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…
There have been some mysterious goings-on in the boarders’ dorms… With a shared sense of spooky spirit, the children transformed their rooms into haunting hideaways, all vying for the title of ‘Best in Spooky Class’. From cobwebs to creepy creatures, their imaginations ran wild, with results both marvellously macabre and brilliantly creative. The fun didn’t stop there; trick-or-treating and a chilling night-time walk through the woods brought just the right touch of frightful delight. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeCreate #Teamwork #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Reception was bursting with colour and creativity as the children crafted their own Diwali-inspired lanterns, rangoli patterns and decorations. As they explored different cultures and traditions, they discovered the magic of Diwali, the joyful Festival of Lights. It was a wonderful opportunity to experience the rich traditions of the festival and share in its warmth and positivity together. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeExplore #Creativity #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Creative juices were flowing in Year 3 as the children brainstormed ideas for their BBC 500 Words entries. Using everyday objects to spark inspiration, they explored plot twists, character ideas and story settings. The room buzzed with excitement as they shared the beginnings of their stories, ready to take them home and finish over half term. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #AimingHigh #Creativity #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Years 3 and 4 marked the first half of term with a joyful autumn concert for parents, featuring individual and ensemble performances and the Year 4 and 5 Choir. The children impressed with their growing confidence and musical progress. It was a warm celebration of the role music plays in building skills, connection and joy. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeAchieve #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Year 2 had an unforgettable day at The New Forest Wildlife Park , bringing their ‘Fabulous Forests’ topic to life in the wildest way! From spotting curious creatures to exploring woodland habitats, it was a day full of discovery, laughter and a growing love for the amazing wildlife right here in the UK. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #Listening #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Year 4 explored how different materials block out light today, using torches to test the density of black fabric and paper. This hands-on investigation linked directly to their WWII topic, helping them understand why blackouts were so essential during the war. Practical learning like this brings history to life, deepening understanding and sparking their curiosity. #TogetherWeGrow #ProblemSolving #Teamwork #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Today we’ve been celebrating the National Day of Spain, including a delicious paella and churros for lunch! We have a strong bond with our Spanish families, with children joining us each year in Year 7 and/or 8. They join us not only to improve their English, but to experience life in a British boarding school, enriching our community, broadening horizons and forming lasting friendships. Click the link in our bio to learn more. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeThrive #NationalDayOfSpain #BritishSchoolBoarding #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
The school community came together to mark #WorldMentalHealthDay with a range of thoughtful and uplifting activities. From dancing in the playground and teacher–pupil matches, to calming moments with a wellbeing walk, activities in the Beehive and chess in the library, it was a wonderful reminder of the many ways we can support wellbeing throughout the day. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeThrive #TogetherWeSupport Mental Health Foundation #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
We’re so proud of how the children led this year’s Harvest Festival collection, inspiring their friends and families to give so generously. This morning, some of them joined Mrs Cryer to deliver the donations to @liphook.foodbank, where the team was truly touched by their generosity. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed, you kindness will be hugely appreciated by those in need. #TogetherWeGrow #AimingHigh #TogetherWeThrive #LiphookFoodBank #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
It was a busy afternoon of child-initiated learning for Year 1, with the children making lanterns inspired by Florence Nightingale, engaging in imaginative play, or choosing writing and maths activities. These wonderful sessions give the children the freedom to follow their interests, encouraging independence, creativity and a love of learning. #TogetherWeGrow #ChildInitiatedLearning #Creativity #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Making the most of the glorious weather, Nursery enjoyed a fun and active PE lesson outdoors. The children have been busy developing their ball control through throwing games and getting to grips with the basics of dodgeball, a brilliant way to boost coordination, build motor skills and enjoy some laughter and fresh air with friends. #TogetherWeGrow #AimingHigh #Listening #LearnOutdoors #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
It was wonderful to catch up with Old Highfieldian Mia, one of our 2018 leavers. As part of the first girls’ year to play cricket at Highfield & Brookham, she was proud to see how far the sport has come and to have helped pave the way. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeThrive #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Year 4 have been discovering the joy of diary writing. Starting with storyboards to map out their ideas, they then crafted thoughtful diary entries and enjoyed sharing their stories with the class. It’s been a wonderful way to build confidence, connection and creativity through writing. #TogetherWeGrow #Speaking #AimingHigh #Creativity #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
There’s no better way to connect with a story than by stepping into it and that’s exactly what our Year 7s did today at @chichesterft . In a drama workshop on Lord of the Flies, they brought the characters to life, deepened their understanding of the text and explored the tech behind theatre-making. We can’t wait to see how they bring these learnings into their performance. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #Listening #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Year 2 have been studying trees and leaves and experimenting with paint and drawing techniques in art this week and created some wonderfully imaginative pieces. What a creative way to explore their “fabulous forests” topic. It really has helped their learning take root! #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeExplore #Creativity #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
National Teachers’ Day is a chance to reflect on the incredible work our teachers do every day. Our Head, Mrs Cryer, shared: “We have such a talented and dedicated team. Thank you for your passion, commitment and for inspiring our children every single day. We’re proud to celebrate you and the lasting impact you have on each child’s life.” #TogetherWeGrow #NationalTeachersDay #TogetherWeAchieve #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
‘Connect’ was the focus of our assembly this morning, where Year 3 shared thoughtful tips and advice with their Pre-Prep peers on how to build meaningful connections, make friends and understand the importance of inclusion within our community. It was wonderful to see the children spread such a positive and powerful message about wellbeing and belonging. #TogetherWeGrow #Listening #Speaking #Wellbeing #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Tents were pitched, fires were lit and a spirit of adventure took over as Year 7 embraced the challenges of their campout. From mastering bushcraft skills to cooking together, every moment called for teamwork, resilience and plenty of laughs along the way. They built friendships, grew in confidence and created the kind of memories that only come from shared experiences in the great outdoors. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeThrive #Teamwork #ProblemSolving #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Sparks are flying in DT as Year 6 get to grips creating their own ‘Steady Hand’ games. With wires, buzzers and plenty of imagination, this hands-on project brings science and circuits to life. This topic sees the children build on their fine motor skills and learn that a steady hand and a little problem-solving can go a long way. #TogetherWeGrow #ProblemSolving #Creativity #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
“Who will help me make some bread?” asked The Little Red Hen, and our Reception class were more than ready to say yes! Bringing their literacy topic to life they mixed, kneaded and baked their very own bread. A wonderful way to connect storytelling with real-world learning! #TogetherWeGrow #Creativity #ToegtherWeLearn #BreadMaking #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Our U11A Boys’ Football team arrived at the @isfafootball Hampshire Regional Cup at @bedalespreprep with quiet determination and a drive to raise the bar. After a hard-fought semi-final win over @twyfordschool and topping their group, the boys secured a spot at the ISFA National Finals at St George’s Park. A proud moment for the squad, whose resilience, teamwork and commitment shone throughout the day. #TogetherWeGrow #Sport #Football #ISFA #TogetherWeThrive #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Wednesday afternoons are pure sporting joy. Our teams play their hearts out whether at home or away. Seeing the children give their all, supporting one another and growing in confidence is what school sport is all about. And it’s always wonderful to see so many parents watching from the sidelines. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeAchieve #Teamwork #Leadership #Sport #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Supporting children’s mental health is so important to us. We believe that when we share knowledge as a community, we’re stronger together. Today we welcomed parents to our Mental Health First Aid Training, led by Vivienne Liddell, Deputy Head (Pastoral), who shared practical tools to help parents feel more confident supporting their children’s wellbeing. #TogetherWeGrow #Wellbeing #MentalHealth #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
As part of their topic, ‘How do people help us in the community?’, Year 1 were delighted to welcome a real-life doctor into their classroom, who shared how she helps others every day and brought some of her medical tools to show the children. The class had prepared thoughtful questions and were captivated by her visit. Thanks for inspiring the next generation of helpers. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #Listening #Speaking #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
