Taunton School, founded in 1847, is a welcoming and down-to-earth co-educational boarding and day school in Somerset. Known for its strong British identity and inclusive ethos, it offers a balanced blend of academic rigour, sport, and creative arts. This predominantly British boarding school with an international outlook offers a well-rounded package that’s sure to delight.
Set in the idyllic countryside of Taunton, Somerset, it’s location is ideal. What really stands out is how quickly and warmly pupils from all backgrounds are integrated. Diversity, humility, and a global mindset are at the heart of Taunton’s ethos. The atmosphere is open and welcoming — you won’t find any snobbery or elitism here. Despite its distinctly British character, Taunton shapes its pupils into global citizens.
In short, Taunton is a true all-rounder — whether sporty, musical, or artistic, everyone here can find something to inspire them. We were particularly impressed by the sporting opportunities, thanks to professional coaches and a wealth of competitions.
Akademis makes history – A Triple Award-Winning Consultancy (2023, 2024 & 2025) 🏆
Akademis has been recognised three years in a row by StudyTravel for excellence in the education sector:
2025 & 2024: Winners of the StudyTravel Secondary School Award (Best Western European Agency)
2023: Winner of the StudyTravel Star Award
(Best Western European Agency)
The StudyTravel Awards are among the most prestigious honours in international education, recognising outstanding quality, client focus and trusted partnerships. Being the first consultancy ever to win for three consecutive years is something we are deeply proud of. For us, these awards highlight our commitment to offering the very best guidance, personal service and long-term support for families embarking on this exciting journey.
Quick Overview
Age range: 0-18 Jahre
Number of students: 1.041 (including Prep School and International School)
International students: 25%
Students in Sixth Form: 263
Boarding fees per term: £17,290 (Y9, Y10 GCSE), £18,625 (Y11 – One-Year GCSE), £17,510£ (Sixth Form)
The most important sports on offer besides the traditional team sports: rugby, hockey, tennis, athletics, swimming, netball
Nearest airports: London Heathrow, about 2.5 hours by car; Bristol, about 1 hour away
Key Strengths at a Glance
excellent development opportunities for athletes
IB-School
integrated International School to provide extra support for international students
around 40 school productions in music, theatre, and dance each year
Taunton School – Photo Highlights
Taunton School in Detail
Sport
For very sporty boys and girls, this is just the right place. Outstanding athletes regularly compete at regional and national levels. A special feature of Taunton is its dedicated athletic development programme, where aspiring elite athletes are individually coached and supported by professionals. From lacrosse, golf, riding, hockey, netball, swimming, tennis, football, basketball, to rugby — nothing is missing. Partnerships with local clubs and state-of-the-art facilities — including a climbing wall, two swimming pools, hockey and tennis courts, and a fitness centre — allow pupils of all abilities to stay active. Taunton has also produced numerous professional cricketers.
Co-curricular Life
Taunton pupils are always busy! In the Combined Cadet Force they practise discipline and teamwork, while the debating club sharpens their powers of persuasion. Young Enterprise, chess club, gardening, trips, workshops, lectures, as well as pizza and film nights in the boarding houses all add to a lively programme. There are also opportunities for community service and outdoor adventures through the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Notably, many of the clubs have been founded by pupils themselves, designed to reflect every possible interest and talent. The underlying principle is named “Horizons” — encouraging pupils to venture beyond their own horizons while maintaining their wellbeing.
Academics
Although Taunton is not academically selective, it still achieves strong results. The teachers are inspiring, and the range of subjects is impressive. Alongside traditional subjects, pupils can also choose psychology, business, and Latin. Those moving into Sixth Form can opt for A-Levels, BTEC, or the IB diploma.Of note is the Taunton International School — depending on their English level, international pupils can either join the main school directly or attend the integrated International School for extra English support and guidance to help them thrive. A large library provides both academic and literary resources.
The Arts
Regular performances take place in the school’s own theatre and dance studio, with musicals being particularly popular. Pupils enjoy many opportunities to perform, including behind-the-scenes roles. A variety of dance styles are taught, from ballet to modern, jazz, and street dance, and choreography competitions give pupils further chances to showcase their skills. Creativity flourishes in five different art studios. From design and 3D printing to photography, woodwork, and metalwork, artistic freedom is encouraged. Music is equally vibrant, with chamber ensembles, choirs, singing competitions, and overseas tours.
Our Visit
What struck us most were the modern facilities, which left us almost lost for words. We admired the bright, glass-fronted dining hall, the outstanding art department, and the excellent boarding houses. Taunton is very organised, very clean, and the main building has a genuine Harry Potter charm. The range of activities and opportunities in all areas is vast, which is why Taunton is so popular. Securing a place on the IB programme is no easy feat — the selection process is competitive. But those who do win a coveted place, receive top-notch education, atmosphere, facilities, and activities.
Photos From Our Visit
Our Meeting with Taunton Schule
What our clients say about us
Get a free consultation and find out more about Taunton School
From the Headmaster
James Johnson
“We’ve been working with Akademis for several years and have developed a strong partnership. What makes this possible is that Akademis took the time to get to know our school personally. They explored every corner of our 22-hectare campus, spoke with staff, learned about our culture and ethos, and developed a clear understanding of what it means to be a pupil at Taunton.
This means that in their conversations with German families, they can speak about our school with confidence and integrity. As a result, we’ve already welcomed wonderful German pupils who have achieved great success on our one-year GCSE programme as well as in A-Levels and the IB.
We have always found the Akademis staff to be very friendly, helpful, and accommodating. Building strong professional relationships with agencies is crucial and requires mutual trust. The pupils’ welfare must come first, and it’s essential to ensure they’re placed at the right school. We are confident that Akademis puts pupils at the centre of their work just as much as Taunton does. That way, we can be sure that every family we work with is supported in the best possible way.
Akademis demonstrates sensitivity and care in everything they do — whether it’s the initial enquiry or maintaining interest and support once the pupils are here. It’s clear how much they value providing first-class care for their families from start to finish, and we as a school are impressed by how well they continue to support their pupils throughout their time at Taunton.”
This is Taunton
Our Conclusion
Taunton School is a versatile boarding school where children thrive.
It is however by no means the only school in the UK offering excellent academic, musical, and artistic opportunities. We encourage you to seek tailored advice for your specific wishes and expectations — we’re here to help. Thanks to years of contact with these schools, we know their unique qualities and can give you an authentic assessment.
We’ve placed many German pupils at all-rounder boarding schools, and they’ve all been very happy with their experience. They’re happy to share their impressions, too, so you can get a good first sense of boarding life.
We’re also happy to advise you on other boarding schools in England. You can find an overview on our Boarding Schools in England page.
Benefit from:
• authentic first-hand insights
• our excellent relationships with admissions offices
• years of experience in placements
• support with visa questions
What Makes Akademis Stand Out?
- We remain your trusted contact throughout your child’s stay, well beyond the placement process.
- We provide support with guardianship, visa applications and recognition of qualifications within the German school system.
- We offer fully tailored advice. Our school recommendations are unique to each child and can run to 40 pages in length.
- Families receive our 30+ page boarding school guide, packed with practical tips and insights.
- We prepare your child thoroughly for entrance exams and interviews to maximise their chances of success.
- We arrange school visits, ensuring you have the opportunity to experience each school first-hand.
Every boarding school has its own character and ethos. Having personally visited more than 100 schools, we understand these nuances. We also work with schools that do not pay commission, ensuring that our advice remains independent and always in the best interest of your child.
Our roots lie in the UK. For years, we have placed 200–300 families annually into British boarding schools. While our portfolio now includes schools beyond Britain, the UK remains at the heart of what we do.
Our tailored approach results in exceptional acceptance rates. For example, in 2022/23, all seven students we placed at the highly selective Malvern College received offers – a 100% success rate.
We arrange for prospective families to speak with our current students to hear first-hand accounts of life at a UK boarding school.
