Pastoral Care at Sherborne Prep
Not just caring for children – helping them care for themselves and others.
Pastoral care at Sherborne Prep is not a department – it is a way of life. From the moment children step through our gates, they are seen, supported, and celebrated for who they are. We are all about the whole child: their confidence, their kindness, their personality. Nowhere is this more apparent than in our Early Years and Pre-Prep, where we know the habits formed now will ripple through a lifetime.
Every child has a Form Tutor – the anchor in their school day – and in the younger years, this teacher often delivers many of their lessons, nurturing a bond built on trust, continuity, and a lot of giggles.
Alongside this daily connection, the Deputy Head (Pastoral), Head of Boarding, and Head are hands on and heart in – deeply involved in school life and the wellbeing of every pupil.
Personal Development with Purpose
We do not just teach children how to read and write – we help them discover who they are.
Our Personal Development curriculum weaves together the essential elements of PSHEE and RSHE, but we go beyond the tick boxes. We talk about self-worth, friendship, resilience, and empathy. We help children laugh at their mistakes, bounce back from bumps, and grow into people who care deeply – about themselves and the world around them.
We do not believe in cookie-cutter confidence. We nurture the quiet leaders, the kind connectors, and the brave thinkers. This is development with soul.
Safety, Sunshine, & Support
A school should feel like sunshine on a cloudy day – warm, secure, and full of light.
Safeguarding is woven into every thread of our community. We are committed to the highest standards of protection and care, and every member of staff shares that responsibility.
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mr Alastair Bowden, supported by Deputy DSL Mr Andrew Treavett and EYFS DSL Mrs Rebecca Horlock. But safeguarding here is not confined to job titles.
It lives in our culture – in the open doors, the open minds, and the belief that every child should feel safe, heard, and valued.
Not for Ourselves Alone
We want our pupils to understand that the world is bigger than them – and that they can shape it for the better.
Our school motto, Non nobis solum – not for ourselves alone – is more than Latin carved above a door. It is a living, breathing idea.
Our pupils throw themselves into community outreach – from visiting care homes and supporting Sherborne Food Bank to fundraising for local charities and championing national causes like Sherborne Viral Kindness. They are not just told to be kind – they are shown how powerful kindness can be.
This spirit of servant leadership is modelled by staff and embraced by pupils, helping children connect their inner growth to the wider world.
Resilience, Relationships, & Real Joy
Emotional wellbeing is not a fluffy add-on – it is a foundation.
We help children name their feelings, handle setbacks with a smile, and lean into challenges with courage. Through tiny, everyday moments – the helping hand, the brave apology, the cheer from the sidelines – they learn that their actions matter.
We teach children to lead by example, not volume. To laugh freely, listen deeply, and live thoughtfully. By the time they leave Sherborne Prep, they are not just academically ready – they are emotionally equipped, self-aware, and full of potential to thrive wherever life takes them.
Where Next?
