Schools/United Kingdom/Taunton/Taunton School
United Kingdom — Somerset

Taunton School

Staplegrove Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 6AD, U.K.
IBBoarding Life
Taunton School logo
Data verified from public sources
Annual Fees$ 5,093 – $ 13,056
Ages8 – 19

Taunton School is a IB school in Taunton, United Kingdom. Founded in 1914. It serves 687 students for students aged 8–19. Annual tuition ranges from $5,093 to $13,056 USD.

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Location & getting here

Postcode
TA2 6AD
Setting
Urban
Nearest station
Taunton900 m away
Nearest town
Taunton1500 m

Somerset's county town, offering good schools and local amenities. Moderate transport access to major cities; primarily a regional center rather than a commuter belt.

Nearest airports

Framed for international families — drive times are from the school, not the city centre.

AirportDistanceDrive from schoolInternational note
Birmingham184 km~249 minBHX — Midlands gateway
Heathrow192 km~260 minLHR — gateway for Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai
Gatwick205 km~277 minLGW — good for SE Asia, Middle East via BA/EK/QR

NanaSays Scorecard

Est. 1914
Year Founded
687
Students Enrolled
Boarding Available

Key Details

Curricula Offered
IBYes
Accreditations
IB
Languages of Instruction
English

Scholarships Available

Types Available
Academic Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ (Year 9), and Sixth Form, awarded on attainment and potential
Sport Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form for talented athletes across rugby, netball, football, cricket, hockey, tennis, athletics, swimming, horse riding, table tennis, golf, squash, cross country, biathle, triathlon, laser run, pistol shooting
Music Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form for accomplished musicians
Drama Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form for talented actors and performers
Performing Arts Scholarship (including Dance) — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form combining Music, Drama and Dance
Art Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form for dedicated young artists
Design Technology Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form for students with design and engineering aptitude
IB Scholarship — available at Sixth Form entry (Year 12) for talented students entering the International Baccalaureate programme
Headmaster's Award — available at any time throughout the year with same fee remission and opportunities as formal scholarships
Bursaries (means-tested): Means-tested assisted places are available to provide fee assistance to enable talented pupils to join the school who might otherwise be unable to do so due to financial circumstances.
💡 Scholarship amounts and bursary likelihood analysis are in the Full Deep Report.
Merit-based Scholarships

Academic Performance

Standards Met
ISI

ISI Inspection Report

All Independent School Standards relating to leadership and governance, quality of education, pupils' physical and mental health, social and economic education, and safeguarding are met. The school is characterized by strong leadership with rigorous evaluation processes, effective teaching that enables good pupil progress, and a distinctive co-curricular programme of over 120 activities that significantly contributes to pupils' development.

ISI Standards
Met
Key Strengths
The school's co-curricular programme is a significant strength encompassing over 120 activities
Governors maintain careful oversight of the school's leadership and management
Strong culture of safeguarding with effective implementation of procedures
Teaching enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and understanding, develop key learning skills and make good progress
Teachers have secure subject knowledge
PSHE programme contributes positively to pupils' mental health and emotional wellbeing
Strong emphasis on independent living and leadership skills development in boarding houses
Diversity is celebrated and pupils are respectful of each other
Comprehensive careers guidance programme greatly valued by pupils
Areas for Development
Ensure that all teachers use appropriate strategies to support pupils who have SEND
Disseminate language-teaching expertise more widely to enable all staff to provide more effective support for pupils who speak EAL and improve their progress
Ensure that all pupils make use of the advice and guidance available within the careers department
Better communicate the comprehensive careers guidance to parents and pupils
View Full ISI Report (2024-04-23)

Key facts

Founded
1914
Ages
8–19 (Co-ed)
Pupils on roll
687
Fees
$ 11,190$ 55,875 / year
Inspectorate
ISI

Fees & the true cost of attendance

Published fees · inclusive of VAT

PhasePer termPer year
Pre-Preparatory (Reception, Year 1-2)£3,730£11,190
Preparatory (Year 3-4)£4,295£12,885
Preparatory (Year 5-6)£5,860£17,580
Preparatory (Year 7-8)£7,800£23,400
Senior (Year 9-13)£9,785£29,355
Senior GCSE Access (Year 9-10)£14,195£42,585
Senior One-Year GCSE/Pre-IB (Year 11)£14,900£44,700
Senior Foundation Programme (Year 12-13)£14,000£42,000
Sixth Form New Entry (7 nights)£17,510£52,530
Senior 7 nights Boarding (Year 9-13)£16,995£50,985
Senior 7 nights Boarding Year 11 (One-Year)£18,625£55,875
Preparatory 7 nights Boarding (Year 7-8)£13,145£39,435
Preparatory 7 nights Boarding (Year 5-6)£10,390£31,170

Compulsory extras (on top of tuition)

ItemFrequencyAmount
Day Pupil Lunches (Senior)Per year£942
Day Pupil Lunches (Preparatory)Per year£801
Day Pupil Lunches (Pre-Preparatory)Per year£555
School Bus Service (Zone 1)Per term
School Bus Service (Zone 2)Per term
School Bus Service (Zone 3)Per term

Budget beyond the sticker price. Assume the real annual spend is 5–15% higher than the headline fee. Hidden costs typically include: registration fee, acceptance deposit (usually one term's fees, refundable at the end of schooling), uniform + sports kit, trips and expeditions, individual music tuition, exam entry fees, travel to/from home.

Ask the Bursar for a sample "all-in" first-year invoice before committing.

Scholarships & financial assistance

Merit-based scholarships (9 types)

Academic Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ (Year 9), and Sixth Form, awarded on attainment and potential
Sport Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form for talented athletes across rugby, netball, football, cricket, hockey, tennis, athletics, swimming, horse riding, table tennis, golf, squash, cross country, biathle, triathlon, laser run, pistol shooting
Music Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form for accomplished musicians
Drama Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form for talented actors and performers
Performing Arts Scholarship (including Dance) — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form combining Music, Drama and Dance
Art Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form for dedicated young artists
Design Technology Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form for students with design and engineering aptitude
IB Scholarship — available at Sixth Form entry (Year 12) for talented students entering the International Baccalaureate programme
Headmaster's Award — available at any time throughout the year with same fee remission and opportunities as formal scholarships

ℹ️ This school has not published the exact % fee remission for each award. Ask the admissions team directly — typical independent school scholarships range from 5% to 50% of fees.

💰
Means-tested bursaries — the school looks at your family income and can offer a much larger discount than any scholarship. Means-tested assisted places are available to provide fee assistance to enable talented pupils to join the school who might otherwise be unable to do so due to financial circumstances. Ask the Bursar directly — these are rarely advertised prominently.

About

Taunton School is a private, coeducational IB World School located in Somerset, United Kingdom, authorized by the International Baccalaureate since January 2007. The school offers mixed boarding facilities and delivers the IB curriculum across a comprehensive range of academic subjects including mathematics, sciences, languages, and humanities.

School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.

What Makes This School Different

Combined Cadet Force (CCF) – largest in
Somerset Player Pathway cricket programm
Somerset County Cricket Academy placemen
Professional drama productions at The Br
Concerto Competition – annual music comp
Pro Corda Schools' Chamber Music Festiva
Clubs & Activities
AstronomyBalletDebatingDrama and speechPhilosophyComputer programmingVolunteeringGreen powerDungeons & DragonsMultiple music ensembles and bands+8 more
Expeditions include: Weekly house trips for Prep Boarders to theme parks, skate parks, shopping malls, water parks, and beaches across South West, Senior Boarder weekend trips to various locations, Local town exploration weekends

Academic Results

A-Level A*
39%
68% A*/A
University Destinations 2025
University of EdinburghLondon School of EconomicsUniversity of BristolUniversity of Oxford1University of Cambridge1King's College LondonNortheastern University (Boston)Pepperdine University (California)

Admissions

Entry pointAssessmentAssessment dateRegistration deadline
11+ (Year 7)Assessments in chosen scholarship area(s) — Academic, Sport, Music, Drama, Performing Arts, Art, or Design Technology. Candidates can be assessed in maximum two areas.Week of 25th January 20272nd January 2027
13+ (Year 9)Scholarships available; specific details not provided in available documents
16+ (Sixth Form/Year 12)Scholarships available for A-Level, BTEC, IB, and International Foundation Year pathways

How to apply

  1. Contact Claire Peach, Head of Admissions, to discuss scholarship application
  2. Obtain references and school reports from current school
  3. Submit application by closing date
  4. Complete assessments in chosen scholarship area(s)
  5. Receive results notification
  6. For Headmaster's Awards, assessments can occur at other times during the year

What you'll need to submit

  • Application form
  • School references
  • School reports
  • Optional: testimonials and evidence of ability (e.g., reference from coach or specialist teacher)

Open events

  • Regular open events — both in-person and virtual throughout the year

Scholarships: Scholarships available for 11+, 13+, 16+ (Sixth Form), and IB entry. Headmaster's Awards available year-round. Candidates can apply for up to two scholarship areas.

Admissions contact: Claire Peach, Head of Admissions, [email protected], 01823 703303

Admissions process emphasizes finding each child's 'spark' and passion. Parents should inform child's current Head of application. Comprehensive support provided for international students including visa support and CAS letters.

Why Families Choose

  • Four Schools in One integrated model
  • Complete educational journey from age 0-18
  • Supportive boarding environment
  • 50-acre site
  • Focus on developing individual potential and life skills

Fees & Financials

£4,010 – £10,280

Original currency: £4,010 – £10,280.

Boarding Life

Boarding Type
Day and boarding
Capacity
379 students

Excellently equipped common rooms and recreational areas. Supportive boarding environment with access to abundant cultural and sporting activities.

Day Boarding, Flexi Boarding, and Full Boarding options available for ages 7-18. Preparatory students (7-13) housed in small dormitories with common rooms. Senior students (13-18) have access to cultural and sporting activities with emphasis on developing life skills.

Student Demographics

School Type
co-ed
Age Range
819
Student Body
Boarding capacity379

School Background

Governance & Ownership

private

Religious Affiliation

Christian

Sports Programme

66
teams across 5 sports
Signature Sports
HockeyCricketRugbyNetballTennis
Teams by Sport
Netball
15
teams
Cricket
48
teams
Hockey
teams
Football
3
teams
Tennis
teams
Also Offered
RugbyAthleticsSwimmingGolfModern PentathlonLong Distance SwimmingBasketballSquashCross CountryEquestrianBadmintonClimbingPistol ShootingRowingTriathlonBiathlonLaser Run
Recent Highlights
NationalStudents selected for U16 and U18 England Hockey squads2024
NationalCricket: Named in The Cricketer's Top 100 Senior Schools and Top 50 Prep Schools2025
NationalSwimming: Rachel Aldington appointed Director; programme to include Paris 2024 Olympic trials qualifiers2025
Notable Coaches
Pete Sanderson
Director of Cricket
Ex-Somerset CCC Assistant 1st XI Coach; ECB Level 4
Marcus Trescothick
Cricket Coach
Former England cricketer; England batting coach; ECB Level 4
Dave Roberts
Performance Cricket Coach
Former Somerset Women's Head Coach; Somerset youth coach; ECB Level 3
Facilities
56-acre campus2 swimming pools4 floodlit hard tennis courts2 squash courts8 netball courts3 multi-purpose floodlit Astro Turf pitches2 new state-of-the-art floodlit Astro Turf pitches (opened September 2024, hockey-specific)Grass pitches for cricket, rugby and football3 indoor sports venuesFitness suite
Director of Sport: Daniel Pettifer

Frequently Asked Questions

The annual fees at Taunton School are £4,010 – £10,280 per academic year.