King’s College, Taunton Reviews, Rankings, Fees, And More
Welcome to our review of King’s College, Taunton – a well-regarded independent day and boarding school based in Somerset. In this overview, we’ll look at what life is like for students, the school’s academic standards, and what sets it apart as a supportive place for learning and personal growth.
Table of Contents
Key Features of King's College, Taunton
- Local authority: Somerset
- Pupils: 392; sixth formers: 159
- Religion: Church of England
- Fees: £17,595 per term exclusive of compulsory extras (inclusive of VAT)
King's College School Results
Latest Results:
- GCSE Results (2025): 52.4% achieved grades 9-7
- A Level Results (2025): 65% attained A*/B grades
Teaching and Learning at King's College, Taunton
King’s College delivers a broad and well-structured academic programme designed to prepare students for GCSEs, A Levels, and entry to leading universities.
During Years 9 to 11, pupils follow the GCSE curriculum, studying core subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science, alongside a wide choice of options including History, Geography, Modern Foreign Languages, Latin, Music, and Art. This balanced approach allows students to build strong academic foundations while exploring their individual interests.
In the Sixth Form, students select A Level subjects that match their career goals and university ambitions. King’s College offers a wide range of traditional and creative subjects, including Physics, Biology, Psychology, Politics, Drama, and Design Technology, giving students the flexibility to design a personalised and academically rigorous study programme.
Teaching at King’s College focuses on developing independent thinkers and confident learners. Small class sizes encourage discussion, critical thinking, and close interaction with teachers, while personalised support helps students stay motivated and on track.
Students also receive regular academic feedback, structured revision guidance, and dedicated university preparation, ensuring they are well prepared for exams, applications, and life beyond school.
Boarding Facilities in King's College, Taunton
At King’s College, Taunton, the boarding experience is central to the school’s ethos, although it also warmly embraces day pupils, reflecting its inclusive nature. Here’s an overview of the boarding experience:
Boarding Diversity:
- Over 65% of students are fully boarders, coming from various parts of the UK and a multitude of international destinations, with students representing 21 different nationalities.
- The school boasts a strong international presence, particularly from China, Hong Kong, Europe, Kenya, South Africa, and the Emirates.
Boarding House Dynamics:
- The school fosters a tight-knit community within its seven different boarding houses, with three for girls and four for boys.
- Boarders typically share rooms of four, although sixth formers enjoy the privilege of single rooms or sharing with a friend.
- Houseparents and live-in assistants oversee the smooth running of the houses, while senior pupils take on crucial mentoring roles, providing support to younger members of the house.
Dining and Community:
- Meals are served in the central dining hall, facilitating a sense of communal dining where all pupils come together.
- Inter-house competition adds a healthy and enjoyable dimension to the boarding experience, with no single house consistently dominating.
- The school encourages inclusivity among day pupils, allowing them to participate fully in boarding house activities, including staying overnight once a week at no extra cost.
- Flexi-boarding options are available, providing flexibility to suit individual needs and schedules.
Extracurricular Activities in King's College, Taunton
At King’s College, Taunton, the extracurricular offerings are as diverse and dynamic as the students themselves. With a strong belief in nurturing both creative and analytical talents, the school provides a rich array of opportunities beyond the classroom. Here’s a glimpse into the vibrant extracurricular scene:
Arts and Creativity:
- The arts flourish at King’s, with dedicated studio space at the Silvermead arts building fostering creativity in fine art, film, photography, DT (design technology), and textiles.
- Peripatetic lessons are available in 17 musical instruments, with brass instruments notably popular. Students showcase their musical talents through various ensembles, including a notable jazz band.
- Performing arts take centre stage, with dance classes ranging from urban to ballet, LAMDA training, and a variety of theatrical productions, from termly showcases to annual whole-school productions like Macbeth and Grease.
Academic Enrichment:
- The sixth form offers a ‘super curriculum’ with a scholar programme that excels in debating, university-style academic societies, and access to coaching and work experience through a school networking website.
- External speakers, including notable figures such as the director general of the BBC and the president of AstraZeneca UK, enrich students’ learning experiences with virtual sessions.
Outdoor Education and Sports:
- The school boasts a robust outdoor education programme overseen by a dedicated head of outdoor education, offering activities such as CCF (Combined Cadet Force), DofE (Duke of Edinburgh’s Award), Ten Tors, and domestic and international expeditions.
- Sports thrive at King’s, with top-notch facilities and a wide range of offerings, including cricket, girls’ football, hockey, squash, swimming, rugby, football, hockey, and netball.
Equine Activities:
- Recently added to the sports menu is a fully updated equine offering, in collaboration with Taunton Polo Club, providing professional coaching and facilities for students interested in equestrian pursuits.
- Students have the opportunity to keep their own horses at the school or ride the school’s mounts, with daily riding sessions available.
Admissions Process: Entering King's College, Taunton
The admissions process at King’s College, Taunton is designed to identify passionate all-rounders rather than being restrictively academically selective. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
Year 9 Admissions:
- Prospective students aim to secure one of the 90 available places by attending a meeting with the headmaster and sitting the school’s own tests in maths, English, and verbal reasoning on the headmaster’s assessment day.
- Places are typically offered before Common Entrance (CE) results are released, with these results used for setting rather than entry criteria.
- Most students come from associated prep schools like King’s Hall, while others join from prep schools across the South West, notably Hazlegrove, or from day schools in Bristol or London, as well as overseas.
- The school ensures a diverse student body, with around 17% of the current cohort from military families and a cap of 25% on international students.
Year 10 and Year 11 Admissions:
- Around “10 or so” students join for Year 10 GCSEs, with an additional 15 typically entering Year 11, mainly international students, particularly from Germany. These students take advantage of the school’s reputation for delivering a one-year intensive GCSE core subject course.
Sixth Form Admissions:
- Approximately 25 to 30 new starters enter the sixth form each year. The school offers a 16+ scholarship programme and attracts high-calibre students from both local state and independent schools.
- Admission requirements include a minimum of five Grade 6s at GCSE, with Grade 7s strongly recommended for A level subjects and compulsory for maths and science. Students also undergo two subject papers in chosen A levels and a verbal reasoning paper. Scholarship applicants undergo a general assessment paper and panel interview in addition to the standard admission process.
This inclusive approach ensures that King’s College, Taunton attracts a diverse student body and provides opportunities for students with varying academic backgrounds to thrive.
SEN Support in King's College, Taunton
The academic team in King’s College are able to handle most minor SEN such as dyslexia and ADHD.
King's College Testimonials and Reviews
Love this school..Environment Staff & mates..All amazing..Cricket Facilities best in the world.
Great College. Provides a good quality education as well as extra curricular activities.
Great place
The IT department are by far the best IT department I’ve ever dealt with in a school. Keep up the good work!
Frequently Asked Questions about King's College, Taunton
The dress code for pupils in the Sixth Form is suits for both boys and girls. The emphasis is on business-like smartness, while allowing for a degree of individual expression. All clothes must be pressed, clean and in good repair. Clothes should not be overly tight or revealing.
Founded in 1880, King’s College is a co-educational day and boarding school occupying a secluded and beautiful site of over 80 acres on the south side of Taunton in Somerset.
King’s College, or King Alfred’s School as it was originally named, was the fifth of Nathaniel Woodard’s schools when it opened in 1880. Woodard chose to dedicate his new school to Alfred the Great (871 to 899), the west-country King who laid the foundations of what would become the kingdom of England.
Michael Sloan
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