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Have a question about this school or want us to help you?
28 August 2025
by Ferdinand Steinbeis

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English Boarding Schools in Profile: Millfield School, Sports Powerhouse Par Excellence

Hello from a sunny Richmond,
(You might be wondering why it always seems sunny here – of course, that’s not entirely true. But this part of England is relatively dry compared to the west and the north, and the sun really does shine quite often.)
It’s time once again to introduce you to one of England’s boarding schools, so you can get a sense of what makes the British private school system so different – and so attractive. This time, we visited Millfield School. Some would say it is the best sports boarding school in the country. Here, everything revolves around movement – mostly on the playing fields, of course, but surprisingly, the creative side of life is just as impressive.
We have enjoyed working with Millfield School for more than 20 years, and on our most recent visit, we were lucky enough to be given a campus tour by our Sixth Form students Linus and Matteo from Switzerland. We admired the incredible sports facilities, spoke with the head of the physio team, and met James Postle, the Head of Admissions, who entertained us with the wonderfully exotic story of how the school was founded. A peek inside the boarding houses was, of course, a must – and the sticky toffee pudding in the dining hall made for the perfect finale.
Even though one could take the delicious dessert as a form of bribery – Millfield hardly needs sticky pudding to impress us. That had already happened during the tour and the conversations.
Come along with us and dive into life at Millfield School.
Pupils on their way to sports…
The Setting
The journey to Millfield School began like many of our school visits: boarding the train from London Paddington, taking a deep breath – and heading west, away from the capital. On a fine day, the ride to Somerset feels like a little stroke of luck: gently rolling meadows, clusters of trees, ancient stone walls, and sheep grazing peacefully in between. By now, we know this classic English landscape well.
Interestingly, this scenery is not purely coincidental. It was in part influenced by Lancelot “Capability” Brown, the famed 18th-century landscape architect who designed parks and gardens for grand country estates, but whose ideas also filtered into the surrounding countryside. Capability Brown is definitely a name to remember – perfect for scoring points at your next pub quiz.
Millfield School is not directly on a railway line, so for us it was a matter of getting off at Castle Cary – a tiny station with a charming air of abandonment and a surprisingly stylish station café. From there, a 20-minute taxi ride along winding country roads brought us to the school. For pupils, Millfield runs a small travel office that makes sure the rural setting never becomes a problem. Everything is organised – from airport pick-ups to taxis at the door.
The school’s main building
After the last bend in the road, Millfield School came into view. Our first impression? The school looks more like a small German university campus than a classic British boarding school: quite a number of modest buildings, spread out, pragmatic in design, lots of greenery, old trees, an airy, open feel. At first, it all seemed manageable – classrooms, admin buildings, dining hall. But appearances can be deceiving: “Millfield is 500 acres – that’s over 200 hectares. We’re bigger than Monaco, and the largest co-ed school in Britain,” explained Head of Admissions, James Postle. The real heart of the school opens up behind the classrooms – where the boarding houses are located, and where the enormous sports grounds begin.
Here, recreational athletes find everything they could wish for: from a 50-metre pool in the modern aquatics centre to riding arenas, rugby pitches, athletics track, indoor tennis and football facilities. In front of the old manor house, once owned by the Clarks shoe-making family, lies the golf course. Just a few steps further, a vast cricket dome completes the picture. It’s an athlete’s paradise, but also a delight for those who appreciate art: large-scale sculptures dot the grounds, including works by artists such as Glynn Williams and Peter Randall-Page.
A dedicated centre for cricket!
Walking with Matteo and Linus, we reached the boarding houses in the southwest corner of campus. Most of the school’s 19 houses are located here, with a few more off-site. “In this area we’re allowed to use our phones. Once we step into the academic zone, they have to go away,” explained Matteo, a Sixth Former. He and Linus live in Joan’s Kitchen, a boys’ house that is more functional than grand, but with a big common area, leather sofas, a pool table, a small kitchen, and simple twin bedrooms. Before showing us around, the boys quickly checked which rooms were “presentable.” You never know. What we did see was practical, tidy, and well kept – perfectly in order.
On our way back, we passed the Meyer Theatre, where the bust of Jack “Boss” Meyer stands – a cricketer, adventurer, and founder of Millfield School. In the 1930s, Meyer met the Maharaja of Baroda in India, who was looking for a school for his son. Without hesitation, Meyer founded a school in England and brought not only the Maharaja’s son but several other princes with him. That was the beginning of Millfield.
Sports grounds everywhere you look!
The international flair of Millfield is still very much alive today: the school’s 1,300 pupils come from over 70 countries. “But in daily life you wouldn’t know whether you’re talking to the son of a sheikh or just a regular boy like me,” says Matteo. The uniforms level everything out.
Millfield School is within walking distance of the small town of Street – with its restaurants, shops, and cafés. The older pupils get, the more freedom they enjoy. “We often walk into town. There are good restaurants when you want something different to eat,” Linus and Matteo told us, though they were quick to add that there’s always something in the dining hall that tastes good, too.
After a tour of the academic buildings – all well-equipped, clean, and covered in notices about school topics, events, and career guidance – we headed to the dining hall. We knew we wouldn’t be stepping into a Hogwarts-style setting here. Instead, we were greeted by friendly women at the buffet, a bright, calm atmosphere, and a sticky toffee pudding truly worthy of its name.
Teacher with her child on a walk
What Makes Millfield School Special in Our View
Millfield School is a full-boarding school with a high proportion of British pupils and relatively few Germans – which makes learning English much easier. The international students come from all over the world. Anyone wanting to fully immerse themselves in the “British boarding school experience” while broadening their cultural and geographical horizons is in the right place here.
The sports offering is world-class and extraordinarily broad. Pupils who are full of energy will thrive here – and should be open to trying sports beyond their favourites in order to make the most of what’s on offer.
Equally outstanding is the Learning Support Centre, which supports pupils with learning difficulties such as dyslexia. The approach here is not about compensation but rethinking: dyslexic thinking is seen not as a flaw but as a creative superpower, opening up new perspectives on problem-solving.
Campus dotted with fascinating sculptures
Perfect — here’s a full, fluent English translation of your second block, keeping it polished, natural, and including all photo captions exactly as in the German text:
The Academics
Millfield School takes its academic development just as seriously as sport. For 2023 and 2024, the school only published exam results for its top 100 pupils, with the note that the “overall candidate number was considerably larger.” Why this logic? We’re not entirely sure. That said, the published figures are still impressive: in 2024, 80% of the top pupils achieved grades between 9–7 at GCSE, and 70% A*/A at A-Level (97% A*–B). In 2023, the figures stood at 70% 9–7 at GCSE and 65% A*/A (93% A*–B).
Class sizes are pleasantly small, capped at a maximum of 13 pupils, which allows for targeted support and individual attention – whether a child is particularly high-achieving or needs a little extra help. In addition, Millfield has long been strong in digital learning. Every pupil works on their own iPad. From Year 10 onwards (equivalent to Year 9 in Germany), two academic pathways lead towards exams: the practical Green Pathway, which includes BTECs and a combination of sciences; and the more traditional Blue Pathway, where a foreign language is compulsory, and highly motivated pupils can even pursue an independent research project within the recognised PQ Baccalaureate – whether as a film, artwork, or text.
Sports lawns always in perfect condition
Millfield also shows remarkable breadth in the Sixth Form: 25 A-Level subjects, four BTECs, a Food & Nutrition Diploma, and even dedicated SAT preparation for applications to US universities.
The recently introduced Millfield Diploma rewards engagement beyond the classroom: it values not just academic results, but also sporting, creative, and social contributions. Taking part in a play, coaching at a football camp, or joining an environmental initiative – all of this counts. We think it’s a smart system that doesn’t reduce pupils to grades but recognises their full personality.
Also striking is Millfield’s approach to different learning types. In close cooperation with the organisation Made by Dyslexia (founded by a former pupil), children with learning differences receive targeted support. Their potential is recognised, not their limitations.
For sporty pupils who may also need more academic support, Millfield is a real gem: with personalised timetables, modern learning coaching, and a “nothing is impossible” mindset, it creates an environment that nurtures and challenges in equal measure.
Sport clearly takes centre stage: the cycling gym
Extracurricular Life
As mentioned earlier, the facilities at Millfield go far beyond the standard – they’re closer to a performance centre for young athletes. With over 50 sports coaches, including former Olympians and professional athletes, the school offers an environment that is truly one of a kind. During a look inside one of the fitness studios, we met the head of the four-person physio team, who explained how Millfield is pioneering new methods in prevention and rehabilitation – methods that are now being adopted by other schools and clubs. We wouldn’t have been surprised if Harry Kane had walked in for treatment (though of course, he’s currently at Bayern!).
Pupils benefit from individually tailored training and nutrition plans, as well as close cooperation with national sports federations and professional clubs. This comprehensive support enables them to achieve success on both national and international stages. The sheer scale of the facilities – a 50-metre Olympic swimming pool, an equestrian centre with space for 90 horses, a golf course, an indoor athletics hall, and much more – supports not only elite and competitive sport but also the pupils’ general wellbeing.
That said, our tour guide Matteo pointed out something important to keep in mind when attending a British boarding school: “You can’t necessarily play your favourite sport all year round. If you’re not in the representative teams, the core sport changes with the season. For me, that meant I had to stop football – my favourite – and switch to athletics.” Pupils unaware of this may be disappointed. But this isn’t unique to Millfield – it’s true at many British schools. So it’s worth asking about early on.
Millfield branded!
And yet, Millfield has an impressive record when it comes to developing elite athletes. For the 2024 Olympic Games alone, 14 members of the Millfield community were selected, including alumni and current coaches. These successes reflect the school’s deep commitment to supporting pupils at the highest level.
But anyone who thinks Millfield stops at sports will be proven wrong when visiting the school’s striking creative hub. Whether in drama, music, or dance – you can feel the artistic energy in the air, whether rehearsing a new play or working on a Beatles-inspired choreography. Recently, in the wood-panelled Johnson Hall, the elite vocal ensemble Camerata was rehearsing a piece composed especially for Millfield’s 90th anniversary – under the direction of the composer Alexander Le Strange himself.
The arts are equally strong elsewhere. Millfield’s art studios are first-class, and the school even has its own Atkinson Gallery, with changing exhibitions and a 28-piece sculpture trail spread across the campus. The Design & Technology Department is just as advanced, with modern tools, 3D printers, workshops, and visiting professionals from industry who teach or advise. Pupils also have the chance to get off campus through outdoor programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), Ten Tors, or subject-specific excursions. Even the Combined Cadet Force – a kind of military scouting programme offered by many schools – has now been successfully established at Millfield.
Fresh shirts courtesy of the school laundry
Boarding Life
With 960 boarders from 70 countries, 19 houses, houseparents who also teach, regular “exeat” weekends, and round-the-clock care, boarding at Millfield is a true cornerstone of school life. 95% of house staff also teach, which means academic support is literally on the doorstep. Pupils share rooms in pairs; from Year 13 onwards, single rooms are available – with Wi-Fi, Skype, and everything else included. Around 500 pupils travel to school by plane.
Step inside Joan’s Kitchen – the boarding house of our tour guides Linus and Matteo – and you immediately sense the vibrant, international community. More than a dozen nationalities are represented in this one house alone. Movie nights, shared meals with the houseparents, or matches at the table tennis and foosball tables all make life here feel like a family. Sixth Formers even have their own chill-out area with lounge, TV, and a small kitchen. And when you need some peace and quiet? That’s what the Quiet Room is for.
At weekends, the boarding houses are full of life. After Saturday classes, there’s usually a lot of sport, or house competitions where pupils might sing, debate, or take part in other activities against one another. Sundays are for brunch and relaxation. Those who are keen can head to the sports facilities in the morning, or shoot hoops under the floodlights in the evening.
The vBE team with the boys
Verdict – Who Is Millfield For?
Imagine a child who loves going to a theme park and just can’t get enough of the rides – that’s the type of pupil who will thrive at Millfield. A child who isn’t intimidated by the school’s sheer size, who is curious and eager to explore new subjects and cultures, and who has an endless need for physical activity.
And of course, the message is clear: Millfield is the sports school in England. Any pupil looking to develop athletically while enjoying the full British boarding school experience will have a fantastic time here.
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