The only UK school running four sixth form pathways simultaneously: A-Level, IB Diploma, BTEC, and International Foundation Programme.
A leading British boarding school in the heart of Somerset
Why this school
The only UK school running four sixth form pathways simultaneously: A-Level, IB Diploma, BTEC, and International Foundation Programme.
A dedicated GCSE Access Pathway accepts international pupils with A1–B1 English, with language support integrated into the timetable.
Over 450 boarders from more than 60 nationalities, housed across seven boarding houses including two international houses.
Taunton School is a co-educational independent school in Somerset, established in 1847 and operating across a 56-acre campus that runs from nursery through to sixth form. It holds membership of HMC (Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference) and is inspected by ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) — both carry real weight for international families assessing schools from abroad. With over 450 boarders from more than 60 nationalities, the school is genuinely international without losing its Somerset character. Full boarding fees for senior pupils are £51,000 (2025/26) per year, inclusive of VAT.
Taunton runs an unusually broad curriculum. At GCSE, pupils follow the standard English pathway. International entrants can join via a dedicated GCSE Access Pathway, designed for those arriving with English proficiency between A1 and B1. The pathway runs across Years 9 and 10, with intensive language support built in from the start.
The sixth form is where the academic offer becomes genuinely distinctive. Taunton is the only school in the UK to run four parallel sixth form pathways: A-Level, IB Diploma (International Baccalaureate), BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council), and an International Foundation Programme. Pupils choose the route that fits their university destination and learning style, rather than conforming to a single track. The International Foundation Programme is aimed specifically at those heading to UK universities who need an additional preparatory year.
New sixth form boarders pay £52,530 (2026/27) per year for full boarding. International students joining the Foundation Programme pay the same rate. Weekly and flexi boarding are also available at sixth form level, giving families genuine flexibility over how much time pupils spend on campus during term.
Boarding operates across multiple houses: five senior boarding houses, one prep boarding house, and two international houses. Younger boarders from Years 3 and 4 upwards have their own dedicated residential environment, separate from senior accommodation. Full boarding is available across all junior year groups, with flexi and weekly options also available. EAL (English as an Additional Language) support carries a surcharge of approximately £1,000 per term for junior international boarders; a consolidated annual fee of £3,000 applies at senior level.
The pastoral framework is organised around house membership, with dedicated houseparents responsible for day-to-day welfare. Students arrive from more than 60 countries, so the school operates what amounts to a multilingual pastoral environment. That matters practically for families whose children may be navigating English-medium education for the first time.
The 56-acre campus supports a wide co-curricular offer. Facilities include swimming pools and sports halls, with the grounds accommodating a range of team and individual sports. Arts, music, and drama programmes run alongside academic study throughout the week. For international boarders who spend full weeks on campus, there is consistent structured activity outside classroom hours rather than empty time between lessons and lights out.
The school occupies 56 acres in Taunton, Somerset, a market town with direct rail connections to London Paddington. All year groups from nursery through to sixth form are accommodated on a single continuous site, with boarding houses, sports facilities, arts spaces, and academic buildings in close proximity. Somerset’s countryside is immediately accessible, and the town provides practical amenities within walking distance.
Bristol Airport is approximately 45 minutes from the school, making it the most convenient international gateway for most families. London Heathrow is reachable by rail via Taunton station, with the journey to central London taking around two hours. Both routes are well-established for term-time arrivals and departures.
Annual tuition
£50,985 per year · full boarding · Senior · Years 9-13
Other tier breakdowns shown below.
| Stage | Year groups | Type | Audience | Fee / year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Prep | Reception, Year 1 & 2 | Day | — | £11,190 |
| Junior | Years 3 & 4 | Day | — | £12,885 |
| Junior | Years 3 & 4 | Full boarding | — | £31,170 |
| Junior | Years 3 & 4 | Weekly boarding | — | £20,460 |
| Junior | Years 3 & 4 | Flexi boarding | — | £18,180 |
| Junior | Years 5 & 6 | Day | — | £17,580 |
| Junior | Years 5 & 6 | Full boarding | — | £31,170 |
| Junior | Years 5 & 6 | Weekly boarding | — | £26,730 |
| Junior | Years 5 & 6 | Flexi boarding | — | £21,465 |
| Junior | Years 7 & 8 | Day | — | £23,400 |
| Junior | Years 7 & 8 | Full boarding | — | £39,435 |
| Junior | Years 7 & 8 | Weekly boarding | — | £35,475 |
| Junior | Years 7 & 8 | Flexi boarding | — | £31,545 |
| Senior | Years 9-13 | Day | — | £29,355 |
| Senior | Years 9-13 | Full boarding | — | £50,985 |
| Senior | Years 9-13 | Weekly boarding | — | £45,990 |
| Senior | Years 9-13 | Flexi boarding | — | £41,685 |
| Senior | Years 9 & 10 (GCSE Access Pathway) | Day | International | £42,585 |
| Senior | Years 9 & 10 (GCSE Access Pathway) | Full boarding | International | £53,235 |
| Senior | Year 11 (One-Year GCSE/Pre-IB) | Day | International | £44,700 |
| Senior | Year 11 (One-Year GCSE/Pre-IB) | Full boarding | International | £55,875 |
| Sixth Form | Years 12 & 13 (Foundation Programme) | Day | International | £42,000 |
| Sixth Form | Years 12 & 13 (Foundation Programme) | Full boarding | International | £52,530 |
| Sixth Form | New to Sixth Form | Full boarding | — | £52,530 |
| Sixth Form | New to Sixth Form | Weekly boarding | — | £47,280 |
| Sixth Form | New to Sixth Form | Flexi boarding | — | £41,970 |
Additional fees
Deposit
£1,000
Registration
£150
EAL / year
£3,000
Bristol Airport, approx. 45 minutes by car from Taunton School.
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Senior full boarding (Years 9–13) costs £50,985 per year for 2026/27, inclusive of VAT, at £16,995 per term. Junior full boarding for Years 3–4 starts at £31,170 per year. Weekly and flexi boarding options are available at each stage at lower rates.
Taunton offers GCSE, A-Level, IB Diploma (International Baccalaureate), BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council), and an International Foundation Programme. The sixth form is structured around four distinct pathways, so pupils can choose the qualification route that best matches their intended university destination.
Yes. The GCSE Access Pathway is designed for international pupils in Years 9 and 10 with English proficiency between A1 and B1. EAL (English as an Additional Language) support is available at both junior and senior level; at senior stage this is charged at £3,000 per year as a consolidated annual fee.
The school offers full boarding (7 nights), weekly boarding (5 nights), and flexi boarding (3 nights) across junior and senior year groups. There are five senior boarding houses, one prep boarding house, and two dedicated international houses.
Bristol Airport is approximately 45 minutes from Taunton by car, making it the most practical international arrival point. London Heathrow is accessible by rail, with a journey time of around two hours from Taunton station.
The International Foundation Programme is a sixth form pathway for international students preparing to enter UK universities. It runs alongside A-Level, IB (International Baccalaureate), and BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) as one of the school’s four sixth form routes. Full boarding fees for the Foundation Programme are £52,530 per year (2026/27).
Taunton School was founded in 1847. It is a member of HMC (the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference) and is inspected by ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate), the standard regulatory body for independent schools in England.
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