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…
Huge congratulations to record breakers Milly and Jemima, who were not only part of Highfield and Brookham’s 1st XI who claimed third place in the @iapsuk U13 girls national cricket championships but also put on a batting masterclass. En route to a battling 28-run over Cottesmore in the third and fourth place play-off in Taunton, the openers carried their bats over the 20 overs, racking up an insurmountable 162-0. Jemima scored an unbeaten 43 while Milly smashed 92 not out, the highest score ever recorded by a female cricketer at Highfield and Brookham. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeCompete #TogetherWeSoar #GrassrootsCricket #PrepSchoolSport #CountryBoardingSchoolsInHampshire #IndependentSchools
With their first performance just two weeks away, rehearsals for Year 8’s big end-of-year production have really begun in earnest. Sandy, Danny, Kenickie, Rizzo, Frenchy and co will take to the stage from July 1-2 to throw the spotlight once more on life at Rydell High and prove, beyond doubt, that Grease really is the word… #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWePerform #PerformingArts #PrepSchoolStageShow #CoEdBoardingSchoolsInHampshire #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
No matter what our determined children are faced with, they always put their best foot forward and are well equipped to deal with any obstacles that come their way. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeAccomplish #TogetherWeOvercome #EssentialSkills #Resilience #Determination #CoeducationalSchoolsInHampshire @sayerscroft
Highfield and Brookham has been celebrating a golden spell on the sports front, with pupils excelling in swimming, athletics and cricket. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeCompete #PrepSchoolSport #GrassrootsSport #BoardingSchoolsInHampshire #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Having spent the night under canvas, Year 5 headed into the woods bright and early today to brush up their bushcraft skills. Setting up camp is hungry work, so the children were tasked with gathering piles of twigs and sticks before using a flint and steel to make a series of fires on which to cook their own lunch. What an adventure! #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeExplore #TogetherWeDiscover #OutdoorLearning #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Artists in Year 6 have been developing their multimedia techniques to produce artwork inspired by Buddha. Under the expert eye of Mrs Pearson, the children used pencils and pastels to recreate the distinctive form of the religious teacher whose teachings on enlightenment and the end of suffering became the basis of the world religion of Buddhism. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeCreate #TogetherWeLearn #Art #CountrySchoolsInHampshire #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Warmest congratulations to our U11 boys, who won the Plate competition at the annual cricket festival at @tonbridge.school yesterday. Having lost out to @lancing_college in the Cup competition, the boys stormed back with superb wins against @hazelwoodschooloxted, @thomasslondondayschools and @skippershillschool to secure the prized silverware. Well played, boys! #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeCompete #TogetherWeSucceed #GrassrootsCricket #PrepSchoolSport #BoardingSchoolsInHampshire
Whether it’s in the classroom, playing chess in the common room or taking on another school on the cricket pitch – as our boys and girls did today with a series of brilliant games under sunny skies against St. Edmund’s School, Surrey – it’s important that our pupils gain an understanding of healthy competition. Harnessed properly, competition can prepare children for adult life, help develop key skills such as perseverance and determination, encourage children to step out of their comfort zones, and allow them to learn about setbacks in a safe and encouraging space. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeSupport #TogetherWeUnderstand #CoEdBoardingSchoolsInHampshire #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Our children are such an inquisitive and imaginative bunch with an insatiable thirst for knowledge and discovery that even the most seemingly innocuous things can provide a real sense of joy, wonder and possibility. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeExplore #TogetherWeDiscover #OutdoorLearning #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
As we count down to Saturday’s fundraising ball in support of the Highfield School Centenary Bursaries Fund, we’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to our amazing sponsors. #TogetherWeAchieve #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #IndependentSchool #CoEdSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex @knightfrank @bii.aero @lapostollewinesuk @bradfield_college @bryanstonschool @canfordschool @charterhousesch @downe_house @hurst_college @marlboroughcollege @wellingtoncollege #ThermcoSystems
Young scientists in Year 6 have today been busy investigating the pH levels of different substances using a variety of indicator papers. Having observed colour changes, the children consulted a pH chart to determine the approximate acidity or alkalinity of the various substances, carefully recording the findings in their exercise books. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeExperiment #TogetherWeExplore #PrepSchoolScience #IndependentSchoolsInHampshire #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Our scenic and calming wellbeing garden has been embellished further thanks to the addition of two rustic oak benches which have been carved from two fallen oak trees on our estate. The green oasis stands on the site of the old pond next to the prep school science labs and offers another wonderful option for children to rest, reset and recharge during breaks in the school day. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeRecharge #PastoralProvision #WellbeingGarden #BoardingSchoolsInHampshire #IndependentSchoolsInHampshire
Congratulations to our girls’ first XI who beat Farleigh on Saturday to progress to the semi-finals of the @iapsuksport U13 Girls’ Cricket Championship for the very first time. They will now compete in the last four of the national competition at Taunton School on June 16. Well done, girls! #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWePlay #TogetherWeCompete #PrepSchoolSport #Teamwork #LeatherOnTheWillow #CountryPrepSchool #Cricket #CoEdSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Year 3 have been busy working on their lighthouse projects in DT today. Having sketched their building designs, the children painted cardboard inners in traditional red and white colours as they worked on the the main body of their coastal structures. Next, the children will turn their attention fully to the electronics required to give the lighthouse its all-important lamp. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeManufacture #TogetherWeDesign #DesignTechnology #BoardingSchoolsInHampshire #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Our amazing woodland is always a source of joy and inspiration for our pre-prep children, but today’s visit to forest school was extra special for Nursery’s Big Bear Cubs. For it was a chance to spend time letting their imaginations run wild in the company of our delightful Reception teachers ahead of moving up in September. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeProgress #TogetherWeExplore #ForestSchool #OutdoorLearning #GrowingUp #IndependentSchoolsInHampshire #Liphook #Hampshire #WestSussex #Surrey
The recent rain and spells of sunshine have really brought our newest wildflower areas to life. Now, we just need a concerted warm spell to attract all the busy pollinators which play a vital role in ensuring a healthy planet and a stable food supply. In the classroom, our pre-prep children have been busy learning all about the important role that bees play while the whole school has been involved in seeding wildflower areas around the grounds as we try to do our bit to protect the environment. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeProtect #TogetherWeNurture #WildflowerPlanting #EnvironmentallyFriendly #ProtectingThePlanet #CountrySchoolsInHampshire
Year 5 use their creativity and problem-solving skills as they compose in verse-chorus form using GarageBand. Instead of relying on pre-made loops, they’re putting their newly learned musical knowledge of primary and secondary chords into practice – creating original songs that are entirely their own. #TogetherWeCreate #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #IndependentSchool #CoEdSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #EssentialSkills
With a summer concert, HighFest, an informal concert at the Pre-Prep and cushion concerts still to come, it promises to be a busy end to a successful and fulfilling school year for our dedicated music teachers and their tuneful young charges. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWePerform #MusicConcerts #PerformingArts #IndependentSchoolsInHampshire #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex
Our girls were in fine form today as they welcomed their fellow cricketers from Edgeborough School for a series of fabulous matches played in fantastic spirit. While they have clearly progressed and shown improved technique with bat and ball week by week, what was most evident (and so pleasing) was just how much the idea of playing as a team means to the girls, who gave their all and were wholly supportive of each other throughout. Well done, girls, long may it continue! #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWePlay #TogetherWeSupport #PrepSchoolSport #GrassrootsCricket #CountryBoardingSchoolsInHampshire #Liphook #Hampshire #WestSussex #Surrey
This year’s Tatler Schools Awards voting form is now live. We would be truly grateful for your support, simply head to the bio above to find the link. #TogetherWeGrow #IndependentSchool #PrivateSchool #BoardingSchool #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex #Tatler #TatlerSchoolsGuide2025 #TatlerSchoolsAwards2025
The sun and the rain has sparked some wonderful growth to add another level of calmness and serenity to our dedicated wellbeing garden. The revamped space on the site of the old pond next to the prep school science labs is the latest addition to our pastoral portfolio and offers a tranquil retreat where children are encouraged to relax, chat and connect with one another during breaktimes. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeRecharge #TogetherWeCare #PastoralProvision #WellbeingGarden #Nursery #PrePrepSchool #PrepSchool #IndependentSchool
School trips are an invaluable part of a child’s learning journey, fostering independence, confidence and resilience as they provide real-world learning experiences outside the classroom. Our Year 6 children are this week in Suffolk, engaging in fieldwork to embellish their theoretical knowledge with practical application at the National Trust site of Flatford Mill. It follows hot on the heels of our scholars touching down in Fontanellato, where the children took to the Freedom Trail to follow in the footsteps of former Highfield and Brookham headmaster Peter Mills, who escaped from a German prisoner of war camp in northern Italy in 1943. The Year 8 children also took in a tour of the 12th Century Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and a trip to a cheese factory where the world-famous Parmigiano Reggiano is produced, as well as spending time with their Italian peers and catching up with old friends at Comprensivo di Fontanellato e Fontevivo, who send two pupils to Liphook for six weeks each year. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #SchoolTrips #IndependentSchoolsInHampshire #BoardingSchoolsInHampshire
Our upper prep children have safely negotiated the first day of a busy week of exams. With four more days to go, we know the conscientious girls and boys have prepared well and can achieve anything that they set their minds too. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeAchieve #ExamSeason #CountryBoardingSchoolsInHampshire #IndependentSchool #Liphook #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Nursery #Liphook
Children at Highfield and Brookham are not only being primed for academic success, they are being equipped with the essential skills needed to thrive in life beyond the classroom. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #TogetherWeThrive #IndependentSchoolsInHampshire #CountrySchoolsInHampshire #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #Liphook