Sherborne International

The school was established in 1977 by Sherborne School to prepare students from non-British educational backgrounds so that they could function successfully in traditional British Boarding Schools. Classes normally have a maximum of 8 students. Today, Sherborne International School provides world-leading short course programmes. Courses at our English International School provides students with an outstanding opportunity to transform their English language skills whilst introducing them to the education system and British culture.

What is the aim of Sherborne International?

Sherborne International offers short courses for students aged 8-17 from all over the world. Being a small School, we provide a nurturing environment where students can develop their confidence in language skills through interaction with peers, teachers, and the wider community. Our goal is to give students the opportunity to feel inspired and motivated to learn. The maximum class size is 8 students, and all teachers at the School are trained, and most qualified, in teaching English as a foreign language, as well as being expert in their own subject. The British Council has accredited the quality of the English language element of all its courses.

What is the ethos of Sherborne International?

With an in-depth understanding and experience of meeting the particular needs of international students, the School provides individuals with a focused pastoral, cultural and academic experience in a fully supportive, safe and caring environment.

Sherborne International was formed in 1977, when the Headmaster of Sherborne School, the late Mr Robin Macnaughten, decided to start a separate specialist unit to prepare students from non-British, non-English speaking backgrounds to sit entrance examinations for Sherborne School and other British independent schools. It was known as Greenhill House, named after the building the students occupied both to live and to learn. For many years the School only accepted boys and remained on the Greenhill House campus until 1991 when it moved to its present location of Newell Grange.

In September 1991 the Newell Grange campus was opened and in 1992 the school ran its first "Fourth Term" summer school course. In 1995 the Centre was registered as a separate school with the Department of Education and in September 1998 the Centre changed its name to the International College, Sherborne School. Additional teaching facilities were opened in 1999.

Girls were enrolled for the first time in 1996 and in 1999 Westcott House was allocated to the school to house female students. Grosvenor House (adjacent to Westcott) was opened in September 2002 to accommodate the junior boys and a further girls’ boarding house, Mowat House, was opened in January 2011.

In 2014 the International College, Sherborne School changed its name to become Sherborne International.[3]

King's House, refurbished in 2018 provides en-suite accommodation and is located on the Newell Grange site at Sherborne International. Additional boarding houses are used for the Summer School at Sherborne School.

• Mr Frank Francis (1977–1980)
• Mr Ralph Mowat (1980–1997)
• Dr Christopher Greenfield (1997–2013)
• Mrs Mary Arnal (2013–2015)
• Mr Philip Hardaker (2016)
• Mr Tim Waters (2016–2021)

• Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the state of Qatar[4]
• King Mswati III, King of Eswatini