Our houses provide a safe and secure homely environment for pupils aged 13 to 18 years old for full, weekly or flexi boarders.
Fairwater, Wills East and Wills West boarding houses accommodate the boys and Weirfield, and Woodyer accommodate the girls.
Although each house has its own unique personality, all have similar pastoral structures, a common ethos, and modern facilities, with spacious rooms, recreational areas, lounges, and ICT suites at their disposal to aid work, rest, and play.
Taunton School boarders love their houses with a passion and enjoy nothing more than passing on stories to the younger generations, whether it be the Weirfield girls waxing lyrical about famous House Singing victories, or the legendary tunnel that Fairwater boys love to boast about, said to run from their house to the cricket pavilion on the other side of the school campus. The stories and myths seem to grow with each passing year.
As well as the time spent together in their boarding houses, our boarders get to enjoy a wide range of activities, including house and year group socials, cinema trips, paintballing, trips to nearby cities Exeter and Bath, live sport, and surfing to name a few.
Friendships formed in the boarding community really do last a lifetime and no bond is firmer than that shared between those who have enjoyed a magical experience with some great people in a house that they love.
Boarding at Taunton Senior School is truly a ‘home away from home’ experience. The friendships formed in the boarding community last a lifetime, offering students a real sense of belonging throughout their educational journey. Each house has a mix of students from Year 9 to Year 13 with its own house parents, fostering a ‘family feel’ and an environment where the students can support each other.
Above all, boarding at Taunton School is fun. With regular inter-house competitions, trips and socials, we pride ourselves on creating an unforgettable boarding experience, where memories are made.
Architecturally and historically, Fairwater House is undoubtedly the most characterful building on campus. Dating back to the 18th century, the handsome Georgian manor house is also the oldest of Taunton School’s buildings. Fairwater was once the Headmaster’s residence and even housed the Junior School for a time. Nowadays, it is the largest of the school’s boarding houses accommodating up to 70 boys from the Senior School (13-18 years).
The House motto is: Non Sibi (from the Latin not for oneself). We feel this best captures the selflessness and general decency we hope the boys will show each other.
Weirfield is the oldest of Taunton School’s girls’ boarding houses and was established in 1973. It has capacity for 70 girls from age 13-18. Weirfield prides itself on its warm and convivial atmosphere; the girls are incredibly welcoming and quick to help those new to the house to settle in. We have a saying ‘Once a Weirfieldian, always a Weirfieldian’ and life in Weirfield certainly seems to leave its mark judging by the number of girls who come back to visit to see how their Weirfield ‘sisters’ are getting along.
Wills East is home to up to 50 of our Senior School boys, aged 13-18. Wills East is situated behind the main teaching block alongside Wills West and is a welcoming, supportive, and competitive house; especially when it comes to house competitions.
Academic progression sits at the heart of the House, but the boys are equally committed to all the co-curricular opportunities in the wider school community. They are always encouraged to challenge themselves in every discipline.
Wills West is home to nearly 50 boys aged 13 – 18. Wills West is renowned as a warm, friendly, and respectful community where hard work and extensive contribution to the wider school community are highly valued.
Woodyer is our newest boarding house and home to 45 girls aged 13-18 years. Woodyer House is certainly a home from home, where all the girls value kindness, respect and have the opportunity to enjoy many positive experiences. The girls show great pride in their House, where every day they are challenged and strive to be a better version of themselves.
Are you interested to find out more about Boarding at Taunton School? Book an open day or personal tour with our admissions team.
