The Sherborne Difference

Last year, Sherborne Boys, Sherborne Girls, Sherborne Prep and Hanford Prep came together as the Sherborne Schools Group (SSG). It was a courageous move to secure the financial future of the schools and deliver an even better educational experience. 

For many years Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls have benefitted from a close relationship, underpinned by shared values and a commitment to full-boarding. They describe their unique collaboration as Separate Yet Together – meaning they deliver single-sex boarding and teaching as discrete schools but come together for busy co-curricular, enrichment and socials programmes. This provision is extensive with joint activities as wide-ranging as music, drama and debating, to climbing, outdoor education and the Combined Cadet Force.

Sherborne Prep and Hanford Prep both emphasise magical childhood experiences, where children are given the time, opportunity and environment for free play. The schools encourage curiosity, imagination and individuality, helping children discover their own personalities and talents, and develop a joy of learning.

Building on these unique partnerships and strengths, SSG is launching The Sherborne Difference; a visionary and transformational educational methodology designed to unlock the unique potential of every child. Core to The Sherborne Difference is SSG’s commitment to the flourishing of each individual pupil and the positive contribution they will make to society. This principle underpins everything the schools do, ensuring pupils develop the skills, character and disposition to be able to navigate and contribute to a rapidly changing world. 

The Sherborne Difference is underpinned by two core pathways – academic and character education; and the unique blend of options, experiences and support within these two pathways, tailored to each child’s needs and aspirations. The academic pathway reimagines teaching and learning strategies, drawing on latest innovations to deliver stretch and challenge for all abilities and learning styles. The character education pathway focuses on personal growth and the development of intellectual, moral, civic and behavioural attributes such as critical thinking, integrity, citizenship and resilience. The schools’ extensive co-curricular programmes complement The Sherborne Difference.

There is no doubt that the private education sector is under pressure with the imposition of VAT on school fees, but the schools of Sherborne are facing this head on. SSG’s message to parents is clear:

Your child is more than their academic achievements. Your child is every triumph, every failure overcome, every opportunity. Your child is a compilation of every note played, every problem solved, every knee muddied, song sung, goal scored, line learned, and friend made. Your child’s future is the direct path from all of this; whether Oxbridge or headlining the Apollo, barrister or barista, rugby or running, trombone or triangle, fintech or the Foreign Office; whether business owner at 18, academic at 35, the same career for 50 years, ten in that time or three at once.

The start is Sherborne: engaged, optimistic and excited by the future promise. The Sherborne Difference.