By 
My son Nick attended a nursery and preparatory school in Bath called The Paragon and most of the children in his class won a scholarship to an independent school. When Nick was on The Paragon, we decided we wanted him to attend a prep school outside of Bath because it would broaden his horizons and his experience. So, at the age of 11, he applied to three colleges, Prior Park, Monkton Combe and Millfield, and was offered scholarships at all three. He liked Millfield and chose to intern there in high school and stayed in high school.
We only knew about the scholarships because the director of The Paragon had already sent two students who had won scholarships to Millfield. Nick, at the time, was a good swimmer, in fact he was the third fastest freestyler in the country, and the boss nominated him for a full scholarship in sports, swimming and academic achievement.
In preparation, Nick was offered a major scholarship that was later increased further when he entered high school. This was a significant help because we were talking about full boarding fees, which is around £28,000 of taxable income. Scholarships typically range from 10 percent. In fact, 50 percent is not uncommon for gifted children who take a full and active part in school life and some even achieve full tuition reductions.
There were also other expenses to consider, such as uniform, sports equipment and rugby tours to South Africa, Atlanta, Canada and France. However, you could argue that it’s good value for money, because once your kids are in school, they take care of clothes, food, and transportation.
Nick loved Millfield and became the high school and high school principal. Millfield is special because it’s like a big comprehensive school and not stuffy at all. There is a real social mix. You have some people who are extraordinarily rich and their children go there maybe because they have a special learning need. You also have children who are exceptionally talented and could be in a spare spot. It’s very friendly, almost like a big college campus.
The school has some of the best sports facilities in the country and they take sports very seriously. Nick was very good at rugby and played for England’s first XV and Under 16s. I’m sure if he hadn’t been at Millfield he wouldn’t have made it. Academically, he is not selective, but if you are very bright, you will do very well there. They bring out the best in each student, whatever you have.
The teaching and training are very inspiring. Nick had a teacher who taught economics who inspired him to take that option at A level and he got one of the top five economics grades in the country.
He was also in the choir, was vice president of the Academic Society and was involved in Mencap Day, when they open the school so that adults and children with disabilities can enter to use the facilities. The students look after the visitors and make sure they enjoy their day. Nick said that he was a real leveller.
we feel involved
The pastoral care at the school was excellent and I felt very involved and informed. The housemaster was in regular contact and there was constant communication via email or post; in fact, they bombard you. Millfield is only 27 miles from Bath so we used to stop by at weekends to watch Nick play rugby and he would come over every third weekend.
The only thing that was frustrating for Nick was that he couldn’t take his because he passed his exam afterwards. However, it was a sociable school. They had a bar for sixth graders on site and wonderful dances and events. In many ways, I am pleased that he was there with friends and that what he was doing socially was constructive. Bath day school pupils seem to spend most of their free time in pubs and bars.
Nick is now studying law at Durham University. His first choice was St John’s College, Cambridge, but he is highly academic and places are very limited there. When he found out that he hadn’t gotten in, he was disappointed, but only for an hour.
He loves Durham and has met a lot of different people there. He’s been away from school for so long that I’m used to him not being around and I don’t have the empty nest syndrome that I’m sure a lot of parents have.