Sherborne School, Sherborne
Sherborne School is an independent school for boys aged 13 to 19 in Sherborne. It has a Christian religious character. It is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted; its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in January 2026.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Sherborne School in detail
Sherborne School in its own words
In its own words: "Sherborne Schools Group (SSG) is a leading charitable educational organisation based in the historic town of Sherborne, Dorset. Our roots run deep. Sherborne Boys was founded in 1550, Sherborne Girls in 1899, and Sherborne Prep in 1858 - giving Sherborne one of the longest and richest educational histories in the country."
From the headteacher's welcome: "We believe education can define the future. We live in a fast-changing world, with many challenges and opportunities. So we form our pupils to deal with uncertainty, lead change, and make a difference. We blend academic excellence with character formation to shape the future - for our pupils and the people they meet."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include gardening and debating.
Coming up: an open day on Saturday 7 November 2026, an open day on Saturday 14 November 2026, an open day on Saturday 5 December 2026 and an open day on Saturday 30 January 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.
All school open days in Dorset
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)Clubs (school website)Open days on the school's site (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Sherborne School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other independent schools to Sherborne School are Sherborne Preparatory School (under 0.1 miles); Sherborne School for Girls (0.4 miles, selective); and Leweston School (2.6 miles).
Sherborne Preparatory SchoolSherborne School for GirlsLeweston School
Where pupils go next
Of the 127 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 41% went on to university or other higher education, 1% to apprenticeships and 15% into work.
Who goes there
In 2026, 269 pupils (50%) received SEN support and 1 (0.2%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Sherborne Rail Station, about 470 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).
7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Digby Road (n-bound), 170 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 54 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Dorset (25), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASISI Inspection Reports
Independent schools in England are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), not Ofsted.
Routine Inspection
27 January 2026
Educational Quality / Focused Compliance
7 March 2023
Regulatory Compliance
21 March 2018
Integrated
17 March 2015
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 1 nearby school
Keep up with Sherborne School
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 19
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 4
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 19 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 4 serious and 15 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot.
3 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Dorset is 3 (the median across 184 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
90%
Near capacity
538 pupils
600 places
62 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Sherborne
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Sherborne
Across Dorset council
Places available
2,797
Applications
2,105
Got 1st preference
97.9%
Got preferred school
99.0%
All secondary applications across Dorset council (2026/27), not just this school.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
269
SEN Support
1
EHC Plans
50.2%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
538
Total Pupils
538
Boys
0
Girls
2026 academic year
Questions parents ask about Sherborne School
What are GCSE results like at Sherborne School?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Sherborne School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
When was Sherborne School last inspected?
Sherborne School is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted. Its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in January 2026.
How many pupils go to Sherborne School?
Sherborne School has around 538 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Sherborne School?
Sherborne School is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near Sherborne School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 19 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 4 serious and 15 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot. 3 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Dorset is 3 (the median across 184 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Sherborne School?
Sherborne School is at Abbey Road, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3AP.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)