Boarding Houses

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). Mr Tarr, PE teacher, is housemaster; Mr Foweraker, Head of Hockey, is assistant. The Tarr and Foweraker families both live in house, with their respective dogs Bell and Cassie. The House motto is: Non Sibi (from the Latin for not for oneself); we feel this best captures the selflessness and general decency we hope the boys will show each other.

Foxcombe East is home to our male students studying at Taunton School International. The Housemaster is Mr Stevens and he lives in the boarding house with his wife, Jacqui and two children. The House has single, twin and triple rooms, some of which are en-suite and provides a friendly, relaxing and respectful home for up to 52 boys, aged 14-18. The Foxcombe boys are encouraged to be kind, generous and competitive in equal measure. The diversity of nationalities and characters makes the House a unique environment in which students make friendships that we hope will last a lifetime.

Foxcombe West is home to our 33 girls, aged 14-18, studying at Taunton School International.  Miss Scrivener has been Housemistress for several years and also teaches English. The House has single, twin and triple rooms and provides that all important home-from-home feel. The cosy corridors of the House are always filled with the sound of laughter and behind every door there is a sister ready to look after you.

Our Houseparents are supported by the Deputy Housemistress and Head of Wellbeing, Miss Barnacle along with three Graduate Resident Assistants who ensure the highest level of pastoral care and a good range of fun activities for boarders to enjoy.

Both boarding houses are situated in their own spacious grounds, adjacent to the school itself, with a basketball area, table tennis table and pool table and all our Foxcombe boys and girls have full access to the extensive school playing fields which are to the rear of the campus. Students enjoy socialising in the large shared common room during the evenings and weekends and can often be found teaching each other how to cook traditional food in the student kitchen.

The Grange is home to our students at the International Middle School and is located a short distance from the central campus in the picturesque village of Kingston St Mary.  With separate houses for the boys and girls, The Grange houses up to 60 boarders in total. Mrs Lamb is the Head of Pastoral and she is supported by the House Master, Mr Dunn and a team of residential staff. As this boarding house is home to some of our younger students, many of the bedrooms have space for 3 or 4 boarders, although there are a number of twin rooms also.  The boarding houses are situated in their own attractive grounds, with table tennis tables, compact all-weather sports pitch, basketball area, pool table, forest classroom and fire pit. The Grange is proud of their friendly and close knit community and extend a warm welcome to all.

Thone House is a home from home for our Prep School boarding family. Situated within the hub of the Prep School site, directly above the main entrance to the school, Thone House is the beating heart of the Prep School community. Girls and boys, age seven to thirteen years old, live happily alongside one another, facilitated by two separate landing areas, one for boys and one for girls. Each landing has its own designated sitting room and a selection of communal areas encourage social interaction. Mrs Wells, the Head of Boarding and her family live within the house itself and are assisted by a fantastic team of Matrons, Assistant Houseparents, Graduate Resident Assistants and a Resident Tutor. Life in Thone House is vibrant and happy with an impressive array of weekend and evening trips on offer. There is a warmth to Thone that emulates family life, with a real sense of togetherness and empathy evident throughout.

Weirfield is the oldest of Taunton School’s girls’ boarding houses and was established in 1973. It has capacity for 64 girls from age 13-18. Miss Brayley is Housemistress of Weirfield and she lives in the boarding house with her family; husband Marc and two children, Max and Esme along with a very friendly cat called Tabitha. She is supported by Miss Lewis (Assistant Housemistress), Miss Vickery and Miss Walker (Resident Tutors) along with Clare (House Matron). 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. In recent years Weirfield have won several inter-house competitions, such as House Basketball and House Badminton, as well as the most coveted school trophy for House Singing! However, we celebrate taking part just as much as winning and encourage all of the girls to get involved. 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 and to see how their Weirfield ‘sisters’ are getting along!

Wills East is home to up to 47 of our Senior School boys, aged 13-18. The Housemaster is Mr Turner who resides in Wills East with his wife Bex and their spaniel Rolo. Mr Turner is a passionate geography teacher, Senior Colts rugby coach and head of the Army section in the CCF. He is supported in the house by the Deputy Housemaster Dr Martens along with the Matron and tutors. Wills East is situated behind the main teaching block alongside Wills West and is described as 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.

Michael Turner

Housemaster Wills East

Wills West is one of our Senior School boys’ boarding houses and is home to 48 boys aged 13 – 18. The House is run by House Master, Mr Marsden and he resides in Wills West with his family. He is supported by an Assistant House Master, Mr Horsington and Matron Mrs Pavey. Wills West is renowned as a warm, friendly, and respectful community who value hard work and extensive contribution to the wider school community. 

Woodyer is home to 45 female boarders at Taunton Senior School aged 13-18 years. It is run by Housemistress Mrs Ruth Powell, who lives in house with her husband Matthew and their children Christian and Eva, who both attend Taunton Preparatory. Whilst this is Mrs Powell’s first year at Taunton, she has a vast amount of experience in boarding, completing her BSA course and thoroughly enjoys combining this role with her passion for sport and the academic teaching of Physical Education. In her spare time, she can be found playing an array of sports and spending time with her family. 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.