Taunton School International Students in Classroom

Neva from Turkey

Neva from Turkey

“I joined Taunton School International in 2017 and progressed to Taunton School in 2019. I’m currently studying A-Levels in Information Communication Technologies, Business Studies and Photography. I was so impressed with TSI when I first visited and immediately the day after I decided to go there. I feel my time in TSI was really valuable, it is where learnt who to become an individual, make my own decisions, it taught me how to manage my time. I was really impressed with the subjects and co-curricular activities they offer. I settled in very quickly when I started, made lots of friends, many of my friends joined me at the Senior School too!

I am a Head of House of Woodyer Girls Boarding House. It has been an amazing experience. My favourite part of my leadership role is the Prefect’s meetings where we all get to gather around and talk to every girl in our house, mention their achievements and help them if needed.

I really do appreciate my time at Taunton School, especially as an international student. I have learnt how to respect other people’s opinions and understand other people’s cultures, and I will use those skills when I go to university in the US, where I will be studying Digital Marketing at Fordham University in New York. I would definitely recommend TSI and TS to my friends back home!”

Fatima from Mexico

Fatima from Mexico

“I would describe TSI in one word as ‘Inspirational’. This is the first time I have lived without my parents which helps a lot with my learning of how to be independent. I like the culture mix at TSI and I have got to know new people from different nationalities. The trips are well organised and there is a lot of variation.

The best thing that has happened while I’ve been here is that I became a prefect. Another great thing was that I got to organise the Christmas Social – all aspects of it – decorations, food, advertising, DJ and music plus lights! We also advertised it across the school through posters and visiting other houses on the campus and over 100 students came, 35 from the senior school, 15 from TSIMS and 82 from TSI.

I particularly like the ICT equipment at the school. It is very good because they have touchscreens which are very useful. Also, Firefly [the electronic system on the school computers] is good, it helps greatly with learning and teaching. There is lots of variety of food each day and the quality is very good. There is also a lot of alternative options i.e for vegetarians and there are international days where they cook foods from all over the world.”

Valentin from Russia

Valentin from Russia

“Having spent two years at Foxcombe and then two years in Taunton Senior School I can proudly say that there are no better alternatives to this school. The staff members are extremely supportive and cheerful and the students are incredibly well integrated. One of the best things about Foxcombe is how it shapes your character; you gain the skills and experience of being independent, away from home, and this toughens you up.
The school has played a massive role in helping me become the person I am today. I chose Taunton School because it offered the one-year iGCSE programme and it was the best school that does this.

I later decided to continue my education in the Senior School as I felt that the transition would be smooth and that I would prosper in that environment, which I certainly did because I was made Head Boy in my final year. I am going to the London School of Economics (LSE) to study Mathematics and Economics and I am planning on running my own business in the future or to work in finance.”

Costanza from Italy

Costanza from Italy

“I got to know Taunton School thanks to a friend who had just finished the IB course there. My initial plan was to start in the Sixth Form in Taunton Senior School, but the atmosphere at the International School at Foxcombe and the opportunity to improve my skills made me decide to take GCSEs first.

This choice has turned out to be the right one, not only because I had a great time thanks to the many friends I made and the support from the staff, but also because I have massively improved my English and knowledge in the other subjects.

Next year I will take the IB at Taunton Senior School and in the future I would like to study International Relations. I don’t know which university I will go to yet, but thanks to this school, there are no limits to my choice.”

Canes from Turkey

Canes from Turkey

“I started at TSI in 2016 and progressed to TS in 2017. I’m currently studying A Levels in Computer Science, Economics and Maths. I chose to come to this school after speaking to an agent and then visiting several schools in the UK. I was so impressed with Taunton School International, especially the breadth of subjects and co-curricular activities on offer.

When I saw the amazing grounds I knew it was the place for me. I settled in very quickly when I started at TSI and it was great to have many friends join me at TS too. I am always kept busy, there is so much to do.  I enjoy basketball and swimming competitively and having use of the swimming pool and gym is great. I hope to stay in the UK when I leave TS and go to University.

I would definitely recommend TSI to my friends back home.”

Tricey from Ghana

Tricey from Ghana

“My name is Tricey from Ghana and I was one of the first students to complete the International Foundation Year at Taunton School.

Taunton School International has a multicultural environment that caters to the needs of every single person. Studying in Taunton School International has given me the opportunity to participate in different co-curricular activities such as netball, hockey, yoga and arts. However, the activity I particularly enjoyed this year was yoga. This is because, after a long day of school, doing yoga made me relax and it released any stress that I had accumulated. Overall, the one thing I’d say is that the quality of facilities at Taunton School International is astonishing.

The concept of living in a boarding school does not sound appealing. However, at Taunton School International, a massive emphasis is placed on the wellbeing of students. For instance, activities such as trips are organised on the weekends to help students integrate.

Being in a boarding house at Taunton School International has been one of the best decisions I have made by far. Even though I have not been able to see my family for quite some time, the support and encouragement provided by Taunton School International has been amazing.”

Angel from Bulgaria

Angel from Bulgaria

“I feel my time at Taunton School International Middle School was really valuable. It was very interesting; it’s sort of like the basis of starting school, especially for me because this was my first day in England so it made me quite comfortable with everything. It is where I learnt basic English as well as the basis of everything else that I have learnt now. It taught me a lot of things like how to organise my time, basic chores like laundry and tidying my room, as well as how to prepare for exams and how to have a good work / social balance which has really helped me now. I was also awarded Student of the Year at the end of my time there!

I studied at TSIMS for a year before going to Taunton Senior School to do my GCSE’s and now I am doing IB. The house was nice and the beds are comfortable. The social life was good – it is very different to the social life at TS but I was quite young at TSIMS so I understand why we had a little less freedom, but we still used to get out of our rooms all the time to play sports like basketball and football, or talk to friends and socialise.

One of our family friends had been to TSI and he recommended the school. We visited a few schools when my brother was starting school and he liked this one best, then when I was starting I came here too – it is nice to have family here but I think I still would have chosen TSIMS even if my brother hadn’t come here!

When I first came I found it hard to understand people, but TSIMS was a very important part of my schooling because everyone there is coming to a new country and everyone is a bit nervous so it is a lot more comfortable for those people whose first time it is in England. Now my English is much better and I understand people much better; I almost understand English better then I understand Bulgarian! If someone is thinking of coming they need to be prepared to have a great time and learn a lot of things, and they should really enjoy their time as it goes so quickly.”

Lanta from Thailand

Lanta from Thailand

“I spent a year at Taunton School International Middle School and I had a really good time there; it was a nice experience being there first because it is a small school and you get to know lots of people. The teachers also have experience with international students so they don’t judge you on your English at all and support you all the time.

It’s so diverse there and people don’t care where you are from; they respect your beliefs and your culture and it’s really nice. It’s prepared me for this next bigger chance in my life; it prepared me for GCSEs and I understand much better now what it is all about.

We got to move about each term at the boarding house to live with different people and get to know them better. We also had trips every weekend and evening activities with all parts of the school not just my classmates and there’s always loads of opportunities for volunteering and trips.

When I came on a visit I just felt like it was a small community, it’s like a family. I visited other schools as well as here and I just felt that if I was coming to England for my first time, do I want to come to a small community where everyone cares about me or a really big school where probably no one cares and there isn’t focus on individuals.

I am so proud of what I have achieved so far.  I was a Prefect for the whole year and I was also an anti-bullying ambassador. If someone was thinking about coming to Taunton School International Middle School I would definitely recommend it, it’s really nice to be around different people from different countries, you learn other languages and cultures as well as English and it sets you up really well for the next steps of school life.”

Liza from Russia

Liza from Russia

“I was at Taunton School International Middle School for a year before I came to Taunton School International to do the one year GCSE course and I had such an amazing time there! I met a lot of people from different countries and I think there was a really strong community. There are not a lot of people there and you feel like it’s a small family, you have a lot of brothers and sisters, and the teachers are sort of like your parents.

At first I learned how to be kind to everyone and try to be really supportive to others, but I also got amazing help in my English and it really helps me now to understand in lessons as well as understanding and talking to other people.

For the first time in my life I had a grade A+ in Science, which was like “Wow, I did it!” because for me, Science is quite difficult. I also got an award for netball for the most improved player which I am really proud of as I had never played Netball before.

After I have finished this course I think I will go to Taunton School to do A-levels and then go to University, perhaps in London or Spain and then of course get a job! I think Taunton School International Middle School is the best place to come, because it’s not too big so it’s not overwhelming, you can easily make friends and it really feels like home.”

Directions
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