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Junior Boarding at Sherborne Girls
Dropping your child off on their first day at a full boarding school can be daunting but it really doesn’t have to be writes Rebecca Tillin, Housemistress in Aldhelmsted West, a ‘stepping stone’ junior boarding house that combines the comfort and support of home with robust preparation for senior boarding school life.
The decision to send your child to a full boarding school seems like a sound one, until it’s time to pack up their kit and drop them off. Thankfully the days of ‘throwing them in at the deep end’ are, by and large, a thing of the past. Yet children can still be unsure what to expect, worried about making friends, where they’ll sleep and with whom, and whether they will ‘fit in.’ There are new rules and timetables to learn and a large school campus to get around, all without the comfort of a parental hug at the end of the day.
At Sherborne Girls, we believe that sending your child to a full boarding school is one of the best decisions any parent could make, because of the all-round education that it provides. That said we know that with busy academic and co-curricular lives, navigating the bustle and excitement while making friends and adjusting to routines can be
challenging for new pupils. In June 2013, we opened a purpose-built dedicated junior boarding house to give girls in Years 7 and 8, most of whom are new to boarding, a secure and happy start while equipping them with the tools needed to thrive as they move through the school. A decade later, it is as successful as ever because, although it has evolved with the times, it has remained true to its founding purpose.
A stepping-stone to our mixed-age boarding houses, ‘West’ is designed like a family home, with a large dining room, cosy social spaces, a garden and ‘family’ pets. It combines the facilities and specialist teaching of a senior school with a nurturing prepschool type environment that allows junior boarders to settle in and prepare for the transition to senior boarding.
Our approach in West is built on four key strategies. First,
we give new girls time and space to make friends and build bonds with staff away from the school campus. We take all junior boarders on an outward-bound weekend on their second weekend. Two days spent camping in Devon, for example, fosters a sense of togetherness and helps staff and pupils get to know each other properly.
Togetherness and belonging are really important which is why weekends in West are packed with a varied programme of group activities ranging from canvas painting and pamper nights to trips to Flip Out and laser tag. We also deliberately rotate table plans at meal times during the first term to ensure that everyone gets to know each other.
Second, we dissolve uncertainty and dispel myths early on by making sure new boarders know what to expect before they arrive. All new
girls are invited to a boarding taster weekend which gives them the opportunity to be part of life in West and to meet some of the girls they will be boarding with. Each girl also has a buddy who writes to them before they join, welcomes them on day one and helps with settling in.
Buddies are just one element in a pastoral care system that wraps several layers of support around each girl, ensuring no one slips through the net. Key to this are resident house staff, and tutors. Our bespoke tutor system provides every girl with a member of staff dedicated to their best interests and a group to which they feel they belong. The girls have lunch in tutor groups ensuring regular contact and facilitating the early resolution of problems.
Third, West is an excellent place to develop the skills, values and habits that will empower girls to make the most of their journey at
Sherborne Girls. Resident staff work closely with tutors to help junior boarders learn how to organise themselves, strike the right balance between academic and co-curricular activities, build confidence and become self-reliant, resilient and aware of others.
Leadership opportunities begin in West, with a Head of House and a team of prefects, rotated termly. Prefects uphold House values and organise events, such as ‘Tuneful Tuesday’ lunchtime concerts where girls can perform informally, in a supportive environment where everyone gets a cheer. Prefects look out for younger girls, visiting for ‘goodnights’ before bed. ‘Westie of the Week’ recognises those who have been particularly, kind, supportive and helpful. Finally, to ensure a smooth transition to senior boarding, we make sure there is regular engagement with our senior boarding houses. Year 11
prefects visit West twice a week assisting with lights out and prep supervision. During Lent Term, Year 8 visit senior boarding houses, meeting staff and pupils, and in Trinity Term, they represent their future house on Sports Day. Year 8 routines also become aligned with those in the girls’ future houses, helping them adjust to changes such as later bed times and increased freedoms.
We are delighted that so many pupils who began their journeys at Sherborne Girls in West take to senior boarding with enthusiasm, becoming valued members of their respective houses, and are always keen to return as prefects. The best journeys, it seems, are those that get off to a good start.
2024-2025 Tour Mornings and Admissions Events
Saturday 5 October Tour Morning 9.45am – 12.15pm
Thursday 7 November Tour Afternoon 1.45pm – 4.15pm
Friday 8 November
Sherborne Girls at Work for current Year 6’s 11+ 2025 entry
Monday 25 November Scholarship Deadline (Music)
Friday 29 and Fourth Form Assessments and Boarding
Saturday 30 November Taster Weekend for 2025 entry
Saturday 18 January Tour Morning 9.45am – 12.15pm
Monday 27th January – Scholarship Testing (Music)
Wednesday 29th January
Saturday 8 February Tour Morning 9.45am – 12.15pm
Monday 10 February
Sherborne Girls at Work for current Year 5’s 11+ 2026 entry
Saturday 22 March Tour Morning 9.45am – 12.15pm
Saturday 26 April Tour Morning and Discover West 9.45am – 12.15pm
Friday 9 May Tour Afternoon 1.45pm – 4.15pm
Tuesday 20 May
Sherborne Girls at Work for current Year 5’s 11+ 2026 entry
Saturday 21 June Tour Morning 9.45am – 12.15pm
Girls 11-18 • Boarding and day
To book please contact admissions@sherborne.com sherborne.com