Aims and Objectives

For more than 500 years Sherborne has been providing education for boys in this town. Exactly what has been taught and how it has been taught has changed substantially over time, as is right and proper. In 2008 the Governors consulted widely and reviewed the basic principles of education that they wished to guide the activities of the School and underpin its values. They wanted to be at the forefront of the most enlightened educational developments without sacrificing what was still excellent and desirable. Some practices that are termed 'traditional' remain the sure foundations of education in the twenty-first century. We hope that the Overall Aims and Objectives set out below reflect this ambition to mesh what is good from both the old and the new.

Richard Hodder-Williams
Chairman of Governors

OVERALL AIMS

In accordance with our charitable objectives, we aim to be the school of choice in the 13-18 age group for those who seek:

• a boys' full boarding school;
• a non-urban environment;
• an all-round high quality education; and
• a school based upon Christian principles

For planning purposes, we intend to stabilise pupil numbers at between 570 and 580 in an eight house school, with integrated provision for up to 10% day boys and an additional entry at 16+.

We plan also to adapt the Scholarships, Exhibitions and Bursary structure in order to widen access and attract the brightest talents to the School's academic, creative and sporting life.

OBJECTIVES

(a) to provide outstanding teaching that, by cultivating intellectual edge and depth, excites and challenges the boys and a learning environment in which boys may progress individually;

(b) to be at the forefront of educational best practice and sustain and enhance the School's academic reputation and achievements;

(c) to evince strengths in several areas and so support every boy in achieving his potential, whatever that may be, and to prepare him for further education and employment in an ever-changing and globalised world;

(d) To provide a unique educational environment, enriched by active contact and cooperation with all Sherborne schools (especially Sherborne Girls and our own International College) and by contributing to the wider community ;

(e) To maintain Christian values and worship at the heart of the School's spiritual life, while respecting other paths to spiritual awareness, and to inculcate social responsibility as an intrinsic part of good citizenship;

(f) To continue to provide the highest standards of pastoral care and ensure that the boarding houses provide an effective social organisation for boys, supportive of these strategic objectives;

(g) To balance academic output with a curriculum providing full scope (including facilities of appropriate quality) for the sports and the arts, seeing these as necessary components of a full and rounded education;

(h) To ensure that the standard of boarding accommodation satisfies parents, boys and staff;

(i) To provide an attractive working environment for all staff, including clear career paths and opportunities for promotion; and

(j) To ensure that the School's financial position supports the above strategic objectives.