ABOUT US

Leweston School is a Catholic, independent school for girls aged 11 to 18. Set in 46 acres of beautiful Dorset parkland the school sits just three miles outside the historic town of Sherborne.

Our motto, 'Gaudere et Bene Facere' - 'Rejoice and Do Well' dates from the seventeenth century and was adopted in the nineteenth by the School's founders, the Religious of Christian Instruction. The motto applies to pupils and staff alike and suggests not only that if something is worth doing, it is worth doing well, but also that it is worth doing in the right frame of mind; one which is positive, outgoing and cheerful.

Girls from Leweston are well-balanced young women who can take their place in the world with confidence. They go on to contribute to society in many different ways reflecting the many and varied opportunities placed before them at school.

The ethos of any School has its source in the convictions of all those who work there, Governors, pupils and staff. All Schools have values: the extent to which those values are earthed in practice constitutes a School's ethos.

Courtesy, affection, a strong sense of community. Self-respect, respect for others and their gifts; respect for the academic enterprise. Qualities to which Leweston girls, at their best, aspire.

All this is underpinned by our determination to provide a contemporary education rooted in the Catholic tradition. That tradition is two thousand years young - it lives on with Christ at its centre.

Boarding at Leweston is arranged in age groups with full, weekly and occasional options. Full boarding is full-time, these boarders can stay in school every night of the week including weekends with the exception of one exeat weekend per half-term when everyone in school goes home. however full boarders may go home or to stay with friends any weekend providing the school is notified and parental permission given. Weekly boarding enables girls to stay in school Monday to Thursday nights inclusive. Weekly boarders enjoy all of the benefits and privileges of boarders except at weekends. Occasional boarding is on offer on a nightly basis and is available any night of the week, however places are limited and although the school does attempt to meet all parental requirements it may be difficult at times to accomodate a girl on more than two specific nights every week.

Leweston provides a curriculum that, in keeping with the School's ethos, ensures for each of its girls balanced, appropriate and interesting opportunities for academic study. It is intended and planned to instil a love of learning and to inspire the life of the mind. The focus is to enable pupils to achieve the best possible academic success. Broadly, pupils in Years 7 to 11 are taught in the fields of linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human, social, moral, spiritual, physical, aesthetic, and creative knowledge and the School, throughout its curriculum, educates for high standards of speaking, listening, literacy, and numeracy.

The School includes in its core provision English, History, Geography, HEF, Maths, Science, PSHE and RE, Drama, Classical Studies or Latin, Music, one Modern Foreign Language, and PE. While traditional in the rigour and range of the subjects and teaching, in keeping with the 'contemporary' aspect of the School's Mission Statement and the School's intention to prepare girls for life beyond Leweston, the curriculum is considered, developed and changed to suit the academic needs of girls in a given year on an annual basis.

PRE-PREP

Leweston Preparatory School is a catholic, independent school for girls aged 2 1/2 to 11 and boys aged 2 1/2 to 7. Set in 46 acres of beautiful Dorset parkland the school sits just three miles outside the historic town of Sherborne.

Our motto, 'Gaudere et Bene Facere' - 'Rejoice and Do Well' dates from the seventeenth century and was adopted in the nineteenth by the School's founders, the Sisters of Christian Instruction. The motto applies to pupils and staff alike and suggests not only that if something is worth doing, it is worth doing well, but also that it is worth doing in the right frame of mind; one which is positive, outgoing and cheerful.

Children from Leweston are well-balanced young people who can take their place in the world with confidence. They go on to contribute to society in many different ways reflecting the many and varied opportunities placed before them at school.

PREP SCHOOL

Leweston Prep is a Catholic School which offers a warm welcome to children of all denominations and emphasises the integration of Christian principles into daily life. Boys are welcome from 2½ - 7 and girls from 2½ - 11. Traditional values of work and behaviour are held in high esteem and emphasis is placed on pastoral care. The School Motto Gaudere et Bene Facere - Rejoice and Do Well reflects the importance of high academic standards together with artistic, musical and sporting excellence achieved in an atmosphere of joy, vibrancy and faith in God.

Great emphasis is placed on living by the 'Golden Rules' and children of all ages benefit from the outstanding pastoral care which emanates from the committed and enthusiastic teaching staff. The chapel lies at the centre of our school and provides opportunities for families to pray, reflect and celebrate together. The small classes and state of the art learning environment create a strong and caring family based school, which makes it a very special place in which to study.