Talbot Heath School
Same Dorset area with a comparable local commute
School profile
Verified 18 August 2026
Sherborne School for Girls is a private secondary-stage school in Sherborne, Dorset, with a published age range of 11-19.
Private school Girls Ages 11-19 Sixth form Boarding school
- Application ?
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 11-19
- ISI ?
- Standards met
- Boarding ?
- Boarding school
Sherborne School for Girls
1
On this page
At a glance
Key facts
- Sector
- Private school
- Gender
- Girls only
- Application ?
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 11-19
- Boarding ?
- Boarding school
- Route check
- Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
- ISI ?
- Standards met
Overview
Overview
A seven-house structure gives Sherborne School for Girls much of its shape. Founded in 1899 and moved to its present site in 1903, it is distinct from the boys' Sherborne School. Its registered age range is 11 to 19, while the January 2024 inspection saw pupils aged 11 to 18, most of whom were boarders at that time.
The houses include five mixed-age groups for Years 9 to 12, an upper-sixth house and a junior house for Years 7 and 8. Day pupils join houses too, so the structure links residential and non-residential pupils in daily life. Governors are trustees and proprietors of the registered charity, and the house system carries both pastoral and academic responsibilities.
The curriculum includes GCSE and A-level programmes, modern foreign languages, ICT across subjects, drama, textiles, ceramics and design. Pupils also take part in exhibitions and national events, including music at Sherborne Abbey. At the January 2024 inspection, pupils made good progress and attained well, alongside a recommendation for more consistent opportunities to develop analytical and evaluative work.
Boarding is woven through the wider programme. House staff support care and study, boarders have working spaces in their houses, and activities connect with the house system. All relevant standards were met at the inspection, including education, wellbeing, social and economic education, leadership and safeguarding.
Key points
Key points
- Assessment route
- Applications are made directly to the school. Check the school's own admissions pages for registration dates, entrance assessment stages, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
- Places and demand
- Published Year 7 place numbers and applicant-per-place data are not included in GIAS for this private-school seed profile.
- Catchment
- Private-school eligibility is not controlled by the local-authority grammar catchment model; check boarding, day-pupil, transport and any sibling or faith rules on the school site.
- Results
- 0% grade 5+ in English and maths and 34.3 Attainment 8
- Sixth form
- Sixth form available with 18.1% AAB or better.
GCSE benchmark
Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with Dorset and England.
School Local authority England
- Attainment 8
- 34.3
- Grade 5+ English and maths
- 0%
- EBacc APS
- 3.46
- EBacc entry
- 0%
Attainment 8 trend
Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Dorset and England.
School Local authority England
School details
School details
- Sector
- Private school
- School type
- Other independent school
- Funding
- Independent fee-paying
- Application
- Apply direct to school
- Gender
- Girls only
- Age range
- 11-19
- Headteacher
- Dr Ruth Sullivan
- Pupil roll
- 456 pupils
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Boarding
- Boarding school
Location and contact
Location and contact
Address
- Address
- Bradford Road, Sherborne, Dorset
- Postcode
- DT9 3QN
- Area
- Dorset
School leadership
- Headteacher
- Dr Ruth Sullivan
School contact
- School phone
- 01935812245
Admissions contact
- Admissions team
- Admissions
- Admissions phone
- 01935812245
Admissions
Admissions
- Application route
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 11-19
- Gender
- Girls only
- Boarding
- Boarding school
- Day fees
- Check school fees page
- Boarding fees
- Check school fees page
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Check school site
- Entrance details
- Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
- Admissions note
- GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.
GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.
Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
Oversubscription and eligibility
Use the official admissions policy for the current priority order and eligibility rules.
Exam and test format
Exam and test format
Entrance route and assessment
Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
- Assessment route
- Apply direct to school
Application
Application
How to apply
- 1
Apply direct to the school
Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.
Check school admissions
Results
Results
Attainment snapshot
- Attainment 8 ?
- 34.3 Attainment 8
- GCSE results
- 0% grade 4+ in English and maths
- Grade 5+ English and maths ?
- 0% grade 5+ in English and maths
- EBacc average point score ?
- 3.46 EBacc APS
- A-level results
- 18.1% AAB or better
- A-level average points
- 38.79 A-level points per entry
Inspection
Inspection
Standards met
Latest inspection: Not yet verified
- Leadership, management and governance
- Standards met
- Quality of education, training and recreation
- Standards met
- Physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Standards met
- Social and economic education and contribution to society
- Standards met
- Safeguarding
- Standards met
Quick summary
- Latest ISI report: Routine Inspections 2024 is the latest report listed by ISI. The report says the relevant standards were met.
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Shortlist comparisons
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Related pages and guides
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Area and ranking pages
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Guides and related reading
Related guides are still being added.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How does Sherborne School for Girls handle admissions?
Sherborne School for Girls handles applications directly. Check the school website for registration dates, entrance assessments, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
How do I apply to Sherborne School for Girls?
1. Apply direct to the school: Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.
When are the key dates for Sherborne School for Girls?
Use the school admissions page to confirm registration, assessment, interview and offer dates.
What does the latest inspection picture look like for Sherborne School for Girls?
Sherborne School for Girls is currently rated Standards met.