Academic Support
At Sherborne Girls, we recognise that every girl learns differently — and we celebrate that.
This is not a school where one size fits all. Our teachers tailor their approach through Quality First Teaching, supported by the Learning Support Department, to ensure that each pupil is stretched, supported and given the tools to thrive. Small class sizes allow for adaptive teaching, where lessons are tailored through questioning and quality resources to meet the needs of every pupil.
We have dedicated staff who work closely with:
- Gifted and talented pupils
- Pupils with specific learning needs or disabilities
- Bilingual learners and those for whom English is an additional language (EAL)
Our learning support team provides one-to-one and small group sessions outside lesson time, focusing on literacy, memory, and executive function skills such as organisation, time management and task planning.
Provision is shaped by external assessments, in-school evaluations and teacher feedback.
We foster a culture of high expectations and encouragement — always grounded in empathy, positivity and belief in each girl’s potential. Parents are kept well informed through regular progress updates and goal-setting reviews.
All pupils are encouraged to use the Read & Write programme, a tool that supports reading, writing, vocabulary and study skills. It’s particularly valuable for pupils using exam access arrangements like readers or scribes, allowing them to practise with the same tools they’ll use on exam day.
A School Environment That Supports Every Learner
The calm, well-structured environment at Sherborne Girls benefits all pupils — helping them feel settled, focused and ready to learn.
Our small house-based dining, natural breaks between lessons, and longer daily breaks create natural pauses in the school day, encouraging girls to pause, reflect and reset.
This thoughtful rhythm is particularly supportive for neurodiverse pupils, offering consistency, flexibility and calm.
For those who need it, we offer access to a sensory room to help decompress, and can adapt timetables to allow extra time for rest, consolidation or individualised support.
Inclusive Approach
Our inclusive approach to Wellbeing ensures every girl feels seen and supported.
Initiatives such as Sleep Week promote healthy routines, while visiting therapists offer tailored services — from ADHD coaching and speech and language therapy to reflexology and hypnotherapy.
Whether a girl needs space to clear her mind, a structured routine, or simply a calm setting in which to thrive, she will find it here — and be supported every step of the way.
Our outstanding pastoral care, led by experienced house teams, ensures a joined-up approach across all areas of school life.
Girls also benefit from study skills workshops and revision days, helping them build lasting confidence and effective learning habits.
Our International Coordinator works closely with pupils joining us from overseas, ensuring they feel welcome, well-supported and fully integrated from day one.
Stretch & Challenge
Support for high-achieving pupils extends beyond our Scholars and Exhibitioners.
Any girl demonstrating exceptional ability — in academic work or the co-curricular sphere — may be added to our Gifted and Talented Register and offered access to specialist events and enrichment opportunities.
Girls applying for Oxbridge or Medicine benefit from a bespoke preparation programme, including mentoring, mock interviews and university visits.
These are designed to help them pursue their ambitions with confidence and clarity.
Language Support
Where possible, girls are encouraged to continue with languages they already speak, through conversation sessions, individual or small-group tuition, and, where appropriate, entry for qualifications — even without formal classroom teaching.
For those learning English as an additional language, we provide tailored EAL tuition, adapted to each pupil’s needs and learning style, helping to build fluency and confidence both academically and socially.
Where Next?
