A big, innovative school that’s far less daunting and far more nurturing than its size might suggest. Whatever their passion, there’s something here for every child and staff excel at helping them to have a go at new things and discover their talents. It’s all refreshingly down-to-earth, caring and friendly – and the seamless transition to the senior school is a bonus.
Why read our school review?
Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
Unlock to access
Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 437 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- Day: £15,699 - £27,168; Boarding: £41,796 pa
- Local authority
- Somerset County Council
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Headmaster
Dan Thornburn
Since 2022, Dan Thornburn, previously head of Edgeborough School in Surrey, where he oversaw the school’s merger with Charterhouse and helped numbers grow by more than 20 per cent. Educated at Packwood Haugh – his father was in the army so he boar
Entrance
Lightly selective – the school needs to be sure that children can cope with the curriculum. Entry is possible into all year groups and unlike some, the prep will consider entry in January and April as well as September. Applicants need a reference
- Open days
- 10 May, 4 October 2025
Exit
About 95 per cent to the senior school. Transfer is automatic as long as children don’t blot their copy books. The occasional one or two head to single-sex schools from the prep, including Sherborne, Sherborne Girls and Benenden in recent years.
Latest results
There are no results to show for this school. Find out more.
Teaching & learning
Learning support & SEN
Boarders
Around a third of children board. Boarding from year 3 although numbers rise substantially from year 6 – by year 8 more than half the year group board. Four of the five boarding houses – two for girls and three for boys – are a hop, skip and a jum
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review
It is important that devices are used responsibly within the school environment. Mobile phones should have passcodes set, 'find my iPad' (or similar) settings switched on, not be left unattended and should be locked when not in use. Boarders use their devices to contact families in private, or at a time that is suitable for all, considering the time zones for international pupils. Millfield Prep have an EYFS policy stating that mobile devices can't be used when in the presence of children on school premises, stored safely out of reach of children and not used within any teaching areas.
Pupils
Money matters
Academic, art, music and sports scholarships of up to 10 per cent for entry into years 6, 7 and 8 (internal only for years 6 and 7). A new all-rounder scholarship will be introduced in 2023 for talented year 6, 7 and 8 all-rounders. Means-tested b
- Fee information
- Day: £15,699 - £27,168; Boarding: £41,796 pa
Our view
Set in 200 meticulously cared-for acres on the edge of Glastonbury, with Glastonbury Tor rising majestically above. The heart of the school is Edgarley Hall, bought by Millfield founder Jack Meyer in 1945 after demand grew for a school for younger
The last word
A big, innovative school that’s far less daunting and far more nurturing than its size might suggest. Whatever their passion, there’s something here for every child and staff excel at helping them to have a go at new things and discover their tale
Inspection reports
ISI report
What the school says
Millfield Prep School is a co-educational day and boarding school for ages 2-13 in the UK. We have been named best sports school for many years by School Sport Magazine.
Set in 200 acres of Somerset countryside, we offer a diverse range of academic subjects, sports, creative arts and activities, supported by outstanding facilities including an equestrian centre, 25 metre swimming pool, golf courses, science centre, music halls, tennis bubble and numerous sports pitches. Our aim is to ensure that every child can discover their brilliance across all aspects of school life whether that’s in the classroom, on the sports field or on stage. Pupils and staff live by the school values: Be kind, be you, be challengers, be curious and be brilliant.
The school is a short, seven-minute drive away from Millfield’s campus which offers our pupils a further 250 acres of Somerset countryside to benefit from and enjoy, as well as an Olympic-sized swimming pool, art gallery, music school and 400-seat theatre.
We offer full, weekly and flexi boarding from ages 7+, home to 114 full boarders from over 31 different countries. Boarders live with pupils from all over the world in five houses, situated on or within a few minutes’ walk of campus. All houses have a resident housemaster or housemistress (HsM), an assistant HsM who also live onsite, and house managers who provide boarders with a warm and supportive atmosphere. Boarders also have access to a well-staffed medical centre, counselling service and group tutor.
Full boarders enjoy evenings and weekends filled with exciting trips and activities such as trips to Weston-super-Mare beach, the cinema, international sports fixtures in Bristol and Bath, bowling, Go Ape, baking and craft nights. Of a summer’s evening, a whole house walk up Glastonbury Tor with views stretching across the Somerset Levels and beyond is a firm favourite.
The school has earned an excellent reputation for sporting success. We prepare children for a lifelong involvement in sport, promoting confidence, health and wellbeing. Pupils are taught a balanced programme which is tailored to each individual.
Each week, all pupils spend at least 3.5 hours within the curriculum on PE, games or individual sports. This is delivered by full-time specialists, alongside individual training, supported by industry-leading facilities.
Outstanding pastoral care is at the heart of everything the school does. The wellbeing curriculum educates pupils about their mental health and wellbeing through a series of activities such as yoga, movement to music, alfresco pursuits, mindful walk and tTalk and meditation.
The school is ideally located one hour from the vibrant cities of Bath and Bristol, and 1 hour 45 minutes from London (Castle Cary to Paddington Station). The onsite travel office provides a coach, minibus or taxi transfer to London or regional airports, at the start and end of terms and exeat weekends.
Alumni includes Formula One driver Lando Norris, Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist swimmer James Guy, England rugby player Chris Robshaw and singer-songwriter Ella Eyre.
Last updated 02 April 2025Key links to information you need
Contact the school
Telephone: 01458 832446
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.millfieldschool.com/
Local authority: Somerset County Council
Have you considered?
Wells Cathedral School
Independent school · Wells, BA5 2ST ( miles)-
All through
-
Co-ed
-
2-18
-
From £10,938 pa
-
681 pupils
-
Boarding
-
Choir school
Hazlegrove School
Independent school · Yeovil, BA22 7JA ( miles)-
Primary/prep
-
Co-ed
-
2-13
-
From £12,075 pa
-
375 pupils
-
Boarding
All Hallows School
Independent school · Shepton Mallet, BA4 4SF ( miles)-
Primary/prep
-
Co-ed
-
3-13
-
From £9,825 pa
-
238 pupils
-
Boarding
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review
It is important that devices are used responsibly within the school environment. Mobile phones should have passcodes set, 'find my iPad' (or similar) settings switched on, not be left unattended and should be locked when not in use. Boarders use their devices to contact families in private, or at a time that is suitable for all, considering the time zones for international pupils. Millfield Prep have an EYFS policy stating that mobile devices can't be used when in the presence of children on school premises, stored safely out of reach of children and not used within any teaching areas.
We do not receive results data for this school. Find out more.
Entry and exit data
Here we report figures on pupils moving between schools at the usual entry and exit points, as well as student destinations into higher education. We publish publically available data for state schools. For independent schools, The Good Schools Guide collects data from its prep schools as to where their pupils go on to. Find out more
Recent feeder schools
Please note: this may not provide a complete picture of all student movements, as not all schools contribute this information.
| Twickenham Preparatory School |
· 2024 · 1 place |
|---|
Recent leavers' destinations
Please note: this may not provide a complete picture of all student movements, as not all schools contribute this information.
| Millfield School |
· 2024 · Number of total places unknown : The majority to the senior school |
|---|
SEN overview
Millfield Prep School is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.
SEN statement
Provided by the school and not part of our review
The school has a centre to support pupils with mild to moderate literacy difficulties, including dyslexia, and other difficulties. It is staffed by specialists working closely with the school staff.
SEN conditons supported
Schools report the conditions they might be able to support. Please note, this may not be a complete list. Find out more.
| Conditions (Might cover/be referred to as) | Provision |
|---|---|
| ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Social skills | |
| HI - Hearing Impairment | |
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty Learning needs | |
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment Sensory processing | |
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic, Tics, Tourettes | Yes |
| PD - Physical Disability | |
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay | |
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health Anxiety, Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health | |
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication Selective mutism | Yes |
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty Complex needs | |
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Auditory processing, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting | Yes |
| VI - Visual Impairment Special facilities for Visually Impaired |
