Its historical links go back to the medieval grammar school in Taunton which was re-founded by Bishop Fox of Winchester in 1522. In 1869 it moved to its present site half a mile south of the town, in a well-wooded and spacious setting of 100 acres. There are fine playing fields and splendid views of the Blackdown and Quantock Hills. A lot of excellent facilities have been added in recent years, most recently a science centre, theatre and ICT facilities so that the school is very well equipped. The prep and pre-prep school, King's Hall, is housed in a handsome Georgian mansion north of the town. Now fully co-educational, girls were accepted in the sixth form in 1967 and throughout the school in 1991. The chapel and its services are an integral part of school life and religious education plays an important part. Standards are high and examination results good. Music, drama and art are very strong indeed. It has a redesigned theatre and excellent centres for both art and design and for design and technology which produce impressive results. Facilities for sports and games are first-rate and there is a high standard of performance (numerous representatives at county and regional level; holders of Rosslyn Park 7s rugby cup). Many clubs and societies, a flourishing CCF contingent and there is a good deal of emphasis on outdoor pursuits. A large number of pupils is involved in local community services.
Pupils: Age range 13-18; 430 pupils, 137 day (80 boys, 57 girls), 293 boarders (193 boys, 100 girls). Entrance: Main entry age 13 and 16. Common Entrance, own entrance scholarship or interview and test; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (including sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements although Anglican foundation. Small state school entry. Many pupils from own prep (enquiries to the Admissions Secretary, King's Hall School, Kingston Road, Taunton, TA2 8AA, tel 01823 285921).
Approx 30 pa scholarships, value 17%-33% fees: 10 academic, 10 all-rounder, others for drama, sport, art, music etc (15 at 13, 10 at 16, 5 prior to entry and carried into the school). 20 bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.
10+% live within 30 miles; 10+% live overseas.
Headmaster: Richard Biggs, appointed 2007. Educated at universities of Cape Town (physics) and Oxford (maths and philosophy). Previously Deputy Head at Lancing and Director of Studies and Housemaster at Magdalen College School. Teaching staff: 47 full time, 7 part time. Annual turnover 4%. Average age 45.
GCSE: On average, 85 pupils in upper fifth: 98% gain grade C in 5+ subjects, 83% in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 87 in upper sixth: 18% pass in 4+ subjects; 78% in 3; 2% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 314.
95% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (40% after a gap year), 5% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 25% in science and engineering, 5% in law, 35% in humanities and social sciences, 3% in art and design, 15% in business related courses, 2% in other subjects eg medical biochemistry, physiotherapy or at universities overseas. Others typically go on to HND courses or straight into employment.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21-22 AS/A-level subjects (including PE, business studies, theatre studies). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4-5 subjects at AS-level (usually a broad range, mix of arts and sciences), 3 at A-level; general studies taught but not examined. 32% take science A-levels; 35% arts/humanities; 33% both. Key skills taught partly in discrete units, partly integrated. Special provision: EFL tuition available and specialist help for dyslexic pupils. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular visits to France, Belgium, Germany and Spain. Pupils in school from France, Germany and Spain, some full-time, some for 1 week. Also Chinese. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg music composition, project work. 50 computers for pupil use (14 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Over 35% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken, also A-level music technology. Some 12 musical groups including orchestras, wind band, choirs, brass, show band, string, rock. Representatives in county orchestras. Recent musicals include Little Shop of Horrors and Return to the Forbidden Planet. Choir sings in local cathedrals; choir trip to eg Venice. Drama and debating: Theatre studies offered. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions eg Measure for Measure, Slaughterhouse 5. Successful debating and public-speaking team: finals in Observer Mace and ESU debating competitions. Art and design: On average, 45 take GCSE, 20 A-level. Design, ceramics, textiles, photography and printmaking also offered. Numerous pupils go on to study art and design as a career.
Sport: Rugby, hockey, cricket compulsory for boys up to 17; hockey, netball, tennis for girls; also squash, badminton, cross-country, swimming, golf, sailing, fencing, soccer, athletics, shooting, canoeing. Upper sixth have a choice. GCSE and A-level PE may be taken. Many representatives at national level in rugby, athletics, cricket, fencing; numerous county players. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service. CCF optional for 3 years at age 14, split into Chindits', then Army, Navy or Marines sections. Up to 30 clubs, eg climbing, cooking, debating, fencing, shooting, sailing, go-karting, bowling, dry slope skiing, horse riding.
Uniform: School uniform worn, except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head boy and girl, heads of houses and house prefects, prefects (selected after going on a training scheme), all appointed by the Head. Religion: Church of England. Informal services on two weekdays; Eucharist for boarders on Sundays. Voluntary candlelit communion weekly. Social: Science weekends of lectures and seminars, historical association meetings, general knowledge, debating and public-speaking competitions, geographical meetings. Exchanges and visits to Europe; organised trips to eg South America, Russia, Ethiopia; sports tours eg Canada, Malaysia, South Africa and Spain. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. No alcohol allowed; senior social club on particular evenings.
Pupils failing to produce homework once would be expected to produce it as soon as possible, sacrificing town leave if necessary; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises could expect immediate expulsion. The school takes a specially strong line on stealing, bullying and all forms of drugs.
25% have own study-bedroom, 25% share (with 1 other); 50% are in dormitories of 6+. Single-sex houses, of approx 60, same as for competitive purposes. Resident qualified sister; non-resident doctors (including lady doctor). Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook snacks. 2-3 weekend exeats per term, Sunday exeats after chapel. Visits to local town allowed: 2 afternoons a week for all ages; flexible town leave and Saturday night visits to wine bar for sixth form.
is run by Dr R Poland, c/o the school.
Lord Rippon PC; Professor Anthony Hewish (Nobel prize winner); Simon Jones (actor); Ian Smith (BBC); Gerald Butt (BBC correspondent); Sir John Keegan (historian); Roger Twose (ex-Warwickshire and New Zealand cricketer); Matthew Robinson (Wales and Swansea RCC); Alexandra Edenborough (singer); Tom Voyce (Wasps and England rugby player).
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