All-round
excellence An introduction to Sherborne Girls
Front cover: ‘Detail in Architecture’ by Katharine Norman, who is now reading History of Art at the University of Edinburgh
A word from the
Headmistress It is a real privilege to be educating other people’s children, and I am very proud of all that we do here at Sherborne Girls. It is important to me that we develop an environment that will allow each and every girl to find the combination of challenge and opportunity suited to her unique talents and gifts. We are living in an increasingly dynamic world, and having watched my own children grow up I am acutely aware that we need to prepare young people for a global society with rapidly changing rules of engagement. Of course, one of my main roles is to ensure that high-quality and inspirational teaching is taking place in all subject areas, and to deliver a curriculum that is both accessible and stretching. We are justly pleased with our academic achievements across the board, and the outcomes for recent years speak for themselves. But education is about so much more than just ensuring excellent examination results. It is my job to create an atmosphere where curiosity and optimism are valued, where persistence and determination are encouraged and where the girls have the confidence to develop that true grit in their characters.
“ Lessons are low threat, high challenge...” HMC
“A real gem among the girls only full-boarding schools” Good Schools Guide
In it together Ryan Garnsworthy, Housemaster & Debbie Miller, Housemistress
Life at Sherborne Girls could never be described as boring, as housemaster Ryan Garnsworthy and housemistress Debbie Miller testify. Ryan and his wife are houseparents of Dun Holme, and enjoy the constant stimulation of life alongside 50 or so teenage girls. “Our girls have a genuine commitment to the school,” Mr Garnsworthy says, “which creates a real feeling that we’re all in it together. That’s literally the case for me, as both my wife and I live on site and teach in the school.”
“It’s wonderful to see how well the girls mix across year groups,” he reports, “and really look out for each other. They are a delight to spend time with them.”
Mrs Miller agrees. As Housemistress of Aldhelmsted East, she explains, “I went into teaching because I care about giving young people a chance to flourish. It’s such a pleasure to work in a place like Sherborne Girls, where there is a desire to educate the whole person, rather than focus solely on academic success.” The results, they agree, speak for themselves. “The best advert for Sherborne Girls is the girls themselves,” Mrs Miller offers. “They show just what can be achieved in a place like this.”
Starting a new school can be a daunting experience. But according to Ella, that feeling doesn’t last for long. She is a day girl and spent her first two years in Sherborne’s junior house, Aldhelmsted West. “The boarding environment makes it feel like we are one big family. I join all the girls in my house for every meal, even ‘though I live locally.
I often stay on into the evening to do my homework with my friends and I like coming in on the weekend to get involved with all the different activities,” says Ella.
“I think I have the best of both worlds: I spend nearly all of my time with my friends, yet I see my parents every night. My two years in the junior house definitely improved my confidence and made me much more prepared to start Year 9.”
“The best thing about boarding at Sherborne is that you can never feel lonely. It’s a very homely place, where your friends and house staff become your extended family.”
The Rev’d Rebecca Ayers-Harris has been chaplain at Sherborne Girls since 2008, but she says that each day feels new. ‘Rev’, as the girls call her, teaches RS and Geography, but her principal aim is to offer pastoral care to the whole community, regardless of their faith. “It’s a real privilege to walk with girls as they grow up,” she says, “and to establish close bonds with their families. We link what goes on in school with pupils’ home lives, so that there’s an ongoing point of connection. So for example, we encourage girls who are confirmed to take First Communion in their home parish, and invite their home ministers to our confirmation service in Sherborne Abbey.” There’s no such thing as an average day for Rev. Ayers-Harris. She can regularly be found chatting informally with girls, perhaps in the quiet garden which was created by a group of pupils for this very purpose. Or she’ll be leading an act of worship, organising ‘PJ Prayers’ or getting involved in activities like the ukulele orchestra and gospel choir. “Like everyone here,” she concludes, “I’m focused on helping the girls to thrive. It doesn’t matter what they think about religion – I’m here to serve them, and spread God’s fragrance among them.”
When globe-trotting Alice turned 13, her parents promised her she could join a school that would see her through to the age of 18. She settled on Sherborne Girls and hasn’t once looked back. “It was lovely to know that I would stay with the same group of the people for the rest of my education,” Alice explains. “It’s such a friendly place to be, so very warm and welcoming, that you can feel completely at home here.”
As well as singing in the school choir and taking dance lessons, Alice has kept goal for the first lacrosse team and played for the county. She was also Head of School in her final year. She now goes on to study Medicine at UCL. “I have loved the variety of opportunity,” she reports, “But that’s what school should be about. There should always be something new and exciting to discover.”
Remember what they say about all work and no play? At Sherborne Girls, we’re serious about having a good time – and that means providing a wealth of co-curricular activities for our pupils to enjoy.
Everyone has a gift. Our task is to unlock it, and help it grow. That way, our pupils can embark on an adventure of learning that transcends that classroom.
So, whether your daughter is an avid sportswoman, a keen musician, or an actress in the making, there will always be a chance for her to flourish at Sherborne Girls. If she lives to dance, loves flexing her intellectual muscles in the debating hall or wants to brush up on her artistic skills, we offer ample opportunity to indulge her passions.
Whatever our pupils love doing, we make sure they are supported. It’s all part of helping them make the very most of their time at school. After all, they only have one shot at being young.
Join the club There’s no excuse to feel bored at Sherborne Girls. As well as enjoying access to first-rate sports and fitness facilities, our pupils have an array of clubs and societies to choose from.
Whatever their favourite pastime, there’s more than likely a club that enables them to pursue it. And if there’s not, they need only draw up a proposal with their peers, and we’ll see what we can do to make it a reality. Great outdoors Every girl is offered the chance to work towards the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. These involve a challenging expedition, as well as valuable work in the community.
Jessica is just one of the many students who is active in all aspects of school life. A keen fundraiser, she has participated in the London Wheelchair Mini-Marathon in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund and led the winning group in the Middle Fifth Business Challenge, supporting Motor Neurone Disease Association. She says, “My co-curricular programme is very full! I have weekly tennis lessons, represent the school in the Dorset Schools Swimming Gala and wheelchair race with Yeovil Olympiads. Recently I took part in the John Muir Award, which included camping, canoeing and an environmental project. I was confirmed in the Lower Fifth and became a Chaplaincy Representative. I really enjoy getting involved in the school and house plays and musical performances.” Out of school, Jess completed work experience at MOD Abbey Wood, and volunteered as a helper at her local library assisting younger children in a community reading project.
When it comes to sporting achievement, hockey player Lexie doesn’t do things by halves. “I started playing at club and county level while at prep school, and moved across to the Dorset county team when I joined Sherborne Girls. I am really looking forward to captaining the First Team this year.” Lexie admits that it has been a challenge to combine her academic commitments with a rigorous programme of training. “My weekly regime included fitness, stretching and core stability exercises, as well as club and county training, and extra hockey lessons. I had to fit all this around classes, study and other cocurricular activities – but the school was completely supportive in making that happen.” “Sport is really important to me, so I feel very lucky to have represented the school at crosscountry, netball and swimming, as well as hockey.” Her next challenge, she admits, is finishing her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, alongside her final year of studies.
If the sound of music fills the air at Sherborne Girls, the chances are that music scholars Charlotte and Eleanor won’t be far away. Not only do they sing in the Senior Choir and the elite auditioned Madrigal Society, but also play the flute, piano and oboe – skills that are put to invaluable use in the flute quartet, orchestra and other ensembles. Charlotte is currently principal oboe of the National Schools’ Symphony Orchestra and a member of the National Youth Recorder Orchestra; she is also a Saturday student and woodwind prize holder
at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She is Head of the Choir and together with their fellow choristers and musicians, she and Eleanor have displayed their musical talents far beyond the confines of the school. They have sung at weddings, funerals and Abbey services, and performed at venues across the UK and overseas. Eleanor, who was Principal Second Flute in the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain and is about to read Music at Oxford University, has relished her involvement in the musical life of the school. “Being a musician means you also have the chance to
work alongside students from Sherborne School, through the mixed orchestra, joint Abbey services and performances such as Concert in the Courts,” she says. “It’s been fun to have the chance to mix with boys socially, but without the distraction of having them in our lessons!” The girls explain they have also put these co-curricular interests to charitable use: “We helped to organise a concert in aid of the recent earthquake in Nepal. We received generous support from staff and students alike, and the event proved a great success.”
“This school enables you to have fun and work hard,” says budding actress Phoebe. “That’s one of the things I most value about being here.” Phoebe is passionate about English and Drama. “Drama helps me in areas outside the subject, such as public speaking and creative writing.” she explains. “I even like doing the written work, and there’s always additional support available if you need it.” There are lots of opportunities to perform on stage at Sherborne Girls. We have productions for younger and older girls and chances to collaborate in performances with Sherborne School. “And the House Drama Competition is always a fiercely contested occasion and a calendar highlight for all of us,” adds Phoebe.
For some people, Sherborne Girls offers the chance to continue a family tradition. For others, it’s a way of starting one. In either case the school’s location and links make it the perfect place for families to flourish together.
The Palmers
Grace is one of the many girls whose sister is also at school. She often bumps into her younger sibling, Agatha – and even though they’re in different houses, Grace says it’s nice to know she’s close by. Even better, Grace and Agatha’s brother attends Sherborne School, which means all three Palmer children are educated in the same town, and can see each other regularly. This is a common story among our pupils, and makes life a great deal easier for parents when it comes to visiting, or end-of-term arrangements.
The Marshalls
Josie’s mother and grandmother both attended Sherborne Girls, and her younger sister hopes to start at the school in a few years’ time. What is more, Josie’s grandfather attended Sherborne School and now has a music room named after him.
The Hatherells
Lucy’s sister had already left Sherborne Girls to train as a dentist by the time Lucy joined the school. But she says it was exciting to follow in her footsteps, especially as she remembered visiting when she was much younger. “It was always on my mind that I’d come to Sherborne Girls,” Lucy explains. “It’s become a family tradition.”
Josie when she first arrived
Polly completed her A levels with 3 A* grades and 1 A
“The independent living has been great preparation for university, plus we’ve had so much fun; it’s been an amazing way to finish my time at Sherborne.”
Isabelle has spent her Sixth Form year studying the International Baccalaureate. She explains, “I enjoyed studying a variety of subjects at GCSE, so the IB was easily the best choice for me. As an Academic Scholar, it’s been a challenge to balance the competing demands of the IB programme with my musical commitments, but it has helped develop my independence, which I feel will be great preparation for life beyond school.” Issy has made the most of the many opportunities on offer. She first developed her interest in all things international when aged 13 she was selected to be one of four annual exchange students to spend a month in our exchange school in Canada. Her musical talents involve singing with the Madrigals Society, including a performance at Waterloo Station, and also playing the French horn. She says, “I have enjoyed all of my time in school, but especially my last two years in Sixth Form. I will look back on my days at Sherborne with great affection and have made friends for life here.”
“Sherborne is a rural town, where girls can get involved in the local community and integrate with pupils from other local schools.�
Open Mornings May and October of each year.
Attend an open morning
We host two events per year, in May and October (visit www.sherborne.com for dates).
come to a tour morning
These accommodate six to eight families at a time, and give a taste of school life. There will be an opportunity to tour the School and meet senior members of staff for a question and answer session (visit www.sherborne.com for more info).
pay an individual visit
This offers a tour of the School, a visit to a boarding house, and a short meeting with the Headmistress or her Deputy. To book your visit to Sherborne Girls, contact our Admissions team on 01935 818224, or email registrar@sherborne.com
registering for a place at sherborne girls
Places at Sherborne Girls are reserved by registration, which costs ÂŁ100. Places are awarded on the basis of an entrance examination and a school reference. The main entry points for Sherborne Girls are at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Registration will ensure that you are kept up to date with news, information and invitations to events. Registration forms can be completed online (visit www.sherborne.com for details) or submitted by post: Sherborne Girls, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3QN.
Sixth Form Scholarship exams November 11+ and 13+ Scholarships exams January and February of each year Scholarships are offered in the categories of Academic, Music, Art, Sport and All Rounder.
“It is the ethos of community which impresses most about Sherborne. Warm, welcoming and wonderfully down to earth.�
Sherborne Girls, Bradford Road Sherborne, Dorset UK, DT9 3QN +44(0)1935 818224 registrar@sherborne.com sherborne.com