Milton Abbey School is a co-educational, full boarding and day school in the heart of Dorset for children aged 13 to 18. We take pride in our ability to nurture self-confidence in every child. In our beautiful countryside setting students thrive, building strong friendships, developing academically and personally, and enjoying a vibrant evening and weekend activity programme.
Sports every day and a balance of lessons and activities empower students to approach all their commitments with a positive outlook. Nearly all (97%) students represent the school in a sport, with no particular sport being compulsory. With our small size and exceptional pastoral care, we develop a deep understanding of each student, working closely with parents to set ambitious goals and develop kind and successful individuals.
With one of the broadest curriculums in the independent sector, we offer a unique blend of traditional and vocational qualifications designed to inspire students and prepare them for positive futures. We focus on developing not only academic skills but also the attitudes and habits that lead to lifelong achievement.
Our dedicated teaching and boarding staff are committed to helping every student achieve their personal best, both inside and outside the classroom. At Milton Abbey School, your child will be equipped with the skills to succeed in a fast-changing world.
Milton Abbey School is a deliberately small community of students, almost all of whom are full boarders, ensuring busy boarding houses and plenty of time to build lasting friendships. 70% of the community is British, our international students come from over 24 nationalities, and the school is proudly cosmopolitan in a stunning rural Capability Brown-designed landscape.
We offer Full Visits, Introductory Mornings, Experience Days and Scholarship Assessments for 10–16 years olds and would be delighted to welcome your child into our unique Admissions process.
Organisation. Milton Abbey is proud of its full-boarding status and the comprehensive co-curricular and recreational programmes this allows.
Curriculum. An innovative ‘carousel curriculum’ allows joining Third Form pupils to study core subjects throughout the year, while sampling a huge range of courses usually only available as GCSEs or BTECs. This helps them make informed course choices for study in later years. The Sixth Form provides a wide range of academic, technical and vocational courses including traditional A levels, BTECs and top-up GCSEs.
Situation. Stunning countryside surroundings offer space, yet safety and security, providing an inspirational setting for learning.
Facilities. The Abbey is the School Chapel, and the dining room, the Abbot’s Hall, dates back to the medieval era. Alongside a mansion house, modern facilities include boarding houses, a music school, art studio, fashion studio and creative media suite, a 370-seat theatre, plus a farm and stables. Sporting facilities include all-weather pitches, an indoor pool, cricket nets and golf course.
Admissions. Most pupils join the School at age 13 in the Third Form (Year 9). The School gives quick and unconditional offers to prospective pupils, after they undertake an individual and full Admissions Visit. This provides clarity and certainty for families. Students seeking to join the Sixth Form are judged on individual merit and suitability for their chosen courses.
Offers are dependent on a satisfactory current school reference, including CAT4 or equivalent cognitive test scores, and an interview with the Head or Deputy Head. Offers are not dependent on Common Entrance results however, all applicants receiving an offer must maintain high levels of effort and application at their current school.
Prospective pupils with Special Educational Needs will be assessed by the Head of Learning Development, to make sure that the School can support them with reasonable adjustments to thrive in our setting, both academically and personally.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Lower School: Boarding £19,915, Day £10,458.
Supplement for Sixth Form entrants. £569 per term.
Charitable status. The Council of Milton Abbey School Limited is a Registered Charity, number 306318.
Governors & Staff:
Chair of Governors: Ian G Bromilow, MSc, PhD
Head: James Watson, MA Hons, FCA, PGCE
Senior Deputy Head: Chris Barnes, BA Hons
Deputy Head (Academic & Head of Sixth Form): Josh Bradbury, BA Hons, MA, PhD, PGCE
Deputy Head (Development & Admissions): Claudia Hindle, MA Hons, PGCE, MEd Cantab
Deputy Head (Pastoral): Zoe Livingstone, BA, PGCE, MA
Deputy Head (Co-Curricular): Will Fraser, MA, MEd
Director of Finance: Stephen Lane, BSc, ACA
Head of Operations: Tracey Edwards
SENDCo & Head of Learning Development: Laura Kleiser
Director of Studies: Nick Anderson, BSc Hons, PGCE
Head of Personal Development & Community Engagement: Sarah Badley, BA Hons, MPhil, PGCE