What Sherborne Schools Group does

Sherborne Schools Group is a UK charitable educational organisation formed in July 2024 through the merger of two long-established trusts, bringing together Sherborne Boys (founded 1550), Sherborne Girls (1899), Sherborne Prep (1858), Hanford Prep, and Sherborne International under unified governance. The group operates five UK schools serving pupils aged 3-18 across 1,200+ pupils and 900+ full boarders in Dorset, plus a Sherborne Schools Worldwide joint venture (2017) that has established branded schools in Qatar, Jeddah (opening 2025), and Riyadh (opening 2026). Its core pedagogical model is 'Separate Yet Together' - single-sex schooling in Years 9-11 with co-educational experiences elsewhere - delivered through academic, boarding, pastoral, and co-curricular programmes culminating in GCSEs, A Levels, and university destinations including Oxford and Cambridge.

The group's product portfolio spans the five UK schools (Sherborne Boys, Sherborne Girls, Sherborne Prep, Hanford Prep, Sherborne International), supplementary programmes such as the Sherborne Prep Diploma (Years 7-8), the Sherborne Framework for Character & Wellbeing Education (six virtues introduced from 2026), the Sherborne Entrepreneurship Programme (culminating in Sixth Form pupils running real companies), and the Turing Innovation Centre (purpose-built AI/entrepreneurship hub). Technology is positioned through an integrated AI and digital literacy curriculum running from Pre-Prep to Year 13, the Formdr digital admissions platform, and partnerships with Microsoft, BAE Systems, GCHQ, and Bletchley Park for the Turing Conference.

Sherborne generates revenue primarily through recurring tuition fees across boarding and day places, supplemented by Sherborne International short courses (summer, spring, intensive English for ages 8-17), transport fees (£4.50-£9.75 per journey, billed termly), and Sherborne Schools Enterprises commercial hire of venues, filming locations (sites featured in The Imitation Game and Wolf Hall), and weddings during school holidays. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via dedicated admissions teams, open events, tour mornings, and digital enquiry channels, with no third-party agents for core UK admissions. From September 2026 the three main UK schools will operate under a single unified Sherborne brand.

Name

Sherborne Schools Group

Legal name

Sherborne Schools Group

Website

https://sherborneschools.group

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Sherborne Schools Group is a UK charitable educational organisation operating five independent schools (Sherborne Boys, Sherborne Girls, Sherborne Prep, Hanford Prep, Sherborne International) serving 1,200+ pupils in Dorset, with international expansion into Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Schools Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Single-Sex (Boys/Girls) Private Schools (EDAJABAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM)

Keywords

• Independent boarding schools
• Secondary education services
• Prep school education
• International short courses
• School venue hire

Headquarters

HQ city

Sherborne

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Boarding: Full boarding provision for senior schools with over 900 full boarders. Fees cover academic instruction, accommodation, meals, and pastoral care.
2. Tuition Fees - Day: Day student provision with access to all academic and co-curricular programmes. Supported by bus transport service.
3. Sherborne International Short Courses: Specialist academic short courses for children aged 8-17 from around the world, including summer courses, spring revision courses, and intensive English programmes.
4. Venue Hire and Events: Sherborne Schools Enterprises generates revenue through venue hire, filming locations, weddings, and corporate events across all school sites during school holidays.
5. Filming Locations: Historic buildings and grounds used as filming locations for productions including The Browning Version, Goodbye Mr Chips, The Imitation Game, and Wolf Hall.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sherborne Schools Group operates a portfolio of independent UK boarding and day schools delivered under a 'Separate Yet Together' model: Sherborne Boys (boys aged 13-18), Sherborne Girls (girls aged 13-18), Sherborne Prep (co-educational ages 3-13), Hanford Prep (girls aged 7-13) and Sherborne International (short academic courses for ages 8-17). The group also runs Sherborne Schools Enterprises (venue hire, weddings, filming) and is expanding internationally through the Sherborne Schools Worldwide joint venture (Qatar, Jeddah, Riyadh).

Product overview

Sherborne Schools Group is an educational institution offering a portfolio of independent schools with a distinctive 'Separate Yet Together' educational model. The core offerings include Sherborne Boys (boys aged 13-18), Sherborne Girls (girls aged 13-18), Sherborne Prep (co-ed ages 3-13), Hanford Prep (girls ages 7-13), and Sherborne International (short courses for ages 8-17). From September 2026, the three main schools unify under a single Sherborne brand. Supporting offerings include the Turing Innovation Centre (AI/entrepreneurship), the Sherborne Entrepreneurship Programme, and Sherborne Schools Enterprises (venues, filming, weddings). Sherborne Schools Worldwide extends the brand internationally through joint ventures in Qatar, Jeddah, and Riyadh.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sherborne Boys Historic full-boarding and day school for boys aged 13-18, offering GCSE and A Level programmes with a focus on academic rigour, character education and holistic development within the 'Separate Yet Together' model.
• Sherborne Girls Leading full-boarding and day school for girls aged 13-18, renowned for academic excellence and character development, operating in a single-sex environment within the 'Separate Yet Together' model.
• Sherborne Prep Thriving co-educational day and boarding prep school for children aged 3-13, delivering the Sherborne Prep Diploma in Years 7-8 and preparing pupils for the senior schools.
• Hanford Prep Nurturing and creative all-girls' boarding and day prep school for girls aged 7-13, focused on inspiring curiosity, confidence, character, creativity and the outdoors.
• Sherborne International Specialist academic short courses for children aged 8-17 from around the world, including summer courses, spring revision courses, intensive English programmes and IGCSE/GCSE preparation.
• Turing Innovation Centre Purpose-built facility housing AI education hub, technology incubator, creative labs and Start-Up Studio, open to all pupils from Pre-Prep to Sixth Form. Includes annual Turing Conference with Microsoft, BAE Systems, GCHQ, Bletchley Park and universities.
• Sherborne Framework for Character & Wellbeing Education Structured character education framework with six shared Sherborne Virtues, embedded across academic, co-curricular, boarding, enrichment and social life to cultivate resilient, ethical and socially aware leaders.
• Sherborne Entrepreneurship Programme Progressive entrepreneurship programme from Pre-Prep to Upper Sixth culminating in Sixth Form pupils incorporating and trading a real company, raising seed capital from an external investor panel and presenting at an annual Pitch Day.
• Sherborne Prep Diploma Year 7-8 programme combining academic rigour, character development and a spirit of discovery, forming part of the seamless educational journey from age 3 to 18 across the Sherborne family.
• Sherborne Schools Enterprises - Venue Hire Enterprise division offering venues for hire, weddings, corporate events and residential courses across the group's UK school sites during school holidays, generating additional commercial revenue.
• Wedding Venue Hire Wedding venue hire at Sherborne Boys and Hanford Prep, offering elegant historic settings including all-in-one convenience at Sherborne International with bridal preparation rooms and guest accommodation.
• Filming Locations Five unique filming sites including a Grade II* listed Jacobean Manor House at Hanford and historic school buildings featured in films including The Imitation Game, Wolf Hall and Goodbye Mr Chips.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8 students received offers to Oxford and Cambridge Universities in a single year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Sherborne Schools Worldwide (Joint Venture)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Joint venture established by Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls to extend the Sherborne educational ethos globally. Current international schools include Sherborne School Qatar (multiple campuses in Doha), Sherborne School Jeddah (opened 2025), and Sherborne School Riyadh (opening 2026).
• VectaresupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialist school transport management company partnered with Sherborne Schools Group to assist with school bus services. Provides confirmed routes including Bruton, Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Blandford Forum, Yeovil, Dorchester, and Beaminster for September 2026.
• MicrosoftsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner participating in the inaugural Turing Conference alongside BAE Systems, GCHQ, Bletchley Park and leading universities for workshops, expert panels, and demonstrations on AI, cyber security, and digital innovation.
• BAE SystemssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner in Turing Conference bringing expertise on future of AI, cyber security, and digital innovation to Sherborne schools.
• GCHQsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment communications headquarters partnering for Turing Conference on cyber security and digital innovation themes.
• Bletchley ParksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric site of Alan Turing's work collaborating on annual Turing Conference celebrating Turing's legacy and continuing his intellectual spirit.
• Cape FarewellsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading international charity bringing together artists and scientists to address climate change. Year-long partnership with Sherborne Girls involving creative projects connecting art and environmental action.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Eton College: Premier UK independent boys' boarding school (ages 13–18) with a comparable single-sex full-boarding model, Oxbridge outcomes focus and long heritage — the most prestigious peer in the same product category as Sherborne Boys.
• Repton School: Co-educational UK boarding school (ages 13–18) with similar fee tier, full-boarding provision and STEM focus — competes directly with Sherborne for premium domestic and international pupils.
• Cheltenham Ladies' College: Top UK independent girls' boarding school (ages 13–18) with similar academic profile, Oxbridge outcomes, and full-boarding structure — the closest direct peer to Sherborne Girls.
• Tonbridge School: Full-boarding boys' school ages 13–18 in southeast England, similar in scale, fee tier and academic outcomes profile to Sherborne Boys.
• Oundle School: Large co-educational UK boarding school with strong STEM and entrepreneurship focus, comparable to Sherborne's Turing Innovation Centre positioning and full-boarding model.
• Marlborough College: UK co-educational full-boarding school for ages 13–18 with a similar 'Separate Yet Together' pedagogy in earlier years; directly comparable to Sherborne's single-sex-to-co-ed transition model.
• Winchester College: One of the UK's oldest boys' schools, comparable to Sherborne Boys in heritage (founded 1382 vs1550), single-sex boarding model and academic positioning.
• Wellington College: Co-educational UK boarding school (ages 13–18) with a comparable mix of academic rigour, character education and innovation programming — directly competes with Sherborne for premium UK and international families.
• Harrow School: Historic UK boys' full-boarding school founded1572, comparable to Sherborne Boys in age range, boarding model, academic profile and global brand recognition among international fee-paying families.
• Rugby School: Co-educational boarding school (ages 13–18) founded 1567, similar heritage to Sherborne Boys, comparable full-boarding offering and international student mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SherborneBoys
• Facebookfacebook.com/SherborneBoysSchool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sherborne-schools-group
• Instagraminstagram.com/sherborneboys

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sherborne Schools Group