Boarding at Sherborne Prep
A place of marshmallows, mischief, and memories that last a lifetime.
At Sherborne Prep, boarding is more than beds and routines – it is about belonging. Acreman House, tucked right into the school campus, is run by Mr Chiappa-Patching and his family, who live on site and wrap every child in a warm, authentic sense of home. With separate dorms for boys and girls, and spaces that buzz with laughter and life, it is a world where children are known, cared for, and cherished.
Whether your child boards full time, weekly, or just the occasional night or two, they will be part of a family that celebrates every success, shares every meal, and makes even a rainy Tuesday feel like a mini adventure.
A Softer Start to Boarding Life
For children preparing for senior boarding schools, Sherborne Prep offers a gentler landing.
The smaller scale, the friendly faces, and the deeply nurturing atmosphere make it an ideal place to begin the boarding journey. While senior schools may offer excellent pastoral care, nothing quite replicates the close-knit charm of a prep school where staff know not only your child’s timetable, but also their favourite snack and bedtime book.
Here, boarding is not something to adjust to – it is something to enjoy from the very start.
Weekends Worth Writing Home About
Our weekends are built around wonder, whimsy, and a healthy dose of the outdoors.
Think torchlit games of laser tag, toasted marshmallows that almost always burn, fireworks that light up the fields, and sea-splashed day trips to the beach. Children enjoy regular excursions, movie nights, socials, and – when the energy dips – peaceful downtime with friends and a well-earned lie-in.
Saturday mornings are for enrichment, the afternoons for matches or town adventures, and the evenings for magic. Sundays start slow and unfold with calm – the perfect reset button for the week ahead.
The Joy of the Everyday
Boarding life is not just about big weekend moments – it is the rhythm of the weekday that makes it shine.
A typical day begins with a bright-and-early wake-up and ends with dorm-time stories, hot chocolate, and quiet chatter under the covers. In between: lessons, enrichment, meals with mates, and plenty of play.
There is space for structure and space to roam. For study and silliness. For friendships to grow and confidence to flourish.
Our routine is reliable, but never rigid – it bends just enough to let children be children.
Come Curious, Leave Confident.
Boarding at Sherborne Prep is a launchpad.
Children arrive with wide eyes and questions; they leave full of stories, self-assurance, and a strong sense of who they are. The independence they build here is grounded in care, rooted in relationships, and topped with heaps of fun.
Above all, this is a place where children are safe to grow. To laugh loudly. To try new things – and occasionally burn a piece of toast or two. It is a place where boarding does not feel like leaving home – it feels like finding a second one.
Where Next?
