Taunton Prep and Pre-Prep School A GSG School
- Taunton Prep and Pre-Prep School
Staplegrove Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA2 6AE - Head: Ed Burnett
- T 01823 703307
- F 01823 703308
- E admissions@tauntonschool.co.uk
- W www.tauntonschool.co.uk
- A mainstream independent school for pupils aged from 1 to 13 with a linked senior school
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Somerset
- Pupils: 441
- Religion: Christian Inter-denominational
- Fees: Day £9,015 - £18,870; Boarding £18,495 - £32,100 pa
- Open days: See website
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
- ISI report: View the ISI report
- Linked schools: Taunton School
What The Good Schools Guide says..
As we walked into the main playground we were greeted by the newly appointed wellbeing mentor, a former teacher who’s out and about at break and lunchtime, keeping an eye on everybody, chatting to children, recommending books and handing out wellbeing cards and messages. She has regular meetings with the heads of pastoral care to discuss what she’s picked up from pupils. ‘I’ve never seen her without a smile on her face,’ said one girl...
What the school says...
Taunton Prep School is a thriving co-educational day and boarding school. Our dynamic and highly stimulating Nursery and Pre-Prep departments feed boys and girls into Year 3 of the Prep School; our pupils are ready to learn, ready to have fun and ready to face a busy day.
A broad curriculum encourages independent learning and thinking skills. We pride ourselves on a full programme of extra-curricular activities, including a range of expressive arts, giving children the opportunity to thrive and develop confidence. Pupils take part in a wide range of sports and children have opportunities to participate in matches at a regional and national level in IAPS tournaments.
Pastoral care at Taunton Prep School is excellent. Pupils are encouraged to respect each other and their surroundings and abide by our simple Golden Rules. Pupils leave us at the end of Year 8, looking forward to life in the senior school, keen to learn, excited about their learning and prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. It is often commented by many that Taunton Prep School pupils are confident, but never arrogant. ...Read more
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Curricula
International Baccalaureate: diploma - the diploma is the familiar A-level equivalent.
Other features
Music and dance scheme - government funding and grants available to help with fees at selected independent music and dance schools.
All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.
International Study Centre - school has a linked, international study centre for overseas students wishing to improve their English.
Sports
Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.
Rowing
Shooting
What The Good Schools Guide says
Headmaster
Since January 2024, Ed Burnett BSc PGCE MBA, previously senior deputy head of the senior school. He studied economics and politics at the University of Southampton and after a PGCE in London began his teaching career at Cranleigh. He moved to an international school in Hong Kong, then came back to Cranleigh as head of rugby, head of department and housemaster. In between, he did an MBA in educational management and leadership at the University of Leicester (his dissertation was on inclusion within mainstream education). Joined Taunton School as deputy head (pastoral) and was soon elevated to senior deputy head. He was also the school’s safeguarding lead and led a number of pastoral initiatives to support pupils as they moved through the school. A keen sportsman, he coached rugby and netball and as an...
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Special Education Needs
We are fortunate in having a Learning Success department at Taunton Preparatory School, to give additional support to a variety of learning needs. This is staffed by a team of highly qualified specialist teachers, able to give extra support in literacy and/or numeracy, to the child’s specific level of learning, where the child is failing to respond sufficiently to the small classes offered at Taunton Preparatory School. We do, however, anticipate that the child will be able to cope with the mainstream curriculum. Our provision allows for specialist support rather than for extensive individual teaching. This type of specialist support is partly financed from the school budget. The remaining costs are met by the additional payments from those receiving the individual/small group specialist tuition. Details of the cost of extra fees per term are given in the fee schedule. Please note that the initial internal assessment is free of charge. Discussion of charges may be needed if a child requires considerable extra support. Should further assessment by an outside specialist be required, this can be arranged, and parents are billed directly by the outside specialist.
| Condition | Provision for in school |
|---|---|
| ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder | Y |
| Aspergers | Y |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders | Y |
| CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia | |
| Dyscalculia | Y |
| Dysgraphia | Y |
| Dyslexia | Y |
| Dyspraxia | Y |
| English as an additional language (EAL) | Y |
| Genetic | |
| Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory | |
| Has SEN unit or class | |
| HI - Hearing Impairment | Y |
| Hospital School | |
| Mental health | |
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty | Y |
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment | Y |
| Natspec Specialist Colleges | |
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability | |
| Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | Y |
| PD - Physical Disability | |
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty | |
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health | |
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication | Y |
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty | |
| Special facilities for Visually Impaired | |
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
| VI - Visual Impairment |
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