King’s College is a co-educational boarding school that comprises King’s Prep for children from nursery to Year 8 and King’s College senior school from Year 9 to Sixth Form. The schools are situated on separate sites in the heart of the Somerset countryside, only three hours from London by train.
King's College seeks to develop well-rounded, balanced individuals with a love of learning and academic curiosity. Boarding and pastoral care are core to life at King’s, and with so many pupils and staff living on-site in centrally located boarding houses, there is a strong sense of community.
The school holds the position of being one of the top academic secondary institutions in the county, regularly leading the tables in both GCSE and A-level results. As well as academic excellence, the breadth of sport and other co-curricular activities are unparalleled for a school of King’s size.
As well as being an exceptionally happy school, we are busy and purposeful. Pupils leave well qualified, but more importantly, they leave as well-rounded, intellectually curious and balanced individuals who have been nurtured and encouraged to grow, develop and explore.
Boarding. Much of what sets us apart from other schools stems, we believe, is our strong boarding ethos. Our houses are centrally placed (two are in the main school building) and boarding is central to what we are. Our boarders come from far and wide. Many are local - a few live closer to school than some of their day pupil friends. Others come from the south west of England, while others are from further afield in the UK and some from overseas. This makes for a varied and vibrant community within the houses. Wherever pupils come from, they soon develop a strong sense of loyalty to their house, which makes for exciting and hotly contested inter-house competition in sport and many other activities.
We believe that boarding is a rich and life-affirming experience for our pupils. We know that they leave us well prepared for the demands and challenges of university life. Their friendships are extraordinarily long-lived. They are independent, resilient, resourceful, cheerful, tolerant, pro-active, kind, capable young men and women who go on to make their mark on the world.
The Curriculum. Pupils are challenged by enthusiastic and dedicated specialist teachers both inside and outside the classroom. Careful planning has devised a programme of visits, lectures, tutoring and prep to support learning. House-based tutors each support seven or eight boys or girls throughout their time at the school. Pupils are also prepared with care for examinations (GCSE and A-levels) and university, and are encouraged to develop independent thought and inquiring minds. This ethos resulted in pupils gaining the top A-level results in the area.
Sports and Activities. Sport is pivotal at King’s, and the school aims to engage and develop all pupils so they have fun. First class facilities include two floodlit Astroturfs, a tennis/netball dome, 25m swimming pool, strength and conditioning suite, a climbing wall and an equestrian centre. For those with elite aspirations, excellent technical coaching is backed up by mentoring and support maintaining a healthy life balance. The school has a Cricket Performance Centre and is an accredited England hockey performance centre.
King’s also has a vast array of co-curricular activities unparalleled for a school of its size, from drama, music, outdoor pursuits and CCF, to dance, cookery and debating. Outdoor activities are well catered for under the umbrella of the CCF (Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Army sections), and alongside that are the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Gold award schemes. Kayaking and water polo are popular, as is climbing – we have our own indoor wall and climbing club.
Fees per term (2023-2024). UK boarders £13,785. Day pupils £9,160.
Charitable Status. Woodard Schools Taunton Ltd is a Registered Charity, number 1103346. King’s College exists to provide high quality education for boys and girls aged 13–18.
Governors & Staff:
Headmaster: Mr Michael Sloan
Deputy Head (Pastoral): Mrs Karen McSwiggan
Deputy Head (Academic): Mr Jonty Lawford
Head of Sixth Form: Mr Oliver Elsworth
Head of Boarding: Mr Dafydd Jones
Director Finance & Operations: Mr Simon Worthy
Director of Admissions & Marketing: Mrs Kate Rippin
Director of Development: Mr Phillip Rothwell
Chaplain: The Revd Mark Smith
PA to the Headmaster: Melissa Catton