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Millfield Prep has a thriving community made up of boarding and day pupils who make the most of every opportunity open to them. During the school day, all pupils learn and play together, sharing the facilities to discover and develop their individual talents.
As a leading independent school, boarding forms a vital part of life at Millfield Prep. We offer full, weekly and flexi boarding from ages 7 to 13 and currently have around 125 full-time boarders, with a further 15 additional flexi or occasional boarders at the Prep School.
Boarding is a great way for children to develop their social skills and interact with lots of people from different countries and cultures. The children make the most of all the opportunities on offer at school, particularly the extra-curricular clubs and training that take place early morning and after school, such as squad swimming, tennis, golf, riding and music practice. Around 85% of boarders currently stay for the entire weekend, making the most most of the activities available.
There are five boarding houses; two girls’ houses and three boys’ houses. All the houses are on campus and have their own unique character and superb facilities, including cosy dorms, bright common rooms, kitchens, games areas, plenty of outside space and Skype. The dorms typically have four beds although some have three beds. The pupils are justifiably proud of their houses.
Supper is served in the dining hall from 5.00pm and a late supper is available at 6.15pm. Supervised homework is done from 5.30pm-6.30pm, though many children choose to study for longer. Academic staff are available to all boarders if they need assistance to complete their work. After supper and homework, boarders can change into casual clothes and are free to enjoy the facilities in and around the houses, including some of the amazing outdoor play equipment.
The houses are run by houseparents and a resident assistant houseparent and a liaison tutor, who are also teaching members of staff, alongside friendly house matrons who look after the children’s practical needs. This dedicated team provides the next best thing to real parents for boarders and make boarding a really positive and enjoyable experience.
All pupils leave school on the four exeat weekends per year; two in the autumn term and one in the spring term.
Flexi-boarding, for two nights or more a week, and occasional boarding, on an ad-hoc basis, are also possible, subject to bed availability.
Induction Days
Starting boarding is an exciting experience. At Millfield Prep we are keen for our new pupils to settle quickly and easily into their new environment and we have a carefully planned programme to ensure that this happens. During the summer term, prior to admission, we hold a Boarders’ Induction Day for UK children which is designed to bring many new pupils together for the first time. The event includes a visit to the pupil’s designated house, an opportunity to meet tutors and house staff and the option to purchase uniform. In September, prior to the start of term, overseas boarders benefit from a specifically tailored international induction.
During the first full weekend of term, all the boarders come together for a day packed with activities and new experiences to try. From the climbing wall and kayaking in the pool to pony rides and bouncing on the giant inflatables, there is never a dull moment! The day is often rounded off with a barbecue and an ice-cream before weary boarders settle down for a quiet evening in their houses.
For all boarding pupils, there is a diverse range of exciting and engaging events at the weekends. Each term's activities include trips to local attractions such as ice-skating, tobogganing and paintballing. Pupils also make the most of the on-site facilities, with segway driving, inflatable fun in the pool and lots more.
Weekday Evenings
Supper is served in the dining hall from 5.00pm and a late supper is available at 6.15pm. Supervised homework is done from 5.30pm-6.30pm, though many children choose to study for longer. Academic staff are available to all boarders if they need assistance to complete their work. After supper and homework, boarders can change into casual clothes and are free to enjoy the facilities in and around the houses, including some of the amazing outdoor play equipment.
Depending on the season and weather, boarders can explore the grounds, play games in the gardens and courts or indoor games in the sports hall. They often have fun baking in the house kitchens, celebrating birthdays with friends or marking traditional celebrations throughout the year.
At the end of each busy day, a healthy snack and drink are provided and there is quiet reading time before lights out. The Junior pupils up to Year 5 are settled by 8.00pm, Year 6 by 8.45pm, Year 7 by 9.00pm and Year 8 by 9.30pm. Year 8 boarders enjoy two later nights during the week, when they are allowed to bring their own (low-sugar) snacks.
Weekends
After lessons on Saturdays (and Wednesdays) the boarders take part in either matches or multi-activities. Multi-activities are chosen from a number of options from outdoor and adventurous, community and environmental to fitness and personal interest activities.
As well as the opportunity to relax in house, Saturday afternoons and Sundays provide endless opportunities for fun and entertainment. There is a well-organised plan for each term's activities, with trips to local attractions, such as laser tag and quad biking. Boarders also make the most of the facilities here with scuba diving, segway driving and lots more. Trips out include visits to theme parks, treetop climbing, the theatre and cinema, to name a few.
The evening routine is more relaxed on Saturdays, when the boarders are able to snuggle up with a duvet to watch a film and enjoy snacks before a slightly later bedtime.
Boarders are welcomed to Chapel on a Sunday, usually every third week, for a short service focusing on moral values, rather than a specific Christian ethos. Children may attend Mass if they wish to.
Weekend Days Away
Long weekend exeats commencing at 3.45pm on Friday afternoon until 5pm on Sunday are scheduled twice in the Autumn Term and once in the Spring Term. Exeat weekends are optional, and boarders can stay at school during exeat for an additional fee. An escorted coach service to London is available, which stops at various locations en route.
Our outstanding flexi-boarding or occasional boarding are both options available to parents of children in Years 3 to 8 during term time, providing space is available in the boarding houses.
Flexi-Boarding
From two nights per week, booked termly in advance, your child is guaranteed a cosy bed and quality time spent with their boarding friends. This could be of benefit for pupils with early morning clubs, for busy parents or as a way to build up to full boarding. After school, they are able to enjoy evenings in with other children and house staff. If needed, they can be supervised during prep, enjoy quiet reading or have fun in the games room and grounds.
Occasional Boarding
There may be times when unexpected work, family or school commitments create logistical challenges. You are welcome to book a boarding place on an occasional basis, if space permits. Please note that the same bed in the same house is not guaranteed for each subsequent stay.
If you are current parent and would like further details about flexi- or occasional boarding please login to our parent portal and complete the relevant form in the ‘Forms to Complete (Optional)’ section. If you are a prospective parent and would like further details on flexi- or occasional boarding please contact our Admissions team at prepadmissions@millfieldschool.com
Day pupils make up approximately 70% of all the pupils at Millfield Prep. There are currently around 260 day pupils at Millfield Prep and 90 day pupils at Millfield Pre-Prep.
Our day pupils are fully integrated into the school community and benefit from all the opportunities and the educational mix that Millfield Prep has to offer.
The day begins with registration at 8.25am, followed by group tutor time, assembly or Chapel. Day pupils return home after lessons finish at 3.45pm unless they are involved in games or clubs. Day pupils are welcome to stay for supper with boarders at 5.00pm (this is charged for unless the child is involved in a school commitment) and can also stay for prep, which runs from 5.30-6.15pm. There are lessons on Saturday mornings (optional for Year 3), after which day pupils may leave, although many will be involved in sports fixtures in the afternoon.
As a day pupil, you can stay for clubs if you wish, enjoying as many as you can fit into your busy day. They range from horse riding to climbing and lego modelling.
A school minibus is available for a number of local routes, or parents may drop off and pick up outside the school.
Millfield Prep is extremely proud of its international character. Our pupils from around the world live together in boarding houses and share all aspects of school life, including sports and extra-curricular activities. Millfield Prep currently teaches overseas pupils from approximately 20 different nationalities.
When a new pupil arrives, they are warmly welcomed and introduced gently to the school routine, which may at first feel unfamiliar to them. If English is not the child’s first language, the EAL (English as an Additional Language) department is here to help. Our specialist staff provide English language tuition in small groups, allowing pupils time to acquire English language skills at their own pace, until they are confident enough to move into their subject lessons.
We believe that excellent pastoral care is central to the experience at our school. As a boarder, each child is part of a family structure that ensures they feel welcome and cared for. Initially, there may be an unsettled time due to culture shock, language difficulties and homesickness, but each of our staff has a deep understanding of these feelings and will take the time to talk to and support them. Parents can approach the houseparent, teacher or group tutor about any difficulties or concerns. Each child will have a guide or ‘buddy' for the first weeks in school and they are there to help in any way they can.
The school is a multi-faith community and religions other than Christianity are embraced with a spirit of tolerance and understanding.
Overseas Boarders' Induction Day
We realise it can be a difficult decision for parents to send a young child overseas to board, often with very little knowledge of the English language and a different culture to experience. We do all we can to support their integration and our Head of EAL, Nadine Blackburn, co-ordinates their individual academic programmes and is always available as a listening ear. The return of the boarders to school after the summer holidays is hectic and time does not always allow for in-depth conversations with key staff. We therefore hold an Overseas Boarders’ Induction Day. This takes place the Saturday before the start of the new school year and gives parents the opportunity to meet senior staff, learn more about the EAL programme and to purchase uniform. However, the main objective is to meet your child’s houseparents and visit their boarding house.
English Language Holiday Courses
Millfield Enterprises offers international pupils excellent courses in a variety of subjects, including English language, drama, sport and swimming.
Dietary requirements
Specific dietary needs are catered for in the school's dining hall with a daily range of options available, including an excellent choice for vegetarians.
Travel Arrangements
There is a coach service arranged for exeat weekends and holidays. There is also a minibus for airport transfers at the beginning and end of term.
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