39 Acreman Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3NY
10 reasons to choose Sherborne Prep
Top line
Sherborne Prep has a Schoolsmith Score® of 89. It is one of the best independent prep schools in and around Sherborne and one of the 4 best primary schools for 5 miles.
School fundamentals
Sherborne Prep is an independent prep day and boarding school for boys and girls (50%/50%) between the ages of 3 and 13 years. Boarding from Year 3 for the 20% of pupils who board. 60% are full boarders and 40% are weekly or flexi boarders. It is a Church of England school, open to all faiths and none. The school has a non-selective admissions policy. It is a standalone prep school, not tied to any one senior school, and is a member of the Sherborne Schools Group. Sherborne Prep fees range from £3,000 (Rec) to £7,800 per term (2025/26). Full boarding fees range from £10,630 to £11,220 per term. Fees include VAT and lunches.
Average class size
Sherborne Prep usually has one class per year rising to two and an average class size of 15 pupils.
Leavers' destinations
Destinations for Sherborne Prep leavers are one of 10-15 local day and boarding schools. Up to 50% of leavers go to Sherborne Boys or Sherborne Girls. On a five-year average, 38% of pupils win scholarships.
The Sherborne Prep curriculum
School curriculum is an enhanced version of the National Curriculum which includes French, Latin, classical civilisation, and ‘Dragon Values’ (character education and PSHE). The curriculum is framed by six Core Skills to build critical thinking, resilience, and confidence, culminating in the Year 8 Extended Project. Saturday morning activities include current affairs, sports, drama, art, music, introductory language classes, and visiting speakers. Each pupil may participate in over 10 different extra-curricular academic activities or hobby clubs.
More on the curriculum
There are regular educational trips for all year groups, visiting speakers, Outdoor Learning to Year 2, Forest School for Years 3 to 5, and residential trips from Year 3.
Specialist teaching
Specialist teachers for music, languages and sport throughout, and for most subjects from Year 5.
Sport at Sherborne Prep
School offers over 15 different sports through the year, through both the curriculum and extra-curriculum. Competitive teams in major sports from Year 3. In recent years the school has enjoyed national success in hockey, netball, rugby 7s, swimming.
The Arts at Sherborne Prep
Art, music and drama are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. All pupils learn an instrument in class and nearly all take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. Five choirs, orchestra and over 10 instrument ensembles. The school is one of the top 50 UK prep schools for the breadth of its creative and performing arts extra-curriculum.
Wraparound care
Wraparound care from 7.30am to 6.00pm. Minibus service.
Find another school near Sherborne Prep
Leweston Prep (3.1 miles); Hazlegrove Preparatory School (9.3 miles).
Thornford Church of England Primary School (3.5 miles); St Mary’s Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas (3.8 miles); Preston Church of England Primary School, Abbey Manor Park (7.7 miles).
Sherborne Boys (0.5 miles); Sherborne Girls (0.8 miles); Leweston School (3.1 miles).
The Gryphon School (1.4 miles); Sexey’s School (13.9 miles); Gillingham School (14.4 miles).