Welcome to our School
Congratulations! You have just discovered a real gem of a school. Located in the middle of a beautiful village in the heart of the Cotswolds, Sherborne CofE Primary is a small, friendly and vibrant school which places its children at its very core.
The aims of the school are very simple. We want our children to enjoy coming to school; to become inquisitive and independent learners and; to provide children with an unforgettable learning experience.
Our unique approach to delivering high-quality teaching and learning has meant that the school is over-subscribed in most year groups. We do not hold open days or rely on advertising – word of mouth is all we need!
To find out more about what makes Sherborne so special, you are welcome to visit the school. During your visit, you will see:
- Children who are well-behaved, respectful and caring
- Staff who are friendly, hard-working and committed
- A school which prioritises children’s mental health, including weekly Outdoor Learning sessions for every class, along with taught units of work on the importance of sleep, mindfulness and resilience
- A Reception and Year 1 class (Hedgehog Class) of no more than sixteen children taught by a full time teacher and a teaching assistant
- A Year 2 and 3 class (Fox Class) of no more than seventeen children taught by a full time teacher and a teaching assistant
- A Year 4, 5 and 6 class (Owl Class) with no more than 26 children taught by a full time teacher and a teaching assistant
- A school set in National Trust land, with extensive grounds and inspiring views
- Work on the school’s Erasmus+ Project, where our children work alongside peers from five different European countries
- Peaceful, idyllic surroundings
- A re-designed curriculum which offers a greater range of opportunities across all year groups
- Results which consistently place us within the top 20% of schools nationally
- Just why we are so popular!
I hope that you find all the information you need when you browse through our website. If you have any questions then do not hesitate to call our school administrator, Mrs. Pether, to arrange a time to come and visit us. We very much look forward to meeting you and your family.
Admissions for Reception
Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make as a family, and we are here to make that journey a positive and exciting one. At our school, we pride ourselves on creating a warm and nurturing environment where every child feels valued, cared for, and supported. Our mixed-age Reception/Year 1 class offers rich opportunities for outdoor learning and exploration, encouraging children to discover the world around them with curiosity and excitement. Through hands-on experiences and a love of nature, we help children develop confidence, independence, and a lifelong enthusiasm for learning. With our dedicated staff and high level of individual care, you can feel confident that your child will be in safe, encouraging hands as they take their very first steps into school life.
Parents of children due to start school in September (e.g. those children who have turned four before 1st September) are warmly encouraged to come and visit the school. We run a number of open mornings and afternoons throughout the Autumn Term, and are also able to accommodate individual visits if these dates are not convenient.
Parents have until mid-January to submit their response to the local authority, at which point places are allocated. Parents are informed of the outcome of the decision in April, and schools also find out which children have been allocated at this time. Throughout the Summer Term, we offer multiple stay-and-play events, where children are welcome to come to school and play alongside their new classmates. Also during this time, our Early Years Lead will visit each child at their preschools, or undertake home visits for children who do not attend an early years provider.
When it is time to start school, we offer half days for the first week to help help your child settle and become familair with their new classmates, adults, classroom and routine. From the second week, children attend school full-time.
In-Year Admissions
Sherborne CofE Primary School has been one of the most over-subscribed primary schools in the North Cotswolds for the last six years. Our unique blend of exceptional pastoral care, outstanding teaching and stunning locality means that our little school can offer something which no other school can. Parents and children say that they love Sherborne CofE Primary School because:
- The school is small but has big aspirations
- The school prioritises children’s happiness and mental health beyond all other things
- The staff at the school all go to exceptional lengths to help children and their families
- Children make excellent progress in all areas of the curriculum
- The school has three small classes so children get more individual attention
- The village of Sherborne – including the school – is owned and managed by the National Trust
- The school is outward-looking, with strong links with other schools locally and internationally
- The school has an excellent reputation in sport, with high levels of participation and representation at County Level in a range of events
- All children take part in Outdoor Learning sessions every week
- The school is friendly, welcoming and fun!
If you are considering moving your child to a new school, please contact us or complete the enquiry form. We have experience of many ‘in-year admissions’ over the years and you are sure of a warm welcome and a friendly, kind new school for your child.