Founded in 1935 by R J O Meyer as a boys' school, girls were first admitted in 1947 and it has long been fully co-educational. It has a fine campus of 166 acres, surrounded by beautiful countryside. Facilities include an Olympic-size swimming pool, theatre, fine arts complex, indoor tennis centre, equestrian centre, music school and concert hall. The 18 boarding houses are on campus and in the surrounding villages. The prep school is in nearby Glastonbury. Large, diverse and complex, it is a well-run school which enjoys a very high staff:pupil ratio (1:8), and this is one of its many strengths. Vocational qualifications are offered as an alternative to some traditional A-levels and examination results are very good across the board. A wide range of languages is offered including Japanese, Russian, Arabic and Greek. It caters for virtually every need and displays energy, organisation and purposefulness in every activity. Over 40 sports and games are available and the school has excelled in many. Over the years, it has produced over 50 Olympic competitors. Music, drama and art departments are active throughout the year. All pupils are involved in conservation of the school's own 40-acre centre at Worley Hill.
Pupils: Age range 13-18; 1225 pupils, 285 day (180 boys, 105 girls), 940 boarding (582 boys, 358 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance exam used. For sixth form entry: 6 GCSEs at least grade C, of which 4 should be at grade B including sixth form subjects; for vocational A-levels, 4 GCSE grade C. Good all-round academic and sporting abilities looked for; no special religious requirements. Approx 60% of intake from own prep school (tel 01458 832446).
A number of scholarships, value 5%-15% fees: academic, art, music, sport, all-rounder awards. Large number of bursaries for those in financial need. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; stabling of horses etc extra.
Headmaster: Craig Considine, appointed 2008. Educated at Parade College, Victoria, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and at Melbourne and Charles Sturt universities (applied science in human movement; diploma and a masters in education). Previously Headmaster of Wanganui Collegiate School, New Zealand, member of the senior management team at Geelong Grammar School, and extensive experience as a housemaster. Also established Year 10 experiential education programmes in New Zealand; professional Australian Rules football player and in Australian Commonwealth Games decathlon team. Teaching staff: 164 full time. Annual turnover 8%. Average age 42.
GCSE: 239 pupils in fifth: 91% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 240 in upper sixth, achieving an average final point score of 313.
80% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (18% after a gap year), 4% to Oxbridge and 8% to universities overseas. 3% take courses in medicine and pharmacology, 24% in science and engineering, 65% in humanities and social sciences, 6% in art and design; business, accounting, management most popular choices. Others typically go on to non-degree or training courses such art or drama, or straight into careers.
GCSE, AS and A-levels and vocational A-levels. 36 AS-level subjects, 38 A-level subjects (including 3 vocational A-level). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; those taking a double vocational A-level often add an AS and A-level, more often GCSEs. In addition, all follow an enrichment course (includes critical thinking) in the lower sixth. AS and A-level general studies optional. Key skills integrated into sixth form courses but not examined. Vocational: BTEC National Diploma in art and design, leisure studies, BHSAIC, Leith course in food and wine. Special provision: Language support centre for pupils with learning difficulties; Millfield English Language School for English from beginners to university entrance level. Languages: French, German, Latin, Italian and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges (France, Germany and Spain). ICT: Core subject to GCSE. 600 computers for pupil use (9 hours a day), all networked and with internet access. 20+% of pupils have their own laptops.
Music: Over 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 30 musical groups including choirs, orchestras, brass groups, string quartets, wind ensembles, symphonic wind bands, jazz band, early music group, chamber groups. National Chamber Music Competition finalists past 3 years. Members of National Youth Orchestra past 3 years. Drama and dance: Both offered; GCSE and A-level drama available. Tradition of success in acceptance to National Youth Theatre and accredited drama schools. Many opportunities to participate in drama activities for all students. Recent productions include West Side Story, Dido and Aeneas and the annual 'Evening of Dance'. Art and design: On average, 100+ take GCSE in art or design, 75 A-level in art, photography, or design; also 12 BTEC National Diploma art and design.
Sport: Games compulsory from following options, soccer, rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics, for boys; tennis hockey, netball, athletics, swimming for girls. Seniors have 40+ choices. On average 25 international representatives a year and countless county representatives; elite level performers in many sports but wide ability range catered for at all ages. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional for 1 year at age 16. Annual Mencap day (school open to 600 Mencap members guided and coached by pupils). Over 60 activities including school newspaper, photography, life saving, Zulu beadwork, Young Enterprise.
Uniform: School uniform worn. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head boy/girl, school prefects - appointed by prefect committee and staff. School council, catering committee and eco-committee. Religion: Worship, non-denominational, compulsory on special occasions eg carol service. Regular services plus services for Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Hindus. Social: German/French exchange, games tours (eg Canada, South Africa, Australia); cultural tours (eg Japan, New York); history and geography trip (eg to Morocco). Pupils allowed to bring own bike/horse to school. Meals self-service. School shop. Seniors may consume limited amounts of alcohol in controlled situations.
Clear expectations and variety of sanctions. Pupils caught with illegal drugs can expect immediate expulsion.
Seniors in single/double study bedrooms; juniors in dormitories of 3+. Single-sex houses of 50-60. Resident qualified nurses, 2 doctors (1 full time), full time counsellor. Central dining room. Fixed number of exeats. Visits to the local town allowed.
Run by Mr J H Davies, The Millfield Society, c/o the school.
Sir John L Standing (actor); John Sargeant (former parliamentary correspondent); Charles Burton (explorer: circumnavigated world via North and South Poles); Gareth Edwards (international rugby); Duncan Goodhew and Mary Rand (Olympic gold medallists); Jeremy Thomas (film producer, The Last Emperor); Michael Ridpath (novelist, Free To Trade); Matt Perry (England rugby).
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