Prep Director of Boarding, Carl Bingham, has been innovating the boarding space at MPS for over six years. We sat down with him to discuss what makes Millfield Prep such a special place to board.

What do you think prospective pupils should know that is not on the website?

I'd say that websites in general don't convey the atmosphere at boarding houses. I'd always recommend having a taster to get a good feel for this. They are busy places and fun places to be in. All of our houses have their own identity but work together to get the same result. Trying to feel it is difficult to put into words on a website, but our boarding houses are really exciting places to be.

What does a taster involve?

A taster will show the typical routine of the day. Pupils get an idea of continuing the journey through to supper, doing Prep time for an hour in the evening, and experiencing the house routine in the evening. It's an opportunity to feel what it's like with the activities and opportunities. All of the houses can be out using the facilities and spending time together. The overnight experience will show what it's like sharing the dorm and starting the school day at breakfast. 

How do the daily routines adapt to accomodate different pupils commitments?

We support everybody through the day. Organisation is a big thing, making sure pupils have everything they need packed the day before. Once we get to 5pm, everyone goes to supper unless they have a sports commitment. We'll help them through Prep and the routine of support and preparation continues throughout the evening. We keep a track of Prep to make sure everyone stays on top of things around early morning and after school clubs and activities. When there's lots of competitions coming up, we can help manage what they're doing. 

How do you make sure everyone goes to bed on time?

We have two to three helpers involved on the domestic and pastoral side to help with getting everyone organised and ready for bed. 

What does Millfield Prep do to help international pupils adjust to boarding life at MPS?

We have a six week induction programme to support with this. We begin with week 1 and cover some boarding basics and introduce the routines. We have weekly check ins, then tailor week 2 based on how pupils are feeling and settling in. We follow that format and then review in week 6 to establish how pupils are adjusting and can then tailor a re-induction after the holidays to sort any additional provisions in the house. It works really well to ensure all pupils are accessing all of the support that is available for them. The programme covers everything really well.

What has been most surprising to you since starting your role about boarding at MPS?

Uniqueness. It is such a busy place. The opportunities are endless with the activities and lessons we do throughout the school day, in mornings, in evenings as well as the opportunities within the boarding houses and in the Sunday programme. I think it really is an action-packed, busy school. Certainly the busiest school I've worked at and I've worked at four others and they were senior schools! I'd say MPS definitely trumps them with opportunities and the amount of things going on.

To listen to the full podcast episode, click here.

To learn more about boarding at MPS, click here.