Millfield, Bruton or somewhere else?

[lavendersun]

We are considering a move to Somerset and are looking for a school for our daughter (just going into Yr 4).

She had a really unhappy time at a local school in Yr 2, lots of different issues at school which meant that we pulled her out and she has had a year at home with lots of private tuition, both in groups and on her own.

Progress has been great and she has been assessed as at least a year ahead by her subject tutors (except maths where she is where she should be but she is maths phobic (remnants from Yr 2)).

Even though she is quite capable her confidence is very easily dented, she is a sensitive sort.

We want a nice school with a broad curriculum, she excels at English, History, Music, Art, Drama, loves being outside, not hugely sporty.

We want a happy child who loves going to school rather than an academic whizz.

Does anyone know Millfield or Bruton (or anywhere else nearby), what is the selection process like, are they academically pushy?

All views gratefully received. Thanks in advance.

TBH, if you are definitely set on Bruton for elder DD, I would make it easy on yourself and use Sunny Hill.

Wherever you go for I would use all the schools in the same location, so Sherborne Prep + SGS, Millfield Prep + Millfield, Warminster etc. The roads are not great and you don't want to be going miles between schools.

I think most of the schools in this area would suit your younger DD. It's a laid back sort of area and hot housing is not common. I might not go for Millfield or Hazlegrove for a kid not keen on sport.

I agree with @lowdoorinthewal1 that if you're set on Bruton, Sunny Hill or Hazlegrove might be the easiest options geographically. And if you like them as well, it's a no brainer! If it helps, Perrott Hill have launched their new website and video now which should give you a much better flavour of the school - perrotthill.com - good luck whichever way you go!!

One of the lovely things about Bruton, as a town, is that there are a variety of schools there and this would allow you to send your children to the best school for them, whilst keeping them geographically close together. I went to KSB in the 90's and, since then, it has become totally co-ed. With children at prep school now, I am going through this senior school journey and have investigated BSG and KSB (don't forget Sexey's Boarding Grammar also in Bruton). My take on it, thus far and not considering expense, is that King's is still a slightly better school in as much as it offers a wider opportunity. BSG is lovely, but perhaps not pushy enough to achieve the results some parents, like me, harbour a desire to see. If you look, for example, at the sports results it shows that the girls at King's really are playing a significant role in the school and achieving notable success against some of the historic top end schools.

Hazlegrove is a very good Preparatory School (feeder to Kings). In the south West, one of the best. It is a country school in beautiful surrounds and urges its pupils to achieve their best. Some may call that pushy, but it is no worse than the prep school my three attend in Wilts and I am very happy with that approach.
Of course, this is always down to a personal taste but being in Aus you may like to hear another view.