Sherborne School
Sherborne, Dorset · DT9 3AP
Sherborne School is one of England's most distinguished traditional boarding schools for boys, set within the medieval splendour of Sherborne, Dorset, sharing the town with its ancient abbey and castle. Founded in 1550 and closely associated with the Church of England, it combines a strong academic tradition with a broad co-curricular offer and an emphasis on character formation. The school is proudly full-boarding at heart, with boys living in one of eight houses and a timetable structured around a six-day week. Its rural Dorset setting and strong sense of community give it a distinctive, self-contained quality that many families find deeply appealing.
- →Outstanding pastoral care through a genuine full-boarding house system with long-serving housemasters
- →Strong academic results combined with an ethos that values breadth — sport, music, drama and service alongside the classroom
- →Beautiful historic setting and excellent facilities on a compact, walkable campus in a safe market town
- →Reputation for producing confident, grounded young men with strong social skills and genuine independence
- →Long-standing links to the armed forces and professions, with a respected CCF and leadership programme
Who thrives here
Boys who thrive in a structured, full-boarding environment and are ready to engage wholeheartedly with school life — academically curious but not single-mindedly academic, keen on sport or the arts, and comfortable in a traditional yet warm institutional culture.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
Abbey Road
Sherborne, Dorset
DT9 3AP
Nearest stations
Notable alumni
Jeremy Irons
Academy Award-winning actor
Chris Martin
Lead singer of Coldplay
John le Carré
Novelist, author of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Cecil Day-Lewis
Poet Laureate and author
David Sheppard
England cricketer and Bishop of Liverpool
Alastair Cook
England cricket captain and record Test run scorer
Recent investment
Frequently asked questions
What are the fees at Sherborne School?
Day fees at Sherborne School are approximately £20,175 per year (2025/26). Boarding fees are higher.
How do you get into Sherborne School?
Sherborne School admits pupils at 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by 11+ Selective Examination. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
What are Sherborne School's exam results?
At Sherborne School, 21.2% of A-levels were graded A*–B and 41.3% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Is Sherborne School a boarding school?
Sherborne School offers boarding as well as day places.
What is Sherborne School's latest inspection rating?
ISI rated Sherborne School “Excellent” (2023).
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Housemasters are exceptional — parents feel genuinely known and the pastoral care is outstanding
✓Boys leave Sherborne as confident, well-rounded young men rather than just exam machines
✓The sense of community and belonging is strong; boys form friendships for life
✓Sport, music and drama are genuinely excellent and accessible to boys of all abilities
✓The rural setting and structured boarding life feel safe and formative
Common concerns
!Remote location can make weekend flexibility difficult for families not committed to full boarding
!Some parents feel the school could do more to push the very highest academic achievers toward elite university entry
!The traditional single-sex environment may not suit every boy in an increasingly co-educational world