A home for military families
Consistency and care, when it matters most.
At Hanford Prep we understand the unique needs of military families and the importance of choosing the right school. Stability, continuity, and trust are essential when family life can involve postings, separation, and periods of uncertainty. Supporting Service families is about far more than strong pastoral care. It is about creating a nurturing and reassuring home from home where girls feel safe, supported, and truly known.
As a boarding school, Hanford Prep offers a warm, structured, and supportive community where girls can flourish. Our houses remain open and lively at weekends, providing routine, friendship, and a varied programme of activities and social events. For girls whose parents may be posted in the United Kingdom or overseas, this continuity brings reassurance and a strong sense of belonging. Girls know there is always someone nearby to offer encouragement, guidance, or a listening ear.
Hanford Prep is more than a school. It is a close knit community that proudly supports military families 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 01258 920847 or email admissions@hanfordprep.group to discuss any aspect of the admissions process.
I started boarding quite early and from the very early days staff have been great. At Sherborne all the matrons, Housemaster and Resident Tutors have been brilliant at helping me with anything that I need. There is also a great Military Families team which are led by former military people who know what it is like. There is also a group of boys from Third to Sixth Form that are from military families that you meet up with and talk and it is just nice knowing that you have something in common.
HARRY F, THIRD form pupil
Boarding allows a sense of place...
For boys whose families move frequently, continuity in education is vital.
Caspar B, a formal pupil at Sherborne Boys, described what that had meant for him, and the role the School has played. With both parents having served in the Army, ‘home’ changed frequently for him. In four years, Caspar lived in four different houses across three countries.
While his family relocated across Europe, Sherborne Boys provided a constant. Full boarding ensured that his education remained uninterrupted by moves that might otherwise have disrupted his progress.
As a boys school, the close link with Sherborne Girls provided a balance and enabled Caspar to see his sister, while maintaining a degree of independence. The School’s proximity to the railway line is another practical advantage, allowing straightforward travel to London and convenient access to Heathrow and Gatwick when returning home.
Supporting girls to flourish
Personalised mentoring is central to our support. Our Military Families Tutor works closely with Service families, offering regular contact, guidance during transitions, and additional support during deployment or reunion. Academic tutors ensure that any disruption caused by moves between schools or education systems is managed carefully, enabling boys to settle quickly and continue to thrive.
This provision is led by William Mackenzie Green, Military Families Tutor and Senior Housemaster. Will served in the Royal Marines for eight years, with deployments to Afghanistan, India, and the United States. After leaving the military, he worked in maritime security before completing his PGCE. He joined Sherborne Boys in 2019, became Housemaster of The Green in 2022, leads the Royal Marines CCF, coaches senior rugby, and teaches history.
Reflecting on his journey from the Armed Forces to education, Will says:
“Much of my military training turned out to be directly applicable to teaching. Leadership and management diplomas, coaching and mentoring qualifications, and the experience of working with people from diverse backgrounds under immense pressure all provided a foundation for education. Supportive colleagues and motivated pupils have made the job immensely fulfilling; I am delighted to say that I have found teaching to be my true calling.”
To read Will's article on supporting military families, please click here.
Boarding Schools' Association ASPIRE programme
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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 delighted to be 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. |
