Sherborne Girls case studies (7)

Impact of partnership work done in 2025 (ISC annual Census 2026)

• 35 state schools involved
• 101-200 state school pupils involved
• 300 staff hours given

Impact Statement

Members of the Sherborne Girls’ community dedicated 2,392 hours to volunteering between April 2021 and March 2022.

A selection of the School's collaborations and initiatives follow.

The Gryphon School: Sherborne Girls has formed strong links to deliver a range of shared programmes and experiences with The Gryphon School, which is part of the Sherborne Area Schools’ Trust (SAST). Links include university preparation sessions, a Lower School Gifted and Talented Quiz for Year 9 pupils and an exchange programme for Year 7 and 8 pupils. There are also joint visiting speakers and joint educational visits.

Higher education & careers guidance: Local state schools attend higher education and careers events held at Sherborne Girls, including representatives from industry, apprenticeships and universities abroad.

The Ogden Trust: This well-established science partnership was set up with a number of local state schools (The Gryphon School, Wadham College, Preston Academy, Yeovil College, Huish Episcopi School) and is run by the Sherborne Girls' Head of Physics.

Global partnerships: Sherborne Girls has developed a number of links with schools abroad to create exchange opportunities. The schools involved are Branksome Hall (Toronto, Canada), Launceston School (Tasmania), St Peter’s School (Adelaide, Australia), St Mary’s Waverley (South Africa), and Sherborne School Qatar (Qatar). Although this does not directly influence public benefit, pupils are encouraged to become involved with the local community, increasing their awareness of global perspectives.

Royal National Children’s Springboard Foundation: In 2013 we reviewed our bursary policy and established a new bursary scheme (the Candlelight Bursary) to support pupils for whom boarding would be a life-changing experience. We work with the Royal National Children's Springboard Foundation to identify suitable 100% bursary candidates. At present we have four pupils supported by Springboard and our School’s Foundation, and we aim to grow this number over time.

Music: Youth music is well-established within Sherborne. Students from all the schools (independent and state) are members of the Sherborne Schools Symphony Orchestra and the Symphonia. Community outreach is an important part of the music philosophy and smaller ensemble groups regularly perform for no charge at Cheap Street Church and the local hospitals (Yeovil and Sherborne). Sherborne Girls assists the annual Sherborne Abbey Festival by providing one of the venues at no cost. With a focus on involving the young in music-making, the Jazz Band and  our woodwind ensembles travel to various primary schools for hands-on interactive sessions.

Sport: The sports facilities of the Oxley Sports Centre are used by the local community, and swimming for primary schools is at a reduced rate. We have made other facilities available to local schools at either a reduced rate or no charge (sports hall, astroturf, climbing wall, etc.).

Governorships: Several members of the Sherborne Girls' community serve as governors at local maintained schools, consolidating the school's partnerships with maintained schools and providing opportunities to influence strategic direction as well as to explore areas for further collaboration.