Sherborne School for Girls
Sherborne, Dorset, South West · DT9 3QN
Founded in 1893, this Church of England girls' boarding and day school sits in the Dorset town of Sherborne and educates around 461 pupils aged 11 to 18. It is a small school by national measures, with a substantial sixth form of 172, and the Independent Schools Inspectorate rated it excellent for both education and personal development at its most recent inspection. A notably high proportion of pupils receive SEN support, suggesting individual needs are well understood here. The thoughtfully tiered mobile phone policy, which keeps the youngest year groups largely smartphone-free and asks all pupils up to Lower Sixth to hand in devices each evening, reflects a deliberate approach to boarding life under Head Dr Ruth Sullivan.
461
Pupils
excellent
ISI
£35,850
Day fees / yr
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Open in Google Maps ↗Overview & data
- Gender
- Girls
- Type
- independent (fee-paying) school
- Age range
- 11-18
- Pupils
- 461
- Location
- Sherborne, Dorset, South West
- Website
- http://www.sherborne.com
- Telephone
- 01935 812245
Entrance & admissions
- Entry age
- 11
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Headteacher
Head Dr Ruth Sullivan
Latest results
Attainment 8
34.3
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
0%
National average 47%
GCSE grade 9-7
49%
A-level A*-A
40%
A-level A*-B
68%
Teaching & academics
Roughly half of GCSE entries are awarded grades 9 to 7, and at A-level 40% reach A*-A with 68% at A*-B, alongside the option of an EPQ. Sciences feature strongly at GCSE, while sixth-formers favour a broad mix spanning psychology, mathematics, the sciences and the humanities. Parents should note the school's published Attainment 8 of 34.3 sits below the national average of 46.9, a headline figure worth discussing in the context of the school's intake and curriculum.
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 172
Popular A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Learning support & SEN
- SEN support
- 36.05%
- EHC plans
- 0.21%
Arts & extracurricular
Scholarships
Languages
Popular GCSE subjects
Sport
Main sports
Beyond the classroom
Sport has a clear presence, with tennis, netball, lacrosse, hockey and rounders forming the mainstay of the games programme. French, Spanish and German are all taught, and the breadth of scholarships - academic, drama, music, sport and art - points to lively co-curricular life beyond the classroom.
Ethos & heritage
- Founded
- 1893
- Religious character
- C of E
- Boarding
- Yes
Mobile phone policy
L4 and U4: Smartphone free, brick phone access 5-6pm and 7.30-8pm, phone-free days Mon/Thu. L5, M5, U5: Smartphone permitted at specific times after school. L6, U6: Permitted during school day in boarding house or off-site. All L4-L6 hand in devices each evening.
Money matters
- Day fees (per year)
- £35,850
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £45,900 - £56,055
Available and generally given in combination with scholarships
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 30 January 2024
The last word
A small Church of England boarding school for girls with a sizeable sixth form and a measured, age-appropriate stance on technology. Scholarships and bursaries, often awarded together, help open the door for families weighing day fees of up to £35,850 or boarding at up to £56,055.
The Passmate verdict
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Sherborne School for Girls 11+: frequently asked questions
Where is Sherborne School for Girls located?
Sherborne School for Girls is located at Bradford Road, Sherborne, DT9 3QN.
What type of school is Sherborne School for Girls?
Sherborne School for Girls is an independent (fee-paying) school in South West.
How many pupils attend Sherborne School for Girls?
Sherborne School for Girls has approximately 461 pupils on roll.
What is Sherborne School for Girls's inspection rating?
Sherborne School for Girls is inspected by the ISI and was judged "excellent" at its inspection on 30 January 2024.
Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.