Pastoral & Wellbeing
Supporting every boy to grow, thrive, and feel at home.
At Sherborne Boys, pastoral care is at the heart of School life. In a full-boarding environment, relationships matter – and our systems are built to ensure that every boy feels known, valued and supported throughout his time here.
Pastoral Care
A boy’s House is the starting point for pastoral care.
Each House is led by a dedicated team – Housemaster, Senior Tutor, Resident Tutor, Matrons and domestic staff – with every boy also assigned a Personal Tutor. Tutors meet weekly with their tutees to monitor progress and offer a trusted point of contact.
Because boys are known so well, subtle changes in behaviour or mood are quickly picked up and addressed. House teams work closely with parents to build trust and ensure joined-up support.
Senior boys play a vital role, too. The House structure fosters friendships across year groups, creating an environment where boys naturally look out for one another.
Staff across School – including teachers, co-curricular leads and the Chaplain – are also part of this care network.
Wellbeing, Inclusion & Respect
Sherborne is committed to nurturing boys’ mental health, emotional wellbeing and sense of self.
Our Head of Pupil Wellbeing leads a broad programme of initiatives that reinforce and extend the learning from our Wellbeing curriculum.
Our close partnership with Sherborne Girls supports open conversations around gender, identity, relationships, and inclusion. Through the Joint Pupil Pastoral Forum, pupils from both Schools meet to discuss pastoral topics such as anxiety, race, school socials and LGBTQ+ issues. These forums are linked to Equality Working Groups, helping turn conversations into action.
The #everyonesinvited movement gave fresh momentum to conversations around respect and consent.
Both Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls took its messages seriously – updating leadership, consulting safeguarding experts, and reaffirming our shared commitment to inclusion.
We continue to support any pupil who wishes to raise concerns, and work proactively to ensure every boy feels seen, heard and respected – whatever their sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race or faith background.
Many boys describe their Tutor as one of their most trusted advisors – a relationship that often continues well beyond School.
Medical & Mental Health Support
Sherborne has a 24-hour Health Centre, staffed by qualified nurses.
They work closely with Matrons and GPs, who hold regular surgeries and are on call for emergencies.
Mental and physical health go hand in hand. Our Health Centre staff are trained to support boys with emotional or mental health concerns, and the School employs two Counsellors, who pupils can contact confidentially via email.
The Pupil Listening Service provides additional support at peer level. Trained boys act as confidential listeners for their peers – offering empathy, perspective and a friendly ear.
It’s a service we’re proud of, and a testament to the strength of our community.
Tutoring
One of the most important relationships at Sherborne is between a boy and his Tutor.
Many boys describe their Tutor as one of their most trusted advisors – a relationship that often continues well beyond School.
Tutors meet with their tutees weekly, offering guidance on academic progress, co- curricular life, wellbeing and personal development. As trust builds, boys often turn to their Tutor for help with subject choices, university applications, or challenges in day-to-day life.
Tutors are chosen by Housemasters to ensure a strong match and work closely with families to ensure each boy receives personalised support.
Chaplaincy
Sherborne’s Christian foundation informs our pastoral approach.
We are an inclusive community where boys are encouraged to reflect on big questions and develop their own values and beliefs.
The Chaplain is a visible and supportive presence across School – both in formal worship and through informal conversations. He offers guidance and space for reflection to boys and staff alike.
Regular services anchor the week. On Sunday evenings, the whole School gathers in Sherborne Abbey. There is also a voluntary Friday evening Communion and smaller year-group gatherings. These moments offer time to pause, reflect and connect.
We do not prescribe belief, but we encourage openness, curiosity and compassion.
Our Christian heritage underpins our commitment to generosity of spirit, kindness and community – values we see reflected in boys’ relationships and in their wider social engagement.
