WHAT, WHERE?

A co-ed boarding school for 13-18 year olds deep in the Dorset countryside, not far from Blandford Forum, Milton Abbey suddenly comes into view from a country lane. The whole scene – the Grade I-listed Gothic Mansion House which forms much of the school, the impressive Abbey, and the 180-acre Capability Brown landscape – is truly breathtakingly beautiful (I literally had to stop my car to take it all in). Its charms are more than skin-deep; this is a quirky, happy school where pupils thrive and shine.

There’s been a religious building here in one form or other since 933AD – the Abbey being all that’s left of the original settlement. The house and grounds have gone through various iterations over many hundreds years. The current mansion and grounds were created in the 18th century, and later lived in by the Hambro merchant banking family, who commissioned Sir George Gilbert Scott (of Battersea Power Station and Tate Modern fame), to restore the Abbey.

Milton Abbey School was founded in 1954 with just 24 boys, as an alternative to the traditional – conventional – public school. The idea being that it would prepare pupils for working in the ‘real world’ not just for going straight onto university. The school holds true to that ethos to this day.

Milton Abbey is part of the Round Square Schools, a network of 150 schools around the world. They sharing common themes of internationalism, democracy, environment, adventure, leadership and service, with opportunities for exchanges and other collaborations.

There are currently around 223 pupils on the roll, almost all of whom are full boarders (there are a handful of day pupils). Approximately one-third are international but with no one predominant nationality.

FACILITIES

The original Mansion House with the elegant King’s Room, Prince’s Room, classrooms, Head’s office, dining room and boarding houses around a traditional quad. It all looks out over the beautiful acres of perfect sports pitches, lawns and trees beyond, with more modern buildings clustered behind and along the drive.

It’s easy to imagine monks in the atmospheric Abbot’s Hall, a 15th century wood-panelled dining room, where everyone gathers for meals, events and black-tie socials. The food is good – there are always vegan and veggie options and a salad bar – a pupil food committee keeps the kitchen on their toes. Everyone raves about the Sunday brunch buffets after service in the Abbey. In the unlikely event that anyone’s hungry in between, a visit to the Tuck Shop should do the trick.

The Abbey, which almost dwarfs the school, is an awe-inspiring building. Central to the life of Milton Abbey, there are services Tuesdays and Sundays, House and whole school assemblies, as well as assorted concerts – the acoustics must be fantastic.

Elsewhere around the school we popped into various classrooms including a creative media lesson where pupils were putting together showreels, and a BTEC art and design class with a fashion focus. The New Barn Theatre Company puts on productions like An Inspector Calls and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; there are are choirs and music groups.

The Medical Centre is open 24/7, staffed by Registered Nurses and with weekly visits from GPs from the Milton Abbas Surgery.

SIXTH FORM

About half the school population (around 120 pupils) is in the Sixth Form, with a significant number new to the school, attracted no doubt by the wide range of subjects on offer – you can pretty much do anything here. I was shown around the school by several Sixth Formers, some of whom were studying BTEC, some A levels, some a mix of both, and all hoping to take up places at university, hospitality schools and apprenticeships. Staff offer guidance on university and apprenticeships, arrange university visits, and invite speakers into the school talk about careers.

Students study, listen to talks and attend workshops from visiting speakers, play a game of pool or chess, watch TV or just hang out in the dedicated Sixth Form Centre.

SPORTS

The stunning grounds include fabulous grass tennis courts and a 9-hole golf course designed by Peter Alliss (with a PGA pro coach and golf simulator). Their cricket pitch has been named one of the prettiest in the world. Then there are the all-weather multi sport pitches, astro, an indoor swimming pool, yoga studio and recently re-furbed Boat House gym with a conditioning and fitness suite.

Sport is timetabled for everyone three times a week, with competitive matches two afternoons a week (incredibly, 97% of pupils represent the school in some sport) and recreationally at evenings and at weekends.

There are over 20 sports on offer, with clay pigeon shooting, road cycling, mountain biking, kayaking on the River Frome and offshore sailing at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (home of the GB Sailing team train and where the 2012 Olympic sailing events were held) alongside traditional team sports, athletics and equestrian (including polo – natch). There really is something for everyone. No particular sport is compulsory but everyone does something and there are elite programmes in football, golf and road cycling.

Horsey types: you can bring your own stead to school. Over in the equestrian centre, there’s a cross-country area, a grass show-jumping arena, an all-weather canter track, horse walker and the start of a hacking track from the school.

ACADEMICS

The classes are small, with a maximum of 12 pupils and overall the school has a 1:4 staff ratio – impressive, even by independent school standards. With small class size and personalised teaching, there’s no streaming as such. Most pupils join the school in the Third Form (Year 9) and in the Sixth Form but they can join in any year group, if there’s space.

SEND is done differently here, with a Learning Development (LD) team which includes three SENCOs, and a focus on LD within every lesson for every pupil, whatever their ability, so that all are stretched and challenged. Some pupils receive additional timetabled LD sessions, either through small-group study or one-to-one learning support. Teachers are skilled in ADHD and dyslexia-friendly teaching, and use assistive tech like immersive reader and audio read in PowerPoint.

GCSEs (include maths, English, science, art, classical civilisation, design & technology, drama and modern foreign languages); IGCSE( English & maths); and BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Award (eg Enterprise, Sport, Creative Media production and Hospitality).

Milton Abbey offers one of the UK’s widest ranges of vocational and traditional senior school courses. There are 13 A level subjects (the core subjects plus fine art, photography and criminology) and 12 BTECs Extended Certificate, Diploma, Extended Diploma (including countryside management, film & TV production, and enterprise and entrepreneurship).

They don’t publish results – it’s about personal best here – but almost all pupils move onto their destination of choice, whether that’s a university, hospitality school, apprenticeship, the armed forces, professional sports (one former pupil is a professional jockey; another, a polo player) – or setting up their own business.

HEAD TEACHER

James Watson has been the Head of Milton Abbey School since 2023. Previously Senior Deputy Head, Head of Learning Development and Head of History at the school and prior to that, he was Second Master at Bruern Abbey (a prep school for pupil with dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia in Buckinghamshire). He didn’t come into education straight from university (a First in Ancient History and Classical Archaeology from Edinburgh in case you were wondering). A Chartered Accountant, he worked in finance in Asia and the Middle East for a number of years before education beckoned. The combo of working in the ‘real world’ and teaching, especially with a background in learning difference, seems to makes him the perfect fit for Milton Abbey.

He’s emphatic that Milton Abbey is not a special school, rather a mainstream school that recognises that everyone learns in different ways (you’ll see the words ‘Learn Differently’ in their prospectus and in their website). Not everyone at the school has a learning difference (about two thirds do). The aim is to remove barriers to learning, and to fit the education to the pupils – not fit the pupils to the education. All pupils are part of the same journey, not taken off to one side to be helped; help is woven into everything they do and pupils can drop in and out as necessary.

Pupils’ strengths and weakness are identified early on. With the right support from staff and assistive technology, they can acquire the tools and strategies to learn, achieve (in whatever area), and build self confidence, making them ready to go out in the the real world. He says ‘we are in their corner and also on their case’.

He describes the school as a kind environment, a friendly – if a little bonkers – place where pupils can explore their interests and be individual, celebrate each other, to live and let live. Pupils can say ‘this is who I am’ and be proud.

Plans for the future? A new ménage for the equestrian centre and a new learning development centre are both in the pipeline.

When’s not wearing his headmaster’s hat he runs the History Society, the Piscatorial Society (that’s fishing to you and me) and helps with sporting fixtures, trips out and with cricket coaching.

REPORTS

The latest report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), equivalent to Ofsted in the state sector, rated Milton Abbey ‘Excellent’ in both the ‘quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements’ and the ‘quality of pupils’ personal development’. You can read more here.

BOARDING

Almost all (84%) of the pupils are full boarders in five boarding houses named after figures who’ve played important roles in the history of the estate and school. These are Athelstan and Hambro (boys) and Hodgkinson (girls) in the Mansion House; Damer (girls) and Tregonwell (boys) in modern purpose-built accommodation. Day pupils are assigned a House with room to stay over (although there’s no flexi or weekly boarding as such) and dedicated study areas which they can use as a base for the day as well as a space to study. Day pupils can come for breakfast and evening meals if they wish.

I had a nose around Tregonwell, a modern boarding house, home to some 50 boys and was impressed with what I saw. A large and airy common room (loved the spoof film posters on the wall starring various pupils and members of staff, proof of the excellent relationships all round as well as a great sense of fun) were decked out with squashy sofas, table tennis table, a piano. The kitchen is handy for snacks and drinks. Pupil sleep in perfectly fine small dorms and double study rooms, and move rooms every term.

The inter-house tennis, swimming, singing, water polo competitions, black tie events, trips out to Bath – and an annual pancake race around the Abbey – sound fun.

PASTORAL

Being such a small school, everyone knows everyone else really well, creating a supportive and close-knit network. On my visit, I could see that pupils and staff alike were really at ease with one another (though it’s traditional; staff are very definitely “Sir” and “Ma’am”). Pastoral care is lead by the boarding team , House mistress or House master, alongside each pupil’s tutor, with weekly, small group meetings and daily check ins. Tutors makes a point of being in the boarding house one night a week. There’s also an annual supper with tutor, house parents and parents.

A mentor system buddies up Fifth Formers and Lower Sixth with younger pupils. Members of staff flag up if a pupil has had a bad day. There are two full-time counsellors.

WHAT ELSE?

The school day runs from 8am until 6pm Monday to Friday, with morning lessons and afternoon sports fixtures on Saturdays. Everyone does their prep during personal study periods before supper, leaving the rest of the evening free for sports and extra-curricular activities.

Wednesday afternoons are given over to Round Square activities, a programme of service, voluntary and community-based projects. Everyone has the opportunity join the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) which is aimed at developing leadership skills amongst other things when they first come to the school; some continue throughout their school career. Also on offer: the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Ten Tors and all sorts of clubs from fashion design and photography to international films, design tech and current affairs. Personally, I’m signing up for the light sabre club.

When pupils first join Milton Abbey, they’re observed for one term in four categories: confidence; contribution; preparedness/organisation; and individual study. At a special ‘Capability’ service at Christmas, they’re then formally welcomed into the school by signing a book to show they’ve ‘earned their place in the school’. Throughout their school careers, pupils are able to acquire a range of skills and earn around 35 ‘Capability’ certificates. It’s all about building confidence and life skills, so that pupils become great team workers, great bosses, great parents – whatever – out in the real world.

Sixth Form prefects are called Pilots; students are appointed Head or Deputy Head of School, Heads of Houses to provide role models for younger pupils. Pupils take part in School and House councils.

QUIRKS & BOASTY BITS

Milton Abbey was a Finalist in the Passionate About Sport (Senior) category in the Muddy Best Schools Awards 2024.

They’ve got their own farm and farm shop. As well as growing vegetables and herbs, it’s home to all sorts of animals – Shetland ponies, cows sheep, pigs and – and where the horses are stabled. Perfect for those taking Countryside Management courses.

County, Premier League, and international sporting teams use the facilities during the summer hols.

The place is full of quirky tales. Sir John Tregonwell, who owned the estate in the 16th century, is said to have fallen from the roof of the church as a child; his wide pantaloons filled with air and broke his fall.

This is a super canine-loving school, with, I’m told, around 50 dogs! No wonder there’s a dog walking club.

FEES

2024/25, per term: full boarding £17,500; day pupils £9,190. Sixth Form: £500 supplement. There’s £1millon bursary money available every year.

WORD ON THE GROUND

Parents use words like ‘supportive, caring, ambitious, kind, tailored and inspiring’ to describe the school. Moves from other schools were ‘seamless’, with children feeling part of the family from the very first day. They like the fact that the school focuses on each child as person, setting ambitious but achievable targets, building self-esteem, and offering such a broad range of options, that all – whatever their ability – are given the best chance to thrive. Some who have struggled academically elsewhere succeed here – not least ‘because they’re happy, settled and content’. The teaching is ‘incredible’; staff are ‘thoughtful and compassionate’ and have a good rapport with pupils. Everyone raves about the glorious setting and opportunities to spend time outside.

MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: those who might have fallen through the cracks or not shone at other schools, ‘joiner-inners’, who will make the most of all that’s on offer here.

Not for If you’re aiming for Oxbridge, this probably isn’t the place for you. There’s no flexi or weekly boarding option.

See for yourself: Book a place on one of their upcoming Open Days: Sat 5 October 2024 and Sat 1 March 2025, both at 10am. They encourage families to look around the school individually but also hold introductory mornings once a term for five families at a time as well as taster days; contact the Admissions Team. Check availability and reserve your place via admissions@miltonabbey.co.uk or on 01258 881804.

Milton Abbey School, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 0BZ. Tel 01258 880484, email info@miltonabbey.co.uk

Milton Abbey School, Milton Abbas, near Blandford Forum

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