Leading Prep School In Somerset

2785 Q_TS 088

Welcome from
the Prep Head


A day in the life of any pupil at TPS is busy, welcoming, and full of opportunities. We encourage and nurture our children to live by the core values of the TPS Way. These bind us together as a community and help to establish the school as a ‘home from home’ and one inclusive family.

This sense of belonging extends to parents because a successful education is built on a collaboration and trust between school, child and home to ensure the very best outcomes for every pupil. I want all children to skip and run into school each day because there is something they love. This spark should give them the confidence to try new things and ‘find their exceptional’. At times they will fail, and school life may be challenging, but with an outstanding team of teachers, pupil mentors and support staff, every child will be able to develop the 12 competencies we believe will enable them to thrive as they move into the Senior School and into their adult lives.

Ed Burnett
TPS Headmaster

Explore Taunton Prep

Our Prep School is home to 330 boys and girls aged between 7 and 13 with a happy boarding community of around 50 children. Pupils join our school at different key stages but for many they enjoy the ease of moving seamlessly from the Pre-Prep to the Prep School in Year 3.

This whole school approach is evident in so many aspects of Prep School life and we are fortunate to be able to access the amazing facilities afforded to us by having the Senior School on the same site.

Whilst excellence can be seen in so many areas of our busy school life, the principles of inclusion, breadth and kindness remain cornerstones of our practice and enable all the children to find their exceptional during their time in the Prep School.

At a Glance


  • 18 Avg. class size
  • 55 Boarders
  • 60+ Clubs
  • 11+ Nationalities
  • 140+ Music Lessons
  • 15 Instruments
  • 17 Sports
  • 800+ Sporting Fixtures
  • 96% Retention

The Best of Both Worlds

At Taunton School, our single site offers the best of both worlds. Divided into three distinct yet interconnected schools, we provide students with access to exceptional facilities and opportunities. We support children seamlessly transitioning through each school section, making us the preferred choice for working families.

Our unified campus allows us to tailor academic and co-curricular pathways to individual abilities. For instance, Prep School students engage in music workshops with Senior School peers and receive cricket coaching from Level 4 coaches, and more widely receive coaching from Directors of Sport who work across all age groups in after-school clubs.

Students can join at any stage, with significant intakes in Year 3 and Year 7.

Academic pathways at the prep school

As an academic community we pride ourselves on not only recognising outstanding achievements, but also value effort and individual progress each term. We maintain a broad curriculum for all year groups and ensure that through specialist facilities and teaching we can help and nurture all pupils to find their exceptional.

Prep school co-curricular activities

At Taunton Prep School, our commitment to education extends far beyond the conventional classroom setting with over 60 co-curricular clubs, 15 instrument options, and 12 national-level competitive sports: we want every child to find the thing they love. Our vibrant community boasts extensive participation in choirs, music concerts, and drama festivals.

Embracing inclusivity and values like empathy and kindness, we prioritise holistic development. Our diverse tapestry of talents fosters collaboration, while our co-curricular activities ignite ambition, encouraging pupils to pursue their dreams with determination in academics, sports, and the arts.

What Our
Parents Say

Pastoral & Wellbeing at Taunton Prep School

At TPS our priority is to ensure your child is happy and fulfilled. Excellent pastoral care is at the heart of our day to day school culture and we believe in the vital importance of working in partnership with you and your child to ensure the very best outcomes for each pupil.

In line with our TPS Way, our children are encouraged to speak and share their views and opinions with humility grace and kindness. Their individual strengths and concerns are understood equally, by committed and caring staff. They will be busy and they will fail but through strong role models, nurture and kindness they will work through these challenges and thrive.

Next Steps Moving on to senior school

At Taunton Prep, we expect all students to transition to the Senior School by Year 9. Throughout their time here, we challenge them to embrace the Taunton 12 – twelve key characteristics we believe are essential for their ongoing success as they transition. We ensure a smooth integration into the Senior School by gradually introducing some lessons which are taught in the senior school. Increasingly, Years 7 and 8 will also enjoy more co-curricular activities which are aligned with the Senior School. Academic lessons are taught by senior school staff in their classrooms, and our co-curricular offerings increasingly align with those of the senior school.

Book your visit with us

Join our Prep Headmaster, Ed Burnett, and the Taunton School Leadership Team at an upcoming open day.

This is the best way for prospective families to experience Taunton School with the opportunity to meet members of staff, tour the state-of-the-art facilities and ask questions. Join our in-person open mornings or attend virtually.