• How academically selective is Sherborne Girls? 

Sherborne Girls is academically selective, but we are not an academic 'hothouse'. We look for intellectually curious girls who enjoy learning, want to be part of a vibrant school community, and are ready to make the most of the opportunities available. 

We place real value on the reference from a pupil’s current school and take a broad view of potential — not just exam results. We believe academic success is best achieved within a rich, all-round education that nurtures each girl’s strengths and passions. 

Our pupils consistently achieve strong Sixth Form results and go on to secure places at excellent universities in the UK and beyond. 

• Is there any provision for English as an Additional Language? 

Students for whom English is their second language will be assessed as part of the application process to see if they require individual EAL support.

The cost of these lessons is in addition to the fees. 

• Do you provide individual Learning Support for pupils? 

Yes — we offer individual learning support for girls who need it.

An assessment of your daughter’s needs will take place as part of the admissions process. 

Where appropriate, lessons are arranged on a one-to-one basis, and the cost is charged in addition to school fees. 

• When do most girls join Sherborne Girls? 

Our main entry point is at 13+ (Year 9), when around 65 girls join us and move into our senior boarding houses. 

We also welcome a cohort of around 25 girls at 11+ (Year 7) into Aldhelmsted West, our purpose-built junior boarding house. Here, girls benefit from a bespoke curriculum and full access to the school’s specialist facilities — making it the perfect stepping-stone to Year 9 and beyond. 

We occasionally offer places at 14+ and have a small intake at 16+ (Sixth Form), subject to availability. 

• What role does Common Entrance play in the admissions process? 

If girls are sitting Common Entrance at their Prep Schools, we use their results to set pupils, but we rely on our own assessments to offer places. 

• What are the academic entrance requirements for Sherborne Girls? 

11+ Entry (Year 7) 

Girls applying for 11+ take part in our Boarding Taster and Assessment Weekend in December of Year 6. The admissions process includes: 

• Online assessments in Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, English and Maths, tailored specifically for Sherborne Girls 
• A digital assessment of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving 
• An individual interview with a senior member of staff 

These tests are fully adaptive, designed to bring out each applicant’s potential. Remote assessments can be arranged by request. 

A small number of places may also be available at 12+ (Year 8), following a similar assessment process. 

13+ Entry (Year 9) 

Assessment takes place during our 13+ Assessment Day in December of Year 6, and includes: 

• Online tests in English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, plus a Critical Thinking and Problem Solving task 
• An interview with a senior member of staff 

Unconditional places are offered following the assessment. If girls sit the 13+ Common Entrance or equivalent in Year 8, these results are used for setting purposes only. 

A small number of places may also be available at 14+ (Year 10), with a similar admissions process. 

16+ Entry (Year 12 / Sixth Form) 

We offer a limited number of Sixth Form places to girls wishing to study A Levels. Entry includes: 

• Subject-specific assessments based on intended A Level choices 
• An interview and an observed group task 

These assessments take place in November of Year 11, alongside our Sixth Form Scholarship process. Candidates are normally expected to achieve at least six GCSEs at Grade 6 or above (or equivalent). 

•  Is there any assistance with fees? 

Sherborne Girls offers scholarships at 11+, 13+ and 16+ in a range of subjects and means-tested bursaries throughout the school, which can be worth up to 100% of fees in exceptional circumstances. 

There is a sibling discount for the third child of 10% and for the fourth of 15%. This operates across Sherborne Girls, Sherborne School and Sherborne Prep. 

For more information about fees, please see here.

•  Is there a military discount on fees? 

The  amount payable for CEA funded girls is the CEA allowance plus 10% of the prevailing (full) boarding fee (inclusive of VAT). 

All the Schools within the Sherborne Schools Group also offer a 10% discount off day and boarding fees for those families currently working in the armed forces, who do not qualify for the CEA allowance. 

• Can my daughter have a boarding taster before starting at Sherborne Girls? 

We are proud of our full-boarding ethos — it’s at the heart of life at Sherborne Girls.

To help prospective pupils experience it for themselves, we offer boarding taster opportunities at all main entry points. 

• 11+ (Year 7): In December of Year 6, all registered applicants are invited to a combined boarding taster and assessment weekend. It’s a lively and welcoming introduction to life at Sherborne Girls. 
• 13+ (Year 9): Girls with confirmed places are invited to a boarding taster event in September of Year 8, offering the chance to connect with their year group and experience the warmth of our boarding community. 
• 16+ (Sixth Form): After GCSEs, girls with offers are welcomed to a residential programme designed to build friendships, develop leadership skills and ease the transition into Sixth Form life. 

These events are fun, sociable and full of opportunity — giving girls a true sense of what it means to live and grow at Sherborne Girls. For those unable to attend a scheduled event, we’re happy to arrange individual boarding taster stays by request. 

• How do girls get allocated a House? 

At Sherborne Girls, we take great care when allocating girls to one of our mixed-age Boarding Houses.

While we no longer offer a guaranteed House preference system, this approach helps us ensure the best possible mix of personalities, interests and backgrounds — and supports every girl in building new friendships from day one. 

We consider a range of factors in the process, including: 

• Your daughter’s current school 
• Her interests, strengths and character 
• Insights from her interview and school reference 

This gives us a holistic view and enables thoughtful, balanced placements across Houses — especially important when large groups of girls join us from the same school. 

Importantly, girls grow fiercely loyal to the House they’re placed in — and they almost always say theirs is the best. That sense of pride and belonging is part of what makes Sherborne Girls so special. 

Each House is a true home from home, complete with its own Dining Room and common areas, where girls form strong bonds across year groups. Our family-style lunches and vertical pastoral structure help nurture those relationships and support each girl’s wellbeing. 

The Houses are the heart of school life — and the friendships the girls make here often become a lifelong part of their story. 

• How many Day Girls are there at Sherborne Girls? 

Sherborne Girls is a full boarding school; approximately 10% of pupils are Day Girls who are well integrated into the Boarding Houses and take part in nearly all aspects of school life. 

• What is the percentage of overseas pupils at Sherborne Girls? 

We have a global community of girls and celebrate the diversity of our pupils on occasions such as International Week.

There are 15% overseas nationals from around 20 different countries and 10% British ex-pat families. 

• What are your transport links? 

Sherborne is directly connected to London Waterloo by train, making travel straightforward for girls and their families. 

Ahead of exeats and holidays, travel arrangements are coordinated by House matrons, who help girls book tickets and ensure smooth departures. A dedicated London train is scheduled, and younger girls are escorted to the station and accompanied on the journey. 

For girls travelling beyond London, we work with Hounslow Travel Services to provide taxi and coach options to destinations including: 

• Blandford 
• Bournemouth 
• Bristol 
• Gatwick & Heathrow 
• Chichester 
• Ringwood 
• Southampton 
• Wimborne 

At the start and end of each term, a supervised coach service to Heathrow is available, timed to match the majority of flight schedules. Travel costs are added to your daughter’s school account. 

• Will my daughter need a laptop for her lessons? 

We embrace digital learning as part of a forward-thinking curriculum.

All staff are equipped with pen-enabled devices to enhance teaching, and pupils are expected to use similar technology in lessons and during study time. 

Lower School (L4–L5 / Years 7–9) 

Pupils are provided with a school-issued device at the start of the academic year. 

Middle & Upper School (M5–U6 / Years 10–13) 

Pupils are expected to bring their own pen-enabled device with a keyboard, suitable for academic use. We recommend: 

• A Windows 11 device 
• At least 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM (16GB recommended) 
• A keyboard cover and pen 
• Wi-Fi model (not 4G) 

An example would be the Microsoft Surface Pro 10. 

• What is your mobile and tech usage policy? 

At Sherborne Girls, we take a balanced approach to technology — encouraging digital tools that support learning, whilst limiting distractions during the school day. 

• Years 7 & 8: Pupils are not permitted to bring smartphones to school. They may bring a basic 'brick' phone for essential communication. 
• Years 9–11: Pupils may bring smartphones to school but must leave them in the Boarding Houses during lessons. Access to their mobiles is allowed only at specific times. 

In lessons, all girls are expected to use a pen-enabled academic device (such as a Microsoft Surface or tablet) to support their studies.

By clearly separating academic and social use of technology, we promote focused learning and help reduce exposure to social media during the day.