boys' school, offering all the advantages of a single-sex education, pupils are given a taste of coeducation through close links with the local independent girls' schools for plays, concerts, lectures, and for social events on most Saturdays. Sherborne has a strong academic reputation but aims to be a place of genuine education, not an exam hothouse, and seeks to draw out pupils' talents and interests so they develop a love of learning. There are numerous music groups, many of which tour abroad, about a dozen drama productions each year and the art department has a formidable record of entries to the most competitive art colleges. Sport is a unifying influence at Sherborne. Fixtures are arranged for pupils of all ages and aptitudes. Every boy at the school is introduced to the core games of rugby, hockey and cricket and can try other options include windsurfing and fencing. The 50-acre playing fields mean 16 team games can take place at the same time and there are 20 tennis courts. A huge range of activities is on offer, from shooting to Amnesty International and astronomy societies. As well as field trips and modern language study tours, lower sixth-formers compete for travel grants to visit places relevant to their schoolwork. The school boasts a professionally managed and computerised library, a design technology centre and art gallery. A new music school is planned.

Alumni: Chris Martin, musician; Cecil Day-Lewis, poet; Alan Turing, mathematician; Jeremy Irons, actor; Richard Eyre, film and theatre director.

Streaming/setting: Yes, in some subjects at GCSE level.

Approach to discipline: The school's emphasis is on self-discipline, respect and care for others.

Uniform: 13-16 Years - dark-blue sweater and grey trousers.16-18 Years - dark-blue jacket and school tie.

Homework: Average 14-year-old, 10 hours a week; 16-year-old, 10 hours.

Higher education: 95% (3 Oxford 1 Cambridge).

Special needs: The school has its own special educational needs facilities and several fully trained staff.

Inspection: October 2003: Sherborne School provides a very good quality of boarding education for boys and has few shortcomings. Its pupils achieve good standards in relation to their abilities, supported as they are by good teaching and very good pastoral care, provisions that are significantly enhanced by the quality of relationships in the school. Opportunities for personal development are plentiful, including those to be found within a very good programme of activities, and the spiritual dimension of the school's ethos and provision is an especially notable strength. Resources and accommodation provide strong support for teaching and learning. The school benefits from the sense of direction established by the headmaster and from the support of a committed and knowledgeable governing body.

Feeder schools: Sherborne Prep; Port Regis; Sandroyd; Hazlegrove; Hazlegrove School.

Boys' age range: 13 to 18.

Over-subscribed: 2:1.

Percentage admitted according to academic ability: 100.

Senior boys: 545.

Senior boys 13-18: Y.

Average class size (seniors; 11-16): 20.

Average class size (sixth form): 8.

Principle admission ages: At 13+ (110)At 16+ (20).

Gifted pupils: 150.

Bursary pupils: 10.

Bursaries: Art, Music, Hm Forces, Sport, Drama, Other.

Sherborne School Statistics

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