SHERBORNE’S three independent schools will officially unite under a single brand this September.

Marking the start of a new era, leaders said it will combine the strengths of co-education and single-sex learning while investing heavily in artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship and character education.

Sherborne Prep, Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls will operate under one unified Sherborne identity, creating a continuous pathway for pupils aged three to 18.

The new structure will see boys and girls learn together throughout the Prep School before moving into single-sex teaching during GCSE years.

Sixth Form students will study in an increasingly co-educational environment, with most lessons and academic enrichment expected to be taught together by September 2028.

School leaders describe the approach as “Separate, yet together”, and said it combines the academic benefits of single-sex classrooms with shared sport, music, drama and social opportunities.

Alongside the structural changes, Sherborne is investing in an Innovation, AI and Entrepreneurship centre where pupils will develop practical digital skills and explore emerging technologies.

Two new senior appointments will oversee the initiative, with a director of digital innovation leading AI education from Prep through to Sixth Form, while a director of enterprise will oversee an entrepreneurship programme culminating in Sixth Form students launching and running real businesses, pitching for investment from external panels.

The school is also preparing to host a major conference in October marking 100 years since mathematician and computing pioneer Alan Turing joined Sherborne as a pupil.

Organisers hope the event, part of the wider Sherborne Turing Project, will become an annual gathering bringing together leaders from technology, academia and industry.

Character education will remain central to the school’s approach, with resilience, integrity, empathy, curiosity and service embedded throughout school life.

With more than 1,200 pupils, over 900 full boarders and a combined heritage spanning 1,500 years, Sherborne says the changes will build on its long-standing reputation while preparing pupils for an increasingly fast-changing world.