History
Highfield School was founded in Southampton in 1892 by Mr EA Wells, the owner and first Headmaster. The school first opened as a boys’ prep with 18 pupils. In 1904, Mr William Mills became the owner and Headmaster and moved Highfield to its present 175-acre site in Liphook, on the Hampshire, West Sussex and Surrey border.
The new purpose-built school opened in September 1907 with 32 boys, all boarders. The school grew steadily; a beautiful Chapel was added in 1910, with other buildings quickly following suit. Mr Mills, who was ordained in 1912 and later became an Honorary Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral, remained Headmaster until 1953. Under Canon Mills, the school grew to accommodate 120 boys and established an enviable reputation for academic and sporting excellence. Highfield pupils won many scholarships to the leading English public schools, including Eton, Winchester, Shrewsbury, Charterhouse, Rugby and Sherborne.
Canon Mills died in 1953 and was succeeded by his son, Peter. The school became co-educational in 1978 and also began to take day children into the junior part of the school. Peter Mills retired in 1979 to be succeeded by Old Highfieldian Robin Orr, who remained Headmaster until 1993. During his tenure, school numbers rose from around 120 to almost 170. Under Nigel Ramage, Mr Orr’s successor, the school began a considerable programme of refurbishment and building work. Mr Ramage was succeeded in 1999 by Phillip Evitt when the compulsory boarding requirement ended, although many children still choose to board to this day, with almost all boarding for at least part of their final two years. Phillip Evitt retired in 2022 and was succeeded by Mrs Suzannah Cryer, current Head of Highfield.
Today, all departments have designated teaching rooms. New Science, Maths and Computing facilities were opened in September 2000. A new indoor swimming pool was opened at Easter 2005, and a new Music School in 2006. Today, Highfield is genuinely co-educational with equal numbers of girls and boys. In 1992, Brookham Pre-prep was built within the grounds of Highfield and this building is home to our Nursery to Year 3 children.
Highfield and Brookham is owned by Mr William Mills, the grandson of the founder. Mr Mills is also Chairman of the Board of Directors. Today, Highfield continues to enjoy an outstanding reputation as a top preparatory school for children aged 8-13 that offers an excellent all-round education, and its long tradition of scholarship success continues.
What we’re up to…
At today’s Open Classrooms, it was a joy to see the children proudly welcoming their parents into the classroom. Together, they explored fun and creative activities, including celebrating #EuropeanDayOfLanguages, a wonderful reminder of the joy of learning, and the power of sharing it with family. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Our Year 8 Peer Mentors joined their Year 4 buddies for some fun academic challenges, to help build connection and trust. Each Year 4 student is paired with a mentor, an older peer they can turn to for advice, support, or simply a friendly chat. These relationships nurture confidence and a strong sense of belonging across our school. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeAchieve #Leadership #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
A brilliant win for our U10 girls’ hockey team yesterday at Westbourne House School . The result was a reflection of their growing confidence, teamwork and dedication on the pitch. With every match, they’re not just refining tactics, they’re building resilience and a love for the game. Well done, girls! #TogetherWeGrow #Teamwork #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Lovely to see our Reception out in Forest School today, practising their firelighting skills and enjoying the freedom to roam, discover and share their woodland finds with their friends. A perfect mix of learning, adventure and teamwork. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeExplore #Listening #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Lead by Year 4 teacher Rebecca Lane, our Wellbeing and Listening Walk around the school grounds gives Year 3 and 4 a chance to talk, share, or simply enjoy the wellbeing boost of being outdoors. #TogetherWeGrow #TakeTimeToNotice #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Our Year 8 stepped into the wonders of physics this week, building their very own pinhole cameras from cardboard tubes, tracing paper, foil and tape. They were amazed by what they were able to achieve with these simple materials, and even more so, the impressive result. #TogetherWeGrow #Teamwork #Science #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Magic is in the air! Year 5 drama rehearsals for Aladdin are in full swing, and the excitement is contagious. The children are bringing the vibrant characters to life with so much energy, joy and imagination. If today’s rehearsal is anything to go by, we’re in for a truly show-stopping performance this November. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeShine #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Our First XI Football team faced @cranford_sch in the first round of the @isfafootball U13 Bowl. Playing with great spirit and teamwork the boys gave a fantastic performance, winning 6-0 taking them through to the next round. Huge well done. #TogetherWeGrow #Football #Teamwork #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Science comes alive in Year 1. The children explored and compared the properties of materials through touch and observation, learning to describe everything from soft and stretchy to opaque and transparent. With hands-on activities and curious minds, they turned sensory exploration into exciting discovery! #TogetherWeGrow #ProblemSolving #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
It may be the first day of autumn, but the sunshine had our Nursery children out enjoying their beautiful new outdoor learning space. It’s a joy to see this area come to life, as the children explore, imagine and build confidence through play, developing key gross motor skills along the way. #TogetherWeGrow #LearnOutdoors #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Our Year 8s returned from their trip to the Belgium battlefields yesterday and today we received this wonderful email: “As one of the guides on the recent battlefields trip with Year 8, I wanted to contact you on behalf of myself and my colleague, to say what a pleasure it was to spend time with your staff and students. All your students were unfailingly polite, cheerful and fully engaged with the tour and represented the school in a positive light throughout. I’d also like to express our appreciation of the staff team and especially Mrs van den Berg. It was clear that all of them not only had the best interests of the students in mind at all times but were in turn liked and respected by them. I would be grateful if you could pass on our appreciation to all concerned and our best wishes for their futures. If what we saw is a measure of their potential, those futures are bright indeed.” #HighfieldAndBrookham #Year8Trip #BattlefieldsTour #WWIHistory #ProudSchool #LestWeForget @legerholidays
We’re delighted to announce that we have achieved the Skills Builder Gold Award – a significant accomplishment that places us amongst a select group of schools and colleges. This award reflects our commitment to our Essential Skills programme and forward-thinking education, ensuring we equip our children with the key skills needed for future success and the workplace of tomorrow. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Year 3 had a fantastic time bringing The Diary of a Stone Age Boy to life. Through imaginative role play and creative pictograms, the children retold the story in a fun and memorable way. What a brilliant way to explore storytelling – interactive, engaging and full of learning. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Big energy in the Chapel today. The Chapel Choir had their vestment fittings as they prepare for this month’s Harvest Festival service – and they’re looking (and sounding) incredible. We can’t wait to see them perform. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeSing #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Year 4 swapped the classroom for steam trains and suitcases as they journeyed back to the 1940s for a day in the life of an evacuee! With wide eyes and gas mask boxes in hand, they explored the nostalgic The Watercress Line, a heritage railway full of vintage charm, bringing their World War II topic to life. #TogetherWeGrow #LearnOutdoors #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Year 8 are immersed in the landscapes of history on their trip to Belgium this week. They’re deepening their understanding of WW1 through powerful, real-world connections on this incredible, rewarding and truly memorable experience. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Exploring their topic ‘Life in an Oak Tree’, Year 2 took their learning outside. Lying under a beautiful oak in our grounds they explored the mini ecosystem it supports, from bugs to birds, and thought about what would happen if the tree disappeared. Outdoor learning at its best, hands-on, eye-opening and full of wonder. #TogetherWeLearn #LearnOutdoors #Listening #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
We were thrilled to host the recent HAGS (Highfield Association Golf Society) tournament at Liphook Golf Club for a fantastic morning of golf, laughter and reconnection, with Old Highfieldians. Congratulations to the day’s winner and all those that took part and a heartfelt thanks to HAGS for their generous donation to Highreach Holidays. A truly special day that celebrates the strength and spirit of the Highfield and Brookham community. #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Year 3 had a fantastic trip to Butser Ancient Farm this week. They stepped back in time to experience life as it would have been in the Stone Age, Iron Age and Roman times. From exploring ancient homes to trying out traditional crafts, the children brought learning to life in the most hands-on way. A brilliant day of learning and discovery. #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
We’re delighted to be featured in the Tatler Schools Guide 2026. A huge thank you to @tatlerschools for recognising what makes us unique – a truly independent school, proudly owned by the same family for over a century. Want to discover why we’re such an amazing place for your child’s education? Join us at our Open Morning on Saturday 27th September. Head to our bio to book your place. #TatlerSchoolsGuide #IndependentEducation #OpenMorning
In Year 8, our pupils embark on an exciting challenge – the Independent Project Qualification. Last week’s introduction session was full of curiosity and enthusiasm, with pupils eagerly exploring big ideas through Socratic-style questions and sharing thoughtful reflections of their own. Their first homework? To jot down five passions or areas of interest that could spark the beginnings of their very own project. And what better way to get started than with their brand-new Highfield and Brookham notebooks – the perfect place to capture ideas, inspiration and the journey ahead. We can’t wait to see where their creativity takes them! #TogetherWeLearn #TogetherWeAchieve #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdIndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Join us for our first Open Morning of the academic year on Saturday 27th September. Take a tour of the school and grounds with our pupils, meet our Head, Suzannah Cryer, and chat with our inspiring teachers. To book your place, head to the link in our bio – we look forward to welcoming you. #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
What a difference a day makes! The sun was shining, and the children certainly made the most of it. It’s always such a joy to see them running around outside, reconnecting with friends and catching up after the summer holidays. #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
We’ve had a brilliant start to the new school year; it’s been wonderful to welcome the children back and see them settle straight into school life. All the chatter and excitement has brought the school back to life. #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
