Information for International Families

I N F O R M AT I O N F O R

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

FA M I L I E S

Welcome from the Director of Admissions

We understand that, wherever you are in the world, choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. That’s why we support international applicants on every step of their journey to Sherborne Girls.

For girls: We offer a thriving community that will stimulate and inspire We celebrate the diversity of talent among our pupils, and learn from each other’s different experiences of life Whatever your background, Sherborne Girls will become a home-fromhome, where you’ll be given all you need to flourish for the future

For parents: It is no small consideration to send your daughter abroad to study We understand the mix of emotions such a decision brings: excitement and trepidation, enthusiasm and worry We support you throughout the application process, and during your daughter’s time at the School At every turn, we strive to provide an educational experience that gives her the very best preparation for life, in a community that cherishes everyone ’ s talents and helps girls grow into women of the future

For all: Sherborne offers a unique location for a wonderful educational experience in the UK While we are committed to providing single-sex education, with all the advantages that brings in the academic setting, our close partnership with Sherborne School means we also provide many of the social benefits of a co-educational experience We are separate yet together, meaning we cooperate closely when we know it will help our pupils The result is a school experience delivering the best of both worlds, in a beautiful location that is beloved by pupils from all over the world

My team and I are here to help your daughter access the wonderful opportunity of a Sherborne Girls education Please contact us if you have any questions We look forward to working with you in the months ahead

Bradford Road

Sherborne

Dorset DT9 3QN, United Kingdom

+44 (0)1935 818224

admissions@sherborne com

sherborne.com

Karen Williams Director of Admissions

Sherborne Girls

Welcome from the Head

When I am asked about the hallmarks of a Sherborne Girls education, I am quick to reply. Our pupils understand the value of community and are committed to helping everybody find their niche They celebrate diversity and relish challenge. They are inquisitive, curious and kind; thoughtful, engaged, courteous and generous.

In such a community, international pupils soon feel very much at home They bring a broad range of perspectives, which adds to the richness of our School Like all our girls, they soon find their place in our community, developing their unique talents, discovering new passions, and growing with every day that passes

This is what it means to help our pupils realise their potential We take them out of their comfort zones and encourage them to try new things We foster a spirit of adventure, leadership and perseverance, promoting personal development in the context of our vibrant community We celebrate our achievements, both as individuals and as a school

I believe Sherborne Girls to be a place of nurture, growth and aspiration We give our girls roots to grow and wings to fly and I am proud to be Head of such a special community I hope you’ll see this for yourself as you explore our offer in more detail Please do contact us with any questions We are here to help you make the right decision about your daughter’s education

“I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I hadn’t gone to Sherborne Girls. I absolutely loved my five years there. SG has given me more confidence than anything else in my life. You are told you can jump as high as you can and you will fly, and I truly believe that.”

Olivia – Old Girl

Dr Ruth Sullivan Head

“SG has truly made me aspirational. It’s taught me to think the unthinkable and to do a lot of things that I didn’t dream were possible: for example, being Head of School, taking four A Levels, doing all the subjects that I truly love and falling in love with challenge.”

Annie

Academic Studies

Academic excellence underpins a Sherborne Girls education Academic outcomes are excellent and our “value added” is exceptional This is a measure of how much our pupils improve upon their potential examination grades during their time at the School

Through interactive, imaginative and individualised teaching, we help our pupils become considerate and careful thinkers, capable of solving problems and reasoning creatively We help them become confident risk-takers who can reflect on success and failure and grow in community with others

As a Microsoft Showcase School, technology plays an important part in our provision Every pupil uses a pen-enabled device, specifically a Microsoft Surface, and is adept at blending digital learning with more traditional approaches, ensuring they get the very best from their education

We build girls’ skills at every stage of their time with us, offering a broad-based and exploratory curriculum for girls aged 11 to 14 (Years 7 to 9) that instils a deep love of learning

W ith a full suite of i/GCSEs and academic enrichment for girls in Years 10 and 11, we provide appropriate stretch and challenge to develop the girls intellectually, while delivering a breadth of experience to ensure an all-round education We put strong emphasis on emotional and creative intelligence, resilience and flexibility

In the Sixth Form girls are encouraged to develop greater academic independence, responsibility for

their own time management and a deeper interest in the world around them Our academic programme offers a wide choice of A Levels for girls alongside enrichment courses such as one-year business language courses, core maths and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) A small number of lessons are taught across Sherborne Girls and Sherborne School to offer an increased choice of courses

Being recognised as a scholar at Sherborne Girls is an honour and a privilege We provide an extensive programme designed to support and guide exceptional pupils across a range of academic interests including STEM, languages and the creative arts

Our bespoke tutor system provides individual support to ensure every girl is appropriately challenged to achieve success and fuel academic interests A comprehensive careers programme to help girls plan their future is embedded at all stages of the girls’ curriculum as they progress through the School

Sherborne Girls sends pupils to some of the UK’s most prestigious universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, Exeter, Bristol, Kings, UCL, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Durham, as well as esteemed overseas universities and art schools, and competitive degree apprenticeships The girls take up a range of challenging and inspiring courses including Architecture, Mathematics, Engineering, Classics, Law, Liberal Arts, Linguistics, Psychology and Medicine

Sport

Our sport programme grows from our wellbeing strategy, recognising the interplay between physical and mental health

We nurture the sporting potential of every pupil, counting world champions, national and county team players and high-performance athletes among our number Providing the highest level of coaching and most up-to-date techniques and strategies, we aim to develop our elite players for national talent pathways and future 1st teams

We enjoy an enviable reputation for success in

lacrosse, hockey and crosscountry, as well as having a thriving cricket team However, there are a huge number of other sporting options for girls, whether they wish to participate at a competitive or recreational level.

Our philosophy is one of participation and performance, and we ensure every pupil has the opportunity to find a way of keeping active that works for them We also offer a variety of fitness activities and classes including boxercise, Zumba, yoga, spinning, body balance, ballet, street dance, pilates and bouldering

Our facilities are first-rate including a 25-metre six-lane swimming pool, squash courts, tennis courts, a floodlit astro pitch, grass lacrosse pitches, climbing and bouldering walls, and a high-performance gym

In 2021, Sherborne Girls launched the inaugural Sport in her Shoes conference as part of a growing movement to improve the experience of girls and young women in sport All coaching sessions have a female focus, and we have optimised kit and training to reflect the female body We want every girl to make sport or physical activity a habit for life

Music

Music holds a very special place in the tradition of cultural excellence at Sherborne Girls Our stateof-the-art performing arts centre is alive with melody at all hours That is thanks to our array of choirs, orchestras, rock bands, ensembles and instrumentalists, giving girls every opportunity to develop their skills and perform with others In addition to our teaching staff, we employ specialist instructors in several fields, including individual instruments and areas such as song writing and DJing We celebrate a diversity of music tastes, and greatly value the perspectives of our international pupils, who often deepen our musical knowledge and broaden our listening habits

From our Junior ‘West Choir’ to the ‘Madrigal Society,’ the School’s premier choir, girls perform in an extensive programme of concerts both in and outside School. The Sherborne Schools’ Symphony Orchestra and the Sherborne Schools’ Sinfonia are among the jewels in the crown of the town’s youth music-making, pooling the combined instrumental talent of all five of Sherborne’s secondary schools

There is a flourishing programme of chamber music and ensembles include String, Flute, Clarinet and Saxophone Quartets, a Woodwind Trio, and a Jazz Band If a girl wants to learn a particular instrument or harness her talent in a particular area of music, we do all we can to make it happen And with ample potential for collaboration with boys from Sherborne School, our girls really do have every opportunity to hit all the right notes

Drama

We are proud of the high-quality drama and musical productions our girls perform in throughout their time at the School These are targeted at different year groups, ensuring every girl who wants it has an opportunity to shine Some also involve pupils from Sherborne School, providing a richer experience with a wider cast and crew

As well as our co-curricular offer, pupils can study Drama at GCSE and A Level They can also undertake Trinity Guildhall exams in Speech and Drama – for which we have a 100% pass rate

To broaden our pupils’ cultural experience, we provide regular trips to see professional theatre in performance, including to London’s West End We regularly draw on industry professionals for masterclasses and workshops, giving girls the chance to work with actors and directors who are at the top of their game

For those who prefer to work behind the scenes, a recent refit of the drama building with state-of-theart lighting and technical equipment enables the girls to learn about technical theatre at a weekly club including lighting, sound, set-building, and costume design

Art and Design

We encourage our pupils to be creative in every aspect of School life Whether they are solving a Maths problem, reviewing a piece of literature or talking tactics on the sports field, girls are given the space to use their imagination as they interrogate the world around them

That encouragement may explain why Art and Design – including Textiles, Design Technology and Photography – are so popular in our School We aim to nurture creativity and artistic achievement across a variety of media We have an Artist in Residence to inspire and support pupils with their work Specialist workshops are held regularly and visits to galleries and exhibitions further extend our artistic provision

We are fortunate to have our own dedicated Art and Design exhibition space, the W irth Gallery within our stunning, light-filled Merritt Centre Here, we host regular Art and Design exhibitions including work by local artists and scholars

Available to everyone during their time at School, our co-curricular clubs in photography, drawing and engineering also provide ample opportunity for girls to deepen their knowledge of a variety of crafts and explore their creativity through the visual arts

Leiths at Sherborne Girls

Leiths School of Food and W ine is the most prestigious and respected cookery school in the UK It has a reputation for training practical, professional and well-rounded cooks

Every girl in the Sixth Form has the opportunity to complete the Leiths Introductory Certificate in Food and W ine Not only does this deepen their knowledge and appreciation of dining It also equips them with valuable skills for life, which can be used in the home and in a professional kitchen

Many of our pupils have found their Leiths training useful in securing vacation employment in restaurants, delis, ski chalets or private homes

More importantly, the Leiths course provides an opportunity to change gear, with girls immersing themselves in an activity that is by turns relaxing, stimulating and empowering

“Everyone can thrive at SG, no matter your motivation or aspiration”

Emily

Life in all its fullness:

our co-curricular programme

One of the great advantages of our full-boarding ethos is that it gives us the space to offer a comprehensive range of co-curricular activities that stretch and inspire our girls to succeed. Some 90% of our pupils are present at School 24-7 during term time, meaning we foster a strong sense of community that goes well beyond the classroom – even extending to friends and collaborators at Sherborne School. Here’s just a taste of the clubs and societies on offer at Sherborne Girls:

• Advanced Science Society

• Art Club and Arts Award

• Astronomy

• Biology Olympiad

• Biomed Society

• Book Club

• Chemistry Olympiad

• Chess Club

• Climbing Club

• Confirmation Class

• David Attenborough Appreciation

• Diverse Voices

• Debating (Junior and Senior)

• Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme

• Eco Society

• Equalities Society

• Fashion Club

• Foreign Language Leaders’ Award

• Hatha Yoga

• History of Art Club ARTiculation Prize

• Japanese Language and Culture Club

• Junior Film Club

• Latin American Current Affairs

• Maths Challenge (Junior and Senior)

• Mindfulness

• Model United Nations

• Philosophy Society

• Photography Club

• Rocket Science

• Science in the News

• Scholars’ Club

• Senior History Society

• Sixth Form Thinkers

• The Turing Society

• West Writers

• Young Economists

• Young Enterprise

In addition, we run a series of Friday lectures that expand our girls’ horizons and challenge them to think differently about the world. Guest speakers include adventurers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, politicians, charity workers, and philanthropists.

To further extend our pupils’ global perspective, we offer annual exchanges with schools around the world, including in Johannesburg, Tasmania, Adelaide, Toronto and Qatar.

Combinded Cadet Force (CCF)

The CCF is a chance for girls and boys from Sherborne to join one of three sections: Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Army For many, involvement is a highlight of their time at School, sowing seeds for their future career and lifestyle, both in the military and beyond

Through CCF, pupils form lifelong friendships and learn valuable lessons about perseverance, respect and determination By working together, Sherborne Girls and Sherborne School offer a rich co-educational experience –helping pupils foster mutual understanding and awareness of each other’s needs.

Activities such as navigation, fieldcraft, drill, weapons training, first aid and leadership training are the bedrock of the CCF As girls progress through the School, they have the chance to mentor and train junior cadets, helping fan the flames of their ambition and growing their confidence as women in leadership

In 2022-23, all three CCF Section Heads were girls In 2023-24 the Head of the CCF and Head of the Royal Marines are both girls This recognises their exceptional leadership qualities and the respect they have from their peers at both schools

Adventure and Leadership

We have a vibrant expedition culture at Sherborne Girls, with pupils in every year group regularly undertaking challenging outdoor pursuits These help them develop self-confidence, teamwork, resilience, and a deeper connection with the natural world W ith Adventure and Leadership timetabled into our provision in Year 9, we enshrine our commitment to this aspect of our pupils’ formation The programme culminates in two summer expeditions and includes several day and night walks, environmental projects and stimulating activities such as coasteering, climbing, sea kayaking and sailing For those who develop their love of the outdoors and want to pursue it further, the co-curricular opportunities abound As well as the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which combines adventurous pursuits with community service and leadership, we offer hiking, cycling and kayaking expeditions in the UK’s wildest places, and throughout northern Europe

What’s more, because we understand that leadership and risk-taking are developed in a variety of contexts, we encourage girls to participate in activities such as Model United Nations (MUN), the Young Enterprise Scheme and charity work In these ways and more, they develop their understanding of the world, their sensitivity to the needs of others, and their sense of being able to make a difference to those around them

Our Global Community

Countries of Residence – United Kingdom, plus

Bahrain

Belgium

Bermuda

Canada

Cayman Islands

China

Cyprus

Denmark

Egypt

Eswatini

Falkland Islands

France

Georgia

Germany

Ghana

Gibraltar

Guernsey

Hong Kong

Indonesia

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Jersey

Kenya

Kuwait

Lithuania

Malta

Montenegro

New Zealand

Nigeria

Norway

Oman

Qatar

Russia

Saudi Arabia

Serbia

Singapore

South Korea (Republic of Korea)

Spain

Switzerland

Thailand

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

USA

Zambia

Boarding Life

Our full-boarding ethos ensures continuity of community for everyone who belongs to Sherborne Girls For international pupils, it means their friends are around them throughout the week and weekend, with a busy programme of activities to keep everyone stimulated and entertained

We understand that School needs to be a homefrom-home for pupils: a place where they feel completely comfortable to be themselves Where they are supported to grow and given appropriate challenge to develop healthy habits and dispositions that will stay with them for life

We pride ourselves on providing just such an environment For those who join in Year 7 or 8, our Junior Boarding House (Aldhelmsted West) offers nurture and care that is appropriate for their age

In Year 9, when many join the School, girls enter mixed-age Houses with pupils up to Year 12 This encourages healthy relationships across age groups, with older girls providing mentoring and pastoral support on both an informal and formal basis

In the Upper Sixth, Year 13, pupils move to their own House, Mulliner They are given more freedom and independence, but are also expected to take on more leadership responsibility in the School We believe this provides the perfect bridge to life beyond Sherborne Girls, helping girls develop selfreliance, wise judgment and skill in time management

Whatever their age, girls are given support from personal tutors and House staff to grow into the very best version of themselves Our pastoral care attends to their physical, spiritual and emotional wellbeing, with peer-to-peer support being an outstanding feature of our House communities This is fostered not least by the fact pupils eat together in their Houses, giving them a valuable opportunity to check in with each other throughout the day

Life in a busy full-boarding community is challenging, stimulating, fun and inspiring Through our support structures, we ensure our girls never feel far from home – wherever they come from in the world

“I love everything about boarding Every girl is so well known to everyone around her. She has support from her peers, her teachers and from her tutor. The environment is so positive, everyone is looking out for everyone. There is a big sister around every corner ”

Selene

A Safe Location

When we say Sherborne offers the best of both worlds, we don’t just mean the unique combination of boys’ and girls’ schools in one location.

We’re also talking about Sherborne itself: a gorgeous market town in the heart of the English countryside, offering tranquil beauty and cultural vibrancy in equal measure

Sherborne really is a place like no other Its honeyed streets are alive with bustle, but it is a safe environment in which to grow up School and town work in close harmony, which means our pupils are welcome at the local businesses and cafés – giving them a chance to develop independence while knowing they have a caring school community to call home

Thanks to our proximity to Bristol, Southampton and London, we can give pupils the intellectual and cultural stimulation of city life For example, theatre and museum trips are an important part of our co-curricular offer In this way, girls become accustomed to the richness and diversity of the UK’s urban communities, while also appreciating the rural surroundings to which they return

Wellbeing and medical care

As a community of care and nurture, we pay close attention to the physical and emotional wellbeing of our pupils We want every one of them to thrive during their time at School, developing lifelong habits and skills in self-care

Mental wellbeing is at the heart of our provision We encourage all girls to understand that mental health ebbs and flows, to look for the signs of a downturn in their own mental health and that of their peers, and develop strategies to cope They are supported by our team of tutors, a School counsellor and our medical staff, plus a School dog – ensuring an appropriate level of care and comfort is always available

Health Centre

Our Health Centre is staffed by a qualified nurse 24 hours a day during term time We treat acute medical problems, and help pupils manage chronic conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, IBD, and allergies

We have eight beds in the Centre for students who need focused care, and a therapy room for holistic treatments by visiting practitioners We also have a pupil lounge and sensory room, providing a muchvalued space to relax, unwind and refocus

All pupils are registered with the Grove Medical Centre in Sherborne, under the care of local GPs They hold clinics in the School Health Centre every weekday morning and provide care and treatment at other times as necessary

Travel and Transport

Thanks to our great location in Southern England, we enjoy transport links with several major cities and airports These include:

• Bournemouth

• Bristol

• Exeter

• Gatwick

• Heathrow

• London City

• Southampton

Central London is easily accessible by train, with a station connecting to London Waterloo just a 10-minute walk from School

We can arrange supervised transport for international students at the beginning and end of each term and half term, either by coach or approved taxi, with DBS-checked drivers

Guardians

Girls whose parents do not live in the UK require a UK-based guardian to act on their behalf and represent their interests They may also need to stay with their guardian during some holidays and exeats if they cannot return home

We are not able to recommend agencies or individuals, but a list of accredited guardianship organisations is available from the Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students aegisuk net or the BSA Certified Guardian Scheme ukbsa.com

Visas

If your daughter has a UK passport, they do not require a visa to study in the UK If they do not have a UK passport, even if they live in the UK, they may still require a visa Please check a nonUK passport carefully to see if they have “RIGHT OF ABODE” in the UK

If a pupil is from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, they will need to apply for a visa to study in the UK

You must ensure your daughter has a valid visa before she starts at Sherborne Girls You also need to renew her passport and visa as necessary The earliest you can apply for a child student visa is six months prior to starting at a UK-based school

For more information on the process, please visit the UK Visas and Immigration section of the gov uk website

“We wanted an all-girls’ environment offering the best in academic, sport, arts and pastoral. We live overseas so the full-boarding aspect was also really important. Sherborne Girls is an exceptional school.”

Liz – parent

Fees and Charges

September 2023 – September 2024

Registration Fee £250

Deposit for pupils resident outside the UK: one term’s boarding fees

Years 7 and 8 £12,250

Years 9 and 13 £14,950

Child student visa application admin fee £500

English as an Additional Language

Individual tuition £45 per lesson

Shared lessons £26 25 per lesson Group tuition £18 75 per lesson

Learning Support

Individual tuition £45 per lesson

Shared lessons £26 25 per lesson Group tuition £18.75 per lesson

Counselling £45 per session

For full details of extra costs, please refer to our information booklet, available to download from www.sherborne.com

Separate Yet Together

Our unique offer

At Sherborne we believe we have a right to claim uniqueness We are a boys’ school and a girls’ school, both full-boarding, located right next to each other in a small, bustling Dorset town. And because the two schools overlap in so many places, the opportunities for joint activities within the school day, are endless – from music to sport, from drama to the debating society, from joint socials to coffee in town This combination of circumstances is a rare privilege. The best of both worlds, in fact

As a School that was built on an entrepreneurial vision, innovation and creativity are part of our DNA This ability to adapt to change and embrace it positively are reflected in the awards and accolades we receive.

Sherborne Girls

Bradford Road

Sherborne

Dorset DT9 3QN, United Kingdom

+44 (0)1935 818224

admissions@sherborne com

sherborne com

Green Award for Environmental Achievement Independent Boarding School of the Year

Pastoral Care Champion

Empowering Young Entrepreneurs

Green Flag Award 2023

Pupil Mental Health Initiative