Page 7 - Millfield GSG Brochure 2021

WHAT THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE SAYS

TEACHING AND During the 2021 lockdown the school applications to US universities.
LEARNING came up with the idea of The Ultimate High praise for the school’s digital learning
School Trip, a series of live virtual visits to offer during the pandemic – and for the
Millfield is an exciting place to learn and Australia, Japan, Italy and Iceland hosted teaching staff. ‘They are engaging and
teachers are full of innovation. A previous by the head, deputy head (academic) and enthusiastic and know the kids,’ said a
review said ‘academics will never be the assistant head (academic) and parent. ‘I’m very tough on people but I
point of Millfield’ but today’s parents culminating in a concert performed by couldn’t speak more highly of the school in
disagree with this – and so does the head. Millfield students around the world every sense. I like the fact that it isn’t an
‘We have 300 children in a year at A level (including a Year 13 student playing a exam factory. They are teaching my
and 15 per cent get straight As,’ he says. piece she composed for the guhzeng, a daughter to think and she is developing a
He points out that a Year 13 Millfield girl traditional Chinese instrument). The very good critical mindset.’ Another told
was the highest placed female event was so successful that 300 other us, ‘The teachers who are responsible for
competitor in the world at the schools signed up too. my son know him really well.’
International Mathematical Olympiad
last year – ‘and there are others who The school runs an academic enrichment LEARNING SUPPORT
challenge her here as well’. programme for Years 9 to 11, including AND SEN
The school recently launched its maths, science, enterprise, languages and
Brilliance Curriculum, which links subjects debating. Sixth Form enrichment SEN provision underpins much of
in an inspiring way. Following a ‘big programme features lectures and events Millfield’s successes and appeal. Just over
curriculum think’ the programme has hosted by academic departments and is a third of students have an identified
been rolled out across Year 9 but the plan designed to inspire curiosity and a spirit need, addressed and supported by a team
is to introduce it for older students too. of enquiry. Students are invited to join of learning support experts (six full-time
For example, history schemes of work Eureka!, where mixed aged groups meet staff, three part-time staff, a speech and
have been rewritten so Year 9s take fortnightly to follow an informal critical language therapist, eight peripatetic staff
modules like Conflict and Cooperation thinking programme. There’s also a and two visiting educational
Through Time, where they learn about regular biology breakfast, where pupils of psychologists). Support is based on
topics like the Holocaust, the Cold War all ages give presentations on themes literacy, the key to the entire curriculum,
and 9/11 and the War on Terror, or that interest them. but help is available for all manners of
Disruptors, where they study everything barriers to learning including dyscalculia,
from the suffragettes to black civil rights Depending on ability and aptitude, most dyspraxia and organisation skills. The
in the US. Teachers are keen to show students take nine GCSEs, including a sheer numbers receiving support means a
pupils how subjects overlap so they don’t foreign language and either single total lack of stigma. Our delightful young
study ocean warming in geography until sciences or combined science. A plethora guide came straight to the point: ‘I am
they have learned about specific heat of choice – everything from computer very dyslexic and here I get all the help I
capacity in physics and they don’t study science to dance. Sixth Formers either need’. Close liaison between teachers,
The Great Gatsby in English until they take A levels, BTECs or a mix of both. house staff, tutors and learning support
have looked at the Great Depression in BTECs include art and design, business, staff provides continuity and reassurance.
history. ‘We want to make sure the jigsaw enterprise and entrepreneurship, music
fits together,’ says the deputy head production and sport. EPQ available.
(academic). ‘It’s about giving students a Other qualifications range from Leiths The Sixth Form
bedrock of really good understanding.’ Introductory Certificate in Food and Wine enrichment programme
Other initiatives include the Millfield to the British Horse Society’s Complete
Certificate and the Millfield Diploma, Horsemanship Certificate. Small class features lectures and
both of which are voluntary but are on sizes (maximum of 14), with students
offer after summer term exams. Year 11s setted for maths, English and languages. events hosted by
can take a certificate in a new subject When it comes to university and careers, academic departments
they are considering for A level while Year there’s a weekly Oxbridge programme
13s can opt to do a subject they’d like to overseen by the head of academic and is designed to inspire
revisit. The diplomas are designed to extension (a former academic herself), a
bridge the gap between upper sixth and full-time SAT coordinator, a US universities curiosity and a spirit
undergraduate level. counsellor, a universities counsellor and a
vocational specialist. The school is also an of enquiry.
SAT centre, so very geared up for