History

King’s College, Taunton is a Woodard School and so part of the largest group of Church of England schools in England and Wales. This unique partnership is united by a determination to give priority to the Christian focus developed by Nathaniel Woodard between 1847 and 1891 when he founded ten schools.

King’s College was founded as King Alfred’s College School on 26 October 1880, the anniversary of the death of King Alfred. The roots of the school go back to Bishop Fox Grammar School in the town centre. This was founded in 1522 by the Bishop of Winchester, Richard Fox, a key figure in Henry VII’s Privy Council. Bishop Fox had a pelican at the heart of his crest and that powerful symbol of the parent bird drawing its own blood and taking its own life to feed its children remained with the school (by 1867 called Taunton College School) when it was moved from its site in Corporation Street to South Road in 1869. In 1879 educational pioneer, Canon Nathaniel Woodard, bought the school and renamed it King’s College.

A boys’ school for 13-18 year olds, King’s College initially became co-educational in 1968 with the introduction of sixth form girls. It is now a fully co-educational school.

The Woodard Ethos

As a Woodard School, King’s Hall School / King’s College, Taunton:-

1. Grounds itself in Christian belief, teaching and values, celebrating that faith in creative and meaningful ways through worship;

2. Fosters the virtues of faith, hope and love in all aspects of its life as central to its Christian ethos;

3. Welcomes inclusively those of all faiths and none;

4. Believes in the unique value of each individual regardless of race, gender or creed;

5. Pursues academic excellence with a commitment to good teaching and effective learning;

6. Aims to prepare each young person for the future by means of a full and rounded education;

7. Provides outstanding pastoral care within a supportive community;

8. Seeks to build a community which reflects family life with mutually respectful and warm relationships;

9. Nurtures self-respect and self-esteem, high moral values, responsible citizenship and a commitment to the service of others;

10. Strives to be outward looking, working with others in the local and wider community for mutual benefit.