Millfield School
Street, Somerset · BA16 0YD
Millfield is one of England's largest and most distinctive independent boarding schools, set on a sprawling 200-acre campus in rural Somerset. Founded in 1935 by Jack Meyer, it built its reputation on a fiercely individualistic ethos — shaping the school around each child rather than the other way round. It is internationally renowned for elite sport while simultaneously offering outstanding provision for pupils with learning differences, and its breadth of facilities rivals many universities. The result is a genuinely heterogeneous community where Olympians, musicians, artists and academics coexist under a single ambitious vision.
- →World-class sporting facilities and coaching pathways that have produced dozens of Olympians and professional athletes
- →Renowned specialist learning support (dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD) making it a top destination for high-potential pupils who learn differently
- →Exceptional breadth of co-curricular provision — over 60 sports and 100+ activities — on a self-contained, secure rural campus
- →Strong personalised pastoral care across a large number of small boarding houses that mitigate the scale of a 1,300-pupil school
Who thrives here
Pupils who have a specific talent or passion — whether sport, music, art, or an academic specialism — and who flourish when their individual gifts are actively nurtured rather than subordinated to a uniform mould. It is especially well suited to those who need bespoke academic or learning-support arrangements alongside high-level extracurricular ambition.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
Butleigh Road
Street, Somerset
BA16 0YD
Nearest stations
Notable alumni
Mary Rand
Olympic long jump gold medallist, Tokyo 1964 — first British woman to win Olympic gold in athletics
Gareth Edwards
Wales and British Lions rugby union scrum-half, widely regarded as the greatest rugby player of all time
Rory McIlroy
Professional golfer and four-time major champion (attended briefly for specialist golf coaching)
Duncan Goodhew
Olympic swimming gold medallist, Moscow 1980
Jonah Lomu
New Zealand All Blacks rugby union wing, one of the sport's most iconic players (attended for specialist training)
Paul Daniels
British television magician and entertainer
Samantha Bond
Actress, known for playing Miss Moneypenny in four James Bond films
Jeremy Guscott
England and British Lions centre, one of the finest backs of his generation
Recent investment
Frequently asked questions
What are the fees at Millfield School?
Day fees at Millfield School are approximately £39,465 per year (2026/27). Boarding fees are higher.
How do you get into Millfield School?
Millfield School admits pupils at 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by 11+ Selective Examination. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
What are Millfield School's exam results?
At Millfield School, 16.2% of A-levels were graded A*–B and 29% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Is Millfield School a boarding school?
Millfield School offers boarding as well as day places.
What is Millfield School's latest inspection rating?
ISI rated Millfield School “Good” (2023).
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Outstanding sporting facilities and elite coaching access genuinely life-changing for talented young athletes
✓Transformative learning support for pupils with SpLD — parents of children with dyslexia or ADHD frequently describe Millfield as the first school where their child truly thrived academically
✓Warm, personalised pastoral care and highly accessible houseparents who know each child individually
✓Exceptional breadth of activities meaning every child — regardless of their particular talent — finds their niche and sense of belonging
✓Confident, happy and well-rounded leavers who possess strong social skills and resilience from the boarding community
Common concerns
!Fees are among the highest in the UK independent sector and additional costs (specialist learning support, elite coaching, tours) can accumulate significantly
!The large school population can feel overwhelming for some pupils, particularly in the early stages of boarding
!Academic results and value-added, while solid, do not match the very top academic independents — some parents feel the school could push academically stronger pupils harder
!Rural Somerset location means limited exposure to city cultural life; some older boarders find the campus environment restrictive at weekends