Sport at Sherborne Girls
Confidence. Challenge. Community.
At Sherborne Girls, sport is for every girl — and excellence is everywhere. Whether she’s discovering a new passion, captaining her House team or representing her country, every pupil is encouraged to move, play and thrive.
Sport here is more than competition: it’s about participation, performance and partnership, underpinned by a female-focused approach. From the earliest years, our mission is to inspire a lifelong love of sport — empowering girls to explore physical activity in ways that bring enjoyment, fitness and personal growth.
Our full-boarding model makes the sporting life vibrant, inclusive and seven days a week. From early morning swim sessions to weekend fixtures, there’s always something happening — and always a team to join.
We foster an environment where teamwork, collaboration and ambition go hand in hand.
Whether striving for elite success or enjoying sport for fun and wellbeing, every girl is supported to be her best. Through sport, pupils develop not only physical skill but also leadership, resilience and the kind of quiet confidence that lasts long after the final whistle.
In 2024, we proudly hosted the Girls’ Schools Association’s Girls Go Gold Conference, welcoming over 300 girls from more than 35 schools — a testament to our leadership in girls’ sport and wellbeing.
Our PE curriculum reflects this commitment, covering everything from sports psychology and nutrition to pelvic floor health, the menstrual cycle and confidence in movement.
Every Girl, Every Goal.
Every pupil takes part in sport, with something to suit every interest and ambition. Sport is embedded in the curriculum from Year 7 to Year 11, with A Level Physical Education available for those wishing to pursue their passion further.
We offer expert coaching and tailored pathways for elite athletes — supporting those competing at county, regional and national level. Many go on to success in senior club sport, university teams and beyond.
The major games taught are hockey, netball, lacrosse, tennis and cricket, whilst we also offer football, badminton, athletics, swimming, and sailing as part of our Senior Games programme.
We also offer yoga, dance, spinning, personal fitness and zumba. Within PE, girls participate in volleyball, gymnastics, trampolining, basketball, handball, pickleball, rugby, ultimate frisbee and more.
This varied and inclusive approach ensures that every girl can find a physical activity that inspires them—whether they are pursuing competitive success or, simply enjoying sport for fitness, well-being, and fun.
Pathways to Success
While participation is at the heart of sport at Sherborne Girls, we also champion those who aspire to reach the highest levels in their disciplines. We maintain strong links with local clubs and recgnised talent pathways, supporting girls as they progress to county, regional and national representation.
Each year, over 40 girls achieve representation in sports such as hockey, lacrosse, cross-country, netball, athletics, cricket, equestrian and golf. Many girls receive private tennis coaching throughout the year, and take part in our international sports tours — most recently to South Africa — which offer elite training and global competition experience.
Whether striving for championship success or embracing an active lifestyle, every girl is encouraged and empowered on her journey to confidence, resilience and excellence.
Sherborne Girls also has a proud tradition of competing in the British School girls Ski Races in Flaine, combining challenge with camaraderie.
The Sports Department
At Sherborne Girls, sport is led by a team of 14 expert staff who bring energy, experience and specialist knowledge to every session.
The department includes a Director of Sport, Heads of Sport, PE teachers, dedicated coaches, a Head of Athletic Development and an Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach.
Every pupil, whether in an A team or a D team, benefits from professional, purposeful guidance that nurtures both performance and personal growth.
This extensive support allows us to deliver a sporting programme that is as inclusive as it is ambitious — and tailored to meet every girl where she is.
Exceptional Facilities
Our school grounds are home to some of the region’s finest school-based sporting facilities — thoughtfully designed to support both broad participation and high performance.
Girls benefit from:
- A six-lane 25m swimming pool
- 27 tennis courts, including grass courts
- A floodlit Astro pitch and resurfaced grass pitches
- Two squash courts
- Indoor climbing and bouldering walls
- A state-of-the-art fitness suite, spin zone and high-performance gym
- Full access to the Oxley Sports Centre— every day, evening and weekend
These exceptional facilities give pupils space to train, compete and grow in a setting that nurtures both ambition and wellbeing. Whether building fitness, refining skills or striving for excellence, every girl has the resources and encouragement to go further.
‘A Level’ Physical Education.
For girls with a deep interest in sport, our A Level Physical Education programme offers academic depth and real-world application.
Following the AQA specification, the course explores the science behind movement and the psychology of performance, while fostering analytical and leadership skills.
Sherborne Girls consistently achieves strong academic results in A Level PE.
The course provides an excellent foundation for sports-related university degrees and careers in physiotherapy, sports science, coaching, psychology and sports management.
Fixtures, Results and Live Updates
Our dedicated Sports Website includes up-to-date information on fixtures, results and team news.
You’ll also find our interactive pitch map to help with match locations. On match days, real-time updates and cancellations are posted online, or available via the Sports Office (after 10.30am).
