Sherborne School and Sherborne Prep to Enter Exciting New Partnership

Sherborne School and Sherborne Preparatory School are pleased to announce that they will merge on 1 April 2021, following a unanimous decision by the Governors of both Schools.  

The two neighbouring Schools already enjoy established and wide-ranging links, with many Prep pupils choosing to continue their education at Sherborne School.  

Renowned for producing happy, well-rounded and kind young people, both Schools share a similar ethos and are committed to the highest standards of teaching, learning and co-curricular endeavour within a friendly and caring environment.  

Sherborne Prep will retain its existing name and identity and will continue to have its own dedicated Head, Senior Leadership Team and staff. Although each School will maintain its distinctive character, the merger will make it much easier to collaborate and share resources and will also enable both Schools to operate more effectively and efficiently.  

Pupils will benefit from increased sharing of performance spaces, sports facilities and other specialist resources such as the beautiful Sherborne School Chapel. Teachers at both Schools will be able to share ideas, experience and skills more easily, encouraging innovative thinking and enriching academic, co-curricular and pastoral provision. 

David Leakey, Chairman of Governors at Sherborne School, said:

Given our strong links, proximity and common values, merging the two Schools is a natural next step with huge advantages for all.  

Dr Dominic Luckett, Headmaster of Sherborne School and Chief Executive of Sherborne School Group, said:

We are delighted to be working even more closely with Sherborne Prep.  We are looking forward to exploiting the many wonderful opportunities that this progressive new partnership offers our pupils as we embark on this exciting new chapter in our history. 

Nigel Jones, Chairman of Governors at Sherborne Prep, said:

The merger will not only generate tangible benefits for pupils but will also give the Prep a strong and sustainable future, allowing it to move forward with even greater confidence.

Sherborne School will continue to recruit boys from a wide range of feeder schools and its selection processes will remain the same for all applicants.  

Equally, Sherborne Prep will continue to prepare boys and girls to enter a broad range of coeducational and single sex senior schools, including Sherborne Girls with whom both Schools already enjoy close and enduring partnerships.