King's College
Taunton, Somerset, England
King's College
Taunton, Somerset, England
Overview
Founded in 1881, King’s College is a non-selective, co-educational boarding and day school in the picturesque county town of Somerset, only 3 hours from London by train. With Christian values, the College welcomes pupils of all faiths and none, seeking to develop well-rounded, balanced individuals with a love of learning. 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 the sense of community is strong.
At a glance
Academic
The broad curriculum offers 22 subjects at A Level plus the EPQ, and a 1-year GCSE is available for international students. Dedicated and enthusiastic specialist teachers go beyond the syllabus and foster independent learning, aided by a study skills programme and a school day that runs until 6pm. Personal Tutors offer close support, meeting with each of their 7 or 8 tutees weekly on a 1 to 1 basis with voluntary drop-ins when needed. Typically, 60%+ of A level candidates achieve A*/B.
Boarding
The 7 boarding houses, each with its own culture, activities and social life, integrate day and boarding pupils across all 5 year groups. Personal Tutors support tutees across the board as they move through the school, fostering trust and understanding, whilst the Houseparent, supported by a resident deputy, keeps an eye on social and personal development. Many facilities are available after hours/at weekends and a life skills programme prepares pupils for independent living.
Sports
Sport is pivotal at King’s and the School aims to engage and develop all pupils so they have fun. First class facilities include 2 floodlit Astroturfs, a Tennis/Netball dome, a 25m Swimming pool, a Climbing wall, an Equestrian centre and a strength and conditioning suite. For those with elite aspirations excellent technical coaching is backed up by mentoring on maintaining a healthy life balance. The School has a new Cricket Performance Centre and is an accredited England Hockey performance Centre.
Creative arts
Multi-award-winning D&T boasts a workshop with equipment that includes a CNC plasma cutter. The new Silvermead studio provides an impressive focal point for the existing specialist areas of the Art School. Music hosts myriad choirs, orchestras and ensembles with performance venues ranging from the Woodard recital room to the Music School’s Octagon and the 400 seat Chapel. Drama is based in the fully equipped 280 seat theatre with its full-time manager, ‘Black Box’ Drama studio & Dance floor.
Did you know?
- In 2011, Hugo and Ross Turner, both alumni, were part of the youngest ever 4-man crew to row the Atlantic, and the first twins to row across any of the World’s oceans.
- Incredibly, Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, in temporary exile following the Italian invasion of his country, presented the prizes at the 1936 College Sports Day.
