Millfield Prep School rated excellent by inspectors

Millfield Prep School has been rated excellent for both the quality of pupils’ academic achievements and personal development, in a recent inspection.

Excellent is the highest possible rating and inspectors’ said: “Pupils achieve highly and make strong progression in relation to their abilities.”

They added: “Pupils have outstanding attitudes to learning. They are highly motivated, collaborative and engage fully in lessons.”

The Educational Quality Inspection, which focuses on the achievement of pupils and their personal development, was undertaken by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in January, and is equivalent to Ofsted in the state sector.

It stated: “Pupils’ excellent academic achievement is a consequence of the pupils’ positive attitudes to learning, supported by teaching which shows comprehensive subject knowledge.”

The school was praised for its approach to technology and adapting to the modern age of digital learning. “Pupils are adept users of digital technology, skilfully using the school’s virtual learning environment to support their learning across the whole curriculum.”

As well as academic success, pupils were praised for their triumphs in sport and the creative arts. The report stated that children “achieve strongly in a wide range of sports at national and international level.”

“Sports teams achieve outstanding success in regional and national tournaments in many different sports.”

“Many pupils learn musical instruments achieving individual success in grade examinations, at high levels for their age across a broad range of instruments. Pupils are confident and accomplished performers in many concerts and plays.”

The inspectors also noted the emotional maturity of pupils and how the school prepares them for the next stage of education. “Pupils are deeply self-aware for their age and emotionally mature. Pupils recognise that making mistakes is part of the learning process and are not disheartened by set-backs. Year 8 pupils expressed that they felt ready and confident for the next stage of their education.”

The report highlighted the excellent boarding provision at Millfield Prep and commended the inclusivity of the school. It read: “Pupils are highly inclusive of one another, embracing and accepting diversity enabled by the range of nationalities within the community.”

They added: “Boarders give strong mutual support to one another, especially when welcoming new boarders into their community.”

Dan Thornburn, Head of Millfield Prep, expressed his delight with the report. “To achieve excellent in all areas is a fantastic accomplishment for the school. It is something that the entire Millfield Prep community should celebrate. We won’t be resting on our laurels though, and we will keep progressing and striving to be better every day.”

Dan Close, Deputy Head (Academic), said: “The inspection report is confirmation of what we have always believed, that our academic provision is excellent. We provide an outstanding environment for children to flourish and we are so pleased to be recognised for it.”

The report is the latest in a string of successes at Millfield Prep. The school recently received a superb review from the Good Schools Guide, featured in the Best of the Best Independent Schools, was voted the Best Sports School in the country and was named Independent Prep School of the Year 2022/23.