When Emperor Haile Selassie I, exiled from Ethiopia, attended King's College's Sports Day in 1937, he presented the prizes alongside Benjamin Disraeli's political ghost; the great statesman had once campaigned on the very ground where the 1st XV now plays. This confluence of historical weight and contemporary ambition runs through King's College Taunton's identity. Founded in 1880 by Canon Nathaniel Woodard as the fifth in his network of Church of England schools, King's occupies a spacious 80-acre campus straddling Somerset countryside and the market town of Taunton. The school embraces both day and boarding students across seven dedicated boarding houses, educating approximately 400 pupils aged 13 to 18. Academic results sit in the solid middle tier (FindMySchool ranking places the school in the typical performance band in England), while boarders and day pupils coexist in an integrated community where the strength of the pastoral structure ranks among the school's most celebrated features.
The architecture speaks of King's dual nature. Victorian red-brick buildings from the 1860s blend with modern learning spaces; the Chapel, begun in 1903 and designed in the perpendicular Gothic tradition, anchors the campus spiritually and physically. The school's symbol, the Pelican in its Piety (a bird drawing its own blood to feed its young), adopted from the original Taunton Grammar School, represents sacrifice and service. The school's motto, Fortis et Fidelis (Brave and Faithful), echoes through daily life from chapel to the boarding houses.
King's College Taunton in South Taunton, Taunton has a clear sense of identity shaped by its setting and community. The Sixth Form Centre, purpose-built in recent years, feels university-like with its light-filled spaces, wooden interiors, underfloor heating, and dedicated café alongside silent study zones and social clubs. The dramatic 250-seat theatre, equipped with computer lighting desks and professional sound systems, seats students who audition for major productions. Elsewhere, the seven boarding houses, Bishop Fox, King Alfred, Woodard, Tuckwell, Meynell, Taylor, and Carpenter, feel lived-in and familial. Houseparents live on-site with their families, creating continuity of care. Three houses accommodate girls (Meynell, Taylor, Carpenter); four serve boys (Bishop Fox, King Alfred, Woodard, Tuckwell).
Michael Sloan, appointed Headmaster in September 2022, arrives from Brighton College where he served as Deputy Headmaster. A former infantry officer trained at Sandhurst, Sloan brings military precision to educational leadership while maintaining warmth. He teaches History to Year 9 and is notably visible around campus. An upcoming transition sees Benjamin Evans, currently Deputy Head Academic at Wellington College, set to take over as Head in September 2026, signalling continuity of vision and strategic intent.
The ISI inspection framework for independent schools (most recent routine inspection completed in March 2018) assessed the school as meeting the standards robustly, with inspectors noting the breadth of opportunities and academic ambition. The school's 2022 Regulatory Compliance inspection confirmed continued compliance across all areas.
King's College's GCSE results place the school well below the England median for academic performance. The school ranks 3491st (FindMySchool data), placing it in the bottom 40% of schools in England, or 76th percentile (below average). The average Attainment 8 score of 34.7 sits slightly below the England average of 45.9, indicating that while grades are respectable, they do not exceed national benchmarks.
Historically, the school has maintained consistency with approximately 50% of pupils achieving grades A*/A (equivalent to 9-7) at GCSE, and 96% achieving grades 9-4 (the former pass threshold). The metrics reveal selective entry at GCSE and reasonably strong progress from Year 9 entry, but absolute performance trails selective independent schools and grammar schools in England.
The A-level picture is more favourable. At A-level, the school ranks 786th in England (FindMySchool ranking), positioning it firmly in the national typical band (approximately 30th percentile). Approximately 56% of A-level grades achieved A*-B, with 28% reaching A*-B in the most recent cohort measured. This exceeds the England average of 47% achieving A*-B, demonstrating stronger relative performance at sixth form than at GCSE level.
The breadth of A-level offerings (22 subjects) includes traditional academic staples (English Literature, History, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Latin) alongside creative and vocational options (Art, Design Technology Product Design, Music, Drama and Theatre Studies, Photography, Business Studies, Economics, Psychology, Politics, Spanish, French, German, Music Technology, PE).
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
55.06%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum balances traditional breadth with specialist depth. At GCSE, pupils study compulsory English (Literature and Language), Mathematics, Philosophy and Religion (the school's Church of England character infuses the curriculum), and core sciences. Humanities, languages (French, German, Spanish, Latin), and creative disciplines sit alongside rigorous Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. The school does not operate selective streaming by ability in lower years, meaning the peer group is diverse.
Teachers demonstrate strong subject knowledge and organisational clarity. Lessons follow structured approaches that emphasise understanding rather than mere test preparation. The school's PSHE programme has recently been restructured to enhance pastoral support, reflecting school leadership's commitment to wellbeing alongside academic progress. A dedicated Learning Support team serves pupils with identified needs, though the school is not designated as a special provision centre.
Class sizes are reasonable (typically 15-20 for most subjects, tightening for A-level sets). Individual music lessons and specialist tuition in various subjects are available but charged as extras. The school culture encourages independent thinking; pupils are challenged to "ask questions and develop strong study habits" rather than passively receive instruction.
In 2024, the cohort of 93 sixth form leavers dispersed as follows: 31% progressed to university, 27% entered direct employment, 2% began apprenticeships, and 1% proceeded to further education. The remainder pursued other pathways not detailed in available data.
Of those entering higher education, leavers have progressed to Russell Group universities (including Oxford, Cambridge, and institutions such as Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Exeter, and Warwick) and internationally to universities in the USA, Canada, Germany, and Hong Kong. The school records 1 student securing an Oxbridge place (Cambridge) in the measurement period, reflecting modest but not negligible entry to the highest-status institutions.
For those pursuing direct employment at 18, the school's location in Somerset (proximate to Bristol, Exeter, and the South West), coupled with its practical emphasis on skills and independent thinking, positions leavers for internships and early careers in regional business, creative industries, and professional services.
Total Offers
1
Offer Success Rate: 33.3%
Cambridge
1
Offers
Oxford
—
Offers
This section demands special attention, as extracurricular life is central to King's identity, particularly for the boarding majority.
Music flourishes at King's. The school's Chapel Choir famously won BBC Songs of Praise in 2007 and has since performed internationally (recent tours to Barcelona venues; the Big Band toured Barbados). The Music School houses individual practice rooms, recording equipment, and specialist teaching spaces. Peripatetic lessons are available in 17 different instruments.
Ensembles include: Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra, Wind Band, Big Band, Jazz Ensemble, Ukulele Band, Chamber Choir, Chapel Choir, Brass Group, String Quartet, Saxophone Group, and boys' A Cappella group. The school runs weekly sessions for each, plus special interest groups such as the DJ Society and Roc Soc (rock music aficionados).
Performance opportunities span informal lunchtime concerts, termly chamber music recitals, House Song Competition (inter-house rivalry fostering engagement), King's Young Musician competition, scholars' concerts, and formal performances in the Chapel, the Music School's Octagon, and external venues across the South West.
Drama occupies a dedicated 250-seat theatre with full technical capabilities (computer lighting desk, extensive lantern inventory, modern sound systems), a black box studio with retractable seating and dance floor, an amphitheatre for outdoor performance, and a teaching studio. The department stages large-scale productions alternating between musicals and straight plays annually. Recent productions span Shakespeare (Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing), contemporary classics (An Inspector Calls, Metamorphosis), musicals (Grease, The Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls), and lesser-known gems (Fantastic Mr Fox, The Great Gatsby, The Importance of Being Earnest, Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz).
Each production invites all-comers: acting roles, dance, singing, orchestral performance, stage management, costume and makeup design, set construction, and technical operation. The drama curriculum explicitly teaches "devising, lighting design, musical theatre, and costume," ensuring pupils engage with theatre as both performers and technical practitioners.
LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) accreditation supports speech and drama work. Pupils achieving LAMDA distinctions are recognised; prior students have secured places at the National Youth Theatre and prestigious drama schools.
The Design and Technology department is widely considered as one of the finest in the country. Pupils regularly win prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarships (2024 cohort included an Arkwright Scholar). Facilities include a CNC plasma cutter and extensive digital fabrication equipment. The department's ethos marries traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge manufacture, positioning leavers well for engineering degrees and technical apprenticeships.
The Silvermead studio, a dedicated multi-floor arts building, provides studio space for fine art, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, textiles, and photography. The art school operates an in-house gallery and offers both GCSE and A-level pathways. Facilities are generous and well-equipped.
Sports facilities justify King's reputation as an active school:
The sporting calendar spans rugby, cricket, football (boys' and girls'), hockey, netball, squash, swimming, athletics, badminton, basketball, cross-country, fencing, golf, kayaking, orienteering, rounders, table tennis, volleyball, and equestrian activities. The school aims for "participation for all" alongside elite pathways. Notable alumni include Jos Buttler (England white-ball captain and wicketkeeper-batsman, who attended 2004-2009) and Neil Brand (South African Test cricketer, attended 2009 onwards).
Inter-house sports competitions foster daily engagement. The 1st XV rugby team won the National Schools 7's tournament in 2007.
Dedicated leadership encompasses Combined Cadet Force (voluntary but popular), Duke of Edinburgh's Award (to Gold level), Ten Tors expedition challenge, and domestic and international expeditions. The school maintains a rigorous outdoor adventure programme.
Inter-house competitions extend beyond sport to debating, public speaking, and general knowledge events. Academic departments run societies (History Society named after alumnus Sir John Keegan, the eminent military historian; a Politics Society; Coding and STEM initiatives). Service activities, inter-house charity drives, leadership training, emphasise values. The Sixth Form offers a "super curriculum" with scholar programmes in debating and academic discourse, plus external speakers including BBC Director-General and AstraZeneca UK President.
Art and DT "sessions" run weekly. Dance classes span urban, ballet, and LAMDA-accredited programmes. Drama clubs operate at multiple levels. The school's motto, Fortis et Fidelis, translates into daily practice: courage in creative risk-taking, fidelity to craft and community.
Day pupils: £10,475 per term (£31,425 annually with VAT)
UK Boarders: £16,335 per term (£49,005 annually with VAT)
Fees include stationery, most textbooks, and (for day pupils) one free overnight stay weekly in their boarding house. Boarders' fees cover breakfast, supper, laundry (excluding dry cleaning), and most textbooks.
International boarders are charged £17,595 per term (inclusive of most tuition, textbooks, meals, laundry, and co-curricular).
Registration fee (non-refundable): £240
Acceptance deposit: £1,100 (set against final bill)
AXA Health Insurance: £158 per term (strongly recommended but not mandatory)
Personal accident and personal effects insurance: optional
Additional fees apply for individual music lessons, examination fees, trips, and uniform (first supply). The school publishes a detailed fees list; parents are consulted before costs exceeding £30 are incurred.
The school offers scholarships and bursaries:
Scholarships (merit-based, 10-25% fee reduction) are awarded at Year 9 entry and Sixth Form entry for excellence in:
Bursaries (means-tested, covering up to 100% of fees) are available to families meeting income thresholds. The school does not publish specific uptake figures but states bursaries are integral to access policy.
Sibling discounts: 5% for second child, 10% for third, 15% for fourth and beyond.
Military families: 15% remission (College) and 10% (Prep) for serving Armed Forces families not eligible for CEA.
Fees data coming soon.
Over 65% of students are full boarders (approximately 260 of the 400-pupil cohort), representing a genuinely international and in England diverse population. Pupils hail from across the UK, Europe (France, Germany, Spain), Asia (particularly China, Hong Kong), Kenya, South Africa, and the Emirates. Twenty-one nationalities are represented.
The seven boarding houses integrate day and boarding pupils, preventing a two-tier system. Boarding is not simply accommodation; it is central to school identity. Houseparents (senior staff living in-house with families) and resident assistants manage each house. Senior pupils undertake mentoring roles. Typical room configurations see younger boarders share rooms of four; sixth formers enjoy single rooms or voluntary pairs.
Weekends follow structured but flexible patterns. All pupils participate in Saturday morning school. Saturday afternoons feature sporting fixtures or social activities. Sunday includes chapel and community time. Exeats (week-long leave) occur roughly every three weeks, balancing immersion in school life with family contact.
The ISI boarding inspection (2018) awarded the school "excellent" boarding provision, noting tight-knit houses where pupils described their houses as "literally their other family." Parents confirm the strength of pastoral oversight.
Year 9 (age 13): Primary entry point. Candidates sit entrance examinations in English, Mathematics, and Reasoning. Interviews follow. No formal pass mark; the school seeks "balanced cohorts" rather than academic selection, though entry is selective.
Sixth Form (age 16): Open entry with GCSE requirements (typically grades 5 or above in GCSE subjects students wish to continue). A-level choices are guided by GCSE performance and teacher recommendation.
Open Days: March 2026 (Prep: 13 March; Senior: 14 March). Online registration available.
The school is situated 1 mile from Taunton town centre, with good road links to Bristol (45 minutes), Exeter (1 hour), and London (2.5 hours by train or motorway). The Taunton railway station provides direct connections to London Paddington and regional destinations. The location balances rural calm with urban accessibility.
Pastoral structures centre on form tutors (meeting individually with pupils weekly or more), houseparents, and a dedicated pastoral leadership team. The school recently restructured its PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, Economic) curriculum to enhance wellbeing support.
A school health centre staffs nurses, and counselling provision is available. The curriculum explicitly addresses mental health, relationships, and resilience. Inspectors noted the school's culture of "respect, tolerance, and kindness" alongside academic ambition.
Safeguarding is rigorous. The Designated Safeguarding Lead and trained deputies provide regular training to all staff, including Prevent duty awareness. Recruitment processes are stringent with all safer recruitment checks recorded on a single central register.
Boarding pupils have particular access to pastoral oversight given the 24/7 residential environment. Houses are visited regularly by senior leadership and governors.
School Hours: 8:50am to 6:00pm (extended day to support working parents and maximise facility access)
Wraparound Care: Not applicable for secondary school; however, the extended day and boarding options serve dual-working families effectively.
Uniform: Traditional school uniform (blazer, tie) is compulsory. Sixth form enjoys relaxed dress code (smart casual).
Transport: Pupils arrange own transport or use local bus services. Some families use coach services from regional pick-up points for boarders.
Calendar: Three-term structure (Autumn, Spring, Summer). Holiday dates align with UK mainstream schools. Exeats (mid-term breaks) allow pupils to go home.
Food: School kitchens provide all meals. Dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, allergy-aware) are accommodated.
Moderate GCSE Performance: While A-level results are solid, GCSE outcomes lag national averages. Families prioritising measurable academic progress toward university entry may prefer selective independent schools or grammar schools. The school's selective Year 9 entry means GCSE cohorts contain pupils with varied starting points, reflected in headline results.
Boarding Dominance: Two-thirds of the community are boarders. For day pupils, school culture and social life centre on boarding houses. Day pupils thrive but remain numerically minority; families valuing day-school normalcy may feel their children operate slightly at the periphery of school life.
Church of England Character: The school is avowedly Anglican. Daily chapel attendance (with non-denominational options), religious education as a core GCSE subject, and faith integration throughout the curriculum are genuine rather than nominal. Families uncomfortable with explicit Christian teaching should visit and discuss openly.
Financial Commitment: Boarding fees of approximately £49,000 annually position the school as mid-tier independent pricing. While bursaries exist, families without substantial income should confirm affordability before committing to the application process.
Not Ultra-Selective: Entry at Year 9 is competitive but not as rigorous as leading independent schools (Harrow, Oundle, Sherborne). Academic cohorts are mixed-ability. Families seeking guaranteed Oxbridge pathways should consider more academically exclusive schools.
King's College Taunton is a genuinely integrated boarding and day school where pastoral care, community spirit, and cultural life excel. For families valuing breadth of opportunity over narrow academic excellence, the school delivers. The boarders particularly benefit from the 24/7 immersion in a substantial community. A-level results satisfy university entry requirements for most courses; GCSE results are respectable but unspectacular.
The school's strength lies not in producing elite academics but in educating rounded young people in a caring, Christian environment where sport, music, drama, and service hold equal weight with classroom learning. The seven boarding houses, inter-house competitions, and genuine integration of day and boarding pupils create a palpable sense of belonging.
Best suited to families seeking a traditional English boarding experience with strong pastoral oversight, who value character development alongside academic progress, and whose children thrive in active, community-centred environments. The school is equally suitable for day pupils living within commuting distance who wish to access excellent facilities and strong pastoral care without full boarding commitment.
The main consideration is candid: this is a solid, all-rounder school, not an academic hothouse. Parents expecting GCSE results matching selective independent schools will be disappointed. Those prioritising wellbeing, boarding culture, and extracurricular richness will find King's exceptional value.
Yes, King's is a well-regarded independent boarding and day school. The ISI inspection rated the school as meeting standards robustly, with particular strength in pastoral care, boarding provision, and extracurricular breadth. A-level results sit above England average (55% achieve A*-B). GCSE results are solid but below England average. The school ranks 786th in England for A-level (national typical band) and 3491st for GCSE (below average). The school's principal strength is its integrated boarding community and extensive opportunities beyond the classroom rather than narrow academic ranking.
Day fees are £10,475 per term (£31,425 annually, including VAT). Full UK boarding fees are £16,335 per term (£49,005 annually, including VAT). These fees include most textbooks, stationery, and meals. International boarders pay £17,595 per term. Additional costs include individual music lessons, examination fees, trips, insurance options, and uniform. Registration fee is £240 (non-refundable); acceptance deposit is £1,100 (credited to final bill).
Yes. Merit-based scholarships worth 10-25% of fees are awarded at Year 9 and Sixth Form entry for achievement in academics, music, sport, art, drama, or all-round excellence. Means-tested bursaries cover up to 100% of fees for families meeting income thresholds. Sibling discounts apply (5%, 10%, 15% for successive children). Military families receive a 15% remission. Families should contact the admissions office to discuss specific support.
Year 9 entry is competitive but not elite-school rigorous. The school seeks balanced cohorts rather than purely academic selection. Entrance examinations assess English, Mathematics, and Reasoning. Approximately three applications are received per place. Sixth Form entry is open (no entrance exam) but requires GCSE grades 5 or above in relevant subjects. International candidates are welcome.
Sports include rugby, cricket, football (boys' and girls'), hockey, netball, squash, swimming, athletics, badminton, basketball, cross-country, fencing, golf, kayaking, orienteering, rounders, table tennis, volleyball, and equestrian activities. Facilities include two floodlit Astroturfs, 25m pool, tennis dome, climbing wall, equestrian centre, and strength suite. Extracurricular activities span Combined Cadet Force, Duke of Edinburgh (to Gold), drama productions, art studios, design technology workshops, and numerous clubs (debating, coding, music ensembles, language societies).
Music is a pervasive strength. The Chapel Choir won BBC Songs of Praise in 2007. Ensembles include Symphony Orchestra, Wind Band, Big Band, Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Choir, Ukulele Band, Brass Group, Saxophone Group, and boys' A Cappella. Peripatetic lessons available in 17 instruments. Performance opportunities span informal concerts, House Song Competition, King's Young Musician competition, and international tours (Barbados, Barcelona). A dedicated Music School houses practice rooms, recording equipment, and specialist teaching spaces.
Yes. A 250-seat theatre with professional lighting and sound equipment seats major productions. A black box studio with dance floor serves experimental work. An amphitheatre enables outdoor performance. The department alternates annual productions between musicals and straight plays. Recent productions include Grease, The Sound of Music, Much Ado About Nothing, An Inspector Calls, and Fantastic Mr Fox. LAMDA accreditation in speech and drama supports performance training. Pupils secure places at drama schools and the National Youth Theatre.
Boarding is central to school identity. Over 65% of pupils are full boarders, representing 21 nationalities from across the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Seven boarding houses (four boys', three girls') integrate day and boarding pupils. Houseparents live on-site with families. Senior pupils mentor juniors. Younger boarders typically share rooms of four; sixth formers enjoy single rooms or pairs. Weekends include Saturday school (morning), fixtures or activities (afternoon), and Sunday chapel and community time. Exeats (week-long leave) occur every three weeks. The ISI inspection (2018) awarded the school "excellent" boarding provision.
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