2018/2019 Prospectus 2 What makes Millfield different? COMMUNITY 4 Nine at Millfield Our aim is to discover We provide a dynamic international 6 Sixth Form learning community, built on mutual 8 Boarding & Day respect and understanding. 12 Academic and develop the potential 14 Enrichment & Support 16 Curriculum LEADERSHIP 20 The Week within every young person. We support and nurture every child 22 Results through an inspiring range of opportunities 23 University to help them develop confidence, resilience 24 Sport and leadership skills. 28 The Arts 30 Activities 32 Community Learning EXCELLENCE 34 Outdoor Programme We draw on the incredible richness 36 Applying of the school environment, its people 38 Fees and the wider community, taking every 39 Scholarship Awards opportunity to help children thrive in 40 Our Location every field and area of life. 42 The Campus 44 The Estate In the following pages we look in detail 46 School Transport at what it means to be a Millfield pupil 47 Term Dates and how our values of Community, 48 Contact Leadership and Excellence underpin everything we do. 1 WHAT MAKES MILLFIELD DIFFERENT? The Millfield story bears testament to We have also carefully developed a Millfield is renowned as one of the UK’s this ethos. Established in 1935 by ‘Boss’ Positive Education PSHEE curriculum Meyer with six princes from India, the that fosters wider life skills. We help our school has evolved to become one of the pupils develop into emotionally aware, most successful schools. But what really largest co-educational boarding and day confident, thoughtful and resilient young schools in the UK with over 1200 pupils, adults, ready for whatever challenges 75% of whom are full boarders. To life holds in store. At Millfield, Positive defines ‘success’? Is it outstanding academic achieve this growth – from a small rural Education goes beyond the classroom – school to an international, multi-faith it lives and breathes in our boarding performance and sporting results? Or is it school welcoming young people from houses, the playing fields, the community all backgrounds and over 65 nationalities activities and trips and expeditions. – took vision, determination and the all-round wellbeing of each pupil – positivity. These are characteristics we With such a strong reputation, demand continue to nurture and encourage in for places at Millfield remains very high. shaping the life skills, character and values our pupils. We welcome around 350 new pupils each year and our Admissions team will be It took the courage to challenge and that happy to support you throughout the needed to be happy, healthy and fulfilled? is as important today as it ever was. entry process. We also offer scholarships and bursaries to talented young people, We know that size brings opportunity. following in our philanthropic tradition Quite simply, the breadth and depth of of giving support and assistance to gifted our offer is unmatched anywhere else young people throughout their education. I firmly believe that you cannot have in the UK: an Olympic-sized swimming Please contact us if you’d like to learn pool, golf course and equestrian centre; more about these opportunities. a wonderful concert hall, theatre, art one without the other. gallery and music centre; a spacious I hope this prospectus gives you an dining room and cutting edge science introduction to both the academic and facilities. co-curricular experiences that make Millfield unique. I’m delighted to say From music, dance, drama, art and that, over the years, many of our alumni fashion to business, sport and science, we have achieved great things in sport, enable our pupils to follow their passions, culture, business and society. But, just all supported by expert teaching. We as important as the exam results and may be one of the bigger independent top university places, are the friendships, schools, but we never lose sight of each memories and character traits that these individual. We have carefully structured special years instil. Millfield to make sure it is friendly, approachable and focused on the unique As the new Headmaster I look forward needs of every pupil. Once your child to our evolving journey. To learn more has found their passion, we tailor an about Millfield and our approach, do education programme that is right for come and visit us and experience the them, wherever their talents may lie. Millfield difference for yourself. We are proud to be an innovator and are always refining how to offer an exceptional, fully rounded education. In many respects, we are continually learning ourselves, drawing inspiration and ideas from other fields of expertise to prepare our pupils for the future. Gavin Horgan Examples of this include Nine at Millfield, Headmaster a dynamic and diverse programme designed to help 13–14 year olds flourish, the use of mobile technologies to promote digital learning, and a contemporary music programme alongside traditional music. 2 3 NINE AT MILLFIELD Nine at Millfield is a dynamic learning – Every pupil is involved in a games programme for Year 9. Launched in programme at least four times a week. 2014, it is the result of the previous This includes a Monday session where Headmaster Craig Considine’s vision pupils have access to Millfield’s top to introduce a programme tailor-made specialist sports coaches and a Thursday to meet the academic and development session where pupils can try out needs of 13–14 year olds. different sports other than their regular games options. The aim is to use sport Nine at Millfield has been fundamentally to develop pupils’ confidence and designed to help children make the resilience through physical, technical effective transition from junior or prep and mental stimulus, and exposure to school to senior school by providing the teamwork and leadership opportunities. best environment and support they need to settle in and succeed. – The co-curricular programme means that all Year 9 pupils learn a musical It differs from other schools’ Year 9 instrument and take part in art, cookery, programmes in these ways: dance, debating and drama lessons. – The introduction of Year 9 only – A focus on outdoor learning makes boarding and day houses, which are use of the Somerset countryside with located in the centre of campus. The weekend hikes, the Duke of Edinburgh houses have a higher staff to pupil scheme, Ten Tors and a five day camp ratio than senior houses to provide in the summer term. more support in pupils’ first year at Millfield. – Positive Education, a personal development programme, replaces – Year 9 housemasters/housemistresses traditional PSHEE lessons in classes. and house teams are the single point of It is taught by the pupils’ own house contact for parents, having an overview staff in house time and focuses on of both the academic performance helping pupils identify their signature and pastoral welfare of each child in strengths, understand their own their care. character and how to use this positively in their actions. – The Year 9 curriculum offers an exceptionally wide range of subjects By the end of Nine at Millfield the aim and differentiation to stretch and is that pupils will be more self-aware, will challenge every young person, whatever have built strong relationships with their their ability. Pupil iPads are used to peers and be ready to make the move to extend learning, enhance digital skills Year 10 and the challenges of exam years. and aid organisation of prep work. “What sets Millfield apart from other UK schools is that we have refined our vision of how we can best support young adolescents.” Gavin Horgan 4 5 SIXTH FORM The Sixth Form is a dynamic and exciting Academic enrichment Building global awareness time of change for young people. Sixth Formers are supported in developing We hold lectures on world affairs, At Millfield we help our pupils make the essential skills for independent study. offer opportunities to join the Model most of the many opportunities on offer These are consolidated by tutorials about United Nations programme and have during these final two years before higher study skills and exam techniques. We also a flourishing International Student education, travel or work. welcome over 35 visiting lecturers each Association. Through the EAGLES year and run a Sixth Form Academic programme, there is an annual trip to Nearly half of our Sixth Formers arrive Society and Eureka academic group for Geneva to gain insight into the UN, new to the school from all around the top academics. Participation in academic UNICEF, Médécins sans Frontières and globe. This truly international community competitions and Olympiads is also other NGOs. Other recent initiatives is an important feature of Millfield, encouraged. include a cross-curricular expedition to allowing pupils to experience cultural Laos and Nepal to support eco-build diversity, learn from each other and A vibrant co-curriculum programme projects. forge lifelong friendships. Pupils can enjoy 27 sports, over 80 activities and are given the opportunity Emerging Young Adults What else sets Millfield Sixth Form apart? to have a say or leading role in a number Sixth Formers are prepared for life of committees. beyond Millfield with a series of A personalised programme workshops and lectures on finance We tailor learning to each individual’s Leadership opportunities management, interview skills, basic needs and our Sixth Form team is always The EAGLES programme encourages cooking, the art of conversation, on hand to provide advice and support, Sixth Formers to develop leadership social etiquette, resilience and both before pupils join Millfield and skills both within the school and the interpersonal skills. throughout their time with us. We wider community. Opportunities include offer an extensive range of courses training to be a Year 9 or peer mentor and combinations in A level, Pre-U, or to coach younger pupils in sport BTEC/Level 3 and the Extended or academics.