Admissions for Year 9 SHERBORNE BOYS
A DIFFERENT KIND OF CO-EDUCATION AGES 3-18
SHERBORNE BOYS
Welcome to Sherborne Boys Our vision is to provide a forward-thinking tansformative education that honours tradition while preparing boys for the opportunities and challenges of the future. Through academic excellence, character, and innovation, we aim to develop not only successful pupils but significant young men—ready to lead, create, and make a positive impact in a changing world. Our partnership with Sherborne Girls is a defining strength, combining the benefits of single-sex teaching and boarding with shared cocurricular opportunities. Set within the unique Sherborne community, boys develop in a secure and supportive environment, growing into confident, self-reliant young men ready for the next stage of their education. Each year, boys join the Third Form (Year 9) from a broad range of schools both in the UK and overseas, bringing a wealth of different experiences and interests to Sherborne and quickly becoming part of our vibrant and supportive community. The Admissions Office is open throughout the year and will be pleased to help with all enquiries relating to applications, scholarships and bursaries. Please email admissions@sherborneboys.group or contact a member of the team on 01935 810403. 1
2
SHERBORNE BOYS
First steps Tour Mornings
Individual Visits
We offer small group visits to Sherborne each term. Welcomed by the Headmaster, you then have a tour of a Boarding House with the Housemaster. Next, pupils take you for a tour of our beautiful campus, before enjoying a light lunch with the Headmaster and other senior staff. This is an opportunity to ask any questions about the School.
We can also arrange individual visits to Sherborne. Your visit will most likely include a tour of the School with pupils and a visit to a Boarding House with a Housemaster. If you would also like to meet with any particular members of staff, including the Headmaster, then please do let us know and we will happily organise this for you.
Virtual meetings can be arranged for those who are unable to visit in person.
Registration Registration is recommended by the end of Year 5, but late registrations are usually possible.
3
The Assessment Process Boys that are registered for a Third Form (Year 9) place are assessed for entry in either Year 6 or Year 7. Boys are required to sit online assessments which consist of; Part 1- English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, Part 2- Puzzles and Problem Solving and Creative Comprehension. They will also have an interview with a senior member of our academic staff and carry out further assessment tasks. Boys’ performances in each of these are then considered along with a confidential reference from the boy’s current school. We recommend you discuss the best academic year, Year 6 or 7, for your son to be assessed with his current Headteacher, as they will be best placed to advise. Please note your son will need to sit online assessments in the same academic year that he sits the entry assessment tasks for Sherborne Boys.
4
SHERBORNE BOYS
Year
67 &
Assessment
Michaelmas Term
January Lent Term
February Lent Term
Take online assessments at current school or at Sherborne Boys
Attend Sherborne Boys for interview and further assessment.
Offers made
5
What happens after sitting the entry assessments? Our decisions are made considering a boy’s performance in the online assessments, his interview and further assessment tasks. We will also receive a confidential report from his current school which will include other test results, his involvement in school life and his performance across a range of subjects. Boys will be considered in one of the following ways: • A firm offer will be made for a Year 9 place. Parents accept the offer by placing a £2000 acceptance deposit with the School and will formally sign the Acceptance Form accepting a place at the School. This deposit is refundable until January of Year 7. For families living overseas, the one term’s fee deposit will also be requested at this time (less the £2000 acceptance deposit). • Boys who may not quite be of the level to be offered a firm place, may be invited back to Sherborne to continue through to the Year 7 or Year 8 assessment process. • In a small number of cases, we may feel that another school would be better placed to meet a boy's individual needs, and we may therefore be unable to offer a place. Late entry – March Year 7 to end Year 8 Subject to places still being available, boys may apply to Sherborne for a Year 9 place.
6
SHERBORNE BOYS
7
Scholarships and Awards Sherborne Boys invites talented and enthusiastic boys to apply for up to three of the various scholarships and exhibitions we offer. In return for demonstrating high levels of talent and commitment in their chosen disciplines, award holders are given many opportunities to stretch themselves and develop their abilities through involvement in additional tutoring, coaching, lectures, societies and social activities. Before applying for a scholarship, boys should have accepted an offer of a place. Scholarships and awards are available to candidates in the following areas: • Academic • Art • Design and Technology • Drama • Music • Sport Boys are able to apply for both a Music and Sport award, however, owing to the level of commitment required for successful candidates, only one (Music or Sport) can be awarded. Scholarship assessments take place in January or February of Year 8 and our decisions are sent to parents in early March of Year 8.
8
SHERBORNE BOYS
Bursaries Boys who win an award are eligible to apply for a means-tested bursary over and above the value of their award. Such bursaries make possible fee assistance subject to meeting the eligible criteria. Sherborne also awards ‘Open Bursaries’ to boys who are likely to benefit significantly from a Sherborne education. Please contact the Admissions department if you would like to discuss bursaries in more detail.
9
10
SHERBORNE BOYS
Key Admissions Events Sherborne at Work
Sherborne in Action
Boys who are registered with us will be invited to Sherborne at Work in September of Year 6 or Year 7. The purpose of the day is to familiarise boys with the School and to enjoy a day of activities. A programme for parents is also offered on the day.
Boys who have received and accepted a place in Year 6 will be invited to Sherborne in Action in September of Year 7. The focus of the day is to meet other boys joining Sherborne and to explore the School grounds further. A programme for parents is also offered on the day.
Assessment Day The majority of boys registered for Third Form (Year 9 entry) will visit us in January of Year 6 or 7 for one of our Assessment Days.
11
Super Sunday
New Boys’ Day
In June of Year 7 we invite all boys who have accepted offers, together with their families, to Super Sunday. A fun and sociable day, this family occasion includes activities and workshops for the boys, whilst providing an opportunity for all to meet others joining the School at the same time. As well as helping to build a sense of belonging within the Sherborne community, the day offers the chance to meet Housemasters and other members of staff who will be on hand throughout the event.
Towards the end of the Trinity Term of Year 8 new boys and their parents are invited to their House for lunch with their Housemaster and year group. This gives the boys and parents another opportunity to meet with the Housemaster and the House team, as well as with each other, before starting in September. We hope that this gives boys reassurance and feeds their sense of excitement at the prospect of joining us in September.
Boarding Open House In the Michaelmas term of Year 8 we invite boys who have accepted places at the School, and their parents, to visit some of our Boarding Houses. This is a further opportunity to meet the Housemasters and learn more about their individual Houses. 12
SHERBORNE BOYS
13
House Choices Life as a boarder at Sherborne is certainly busy. The beauty of our full-time boarding environment is that we are able to provide a rich educational experience that goes far beyond the classroom. Because boys are with us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, there is space in the schedule for them to work, study, play and relax. We believe that all of these are vital in order for our boys to flourish, be happy and prepared for life in the future. Day pupils are also allocated a House, giving them the opportunity to participate fully in House life and enjoy the same strong sense of belonging and camaraderie as their boarding peers.
14
Families can complete a House Preference Form indicating up to four Houses they would like their son to be considered for. This will be looked at when placing boys in Houses, although no guarantee will be given that a boy will be assigned to a requested House. When allocating the Houses, a number of factors are taken into account, such as interests and personalities to make sure that the boys are placed in a House where they will feel comfortable. Places in Houses will be confirmed around Easter of Year 8. There are plenty of opportunities to visit Houses before you submit your House Preference Form by February of Year 8.
SHERBORNE BOYS
15
Timeline for Third Form entry September Year 6 or Year 7
Sherborne at Work
October – December Year 6 or Year 7
Boys to sit online assessments at current school*
January Year 6 or Year 7
Assessment day/interviews*
September Year 7
Sherborne in Action
June Year 7
Super Sunday
October Year 8
Boarding Open House
November Year 8
Scholarship application and / or bursary deadline
January/February Year 8
Co-curricular Scholarships
February Year 8
Academic Scholarships
Easter Year 8
House allocations made
June Year 8
Common Entrance
June Year 8
New Boys’ Day
*Boys sit the online tests and Sherborne assessments either in Year 6 or Year 7
16
SHERBORNE BOYS
Sherborne Boys Abbey Road Sherborne Dorset DT9 3LF United Kingdom admissions@sherborneboys.group +44 (0)1935 810 403
sherborneboys.group PART O F TH E SH E R B OR N E S C HO O LS GRO U P Sherborne Schools Group is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, No. 4002575 and registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, No. 1081228