Education Secretary visits Taunton School
THE Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Michael Gove, visited Taunton School on Thursday 10th May to mark the completion of an ambitious £2.3million expansion project. Taunton school is bucking the economic downturn and attracting more students to its new International Middle School.
Mr Gove unveiled a plaque to commemorate the end .jpg)
of conversion work on the historic 19th Century listed building which was built in 1862 by Sir George Gilbert Scott for Mr Steele Perkins and was visited by the then future Prime Minister Anthony Eden. It was later converted to provide 26 apartments, offering sheltered residential housing.
Following its acquisition by Taunton School at the turn of the year, it has been transformed into the ‘Taunton School International Middle School’ for up to 60 nine- to 14-year-olds.
As well as providing a significant boost to the local economy, the scheme is creating 12 new jobs in the Taunton area.
Mr Gove said it was “a beautiful building combining remnants of the past and an appreciation of its tradition whilst being truly fit for the 21st Century. Taunton School has been around for more than 100 years and gives a traditional education but also a fantastically modern one.” He added: “I’m really pleased to be here to see what you have achieved not only in the last six months but over generations.”
Headmaster Dr John Newton described Taunton School International Middle School as “…a very important venture for our school. We are extremely proud of the education it gives to young people in preparing them to shape the world for the 21st Century. We’re an unpretentious, get-on-with-it, roll-your-sleeves-up sort of school.”
Mrs Caroline Nixon, Principal of Taunton School International conducted a tour of the new international middle school and had the opportunity to provide detail to Mr Gove regarding the curriculum and boarding facilities on offer. She says “Taunton School International Middle School will provide an ideal preparation for pupils aged 9 – 14 entering a British Boarding school environment. They will receive an intensive Academic English course as well as lessons in a very wide range of other academic subjects such as maths, sciences, ICT, humanities, Art, and sport. Pupils will be able to concentrate on achieving the academic levels necessary to enter the mainstream British Boarding schools whilst also coming to terms with what to expect and what is expected of them socially. This will lead to higher levels of academic achievement and a better appreciation of what it takes to succeed in their UK education.”
Mrs Nixon was also able to highlight the very high standards of boarding accommodation in the two newly refurbished boys and girls boarding houses. Mr Gove showed particular interest in these remarking on the high quality of finish and attention to detail as well as the evident efforts made to make the rooms special for both boys and girls with individual colour schemes and discreet personal spaces.
Welcoming Mr Gove, chair of governors Mrs Jane Barrie said the school was always looking at innovative ways to develop. “We hope you will see this as an ideal example.” The successful model created in Taunton School International can now be offered to younger pupils and we are delighted to be able to offer more choice to more international students when considering entry to a British Boarding school.