On one of our recent school visits, we found ourselves in the South West of England at Taunton School. Not to be confused with King’s College Taunton or Queen’s College Taunton, Taunton School is the largest of the three. While it may lack the royal-sounding name of its neighbours, it is a school we have recommended to families for many years, not least because of its long-established international division, which has traditionally been particularly attractive to overseas students.
Yet change is underway.
We were keen to learn how the school is reshaping the relationship between Taunton School and Taunton International School, gradually bringing together aspects of boarding and academic life that were once more clearly separated. To find out more, we met with Director of Admissions Adrian Hallworth and his welcoming team.
A Visit Through Students’ Eyes
What followed was one of the most pupil-led school visits we have ever experienced.
No fewer than six student guides accompanied us throughout the day – three times as many as on a typical school tour. We began by meeting three German Year 12 students, Matilda, Milan and Konstantin, who spoke candidly about boarding life, school meals and what it was like settling into a new country and school community.
Life on Campus
Later, we were handed over to an older group of Sixth Form students: Wataru from Japan, Amelie from Germany and Ella, who has both Swiss and British roots. Together they guided us around the campus, showing us the boarding houses, academic facilities and the many corners of school life that rarely appear in prospectuses.
Friedrich’s Story
To round off the visit, Adrian had arranged one final conversation.
We met Friedrich, a student from Germany who had transferred to Taunton from a boarding school in Scotland. His story alone could have filled an article of its own. Listening to him describe his journey – from a boy struggling with language barriers and self-confidence to a young man confidently sharing his experiences with a room full of strangers – was a powerful reminder of the transformative impact a school can have.
From New Arrival to Confident Young Adult
So read on to discover how Friedrich, and many others, have found not only an education at Taunton School, but a place where they truly belong.
The Setting
Taunton School sits in the Somerset town of the same name, surrounded by the rolling countryside of England’s South West. We will spare you the usual descriptions of market-town charm and village life. Suffice it to say that Taunton is small, safe and the sort of place where a Sunday afternoon might involve a trip to a café, a stroll through town or a quick visit to the supermarket. Practicality is another advantage: the railway station is within easy reach, and London Paddington can be reached in a surprisingly manageable one hour and forty-five minutes. In other words, Taunton is comfortably outside London’s orbit without feeling remotely cut off from the rest of the country.
Old Foundations, New Ideas
Founded in 1847, the school has undergone an impressive programme of modernisation in recent years – and the transformation is still ongoing. Today, a welcoming campus links the five Senior School boarding houses, while a light-filled dining hall for 400 pupils now sits alongside the school’s historic main building.
Not every innovation has quite made its way onto the menu. Some international pupils admit they occasionally wish for a little more variety and rather fewer sausages and baked beans at breakfast, or something other than a traditional Sunday roast at the weekend. Then again, we suspect these are exactly the stories former boarders will one day recount with equal parts affection and eye-rolling. Besides, the dining options extend well beyond English breakfasts and roast dinners. The Griffin café offers a steady supply of sandwiches, protein bars and revision snacks – all essential fuel for long afternoons spent studying in the newly refurbished Carrington Library.
Creativity on Display
Another recent addition is the practical and stylish Sixth Form Centre, where we met Matilda, Milan and Konstantin. All three highlighted the Design & Technology and Art departments as major reasons for choosing Taunton School.
It was easy to see why.
As we toured the campus, we encountered striking artwork at every turn: enormous canvases lining staircases, sculptures, stained-glass pieces, mixed-media creations and even a remarkably convincing arcade machine. Display cabinets were filled with jewellery, lamps and intricate models. The Design & Technology workshops proved equally impressive. Even without students present, it was obvious that this was a space in constant use – a place where ideas are turned into tangible results.
One School, Two Campuses
Taunton International School (TIS) occupies its own compact campus, where many international pupils begin both their boarding and academic journey. Separated from the main school by little more than a road, it sits within easy walking distance of the dining hall, library, sports facilities, arts centre and chapel.
Watching the steady flow of pupils moving between the two sites, it quickly became clear that any distinction between them is largely administrative. International students spend much of their day on the main campus for lessons, assemblies, sport, activities and meals.
When Wataru showed us around the TIS campus, he became unexpectedly nostalgic. The modest red-brick buildings, classrooms and spacious common room reminded him of his first weeks in England – a time when friendships formed quickly and the transition into a new language, culture and education system felt manageable.
Looking Ahead
The biggest change is still to come. From 2027, the two existing boarding houses on the TIS campus will close and be replaced by a substantial new boarding house on the main campus. Offering accommodation for around 140 pupils, including modern single rooms and en-suite facilities, the development will increase boarding capacity by approximately 60 places.
“It’s a sign of confidence,” Adrian Hallworth told us. “The school is growing.”
The TIS campus will then become an academic hub focused exclusively on teaching and learning.
Room to Breathe
Spread across 56 acres – roughly the equivalent of 32 football pitches – the campus offers plenty of space for pupils to pursue their interests. Sports facilities include a modern sports centre, a swimming pool and all-weather pitches, while creative students benefit from a professionally equipped 220-seat theatre.
For those seeking a quieter moment, there is the school chapel, now more than a century old, as well as the Health and Wellbeing Centre. The pupils we met throughout the day struck us as notably balanced and grounded. Perhaps that is what happens when boxing, Pilates, shooting, football, drama rehearsals and revision sessions all compete for a place in the timetable.
What We Believe Makes Taunton School Stand Out
Few schools we have visited are quite as flexible as Taunton School when it comes to responding to the individual needs and development of each pupil. Here, educational pathways are adapted to fit the student, not the other way around. In some cases, even GCSE courses can be extended over a longer period if that is what best supports a pupil’s progress.
The same flexibility applies to international students. While most boarding schools offer programmes lasting either one term or a full academic year, Taunton has introduced a middle option: a one-and-a-half-term stay. This allows overseas pupils to extend their experience in England without exceeding the 180-day limit that applies to many visitors.
A School of Opportunities
Perhaps the most striking aspect of Taunton School is its determination to make opportunities available to everyone. As Adrian Hallworth put it: “Taunton School is about having options.” Whether academically, socially or through co-curricular activities, the emphasis is on helping each pupil discover their strengths and pursue their interests.
This philosophy is particularly evident in sport. Rather than focusing exclusively on elite performers, many sports offer not only A and B teams, but also C, D, E and even F teams. The message is clear: participation matters, and every pupil should have the opportunity to represent the school, improve and enjoy the experience.
The Best of Both Worlds
The school’s international division, Taunton International School (TIS), adds another layer to this flexibility. International pupils benefit from tailored courses and specialist support while remaining fully integrated into wider school life through boarding, sport, music, activities and daily life on campus.
In many ways, it offers the best of both worlds: the individual attention of a dedicated international programme combined with all the opportunities and experiences of a large British boarding school.
Strength Across the Board
We could easily devote an entire section to the arts, sport or music. The Art Department alone, with its exhibition-like corridors filled with student work, left a lasting impression. Yet what stands out most is not one particular department but the school’s commitment to quality, creativity and inclusion across the board.
Rather than concentrating resources on a handful of star performers, Taunton aims to help every pupil find an area in which they can thrive.
The Little Things Matter
One final detail deserves mention. The admissions team is currently developing a transparent fee package that clearly outlines the full cost of boarding, helping families avoid unexpected extras.
It may not be the deciding factor when choosing a school, but it reflects something we encountered throughout our visit: a school that genuinely tries to make life easier for families and to remove unnecessary barriers wherever possible.
Academics
Taunton School is not a highly selective academic hothouse, which makes its results all the more impressive. In 2025, 53 per cent of GCSE grades were awarded at 9–7, while 39 per cent of A-level results were graded A*/A (69 per cent A*–B). The school’s average IB score of 33.3 points also sits comfortably above the global average.
The school takes particular pride in the variety of academic pathways available. Many pupils opt for the International Baccalaureate rather than A Levels, reflecting the school’s long-standing international outlook. For overseas students, Taunton also offers specialist preparation programmes leading into GCSE and IB courses, allowing pupils aged 15 and 16 to gain the qualifications they need within an accelerated timeframe.
Small Classes, Individual Support
Much of this takes place within Taunton International School (TIS), where small class sizes and individual attention create an environment that feels very different from a traditional large boarding school. Average class sizes are around eight pupils, with specialist teachers, dedicated tutors and even lessons on Saturdays helping students make rapid academic progress.
Every student we met spoke warmly about their experience there.
“Everything started here at TIS,” Wataru told us as he showed us around the campus. Now in his final year, he studies subjects including Physics and Business Studies in classes of just five and nine pupils. After Taunton, he hopes to study Business Management at Cardiff University before returning to Japan to join the family business.
Preparing for Life Beyond School
Academic support at Taunton extends far beyond examination results. Through a comprehensive programme of personal development, pupils receive guidance on university applications, career planning and future pathways. University fairs, campus visits and careers events are all part of the process, while the school’s Futures Department works closely with Sixth Form students throughout their applications.
The approach appears to be working. Each year, pupils secure places at leading universities in the UK and beyond, with Oxbridge offers featuring among the successes.
Meeting Students Where They Are
One phrase from our conversation with Adrian Hallworth stayed with us:
“You have to individualise the journey so that it works for each student.”
Perhaps no story illustrates this better than Friedrich’s.
Originally from Germany, he had begun his boarding school experience in Scotland. The transition proved difficult. Struggling with the language, feeling isolated and finding it hard to settle, he faced the prospect of returning home. Instead, he decided to try again at Taunton.
The school responded by creating a pathway that allowed him to complete his GCSEs over a longer period than usual – something that remains highly unusual in the British system.
A Story of Transformation
Two years later, the results are remarkable.
Friedrich has recently been named Student of the Week. His English is now fluent, his grades have risen to 8s (with 9 being the highest possible grade), and he rows for the school’s First VIII.
Listening to him speak, it was difficult not to be impressed. He openly described the educational gaps he had needed to overcome and the support that helped him get there.
“I had a lot to catch up on,” he told us. “But with tutoring and the academic clinics, I managed it.”
His story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when a school is willing to adapt to the needs of the individual rather than expecting every pupil to fit the same mould. By the end of our conversation, one thing was clear: Friedrich will leave Taunton as a confident young man. And judging by Adrian Hallworth’s expression as he listened, the school is every bit as proud of him as he is of his achievements.
Extracurricular
Friedrich is perhaps the best example of what can happen when all the pieces fall into place. Alongside strong academic support, Taunton School places considerable emphasis on life beyond the classroom. Every pupil is encouraged to sign up for at least three activities each term, with the aim of discovering new interests, developing existing talents and, occasionally, surprising themselves.
Sport for Everyone
One phrase stayed with us throughout our visit: sport and opportunity for all.
Unlike many schools, where competitive sport revolves around a handful of elite teams, Taunton makes a conscious effort to involve as many pupils as possible. In many sports, teams continue well beyond the A and B squads, allowing pupils of different abilities to represent the school and enjoy competitive fixtures. The result is an impressive 120 teams across around 20 sports.
The school currently ranks among the strongest sporting schools in the country and regularly competes with some of the UK's most established sporting names.
Core sports include hockey, rugby, netball, cricket, swimming, tennis, football and athletics, supported by excellent facilities including a swimming pool, sports hall, climbing wall and extensive outdoor pitches.
From Boxing to Modern Pentathlon
The range of sporting options extends far beyond the traditional programme.
Amelie has taken up fencing, while Matilda combines boxing and Pilates. One particularly distinctive offering is Modern Pentathlon, which combines fencing, swimming, obstacle racing and laser run events.
For highly specialised performance athletes there may be schools with a stronger elite-sport focus. For pupils like Friedrich, however, the breadth of opportunities is exactly what makes Taunton appealing. During his time here he has competed in rowing regattas and hockey fixtures, recently helping his crew secure a fourth-place finish in competition.
Creativity in Every Corner
Sport is only one part of the picture.
We have already mentioned the impressive Design & Technology department, but creative opportunities can be found across the campus. Pupils can take part in chamber music ensembles, orchestras, choirs, musical theatre productions and drama performances. During our visit, rehearsals were underway and enthusiastic applause echoed from one of the performance spaces.
It was another reminder that creativity is very much woven into everyday life at Taunton.
Finding Your Niche
In total, the school offers more than 150 co-curricular activities.
Amelie participates in the Business Society and Young Entrepreneurs Club, where pupils explore topics such as product development, marketing and supply chains. One recent project involved designing and producing a small griffin using a 3D printer before selling it to customers.
Matilda has chosen bridge, choir and shooting, while Milan has immersed himself in coding, chess and tennis.
For International Baccalaureate students, involvement beyond the classroom is not optional. Participation in clubs forms part of the programme, alongside a service commitment. Pupils might tutor younger students, help in the library or work in the school shop.
“The shop is particularly popular,” Matilda told us with a smile, “because it’s one of the few places where you actually get paid.”
Boarding Life
Around 440 boarders from more than 60 different countries call Taunton School home. Within the Senior School alone, there are approximately 300 boarders, including around 80 Sixth Form students. The community is remarkably balanced, with British and international pupils represented in almost equal numbers. German students form one of the largest overseas groups, but what struck us most was how naturally friendships cross nationalities.
Amelie, for example, counts pupils from Taunton, Belgium and Kazakhstan among her closest friends.
For the moment, boarding life is split between the main campus and the International School site. From 2027 onwards, however, the opening of the new boarding house will bring the entire boarding community together on the main campus, creating an even more integrated experience.
A Home Away from Home
We visited Weirfield, one of the girls’ boarding houses, home to around 70 pupils from Year 9 to Year 13. It felt spacious, welcoming and refreshingly lived-in. There were study areas, comfortable communal spaces and an open-plan kitchen proudly displaying the words “24/7 Toast & Noodles” in large letters.
One detail particularly caught our attention. In a small side room, complete with nail varnishes and dryers, a bright pink armchair sat beside an army rucksack. The contrast seemed to capture the spirit of the school perfectly. Here, pupils can enjoy nail art one moment and participate in Combined Cadet Force drills the next. No one is expected to fit a particular mould.
The Combined Cadet Force remains a popular part of school life for both girls and boys, blending leadership training, outdoor adventure and traditional cadet activities.
Weekends at Taunton
Boarding life does not stop when lessons end.
Weekends often include trips to nearby cities such as Bristol, Bath and Exeter, alongside sporting fixtures and social activities. For Sixth Form students like Ella and her friends, a leisurely brunch and a chance to recharge can sometimes be just as appealing as a busy schedule.
Exeat weekends offer additional flexibility. Pupils may leave school on Friday evening or remain on campus for designated Reading Weekends. Particularly popular with international boarders, these quieter weekends provide valuable time to rest, catch up on work and enjoy campus life without the usual timetable of lessons and fixtures.
Looking After Every Pupil
Pastoral care is clearly taken seriously.
Alongside regular conversations with houseparents and tutors, pupils complete a weekly wellbeing check-in covering areas such as sleep, nutrition, safety and general happiness. If concerns arise, support is quickly put in place.
Several students mentioned this system during our visit, but Friedrich’s story brought it to life most vividly.
“When I arrived, I was desperately homesick,” he told us. “But my houseparent and tutor were always there for me, and I always felt I had someone I could talk to.”
That sense of belonging gave him the confidence to settle into his new environment. Today, some of his closest friends come from Hong Kong, Japan and Germany, and he speaks warmly about the international community that helped him find his place.
Students Supporting Students
Support at Taunton does not come only from adults.
Ella, who has been elected a Prefect in her boarding house, acts as a first point of contact for younger pupils. Sometimes, she explained, students feel more comfortable speaking to an older peer than to a member of staff.
As a Prefect, her responsibilities range from supervising evening prep sessions and helping with attendance checks to organising social events such as board game evenings and film nights.
The result is a boarding environment where older pupils actively help younger ones settle in.
As Matilda recalled with a laugh, there was little time to feel nervous when she arrived.
“On my very first Sunday, they sent us on a trip with British and international boarders.”
The ice was broken almost immediately.
And with that, life at Taunton School truly began.
Who Is Taunton School For?
Taunton School is an excellent choice for curious, open-minded pupils who thrive in an international environment and want to make the most of the opportunities available to them. Whether their interests lie in sport, the arts, music, entrepreneurship or simply trying something new, there is plenty here to keep them engaged.
The school is also particularly well suited to international students who may still be developing their English. The dedicated Taunton International School campus, with its small classes, specialist teachers and tailored support, provides a gentle and effective transition into British boarding school life.
Finally, Taunton is one of the few schools we confidently recommend for shorter stays. Its flexible programmes, strong international expertise and welcoming community make it an attractive option for families seeking anything from a term abroad to a longer academic experience.
