Boarding School / Sixth Form College in Somerset, UK

Taunton School, Somerset:
Taunton School is an independent boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 0 to 18 years. Located in the heart of Somerset in the south west of England, we provide a comprehensive co-educational primary & secondary school programme with boarding options for students from the Preparatory Stage and up (ages 7-18). GCSE's, AS and A levels at Sixth Form are all offered in Senior School, as well as the increasingly popular International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme.

Co-educational Primary & Secondary School Programmes:

The Early Years Curriculum
In First Steps and Reception we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Principles. The principles which guide the work of all early years practitioners are grouped into four themes:

- A Unique Child
- Positive Relationships
- Enabling Environments
- Learning and Development

These four guiding themes work together to underpin effective practice in the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The Learning and Development section identifies the developing knowledge, skills, understanding and attitudes that children will need if they are to achieve the early learning goals by the end of the EYFS.

Pre-Preparatory

By the end of the foundation stage, most children will be able to:
- Be interested, excited and motivated to learn
- Be confident to try new activities, initiate ideas and speak in a familiar group
- Maintain attention, concentrate and sit quietly when appropriate
- Have a developing awareness of their own needs, views and be sensitive to the needs of others
- Have a developing respect for their own culture and beliefs of people
- Form good relationships with adults and peers
- Work as part of a group or class, taking turns and sharing harmoniously
- Understand what is right or wrong and why
- Dress and undress independently and manage their own hygiene
- Select and use activities and resources independently
- Consider the consequences of their words and actions for self and others
- Understand that people have different needs, views and cultures which need to be treated with respect
- Understand that they can expects others to treat their needs and beliefs with respect

Preparatory
Assessment grades are sent home at regular intervals. These comprise effort grades in all subjects. Pupils making significant effort are recognised in a special assembly. Parents are requested to comment on the grades, sign the sheet and return it to school as an indication that they have been involved in the discussion. Pupils are encouraged to set targets based on their grades. Grades for effort are on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 representing the greatest effort.

Senior School
As part of that ideal is a genuine belief that all pupils should have the opportunity to express themselves and learn more about themselves by involvement in a wide range of co curricular activities. Sport, and the benefits of exercise, are well known and that plays an important part of life at Taunton School. But, of equal importance, are the opportunities available through the Arts - our Music, our Drama, our Public Speaking - and the challenges offered by Outdoor Activities - CCF, Ten Tors, Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Sixth Form
Whether students are new to Taunton School or whether they move into the Sixth Form from within, the moment is a defining one. It marks a clear transition and it brings with it a changed status, students are regarded within the School community as young adults.

There will be many choices and decisions to be made; the most significant of which is choosing between AS / A level courses and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Irrespective of which course is chosen there then lie decisions about subjects to be studied. Students will be offered the best possible advice from highly experienced and sensitive members of staff.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
The IB Diploma programme, which is proving increasingly popular with both universities and employers, provides Sixth Form students at Taunton School with an attractive alternative to taking A Levels.