Look out of the front window of Abbeylands and you see the bustle of Sherborne High Street, glimpsed through the weighty branches of the House’s famous wisteria. This keeps the House grounded in the real world, but it is just a stone’s throw from the School’s main buildings, ensuring boys have everything within very easy reach.
Abbeylands is proud of its informal moniker: “Happylands”. It seems a good summary of the positive atmosphere, where boys are nurtured and encouraged, by staff and by each other.
Abbeylands is characterised by its family feel. The furnishings are comfy and welcoming, giving boys a real home-from-home atmosphere. And the historic value of the House helps ground boys in the rich legacy of which they are a part: Abbeylands is quintessentially Sherborne in its honouring of traditions, allied to a desire for boys to be formed for the future.
Such forming involves encouraging habits of mind and character such as resilience, determination, kindness and compassion. Visit Abbeylands, and you’ll see these in plentiful supply, across all year groups.
Housemaster: Ryan Buckley
Ryan Buckley took over as Housemaster of Abbeylands in September 2025, together with his partner Kieran and their Short-haired German Pointer, Billy.
Ryan holds the position of Director of Cricket Coaching and was Assistant Housemaster of Harper House. Before joining Sherborne, he was a Professional Cricketer for Durham County Cricket Club, winning the County Championship in 2013 and the Royal London Cup in 2014 (alongside England greats such as Ben Stokes, Paul Collingwood and Mark Wood etc.). Following his professional playing career, he relocated to Hong Kong where he spent six years, as Director of Cricket of The Hong Kong Cricket Club before moving back in 2022, during COVID. Upon returning to the UK, he coached at Millfield School before moving to Sherborne. You may also find Ryan on the croquet lawn in his spare time.
House Staff
- Assistant Housemaster: Mr A Kirby
- Matron: Mrs R Hiscock
- Assistant Matron: Ms R Jenkins + Mrs N Stockton
- Resident Tutor: Mr J Leung
