Since the formation of Sherborne Schools Group (SSG) last year, we have been developing a strategy for both the Group and each individual school. Our shared vision is to be recognised as the UK’s leading group of independent schools, known for a character-led approach that blends academic excellence, personal growth, wellbeing, and 21st-century skills.
To bring this vision to life, we have drafted a Strategic Framework built around five Key Pillars.
Strategic Framework 2025-2035
Our aim is to deliver a forward-thinking, Transformative Education that respects tradition while boldly embracing the future. Grounded in excellence, driven by character, and powered by innovation, we prepare every pupil to be not just successful, but significant - leaders, creators, and changemakers in a fast-evolving, globalised world.
Our strategic priorities deliver The Sherborne Difference on the ground, translating the Group vision into daily learning experiences, character development, and innovation, equipping pupils to solve complex challenges and make responsible, measurable contributions to society.
Key Pillars:
3. Innovation & Entrepreneurship
1. Character & Leadership
At Sherborne Prep, we believe that character is the foundation of lifelong success – it has been our bedrock and mantra for years. We will nurture kind, confident, and responsible children who show empathy, integrity, and initiative — qualities that help them grow into thoughtful leaders.
- Embed character and wellbeing education across academic, co-curricular, enrichment, and pastoral provision, linking actions to ethical leadership and meaningful real-world contributions.
- Develop character through the SSG Passport, encouraging reflection, goal-setting, and personal growth throughout each child’s unique journey.
- Enhance the promotion of our values - lived every day - in the classroom, on the sports field, in boarding houses, and through friendships and teamwork.
- Strengthen boarding opportunities as a rich environment for personal development, independence, and community living.
- Broaden leadership opportunities through pupil voice, school council, peer mentoring, eco-council, and service projects, with ambition for external leadership opportunities within the community.
- Encourage children to think about right and wrong, understanding how their choices affect others and linking character to action and consequence.
- Expand tutor and mentoring programmes to support long-term personal development, self-awareness, and ethical decision-making, fully aligned with the SSG Transformative Education Framework.
2. Academics & Futures
We will offer a broad and ambitious education that balances academic rigour with creativity, curiosity and a love of learning. Every child is supported to grow in confidence and discover their strengths.
- Evolve a forward-thinking curriculum that encourages high achievement while celebrating breadth and imagination in learning.
- Embrace innovative teaching methods and personalised learning approaches that maximise each pupil’s potential – the individual academic pathway.
- Develop reflective learning habits through self-assessment and pupil-led review, empowering children to recognise and refine how they learn - using The Prep’s six core skills.
- Strengthen individualised tutoring and carefully tailored learning pathways in Years 6-8, supporting academic progress, wellbeing, and confidence.
- Build on the Sherborne Prep Diploma, a bespoke two-year programme for pupils in Key Stage 3, designed to foster independence, curiosity, and critical thinking through academic study and real-world projects.
- Expand our Aspirations & Futures Programme with visiting speakers and enrichment activities that help children explore the world beyond school.
- Prepare pupils for a smooth and aspirational transition to senior schools, underpinned by strong academic foundations and independent learning habits.
3. Innovation & Entrepreneurship
We will foster curiosity creativity, and confidence, encouraging pupils to explore new ideas and develop a spirit of innovation.
- Expand entrepreneurial projects in Years 6-8, giving pupils the opportunity to design, pitch, and lead their own ideas - learning by doing and building real-world skills.
- Grow collaborative projects that encourage teamwork, imagination, and problem-solving: developing confidence and communication.
- Support staff innovation through ongoing training in AI, digital fluency, wellbeing, and forward-thinking pedagogy, with help from both internal and external Innovation Leads and Digital Coaches.
- Cultivate a culture of curiosity and collaboration, where children are encouraged to ask questions, explore ideas, and find purpose in their learning.
- Rapidly expand creative problem-solving and design-thinking as part of everyday lessons, across all subjects.
- Deepen links with local businesses and entrepreneurs, in the community, helping pupils understand how ideas can become reality.
- Develop the Centre for Innovation including a Start-Up Studio and exciting modules that introduce children more and more to new leading-edge technologies and creative thinking strategies.
4. Partnership & Community
Sherborne Prep is a place where children feel they belong. We will strengthen our caring community and nurture partnerships that broaden horizons, deepen belonging, and inspire shared purpose.
- Expand collaboration across Sherborne Schools Group, sharing values and opportunities across our wider family.
- Strengthen academic and enrichment links with senior schools and external organisations, helping children broaden their horizons and prepare for the next stage.
- Leverage our Friends of Sherborne network, alumni and global connections, to enrich school life and offer inspiration through talks, mentoring and events.
- Grow community, belonging, and diversity through events and initiatives that bring us together.
- Deepen local partnerships and service initiatives, helping children contribute to the wider community with empathy and purpose.
- Embed our Christian ethos at the heart of all we do, offering a foundation of inclusion, kindness, and shared values.
5. Sustainability & Humanity
We will educate children to care deeply - for themselves, for others, and for the world around them.
- Expand our regenerative campus projects and service-learning opportunities for all pupils helping them understand their role in protecting the environment.
- Deepen climate literacy and systems thinking, across the curriculum, encouraging thoughtful conversations about sustainability and global challenges.
- Support and encourage whole heartedly pupil-led initiatives and ethical action, empowering children to make a positive difference in school and beyond.
- Strengthen global partnerships and real-world projects, allowing pupils to learn to think beyond themselves and act with compassion.
- Increase service and outreach opportunities, both local and international, to foster empathy, responsibility, and leadership.
- Educate children for purpose, responsibility, and global citizenship, preparing them to lead with heart and wisdom.