TAUNTON School is celebrating an outstanding hat-trick of inspections – and has also announced another major programme of improvements to its facilities.

The Independent Schools Inspectorate looked at boarding provision in the senior, prep and international schools, with all relevant assessments passed with flying colours.

And the Early Years Foundation Stage (up to five-years-old) achieved ‘outstanding’ gradings in all four key areas.

The governors have now approved a substantial investment in refurbishing and improving the boarding accommodation over the next year.

Headmaster Dr John Newton said: “I congratulate all my boarding staff for their exemplary care of our pupils.

“Taunton School’s boarding has increased in quality over the years as numbers have increased and we shall continue to ensure we give our pupils the very best boarding experience money can buy.”

The inspectors’ reports describe the overall quality and standards of the Early Years provision in nursery and pre-prep as ‘outstanding’.

They said: “The children’s achievements and progress exceed age-related expectations in all areas of learning in relation to their various starting points.”

They added: “All aspects of the children’s personal, social and emotional development are fostered well through their positive interactions with the very caring and supportive staff.”

Leadership and management and the contribution of the early years provision to the children’s well-being are ‘outstanding’.

“Very caring and supportive staff” have created a family-based environment where children can achieve well.

The educational programmes are “excellent and wide-ranging”, covering all areas of learning and enabling all children to exceed the level of development typical for their age.

Boarding provision across Taunton School meets all the national minimum standards.

The inspectors say the senior and international schools offer plenty of activities while a comprehensive safeguarding policy is “rigorously implemented”.

In the prep and international middle schools, boarders say they feel “safe and well cared for” while the inspectors found “clear leadership of boarding”.

Dr Newton said the school would not “rest on its laurels” and is planning further improvements.

He added: “The investment agreed with the governors is considerable and I am delighted that we shall be doing more than the basics to make our boarding right for the needs of our boarders in the 21st Century.

“This investment goes hand-in-hand with the development of an excellent team of responsible, youthful and imaginative staff who make the boarding life of the school a truly and deeply educational experience.”