Ages
Super school stepping out of the shadow cast by the Taunton schools down the road and garnering wider media recognition. Striving to make its students the best they can possibly be in all fields, by concentrating on strong values and process, rather than results. A parent told us, ‘I wouldn’t send my daughter anywhere else.'
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 704 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 160 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- Christian
- Fees
- Day £21,732- £24,996; Boarding £29,085 - £45,987 pa
- Local authority
- Somerset County Council
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Headmaster
Alex Battison
Since September 2024, Alex Battison, previously senior deputy head at Lord Wandsworth College and before that assistant head at Wells Cathedral School. He has also been director of learning and innovation, as well as assistant houseparent and head
Entrance
At year 7 and indeed year 9, as much emphasis placed on the individual child’s interests and personality as on academic achievement. Hopefuls for either year group will attend an annual assessment day in January (year 7) or February (year 9) where
Exit
Some (a quarter in 2023) after GCSE to the local (excellent) sixth form college, Richard Huish in Taunton. Replaced by some from secondaries in the area without sixth forms, or international students. After sixth form, about 70 per cent to Russell
Latest results
In 2024, 43 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 40 per cent A*/A at A level (71 per cent A*-B).
% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)
What is this?
Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.
Teaching & learning
Though by its own admission an academically selective school, academics are not the be-all and end-all here. Classes of about 20 in year 7, with no setting except for maths. French and Latin compulsory to start with, plus German or Spanish in year
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
All new arrivals are screened for dyslexia, so provision mostly supports students with SpLD and dyslexia in particular, according to the school. These days however the department is seen as a source not only of academic support, but also pastoral.
Arts & extracurricular
Les Misérables was about to open when we visited and we were treated to Jean Valjean’s soliloquy performed by a drama school applicant. The great hall provides a relatively modest theatre compared with some schools, so major productions run over s
Sport
Make no mistake, this is a very sporty school where the traditional termly timetable of rugby and hockey carries on for two terms using indoor sessions or as rugby sevens; cricket and tennis for everyone in the summer. What marks the offering out
Boarders
Not great numbers of boarders (just over a quarter), but an integral part of the school for years, adding to its student diversity. Grouped by age and gender into houses (more details on the website would be helpful - and are coming, promises scho
Ethos & heritage
A troupe of grinning DofE students sporting laden rucksacks walking briskly towards minibuses waiting to whisk them off to the wilds of Dartmoor greeted us as we arrived – and this set the tone for the day. We later caught up with their progress l
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Pastoral care much vaunted by the school. Initial responsibility for general wellbeing lies with tutors, who get a good press both from students and parents. ‘They have dual role to encourage the reluctant to step forward and to manage any danger
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review
Students in years 7 and 8 will not use phones in class. They can check phones between 15:45 and 16:00 only, to check messages or call home. Mobile phones, headphones or other portable devices cannot be used in school except in the following circumstances: -
Year 9 to Upper Sixth only, in class when under the instruction of a teacher where it is being used for educational purposes.
In the café when using Apple Pay only. Mobile phones cannot be used in café at any other time.
Any students using their phone around school will have it confiscated. If a phone (or device) is confiscated, it will be taken to reception for safe keeping. It will be placed in an envelope and the personal details of the pupil written on the envelope. The phone may be collected at the end of the day at 16:50. Repeated misuse will result in the phone (or device) being confiscated for a longer time
Pupils & parents
‘Ordinary kids and ordinary families,’ in the words of one mother – and indeed we kept hearing how there is really no place for the arrogant and entitled, nor those who don’t or won’t muck in. ‘Lots of families work very hard to make this happen,’
Money matters
Fees typically towards the lower end of the scale, but watch for charges for lunches and public exam fees, which are not included. Scholarships - usual range, to a maximum of two – offer a top reduction of 20 per cent of fees. Usual bursary arrang
- Fee information
- Day £21,732- £24,996; Boarding £29,085 - £45,987 pa
The last word
Super school stepping out of the shadow cast by the Taunton schools down the road and garnering wider media recognition. Striving to make its students the best they can possibly be in all fields, by concentrating on strong values and process, rath
