Bigger, better, higher – Millfield is not only one of the largest boarding schools in Britain, but also widely regarded as the number one for sport. Its pupils enjoy an extensive academic programme alongside a remarkable range of sporting opportunities.
Set in the picturesque county of Somerset, the school’s 65-hectare campus is alive with a large student body, many boarders, and pupils from over 70 countries. This creates a vibrant, international atmosphere that we really picked up on throughout our visit. With facilities such as a tennis centre, martial arts hall, and equestrian centre, Millfield’s sports provision meets Olympic standards. Here, pupils pursue their sporting passions at a professional level. When it comes to sport, Millfield stands unchallenged at the top in England.
We particularly value the school for the way it nurtures sporting talent while maintaining strong academic performance. Millfield offers 28 A-level subjects, state-of-the-art science laboratories, and consistently impressive results. A fun fact: since 1956, Millfieldians have brought home no fewer than 16 Olympic medals!
Akademis makes history – A Triple Award-Winning Consultancy (2023, 2024 & 2025) 🏆
Akademis has been recognised three years in a row by StudyTravel for excellence in the education sector:
2025 & 2024: Winners of the StudyTravel Secondary School Award (Best Western European Agency)
2023: Winner of the StudyTravel Star Award
(Best Western European Agency)
The StudyTravel Awards are among the most prestigious honours in international education, recognising outstanding quality, client focus and trusted partnerships. Being the first consultancy ever to win for three consecutive years is something we are deeply proud of. For us, these awards highlight our commitment to offering the very best guidance, personal service and long-term support for families embarking on this exciting journey.
Quick Overview
Number of pupils: 1,270
International pupils: 20%
Number of boarders: 950
Average class size: 11
Boarding fees per term (Sixth Form): £19,044
Main sports in addition to traditional team games: horse riding, swimming, rugby, golf, athletics
Nearest airports: Bristol (45 min), London Heathrow (2 hrs)
https://www.millfieldschool.com
Key Strengths at a Glance
Outstanding sports development
Johnson Hall – a dedicated 350-seat concert hall
Five state-of-the-art science laboratories
Impressive 50-meter Olympic-standard swimming pool
Millfield School – Photo Highlights
Millfield School in Detail
Sport
At Millfield, sport is everything. Whether beginners or Olympians, sports-minded pupils benefit from highly professional coaching. The school boasts its own equestrian centre, golf course, fencing hall, and a 50-metre pool. Students can choose from rugby, football, swimming, squash, triathlon, karate, ski racing, trampolining – the list goes on. It’s no surprise that many former pupils go on to become professional athletes and Olympians. At the Tokyo 2020 Games alone, 12 Millfieldians competed, winning a total of three medals!
Art and Music
The Art, Design and Technology department runs numerous projects, a mentor programme for Sixth Formers, and trips to London, Oxford and Rome. A distinctive feature on campus is the sculpture park, home to 29 pieces by different artists. The school also participates in the national art competition The Big Draw. Music is just as strong: the Johnson Hall hosts over 50 concerts a year, showcasing everything from the school choir and string orchestra to jazz bands and pop groups. Millfield even has its own record label and professional recording studio.
Academics
Despite its size, classes typically have just 11 to 13 pupils. There are 28 A-level subjects and no fewer than 34 GCSE options, including Media Studies, Psychology, Product Design, Politics, Computer Science, and Equine Science. Millfield leads the way in digital learning, equipping pupils and staff with iPads and offering modern IT facilities. And the results speak for themselves: in recent years, around 60% of A-level grades have been A*-B, even with a sizeable cohort of about 300 students. At GCSE, 84% of grades achieved 9-5 (A*-B), setting a school record.
Dance and Drama
Millfield’s theatre programme gives pupils the chance to explore acting, directing and design. Recently, A Midsummer Night’s Dream was staged with dazzling LED costumes and illuminated trees. The newly-formed Meyer Theatre Company offers theatre training, workshops and trips to major productions. Over 30 dance classes per week are offered in ballet, tap, modern jazz, street dance, contemporary and musical theatre. Talented young dancers are encouraged to turn their passion into a profession, with the school supporting them every step of the way.
Photos From Our Visit
Our Visit
You can’t visit Millfield without being amazed, just like we were! From the rugby pitches to the IT rooms to the art department, everything here impresses with both scale and quality. Academically, Millfield is among the best, and in sport it is simply the best in England — of that we had no doubt during our visit. A popular spot on campus is the dining hall, serving everything from power meals for athletes to comforting favourites for everyone else.
Millfield School Fees
Millfield’s fees are £19,044 per term, amounting to £57,132 per year.
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Conclusion: Millfield School
Millfield is one of Britain’s most famous sports boarding schools — yet it also holds its own academically.
Of course, Millfield is far from the only British boarding school offering excellent sport and strong academics. We warmly encourage you to explore more options. Feel free to contact us for guidance. With years of experience and close relationships with the schools, we can offer honest and insightful advice to help you find the right school for your child.
You’ll benefit from:
- exclusive photos from our visit
- our long-standing partnership with Millfield
- our excellent connections with the Admissions Office
- help with visa questions
We are confident we can find the perfect school for your child. You can find an overview on our Boarding Schools in England page.
What Makes Akademis Stand Out?
- We remain your trusted contact throughout your child’s stay, well beyond the placement process.
- We provide support with guardianship, visa applications and recognition of qualifications within the German school system.
- We offer fully tailored advice. Our school recommendations are unique to each child and can run to 40 pages in length.
- Families receive our 30+ page boarding school guide, packed with practical tips and insights.
- We prepare your child thoroughly for entrance exams and interviews to maximise their chances of success.
- We arrange school visits, ensuring you have the opportunity to experience each school first-hand.
Every boarding school has its own character and ethos. Having personally visited more than 100 schools, we understand these nuances. We also work with schools that do not pay commission, ensuring that our advice remains independent and always in the best interest of your child.
Our roots lie in the UK. For years, we have placed 200–300 families annually into British boarding schools. While our portfolio now includes schools beyond Britain, the UK remains at the heart of what we do.
Our tailored approach results in exceptional acceptance rates. For example, in 2022/23, all seven students we placed at the highly selective Malvern College received offers – a 100% success rate.
We arrange for prospective families to speak with our current students to hear first-hand accounts of life at a UK boarding school.
