Taunton School Prep Playing Clarinets
Taunton School Prep Dance

Prep Performing & Creative Arts

Art

Taunton School Prep Girl Smiling Painting
Art

At TPS students are given the opportunity to explore their creativity and develop artistic skills in our wonderful, vibrant and purpose-built Art department. KS2 and KS3 pupils have a double lesson each week under the guidance of inspirational and enthusiastic specialist teachers with a wealth of resources available to explore. Students work in a wide variety of media in varied artistic disciplines (e.g. drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media). Students explore, experiment, and learn through experience. 

Creativity is valued highly at TPS, and key skills nurtured and developed from a young age. For example, observational drawing. Learning is enriched by combining links to Art history and the topics studied in other areas of the curriculum. These skills feed into the senior school Fine Art programme and provide them with opportunities to find, nurture and develop their creative flair.  

There are plenty of artistic activities outside the timetable too. We offer a co-curricular art club for all, an art scholars club for older students interested in developing their work to the next level and a Saturday morning enrichment programme. There are also competitions, trips and outdoor learning opportunities to paint and draw on location. 

Computer Studies

Taunton School Prep Students on Computer
Computer Studies

Computer Studies is an exciting and dynamic subject at TPS, engaging all learners and challenging children’s thinking in an interactive and motivating environment. 

 The school is particularly well resourced for computing lessons and embedding computing across the wider curriculum. A secure network allows shared learning resources across the school, with excellent wireless connectivity. Pupils have their own secure login accounts for local and remote access and enjoy an Office365 account allowing full access to Office applications from anywhere in the world, on any device. 

 State of the art computer suites, equipped with touch-screen technology, allow pupils to work individually and collaboratively on high-spec computers. Apple iPads are available for whole class use inside or outside classrooms. Encouraging independence, the school adopted a ‘Bring Your Own Device’ scheme. Pupils are encouraged to bring in a device and provided with guidance on how to make the most of technology available to them as an individual. 

 Pupils attend Computer Studies lessons with specialist teachers. Progression and continuity of IT skills is developed, adhering to the whole school ‘Computer Science and ICT Pathway’. Lessons incorporate key strands of computer science, digital literacy and information technology. Computer science focuses on computational thinking through imaginative programming projects. Online safety and digital resilience are extremely important and we spend time learning how to conduct ourselves online and be safe. 

Pupils develop an understanding of how all the amazing technology around us works. From fundamental computing skills to more creative Adobe applications; from understanding how computers work to advanced coding in different languages – there is something for everyone. An ever-popular weekly activity is ‘Cool Coding’. Children develop programming skills using languages including Kodu and Scratch. They design computer games and animations and have opportunities to express themselves creatively, develop as logical thinkers, and understand the workings of new technologies encountered in everyday lives. 

DANCE

DANCE

The Prep School boasts two dance teachers, Miss Hartland-Mann who is full time and Miss Turner teaching at the school four days a week. Students can partake in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, Street Dance and Musical Theatre Dance Classes in the Prep School, with an opportunity to be entered for the Royal Academy of Dance (ballet) examinations each term. 

Our dance classes and participation in school productions all aim to build confidence and a high standard of performance. The dancers develop control of movement, coordination and balance, whilst perfecting many dance styles and techniques. 

There is an abundance of performance opportunities throughout the year at Taunton Prep School. Every term there is a Dance Showcase evening. Most recent dance productions have included ‘Back to Broadway’, ‘Dance through the Decades’ and ‘The Greatest Showman’ Dance Showcase. Dance is also an integral part of the Theatre Production Week in Years 4, 6 & 8, and also our Performing Arts evenings.  

If you are interested in  Dance Tuition, please request an application form by emailing enquiries@tauntonschool.co.uk.

Design Technology

Taunton School Prep Girl In DT
Design Technology

Here at TPS Design Technology helps to develop in our pupils such qualities as imagination, inventiveness, resourcefulness and flexibility. We know that Industry and commerce need people with such qualities, but people and individuals also need these qualities in order that they may be able to rise to daily challenges but also change their own paths in life if they so wish.  

A student enquires, experiments, plays and takes-apart to discover.  We aim to encourage discovery and inventiveness while being aware that it is ‘ok’ to fail as long as we learn from this and are able to try again. Some of our tasks have built in them an awareness of quality and end product to be proud of creates a lasting enthusiasm for the subject.  

Activities will be introduced to the pupils from Year 3 to 8 in resistant materials, graphics, mechanisms, electronics, construction, structures, textiles, food preparation, modelling and problem solving. 

After school clubs are available to challenge the pupils further in STEM, craft, textiles and cookery. We also have a popular enrichment program on Saturday mornings for our Years 3 to 6 children. 

Our facilities consist of a design studio which extends into a workshop. It is fully equipped with a modern computer system with CAD facilities, a CAMM-1 cutter for vinyl & card and a 3D printer. The workshop has fretsaws, bench drills, disk sander, bandsaw and polisher. It also has heating apparatus such as a hot wire strip heater, plastics oven and a vacuum forming machine. 

 At TPS we believe that Design and Technology is an essential part of the curriculum not just for their time at school but for the world beyond the classroom. 

DRAMA

Taunton School Prep Drama Performance
DRAMA

With two large halls, one featuring a built-in stage complete with lighting and sound equipment and the other equipped with a large portable stage, plus regular access to the Senior School theatre, pupils are encouraged to take to the stage and perfect their performance and acting techniques.

Our drama clubs and speech and drama lessons all aim to develop your child’s communication and performance skills, whilst providing tips and techniques to help build confidence and encourage self expression. Pupils can also experience fun and engaging topic-led workshops provided by visiting theatre companies.

Pupils also have the opportunity to enjoy trips to the theatre. These include the Globe in London, the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, The Hippodrome in Bristol, the Torquay Theatre, the Tacchi Morris Arts Centre and the Brewhouse Theatre.

Throughout the year pupils can participate in a wide and varied programme of Taunton School productions and events. These include Performing Arts Evenings, Informal Dance and Drama Evenings, Parents’ Day, the National Schools’ Shakespeare Festival and the Taunton Music and Drama Festival, where pupils can showcase their talents and achievements in front of live audiences.

If you are interested in Speech and Drama Tuition, please request an application form by emailing enquiries@tauntonschool.co.uk.

Checkout videos from our recent performances:

MUSIC

Taunton School Prep Boy Playing Violin
MUSIC

With access to a variety of specialist music facilities, including teaching and practice rooms, a recital room, a percussion room and studio, a chamber music suite, an IT suite and recording studio, pupils are able to explore their musical and performance abilities to the full.

Pupils benefit from tuition in all orchestral instruments including the harp, piano and organ, plus jazz, classical and rock guitar and musical theatre.

Opportunities for pupils to play in the Taunton Children’s Orchestra, as well as audition for the National Children’s Choir, National Children’s Orchestra, IAPS Orchestras and Bands and the National Youth Music Theatre, encourage pupils to flex their creative muscles and excel at their chosen musical discipline.

There are many performance opportunities throughout the year at Taunton School where pupils can showcase their musical abilities in front of a live audience of families and friends.

These include informal Year Group Concerts, Performing Arts Evenings, Carol Services, Harvest, Remembrance and Easter Services, House Music Week, Musicals, Instrumental Concerts, Taunton Music and Drama Festival and Parents’ Day.

If you are interested in Music Tuition, please request an application form by emailing enquiries@tauntonschool.co.uk.

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Upcoming Open Days

Attend an upcoming Open Day in April!

Virtual Open Day for Senior and International on 20th April 2024

In-person whole school Open Day on April 27th 2024

Book your place here