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Sherborne Boys
Academic
Higher Education & Careers

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Higher Education & Careers

From self-discovery to real-world readiness.

The Sherborne Boys Careers Department is the first port of call for inquisitive, ambitious pupils. It helps boys explore a wide range of industries, understand required skills and qualifications, and plan for a successful working life. A major strength is our partnership with the Old Shirburnian Society, whose 6,000+ global members offer mentoring, networking, and career insights across diverse fields.

Careers support begins in the Third Form through to Fifth Form, where boys gain self-awareness through personality and aptitude testing, access to industry-leading research tools, and tailored support from the Careers Team.

Sixth Form

In the Sixth Form, pupils explore advanced topics such as degree apprenticeships, interviews, gap years, and work experience.

The Lower Sixth Careers Convention connects boys with Old Shirburnians through live industry panels – 24 seminars last year, each featuring three alumni and recorded for later viewing.

Our extensive networks help secure placements in fields from accountancy to conservation. Many boys also build their own connections, supported by expert guidance and mentoring from the Sherborne Boys community.

Contact our Careers and Pathways team for further information.

View Route Map PDF

Students in Fancy Dress on School Campus

Gatsby Benchmarks

In 2013, Gatsby commissioned Sir John Holman to define what excellent career guidance in England should look like.

His Good Career Guidance report established eight benchmarks that now form the basis of the Government's Careers Strategy and statutory guidance for schools.

A Stable Careers Programme
Our Deputy Head (Sixth Form), oversees a robust team including specialists in UCAS, specialist, and global higher education. Additional staff support the programme through one-to-one and small-group delivery. The full programme is published and reviewed regularly, with ongoing evaluation from parents and pupils.
Learning From Career & Labour Market Information
Every Fifth and Lower Sixth pupil receive preparation for post 16 and post 18 pathways, delivered by their Tutor and the Careers and Pathways Team.
Addressing Individual Needs
An online booking system ensures access to one-to-one guidance. Pupils build profiles via Unifrog, adding competencies and achievements to support CVs and statements.
Linking Curriculum to Careers
Departments complete careers audits. The Careers and Pathways Team offers subject-specific support, including guidance on apprenticeships/degree apprenticeships/employment/gap years and university pathways.
Encounters with Employers
Pupils meet professionals through business breakfasts, lunchtime talks, OS-led events, and the Lower Sixth Careers Conference, featuring 80+ speakers across 24 industries.
Experience of Workplaces
We advertise placements weekly in our weekly Careers and Pathways bulletin and promote summer work experience after Fifth and Lower Sixth.
Encounters with Higher Education
All pupils access UCAS and post 18 Pathway events. We offer impartial guidance, including follow-ups and one-to-one support.
Personal Guidance
Tutors and the Careers and Pathways Team provide tailored advice, with online bookings promoted via a weekly bulletin.

UCAS

Sherborne Boys’ Higher Education (HE) programme ensures pupils make informed, confident choices about their post-school pathways.

Whether applying to university, conservatoires, art foundation courses, or degree apprenticeships, boys receive expert, personalised support at every stage.

The process begins in the Lower Sixth, with boys guided through subject and course research, wider reading, and work experience. Applications are developed with help from tutors and a team of experienced staff. One-to-one meetings are encouraged, and boys can drop in to the dedicated Careers and Pathways Centre at any time.

Unifrog is available to all pupils and parents, providing comprehensive guidance on universities, courses, and application procedures. Its user-friendly tools make exploring options efficient and effective.

Discover Unifrog

UCAS Application Process

The UCAS application process is launched early to give pupils time to prepare strong, well-researched submissions.

During the Lower and Upper Sixth, ongoing workshops and tailored support ensure boys complete their applications ahead of deadlines. Guidance continues as they navigate offers and results day, with staff on hand to help each step of the way.

Through this structured and responsive approach, Sherborne Boys equips pupils to pursue ambitious and well-matched higher education routes – ready for success beyond School.

Contact our Careers and Pathways team for further information.

View UCAS Timeline PDF

Specialist Higher Education

Pupils aiming for competitive university courses benefit from a tailored programme led by the Head of Specialist Higher Education.

From October in the Lower Sixth, they attend subject discussion groups and, from February, begin one-on-one mentoring with subject specialists. Half-termly meetings ensure ongoing academic development and super-curricular enrichment. In the Upper Sixth, the focus shifts to refining personal statements and preparing for entrance tests and interviews.

Dedicated events such as a mock Oxbridge interview evening and a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) night for medics and vets, along with regular practice tests, help pupils prepare confidently and effectively.

Contact our Careers and Pathways team for further information.

View Specialist HE Programme Overview

Overseas Higher Education

Sherborne Boys supports applications to universities worldwide, with popular destinations including the USA, Canada, and the Netherlands.

The process typically begins before the Sixth Form with an expression of interest. For U.S. universities, early preparation for SAT or ACT testing is usually required, starting in the Lower Sixth, at the latest. We work with families and external consultants, particularly for specialist routes like sports scholarships. Applications are refined and submitted in the Upper Sixth, often alongside UCAS.

Studying abroad develops adaptability, initiative, and global awareness – qualities that enhance employability and enrich a boy’s confidence, independence, and satisfaction from his higher education experience.

Mr Richard Fuller supports pupils applying to overseas universities, and coordinates the School’s preparation of supporting documents, tailored to each application.

View Overseas HE Timeline

Apprenticeships & Degree Apprenticeships

One-to-one support is offered throughout the Sixth Form to guide interested pupils through the search and application process.

Apprenticeships provide an accessible bridge between school and employment. Degree apprenticeships combine paid work with undergraduate (and sometimes postgraduate) study, typically blending one day of academic learning with four days of on-the-job training. Opportunities and webinars are shared weekly by the Higher Education and Careers Team, who provide full application support. Where possible, pupils also hear from Old Shirburnians who have successfully followed this route.

Old Shirburnians in the Spotlight

John Le Mesurier (1912-1983)

Actor

Attended Sherborne School (Lyon) 1926-1930. Actor, best known for playing Sergeant Wilson in Dad’s Army.

Michael Hopkins

Architect

Sir Michael Hopkins attended Sherborne School (Westcott) 1949-1952. Architect whose works include the Mound Stand at Lord's Cricket Ground and many others.

Nigel Dempster (1941-2007)

Journalist

Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1955-1958. Journalist, author, broadcaster, and columnist.

James Purefoy

Actor

Attended Sherborne School (Harper) 1977-1980. Actor, who has appeared in Rome, A Knight’s Tale and Fisherman’s Friends.

Alfred North Whitehead (1861-1947)

Philosopher

Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1875-1880. Mathematician and philosopher, co-author with Bertrand Russell.

Simon McCoy

Journalist

Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1975-1979. Journalist and presenter on BBC TV News at One.

Jason Lewis

Author

Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1980-1985. Adventurer and author.

Peter Oborne

Author

Attended Sherborne School (Harper) 1970-1974. Author, journalist and broadcaster.

Sir John Weston

Ambassador

Attended Sherborne School (Westcott) 1951-1956. Diplomat, Ambassador, Permanent Representative to NATO and the UN, poet, and former School Governor.

Julian Thompson

Author

Major General Julian Thompson attended Sherborne School (School House) 1948-1952. British Army Officer and author.

Tim Spicer

Army Officer

Attended Sherborne School (School House) 1966-1969. British Army Officer and Chief Executive of Sandline International.

Hugh Bonneville

Actor

Attended Sherborne School (Harper) 1977-1981. Actor, best known for playing the Earl of Grantham in Downton Abbey.

Chris Martin

Musician

Attended Sherborne School (The Digby) 1990-1995. Songwriter, musician, record producer, lead singer and co-founder of the band Coldplay.

Alan Turing (1912-1954)

Scientist

Attended Sherborne School (Westcott) 1926-1931. Mathematician, computer scientist, and Second World War codebreaker.

Tom Bradby

Journalist

Attended Sherborne School (Abbey) 1980-1985. Journalist and author, presenter of ITV News at Ten.

Christopher Chataway (1931-2014)

Politician

Rt Hon Sir Christopher Chataway attended Sherborne School (Harper) 1944-1949. Politician, broadcaster, represented GB at the 1952 and 1956 Olympic Games.

Hyla Stallard (1901-1973)

Surgeon

Attended Sherborne School (Lyon) 1914-1919. A distinguished eye surgeon. Immortalised by Daniel Gerroll in the 1981 film The Chariots of Fire.

Richard Eyre

Film Director

Sir Richard Eyre attended Sherborne School (Westcott) 1956-1961. Director and producer, winner of five Olivier awards and a BAFTA.

Jeremy Irons

Actor

Attended Sherborne School (Abbey) 1962-1966. Actor, who has appeared in The French Lieutenant’s Woman, Brideshead Revisited, The Mission, The Lion King.