School Life History
History
Millfield was founded by Jack Meyer (‘Boss’) in 1935, following his return from India with seven Indian boys, six of whom were princes. The School was originally based in what is now boarding accommodation, Millfield House, but then was rented from the Clarks family who owned most of Street. The School grew steadily and in 1939 became one of the first independent schools to be co-educational. In 1942, Martin Attlee, son of the then Deputy Prime Minister, Clem, joined the School in the hope of overcoming ‘word-blindness’. The Millfield method was so successful that Martin went on to university, the School gaining fame as the first in the country to deal successfully with dyslexic pupils.
Although Millfield may be well-known for its sport, pupils have gone on to excel in a wide range of areas. Successful old Millfieldians include former British Lions and Wales rugby captain Gareth Edwards, “Desperate Housewives” actress and Golden Globe winner Nicolette Sheridan, BBC chief political correspondent John Sergeant, Olympic swimming Gold medallist Duncan Goodhew, former Radio 1 Disc Jockey Tony Blackburn and drummer of legendary rock group the Police, Stewart Copeland.
Today Millfield, along with its Preparatory School, has some 1900 pupils and more than 800 staff, but the School’s philosophy remains the same. Millfield still aims to help every individual child to achieve their full potential.