Taunton School
Taunton School
Taunton, England
Taunton School is a modern, international school with a pleasantly down-to-earth atmosphere. If traditions aren’t your thing but you still want academic rigor, this is the place to be. The school offers both the IB and A-Levels and places great emphasis on individual support. The teachers are dedicated, approachable, and always ready to listen. We were particularly impressed by the excellently equipped Design & Technology Department – one of the best in South England. Taunton is also strong in sports, focusing on rugby, football, and hockey. The spacious grounds with open playing fields and the modern, light-filled dining hall create a relaxed, communal atmosphere – more Tate Modern than Hogwarts.
The Details
The Academics
Taunton School is not especially selective, yet the results are impressive: in 2024, 31% of students achieved A grades at A-Level, and 42% of GCSE results were in the 9–7 range. The IB average was a solid 34 points, a few points above the global average. The dedicated Careers Department provides targeted support for university and career choices, resulting in nearly all graduates going on to study at universities both in the UK and abroad. Over the past ten years, more than 40 students have been accepted to Oxbridge.
Languages Taught
English as a Foreign Language, French, Spanish, Italian, German and Latin.
The Boarding
About 40% of the pupils board. Most share rooms with one or two others; in the Sixth Form, almost all have single rooms. The school is large enough to offer diversity but small enough to ensure no one gets lost. Support is very well organized—with houseparents, form tutors, peer mentors, a mental health nurse, and even therapy dogs.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Taunton School is a friendly school with happy pupils. The school is very down-to-earth and unpretentious. The teachers are dedicated and very helpful, as are the houseparents in the boarding houses.
The school has a strong sporting profile and regularly competes against well-established teams — and often wins. Alongside classics like rugby, cricket, and football, there is a wide range of less typical sports, including rowing, boxing, taekwondo, and climbing. For particularly talented students, there are targeted development programs in disciplines such as golf, equestrian, tennis, shooting, and cricket — supported by the proximity to the County Ground.
We are big fans of Taunton School’s Design & Technology department. The workshops are modernly equipped with laser cutters, 3D printers, and spray booths. Students develop impressive projects here, from innovative furniture to an almost finished electric car. Art and music are also strong areas: a modern music studio, individual lessons, regular performances, and open stage formats offer room for artistic expression.
Drama plays an important role — and for everyone: auditions are open, and roles are assigned so that as many students as possible can gain stage experience. Additionally, the “Horizon” program offers an impressive variety of extracurricular activities: over 150 clubs to choose from — ranging from debating, chess, and modern languages to investment or enterprise clubs, as well as science, programming, saxophone ensembles, or Stomp performances.
Weaknesses
The campus may lack a bit of glamour, but as we always say: don't judge a school by its buildings!
Location
The school is located in the charming market town of Taunton in Somerset — right in the green southwest of England, framed by the gentle Quantock Hills and not far from the coast. Despite its rural idyll, the school is very well connected: Taunton train station is just minutes away, offering direct train services to London (approx. 2 hrs) and Exeter.
London Paddington Station - 2 hrs by train
Taunton School is a modern, unpretentious school ideal for parents seeking a holistic, forward-thinking education in a co-educational environment.
Taunton was the first school in Somerset to adopt the “Zero to Landfill” principle — no waste ends up in landfill. Instead, everything is recycled or used for energy generation.
Take a look at similar schools
Kent College, Canterbury
King's College Taunton
Oakham School
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