As we approach the end of the calendar year, we find ourselves in the midst of all the usual activities and celebrations of the advent season. The recent TPS and TS Autumn concerts were a delight to hear, with a hugely impressive array of ensembles and some choral performances of the highest quality. What a pleasure it has been to see so many more boys involved in singing, one of our key objectives at the start of this year.

This week sees the TS production of Romeo and Juliet. We are expecting sell out audiences for a fully immersive theatrical experience and, what is especially pleasing since the increase in drama staffing across the school, is the fact that preparations for the Senior School musical, The Addams Family, have been running alongside rehearsals for Romeo and Juliet. We have doubled the co-curricular drama on offer and there is great excitement about taking The Addams Family to the Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton next term.

I am extremely grateful to all who attended the recent Sixth Form open morning, during which we launched several new subject offerings and introduced new elective courses on Mastering AI and Careers in Conservation. I hope that Year 11 students will be excited by what is on offer and that parents will recognise the way in which we are tailoring our curriculum towards the changing demands and opportunities of the workplace.

At the Headmaster’s Reception on Friday 17th November, I enjoyed the opportunity to talk about the next stages of the school’s development plan, our newly defined aims and ethos and strategic pillars, as well as offering what I hope was reassuring commentary on the school’s detailed and considered planning for the potential challenge of VAT on fees. Should any parents who were not able to attend this event wish to hear the contents of the presentation, we would be delighted to run a repeat evening next term. Please do reply to the recent communication from me and fill in the Microsoft Form if you wish to attend. A date will be confirmed as soon as we know there is demand.

Based on the RSA parental survey when ran in February 2022, wide consultation of pupils and staff, and my first full year in post, I have recently felt able to articulate what best defines a Taunton School education. Our fundamental purpose is to celebrate the individuality of every child and unearth potential. We are a community built on the core values of humility, engagement, and kindness and the four strategic pillars we have established for the School are as follows: a culture of ambition; a mindset for life; a sense of belonging; and a global community. This vision for the school has been presented to all staff and pupils and we must now be sure we live and breathe these values and aspirations for one another on a daily basis. An overview of the new aims and ethos of the school can be found on our website (Principles & Values | International School | Taunton School), and I do hope that it will represent to parents a school they recognise and which they are proud for their children to attend.

Our mission is to provide an environment in which every child can find what it is that makes them exceptional.

I wish you all a very restful festive season.

James Johnson

Taunton School Headmaster