A home for military families

Consistency and care, when it matters most.

At Sherborne Prep we understand the unique rhythm of military family life and the importance of choosing a school that feels steady, supportive, and reassuring. With postings, periods of separation, and unexpected changes, stability and continuity matter enormously. Supporting Service families means far more than strong pastoral care. It means creating a place where children feel safe, known, and truly at home.

Boarding at Sherborne Prep offers a warm and welcoming community where children quickly feel part of something special. Our houses remain open and lively at weekends, with a rich programme of activities, shared meals, and time spent together with friends. This sense of routine and belonging can be especially reassuring for children whose parents may be serving in the United Kingdom or overseas.

Sherborne Prep is more than a school. It is a community that stands proudly alongside military families, offering friendship, care, and continuity every step of the way.

The total amount payable for CEA funded pupils will be the CEA allowance plus 10% of the prevailing (full) boarding fee (inclusive of VAT). All the Schools within Sherborne Schools Group offer a 10% discount off day and boarding fees for those families currently working in the armed forces, who do not qualify for the CEA allowance.

Please contact the Admissions team on 01935 810911 or email admissions@sherborneprep.group to discuss any aspect of the admissions process.

In this section

Our boys are absolutely thriving at Sherborne Prep. They are very happy and always have positive things to say about the teachers, their friends and the School as a whole. Extra curricular activities are fantastic. Although our boys are very different in character there is plenty to keep them both entertained. Weekend trips out with Mr Patching and the other boarders are thoroughly enjoyed. Food is often mentioned and even the odd vegetable is being consumed.

We sleep well at night knowing that our children are happy, safe and getting a wonderful education whilst we continue to travel around the country for work.

PARENT

Where every child feels at home...

For pupils whose families move frequently, finding a school that offers both continuity and a deep sense of belonging can make all the difference.

For families whose careers involve frequent travel, finding a school where children feel happy, secure, and fully engaged is invaluable. At Sherborne Prep, boarding offers not only stability but a rich and varied experience in which every child can flourish as an individual. One parent shares their perspective on the positive impact the School has had on their family.

Supporting pupils to thrive

Liz Holmes, Teacher of KS2 at Sherborne Prep, draws on her own experience of military life to support pupils from military families. Having served in both the Territorial Army and the Regular Army with the Royal Signals, including postings in Blandford and Berlin, she understands the unique challenges these families face. She later left the Army to start a family and supported her husband throughout his career in the Army Air Corps, experiencing frequent moves and new communities.

Her own children boarded from an early age, from prep school through to A Levels, shaping her understanding of how important it is to find a school that offers not only academic excellence, but also stability, care, and a strong sense of belonging. At Sherborne Prep, Liz provides consistency, care, and understanding, ensuring every child feels settled, supported, and part of a warm, connected community, wherever in the world their family may be based.

Boarding Schools' Association ASPIRE programme

Sherborne Schools Group has a number of teachers and members of staff who had successful careers in the military before joining us; we recognise how valuable their prior experience is in a school environment and have seen what a positive impact they have in the classroom, and beyond, often taking on leading roles in our impressive Co-Curricular programme of activities and Boarding Houses. Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls are Ambassador schools for BSA's excellent ASPIRE programme and support ex-service personnel who are interested in finding fulfilling new careers, perhaps in our inspiring full boarding communities.