P R O S P E C T U S

Welcome

Millfield Preparatory School’s strength lies in the belief that every child is an individual andto put the child at the heart of everything we do. To discover and develop the talents andabilities of each child has always been the Millfield vision and with world class resources andfacilities every child has the maximum opportunity at Millfield to find their strengths and aimfor excellence.

The school has a friendly and caring atmosphere where pastoral care is high on the agenda.We believe that happy and contented children will have the confidence to take on anychallenge. We do encourage our children to be active and to be thoughtful, considerate andmindful of the needs of others.

It is often commented by visitors and parents of the school that there is an almost tangiblefeeling of openness and well-being here. Our pupils are happy, relaxed and confident. Theyenjoy school life and the experience of being part of such a vibrant community and they goon to exceed their expectations.

“Pupils at Millfield have the time of their lives” ISI Inspection Report, 2009.

Please come and experience it for yourselves.

Shirley Shayler – Headmistress

The Academic Programme

Depending on your child’s age, we willteach them in different ways. In ourPre-Preparatory Department, ourexperienced teachers combine acareful blend of numeracy and literacywith a wide range of other subjects aswell as many extracurricular activities.Pupils in Years 3 - 5 work in the JuniorDepartment and study in small classeseach headed by a Group Tutor whotakes most of the lessons. We believe it is essential that all pupils acquire a good grasp of English andMathematics, but we also teachScience, Design and Technology,Information and CommunicationTechnology, History, Geography,Religious Studies, Art, Music, Drama,French, Physical Education and PSHE.

From Year 6 your child will be taughtby specialist subject teachers. Theirprogramme will continue to beoverseen by their Group Tutor, who willalso keep a close and friendly eye onhow your child is developing outsidethe classroom, in sport, music andother activities. You are alwayswelcome to contact your child’s tutor for an informal chat to discuss progress.

During the last three years beforesenior school, English andMathematics are still central to thecurriculum. Pupils also study Physics,Chemistry and Biology (as separatesciences), History, Geography,Religious Studies, Design and Technology, Food Technology,

Information and CommunicationTechnology, Art, Music, Drama,Physical Education and PSHE. Pupilsmay also study French, Spanish andLatin. Additionally, as extracurricularactivities, German, Russian, Italian,Greek, Japanese and Mandarin can be studied. The Foreign LanguagesDepartment believes in an inclusiveeducation for all and so every pupil inthe school is able to study a foreignlanguage as part of our ‘language forall’ policy. Pupils receiving full-timeExtra English will therefore have theopportunity to take lessons in Spanishas part of our programme. Our pupilshave shown that within a stimulatingand non-threatening educationalenvironment, a foreign language isreadily accessible to them.

Aiming to enable all children to shineand to demonstrate ability in any area,Millfield Preparatory School hasdeveloped a PACE (Potential AcademicCurriculum Excellence) programme to encourage talented pupils. Thisprogramme identifies and challengesthose who demonstrate exceptionalability, or the potential to excel in any areas of our curriculum.

“Tens of thousands of people never find out where their talent is. Whereelse are they going to find out but at school?”Terry Pratchett, Author

AcAdemic excellence

- 4 -

millfield - AcAdemic PRoGRAmme

- 5 -

millfield - AcAdemic PRoGRAmme

The Learning Development Centre (LDC)is an integral part of the school,supporting staff in other curricular areasto ensure that best practice, in respect ofdifferentiation for additional learning, isembedded within the school’s culture. We believe the LDC is unique in its quality and breadth of screening,assessment and interventionprogrammes. The LDC is currently staffed by six full-time and three part-timedyslexia specialists who work withchildren in small groups to developliteracy skills. These tutors also haveadditional professional training andexpertise to enable them to identify theunderlying factors which preventsuccessful learning from taking place.

In addition we can provide 1:1 support aswell as access to a speech and languagetherapist. A paediatric occupationaltherapist will also be available. For theseadditional services private fee payingarrangements are managed through the LDC.

Our ethos is that children, given the willto succeed, can achieve high standards.We recognize that learning may be hard,even unsettling at times. However, withthe right approach and teamwork,success is attainable. Through discussionand the development of reflective skills,children can begin to feel more in controlof their learning and develop a positiveperception of learning differences.

The LDC is well-resourced to implementmulti-sensory programmes which trainand develop areas such as visual andauditory perception, discrimination andprocessing as well as memory, thinkingand reasoning skills.We aim to make a sizeable contribution to the lives of those children striving toovercome learning difficulties and it is acombination of rigour and empathy whichdrives the LDC. Children know that theyare secure and their difficulties areunderstood. They also know that thereare high expectations of them.

Learning Development Centre

- 6 -

millfield - The cReATive ARTs

Art at Millfield is taught followinggovernment guidelines for the NationalCurriculum for Art and Design. Weencourage pupils to explore and developideas and to investigate, combine andmanipulate a range of media andimages to produce artwork. Pupils gainan understanding of the visual andtactile qualities of the artistic media at their disposal and develop anunderstanding about Art in general.

Using our purpose-built Art and DesignCentre, the media available to pupilsincludes: painting, photography,drawing, ceramics, textiles, sculptureand print-making. Pupils are taughtto critically engage with Art by analysingand evaluating both their own work andthat of others. Utilising all manners ofmedia, they are given opportunities torefine their control of artistic implementsand techniques, synthesiseobservations, design and also make a range of images and artefacts.

Whilst learning about other artists,craftspeople and designers fromWestern Europe and the wider world,pupils undertake a unit of work each year that focuses on art from aculture outside our own. Past projectshave included examinations ofAustralian Aboriginal, Native American,Islamic, Russian, Chinese and WestAfrican Art.

Of course, Art is not limited to theclassroom and a number of trips arearranged each year. These include visitsto art galleries, rural and historicalmuseums in London and Cardiff andcultural trips to European cities. Thenatural environment is also studied atschool in Millfield’s beautiful grounds.Furthermore, we have artists inresidence that have producedsculptures for the school grounds inaddition to giving pupils the opportunityto experience a professional carving andprint-making studio. Other professionals- musicians and dancers - who visit theschool offer workshops as a startingpoint to pupils’ work.

Design and Technology offers a fullyinteractive hands-on approach tolearning and gives pupils a wonderfulopportunity to develop a range ofpractical skills, many of which are keylife skills. It provides an awareness andunderstanding of products and theneeds of society and encouragesproblem solving abilities and evaluation skills.

Taught by specialist staff in a wellequipped suite, lessons take amultimedia approach. There areopportunities for pupils to work withresistant materials, textiles, electronics,mechanisms and food.

The cReATive ARTs

Art

Design and Technology

- 7 -

millfield - The cReATive ARTs

Drama at Millfield is not all aboutperformance. Our approach is toencourage every child to value andappreciate freedom of expression, to gainand build their self-confidence and topromote opportunities for teamwork andcreativity through the medium of Drama.

Every pupil from Years 5 - 8 receivesregular weekly Drama tuition from one ofour three specialist teachers and is alsogiven the opportunity to take to the stageduring the year to perform. Additionally,there are a range of clubs, includingDrama clubs for all year groups and a technical club which focuses on stage design, lighting, sound and stage management.

Our newly refurbished Assembly Hall –where major drama productions takeplace – has provided us with new andimproved facilities with which to work,

including a large stage area and soundand lighting capabilities. We also haveopportunities to use the professionally runMeyer Theatre at the senior school.

Drama and experiencing the thrill of thetheatre is open to any pupil. Indeed,recent productions have had casts of over60 children, all with speaking roles! Pastperformances have included ‘The Wind inthe Willlows’ and ‘The Mikado’. As far asperformances are concerned we believeall children should have the opportunity tobe part of a major production. If a childhas the desire and commitment then he orshe will be included. Auditions are used toallocate roles and not to accept or reject.We strongly believe that pupils can gainenormous confidence and self-esteemfrom performing and that is why we placeenormous emphasis on ‘drama for all’.

Drama

- 8 -

Music plays a very important part withinthe life of the school. All pupils haveweekly music lessons. Furthermore, every child is encouraged to either learn an instrument or sing in a choir.

A purpose-built Music School provides thevenue for all class music lessons, individualinstrumental tuition and a large RecitalHall, which seats 200. Teaching to theNational Curriculum for Music, the MusicDepartment is well equipped with a largenumber of tuned and untuned percussioninstruments, keyboards and music softwareto enable pupils to gain practical, as well astheoretical, experience of music-making.

Our dedicated music teachers offerindividual music tuition for: bassoon, cello,clarinet, cornet, double bass, drum kit,euphonium, flute, French horn, guitar(classical and electric), harp, oboe,orchestral percussion, organ, piano,recorder, saxophone, singing, tenor horn,trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola and violin.In addition to this panoply of musicaltuition, there are four choirs and a chapelchoir and as many as 20 musicalensembles and activities which pupils can join.

Weekly support is offered in aural training,music theory and music scholarshippreparation to those that need it. Formusic examinations, pupils are currentlyentered with the Associated Board ofMusic, Trinity/Guildhall School of Music,London Musical Theatre/Pop Exams andRock School drum kit and guitar exams.

With regards to performance, a plethora ofopportunities is available, both within theschool and at outside venues throughoutthe year. Each term there are severalinformal and formal concerts that offeropportunities for budding musicians.These vary enormously in style from ‘teaand music concerts’ to classical recitals and pop and rock concerts. House musiccompetitions, school assemblies anddrama productions also provide furtherarenas for music performance.

External performances are given at localchurches and the local care home on aregular basis in addition to competitionsand festivals. The highlight of the Autumn Term is the School Carol Service in Wells Cathedral.

millfield - The cReATive ARTs

Music

The happiness and well-being of our pupilsis a high priority. Boarders, who make upalmost half of pupil numbers, live in fivecomfortable and well-appointed boardinghouses either on, or close to, the maincampus. Boys and girls live separately.Each house has its own character andaccommodates up to 40 children.

Run by married couples, a warm andrelaxed family atmosphere is created ineach boarding house. Boarders enjoygoing home in the evening without takingthe cares of the day with them. Millfieldworks to promote safe and healthylifestyles for all pupils; the supportivenetwork in place helps achieve a caringand secure environment.

All houses have a resident AssistantHouseparent and a number of other adultswho help to run them effectively. Speciallyappointed members of teaching staff,known as Liaison Tutors, also visit thehouses on a weekly basis. Houseparents,of course, liaise regularly with your child’sGroup Tutor and Head of Year.

There are three long weekend exeats a year, two in the Autumn Term and one in the Spring Term. These are 4.00pm onFriday to 8.00pm on Sunday. Furtherexeats from 12.10pm on Saturday may be taken during the term provided pupilshave no school commitments.

Boarders are also allowed out on Sundayswith parental permission. They may leaveat approximately 10.45am and must bereturned by 8.00pm.

Dates and times of exeats can be verified by visitingwww.millfieldprep.com

PAsToRAl cARe

- 9 -

House Life Exeats

millfield - PAsToRAl cARe

- 10 -

millfield - PAsToRAl cARe

The School Surgery is open six days aweek: 8.00am – 6.00pm Monday to Fridayand 8.00am – 5.00pm Saturdays. Ourhealthcare team comprises three qualifiednurses and a General Practitioner fromthe nearby Glastonbury Surgery (a femaledoctor is available on request). A privatephysiotherapist comes in to school forthose children referred by their GP.

Medical support is always available in anemergency. If a day pupil is injured or fallsill during the school day, he or she will becared for in surgery and parents will becontacted. Boarders are nursed in theirhouses by their Houseparents (allqualified in First Aid) with the full supportof the medical team. Close liaison ismaintained between Houseparents, the health team and the parents.

Although we recommend that all routinedental work is carried out in the holidays,a local dentist can provide emergencycover during term-time. A privateorthodontist is also available.

All meals are taken in the School DiningHall. Our Catering Manager ensures thatmeals are well balanced and nourishingand the school has won a Heartbeat Awardfor promoting healthy eating.

Breakfast begins at 7.45am every schoolmorning for boarders. There is always acereal counter and a hot section witheither a continental or a full Englishbreakfast. Toast, yoghurt and fruit areavailable also. For lunch and supper,pupils are able to choose from several hotdishes, a vegetarian option and a full saladbar. Both dessert and fruit are on offer.

Morning and end of school snacks are also provided.

“My experience of school meals wasn’t toogood, so the food here came as a pleasantsurprise! You can sit where you like andtalk to your friends. Meal times aresomething to look forward to!”Luisa – pupil

“There’s lots of choice and it’s good forvegetarians. The Dining Room is bright and cheerful too” Jo – pupil

Health Care Meals

- 11 -

Whilst at the school the children willexplore values and beliefs, includingreligious beliefs and the way they affectpeople’s lives. They will develop theirability to distinguish right from wrongand will learn to take responsibility fortheir own behaviour. They will begin tounderstand how they can contribute tothe life of their community and willacquire an appreciation and respectfor their own and other cultures. TheSchool Chaplain lives on site and isavailable to all the children; those witha particular faith and those without.Chapel services are held throughoutthe year and include a variety of speakers. Services are also held for

individual year groups and there areschool assemblies for the Pre-Prep andPrep School. These opportunities tocome together for services andassemblies help to reinforce the senseof community, tolerance and harmony.

The school holds a Carol Service atWells Cathedral in December and also prepares children for confirmationin March. A Roman Catholic priest isavailable and instruction related to other faiths may be possible on request.

sPiRiTUAl And PeRsonAl develoPmenT

Spiritual Well-Being

millfield - sPiRiTUAl And PeRsonAl develoPmenT

millfield - sPiRiTUAl And PeRsonAl develoPmenT

Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE)and Citizenship are taught formally to allyears in one lesson a week in order to helppupils develop their cultural and socialunderstanding of the world beyond thestandard curriculum; emphasis is put ondeveloping the whole individual, teachingbroad reaching and relevant life lessons andskills. It is also delivered informally twice aweek in group tutor sessions by your child’sGroup Tutor. Additionally, the school as awhole has a PSHE theme every week whichis delivered in school assemblies. Pupils inYears 3, 4 and 5 are taught by a number ofJunior Department staff who specialise incertain areas and pupils rotate around themevery six weeks. There are four major areasthat are covered: personal development,citizenship, lifestyle and personal safety.

Year 6 pupils operate on an eight weekrotation and are taught by their Head of Yearand three other specialist staff. They look atthe need for rules at school and in society,while also looking at the development ofemotional health and healthy lifestyles.Furthermore, internet safety is introduced,as it is becoming such an important part ofyoung peoples’ lives. Finally, pupils look atthe development of good study skills, therole of the family and how to stay safe.

Year 7 pupils operate on a six weekrotation. They are also taught by their Headof Year, along with three other subject areaspecialist staff. Pupils look at HumanRights and begin to understand how andwhy they have to take on moreresponsibility as they grow up. They talkabout the development of healthyfriendships and social networks and alsocover topics such as nutrition and thedevelopment of healthy lives, with theeffects of alcohol and smoking discussed.

Year 8 pupils have a four week rotation thatis managed by five specialist staff, drawnfrom all areas of the school. They look atthe British Constitution in preparation foradult life. Additionally, pupils explorechanging family networks, relating toadults, global issues, the ability to interpretinformation and knowledge of drugs andtheir effects.

Every year group is visited at least oncethroughout the year by the school nurses orPSHE Co-ordinator to discuss sex andrelationships and Years 6, 7 and 8 meetseparately to be warned of the dangers ofsocial networks on the internet.

- 12 -

Personal, Social, Health Education and Citizenship

- 14 -

GAmes And AcTiviTies

GamesPupils are given unrivalledopportunities to pursue sports bothhere and at the senior school. Ourexcellent facilities and the diverse skillsof our staff enable us to offer a varietyof challenging and fun sportingexperiences.

We follow a ‘sport for all’ programme,encouraging all pupils to compete atany level and develop their skills. Ablegames players are given everyencouragement by expert coaches andhave the opportunity to compete at thehighest levels, with several nationalcompetitions being won each year.Games on offer at the school that canbe pursued at a variety of levels fittingto the individual include: Canoeing,Chess, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Cricket,Cross-Country,

Fencing, Football, Golf, Gymnastics,Hockey, Judo, Karate, Netball, Polo,Riding, Rounders, Rugby, Sailing,Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis,Tennis and Trampolining. Within eachof these games, be assured that westrive to find opportunities for everychild to enjoy and succeed at theirappropriate level. Additionally, weencourage each child to do the bestthat they can do, believing that effortand hard work results in higher levelsof achievement.

millfield - GAmes And AcTiviTies

We offer a potentially unmatched experiencefor the children who join us. There is anunrivalled choice of after school clubs andactivities, where pupils can choose from morethan 50 activities. In this dynamicenvironment, pupils often develop theirinterests and discover new ones.

The outstanding facilities at the school allowus to offer an interesting array of activities forpupils. Our facilities include: an Astroturf,Equestrian Centre, 9 Hole Golf Course, Multi-Purpose Hall for drama and musicevents, Music/Recital Hall, Netball Courts,Sports Centre and Pitches, Squash Courts,25m Swimming Pool and Tennis Courts.

Some of the activities available to pupilsinclude, but are not limited to: Aerobics,Archery, Art, Badminton, Calligraphy,Camping, Drama, Flamenco Dancing, JetSkiing, Karate, Photography, Pottery, PublicSpeaking, Quiz Club, Touch Typing andWindsurfing. In addition to this we provide anumber of specialist subjects: Ballet and Tap,Climbing, Caving, Cookery, Music Theory,Spanish Culture and Tech Club. There is anopportunity for all pupils to be involved inactivities and the staff are always interested indeveloping further programmes, remainingopen to suggestions and ideas.

- 15 -

millfield - GAmes And AcTiviTies

Activities

Millfield Enterprises – the commercialarm of Millfield School – runs sportand activity courses, academic coursesand hosts a range of events at local,national and international levels duringthe holiday periods.

The sport and activity holiday coursesfor children are: Badminton, Basketball,Cricket, Drama, Football, Multi-Activity,Squash (which includes a residentialoption), Swimming and Tennis.

The English Language Holiday Courses(Easter and Summer) are widelyacclaimed. Pupils aged 7-17 yearsfrom around the world join us forEnglish Language tuition, activities,excursions and a great socialprogramme. Options include the‘Preparation for UK Schools’ coursewhich is extremely beneficial for pupilsentering the UK school system. A reallyworthwhile academic course is also avery exciting holiday experience.For GCSE, AS & A2 pupils the Easter

Revision Course (residential or non-residential) offers high qualityspecialist tuition in a broad range of subjects to small groups. Pupilsfrom all schools are welcome.

Millfield Enterprises is also responsiblefor the hiring of facilities during theholiday periods and hosts corporatehospitality functions, exhibitions,conferences, concerts, sports andcharity events, etc. A dedicated team works full time to ensureprofessional support.

Further details about MillfieldEnterprises and the courses availablecan be found on the website:www.millfieldenterprises.com

enTeRPRises

- 16 -

Millfield Enterprises

millfield - enTeRPRises

Millfield Preparatory School is situated in therural southwest of England in the historictown of Glastonbury, Somerset. The schoolis close to and within travelling distance ofthe ancient Roman city of Bath. London is130 miles away and major air, rail and roadlinks are all within easy reach:

By Air – Bristol Airport is within easy reach of Millfield (25 miles) and has regular scheduled flights.

By Rail – Rail users may travel to Castle Cary (14 miles), Bath (26 miles), Bristol (28 miles) or Yeovil Junction (22 miles).

By Road– From the M5 leave the motorway at junction 23 and join the A39 eastwards and then the A361.

– From the M3 leave the motorway at junction 8 and join the A303 westwards and then the A37/A361.

For those families living in the London areawe operate an escorted coach service to andfrom London at the beginning and end ofeach term, half-term and exeat weekends(two in the Autumn and Spring Terms andone in the Summer Term). Collection pointsare as follows: Countess Services (Junctionof A303 and A345), Fleet Services M3(between Junctions 5 and 4A) and Tesco Car Park, West Kensington.

We offer escorted minibus travel to HeathrowAirport (for children who live abroad) at thebeginning and end of term and also at half-term. All travel arrangements and bookingsshould be made through the school traveloffice: 01458 832446 or email:office@millfieldprep.com. Costs and detailsare available on request.

For day pupils, there is a morning Millfieldminibus run Mondays through Saturdaysduring the term. The service includes routesfrom: Bridgwater, Castle Cary, Crewkerne,Farrington Gurney, Langport, Melksham,Wedmore and Yeovil. For further details andprices see the Day Pupils section of theschool website: www.millfieldprep.com

- 17 -

How to Find Us Travel Arrangements for the Academic Year

A3088

M5

M5

A303

A37

A37

A303

A358

A39 A361

A361

A37

A37

A36

A371

A38

A38

A38A4

A39

Yeovil

B3151

Sherborne

Ilminster

Burnham-on-Sea

Somerton

M E N D I PH I L L S

Castle Cary(no taxi rank)

Wells

Shepton MalletGlastonbury

StreetBridgwater

Frome

Bath

Weston-Super-Mare

M25

M23

A12

A23

A303

A11

M20

M11A1M

M40

M4

M3

M1

M5

Oxford

BristolCardiff

Bath

Yeovil

London

Gatwick

Heathrow

Luton Q

Q

Q

Southampton

Salisbury

Glastonbury

Street

millfield - hoW To find Us

- 18 -

Des

igne

d by

Str

atto

ns.c

om

If you would like us to consider your childfor a place, the first thing to do is to cometo visit us. We would be delighted to giveyou a tour of the school and if you thinkyour child would enjoy Millfield you canformally apply for a place by returning thecompleted Registration Form and Fee. Weshall then request a current Head’s reportand, on receipt of this, invite you to bringyour child for interview and assessment.

We would then formally offer a place andthe return of the Acceptance Form andFee completes the entry procedure. Youmay, of course, enter your child for futureyears but we would not normallycomplete the paperwork until the yearpreceding admission. Prep School pupilswill transfer to Millfield Senior Schoolsubject to good behaviour and asatisfactory standard of academic work.

We award a number of Academic, Music,Art, Chess and Sports Scholarships eachyear for entry into Years 6, 7 and 8.

We also welcome applications forScholarships from good all-rounders; boysand girls who have reached a good standardacademically and show promise in specificareas such as Music, Art or Sport.

Scholarships may be honorary or carry anominal fee reduction of up to 15% offees. If a scholarship has been awarded,parents in genuine financial need canalso apply for a means-tested bursary.

Candidates sit the Millfield PreparatorySchool Scholarship examination in January,details of which are available the previousOctober. All candidates are required to sitacademic tests in the morning. They maythen spend the afternoon with the sports ormusic department depending where theirtalents lie. Lunch is provided and tours ofboth the Preparatory School and the SeniorSchool are offered.

To read our full Scholarships andBursaries policy, please refer to ourwebsite www.millfieldprep.com

Admissions And scholARshiPs

Admissions Scholarships

millfield - Admissions And scholARshiPs

Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 8LD UKTel: +44 (0) 1458 832446Email: admissions@millfieldprep.comwww.millfieldprep.com