Somerset offers a diverse range of private secondary schools, each with its unique strengths and educational philosophies.
In Somerset, there are no grammar schools. However, the county is home to numerous prestigious private schools, catering to both boarding and day students.
Schools like King's College Taunton and Millfield School are renowned for their strong academic traditions, extensive facilities, and commitment to providing a well-rounded education.
Other independent schools, such as Wells Cathedral School and Bruton School for Girls, offer a more specialised approach, with a focus on music and performing arts or single-sex education respectively.
Below, you can find an updated list of all the private and grammar schools in Somerset. Click the links below for individual school/admissions information, as well as some free 11 Plus exam papers in a similar style to those the school uses for its admissions test for year 7.
All Private and Grammar Schools in Somerset
Bruton School for Girls
Address: Sunny Hill, Bruton, Somerset BA10 0NT, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1900.
Type of School: Independent, all-girls day and boarding school.
Age Range: 2-18 years old (Nursery, Prep, and Senior School).
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
Notable Features: Bruton School for Girls is an independent school set in a beautiful 20-acre campus in the heart of Somerset. It is known for its nurturing and supportive environment, emphasis on individual learning, and commitment to empowering young women. The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum, a wide range of co-curricular activities, and a strong focus on pastoral care.
Resources:
Bruton School for Girls – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Downside School
Address: Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Radstock BA3 4RJ, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1606.
Type of School: Independent, Catholic, co-educational day and boarding school.
Age Range: 11-18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: CAT4.
Notable Features: Downside School is a historic and renowned independent Catholic school with a strong academic tradition. The school is set on a 500-acre campus in the Somerset countryside, offering a beautiful and tranquil setting for learning and personal growth. It is known for its Benedictine ethos, which emphasizes the importance of community, prayer, and service. The school provides a broad and challenging curriculum, extensive extracurricular activities, and a supportive pastoral care system.
Resources
Downside School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
King's College Taunton
Address: South Road, Taunton TA1 3LA, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1880.
Type of School: Independent, co-educational day and boarding school.
Age Range: 13-18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: ISEB Common Pre-Test.
Notable Features: King's College is a thriving independent school known for its warm and welcoming community, focus on academic excellence, and extensive co-curricular program. The school is particularly renowned for its strong sporting tradition, especially in cricket, and offers a wide range of opportunities in music, drama, and the arts. It is committed to developing well-rounded individuals who are prepared to make a positive contribution to society.
Resources:
King's College Taunton – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
King Edward's School, Bath
Address: North Road, Bath BA2 6HU, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1552.
Type of School: Independent, co-educational day school.
Age Range: 3-18 years old (Pre-Prep, Junior, and Senior School).
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English, maths and verbal reasoning.
Notable Features: King Edward's School is a leading independent school with a rich history and a reputation for academic excellence. The school is known for its innovative and enriching curriculum, outstanding pastoral care, and focus on developing well-rounded individuals. It offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including a strong focus on sport, music, and drama.
Resources:
King Edward's School, Bath – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Kingswood School
Address: Lansdown Road, Bath BA1 5RG, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1748.
Type of School: Independent, co-educational day and boarding school.
Age Range: 9 months - 18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English, maths and non-verbal reasoning.
Notable Features: Kingswood School is a leading independent school in Bath, known for its outstanding pastoral care and high academic standards. The school offers a broad curriculum, with a strong emphasis on music and performing arts. It also boasts a wide range of co-curricular activities and excellent sports facilities.
Resources:
Kingswood School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Millfield School
Address: Butleigh Road, Street, Somerset BA16 0YD, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1935.
Type of School: Independent, co-educational boarding and day school.
Age Range: 13-18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: CEM Select.
Notable Features: Millfield School is a renowned independent school set on a sprawling 150-acre campus in Somerset. It is known for its exceptional sporting facilities and its commitment to providing a holistic education that nurtures talent in every student. The school offers a wide range of academic and vocational subjects, along with a vast array of extracurricular activities, including over 70 sports and a thriving arts program. Millfield is also known for its diversity and inclusivity, welcoming students from over 70 different countries.
Resources:
Millfield School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Monkton Combe School
Address: Monkton Combe, Bath BA2 7HG, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1868.
Type of School: Independent, co-educational day and boarding school.
Age Range: 2-18 years old (Pre-Prep, Prep, and Senior School).
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
Notable Features: Monkton Combe School is a leading independent school with a strong Christian ethos and a focus on academic excellence, character development, and service to others. The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum, a wide range of co-curricular activities, and a supportive and inclusive community. It is known for its beautiful rural setting near Bath, its strong pastoral care, and its commitment to developing confident, compassionate, and well-rounded individuals.
Resources:
Monkton Combe School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Prior Park College
Address: Ralph Allen Drive, Combe Down, Bath BA2 5AH, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1830.
Type of School: Independent, Catholic, co-educational day and boarding school.
Age Range: 11-18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School’s own exam and CEM Select.
Notable Features: Prior Park College is a leading independent Catholic school set in a stunning 57-acre campus overlooking the World Heritage City of Bath. The school is housed in a magnificent Palladian mansion, creating a unique and inspiring learning environment. Prior Park College is known for its strong academic tradition, pastoral care, and focus on developing well-rounded individuals. It offers a broad and challenging curriculum, extensive extracurricular activities, and a supportive community that values diversity and inclusivity.
Resources:
Prior Park College – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Queen's College, Taunton
Address: Trull Road, Taunton TA1 4QS, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1843.
Type of School: Independent, co-educational day and boarding school.
Age Range: 0-18 years old (Nursery, Pre-Prep, Prep, and Senior School).
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English, maths and verbal reasoning.
Notable Features: Queen's College is a thriving independent school with a strong focus on academic excellence, creative and performing arts, and outdoor education. It offers a broad and balanced curriculum, a wide range of extracurricular activities, and excellent pastoral care. The school boasts a 98.5% GCSE pass rate, with 81% of A-Level students achieving A*-C grades. It also has a strong international community, with students from over 30 different countries.
Resources:
Queen's College, Taunton – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Royal High School Bath GDST
Address: Lansdown Road, Bath BA1 5SZ, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1875.
Type of School: Independent, all-girls day and boarding school (part of the Girls' Day School Trust).
Age Range: 3-18 years old (Nursery, Preparatory, and Senior School).
Entrance Exam Type: School’s own English exam and CAT4.
Notable Features: Royal High School Bath GDST is a leading independent girls' school renowned for its academic excellence, focus on individual development, and commitment to empowering young women. The school offers a broad and challenging curriculum, extensive extracurricular opportunities, and a supportive and inclusive community that fosters intellectual curiosity, creativity, and social responsibility. It is the only boarding school in the GDST network and offers flexible boarding options to suit individual needs.
Resources:
Royal High School Bath GDST – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Sidcot School
Address: Oakridge Lane, Winscombe, Somerset BS25 1PD, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1808.
Type of School: Independent, co-educational day and boarding school (Quaker ethos).
Age Range: 3-18 years old (Junior and Senior School).
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English and maths.
Notable Features: Sidcot School is a Quaker school known for its inclusive and forward-thinking approach to education. The school emphasizes creativity, critical thinking, and social responsibility, offering a broad curriculum that includes both traditional subjects and innovative programs like Global Perspectives and Wellbeing. It boasts a diverse and international community, with over 30 nationalities represented among its student body.
Resources:
Sidcot School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Wellington School
Address: South Street, Wellington, Somerset TA21 8NT, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1837.
Type of School: Independent, co-educational day and boarding school.
Age Range: 3-18 years old (Nursery, Preparatory School, and Senior School).
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English and maths.
Notable Features: Wellington School is a well-established independent school with a strong reputation for academic excellence and a broad range of co-curricular activities. The school is known for its friendly and supportive environment, emphasis on individual development, and commitment to fostering a love of learning. It offers a wide range of A-level and BTEC subjects and boasts modern facilities, including a state-of-the-art sports centre and a new performing arts centre. Wellington School also prides itself on its excellent pastoral care and its commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive community.
Resources:
Wellington School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Wells Cathedral School
Address: 15 The Liberty, Wells, Somerset BA5 2ST, United Kingdom.
Founded: 909 AD.
Type of School: Independent, co-educational day and boarding school with specialist music provision.
Age Range: 2-18 years old (Little Wellies Nursery, Pre-Prep, Prep School, Senior School and Sixth Form).
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
Notable Features: Wells Cathedral School is one of the oldest schools in the world and the only school in the UK to offer specialist music pre-professional training within an all-round independent school setting. The school is renowned for its exceptional music education, with many students going on to successful careers in the music industry. The school also offers a broad and balanced curriculum, a wide range of extracurricular activities, and a supportive community that fosters creativity, talent, and personal development.
Resources:
Wells Cathedral School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information