Welcome to Taunton Senior School and Sixth Form
Taunton Senior School welcomes students from Year 9 (aged 13) through to Year 13 (upper sixth).
Lee Glaser was appointed as Headmaster in 2015 and created the school’s vision to to Challenge, Nurture and Inspire young people to succeed in a global community. His door is open every morning for students and staff alike to pop in for a chat.
There are around 540 students of which around 250 are boarders, based in five boys’ and girls’ boarding houses situated on the school site. Similarly, day pupils belong to one of six day houses. House Staff and tutors provide an important nurturing network which is frequently highlighted in parent feedback.
The School is non-selective, which means there are no entrance exams. This leads to a cohort with a broad range of ability and yet our results are excellent and our dedicated team of teachers are committed to helping every student reach their full potential.
For those students with special talents, we have a selection of scholarships available for entry into Year 9 and sixth form. The deadline for 16+ is November and for 13+ is January so do make contact with our admissions team if you’d like an information pack. If you have missed the scholarship entry point, a Headmaster’s Award may be considered so do contact us to see how we can help.
You may be thinking about joining the Senior School at Year 9 from another school or our own Prep School. After a visit and meeting with the Headmaster, you may like to consider a taster day to experience a typical school day. This will help to make the transition even smoother for students embarking on this next exciting chapter of their lives.
Year 10 and 11 students study 8-10 GCSEs, usually including one language. Sixth Formers have the option to study an A Level programme, a BTEC course, or the International Baccalaureate (IB). Taunton School is one of the most experienced and successful providers of the IB in the region. Some students will also extend their studies through an EPQ or an IB language to their A Levels in order to strengthen their university applications.
Studying for academic qualifications is just one part of the Taunton School experience. We run a fantastic Scholars Programme, Co-Curricular activities and games for all. The extensive ‘Horizons’ Programme enables students to develop their interests – with over 100 clubs and societies to choose from including Debating, Orchestra, Chess Club, Art, Dance or Climbing to name a few – you will never be bored!
Whilst academic success is high on the agenda, equal importance is given to the wellbeing and mental health of students. There’s a dedicated Mental Health Nurse, counsellor, and a health centre that is open ’24-7’. Counselling is accessible and free for all pupils.
Taunton School offers enviable facilities for musicians and performers alike. There are numerous rehearsal studios, a recording studio, recital hall, a beautiful Chapel housing a Copeman Hart Organ, a Theatre and an Arts Centre and a dozen more practice rooms all with new Yamaha pianos.
It goes without saying that we have exceptional indoor and outdoor facilities across the 56-acre campus, including three sports halls, two indoor swimming pools, a modern fitness suite, eight netballs courts, two multi-purpose AstroTurf pitches, a dance studio, an athletics area, two squash courts and a climbing wall as well as impressive sports pitches for cricket and rugby.
The School is committed and able to continually invest and improve infrastructure on a significant level and has recently cut the ribbon on the latest ambitious project; a redevelopment of dining facilities. This vast, multi-million-pound facility, enables all students and staff to eat together in a first class communal and versatile space.
We educate our young people so that, on leaving, they have the qualifications, confidence and knowledge to take advantage of the many opportunities on offer and make a real difference in a global society.
