Headmaster’s Welcome: Community. Quality. Success.
King’s Bruton is a remarkable school community with over 500 years of history. We are blessed with a wonderful location in South Somerset. There are around 350 pupils at King’s and the key to our success, and increasing popularity, is to combine our relatively small size with a high-quality education.
In recent years we have had outstanding GCSE, A level and BTEC results, with the vast majority of our pupils going on to their first choice of university. Our hockey teams regularly reach National Finals; there are over 70 pupils in our full Choir, our Chapel Choir sing Evensong in regional cathedrals every term, while our 200-seat theatre is the venue for outstanding drama. Our thriving CCF is one of the oldest in the country, while over half of our senior pupils undertake Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
I asked a pupil to describe King’s Bruton to me in three words and she said, without hesitation, ‘Caring. Community. Happy.’ I would like to add, ‘Quality. Excellence. Achievement.’ Your children will not be allowed to drift, to hide or to get lost at King’s. As Headmaster I set myself two challenges: I want all pupils to leave King’s saying firstly, ‘I enjoyed School’ and secondly, ‘I couldn’t have done any more.’
King’s pupils are encouraged to respect themselves and others, to adopt a positive attitude, and to strive to be the best they can be. Pupils leave here confident but not arrogant and fully prepared to contribute to life beyond the School gates. King’s is a busy, happy and thriving community and we would be delighted to welcome you for a visit; I am confident that you will be impressed.
Ian Wilmshurst - Headmaster
Further details can be obtained by emailing the Registrar on registrar@kingsbruton.com.
Aims of the School. King’s Bruton is a boarding and day school, which places a very high value on a genuinely holistic education in which every individual pupil is given an opportunity to flourish and develop. The School constantly strives to set standards that are well beyond what might normally be expected. The five main aims of the strategic development plan are:
•To develop further the School’s warm and supportive house community, and to provide a comprehensive all-round education in which pupils of all ages are valued as individuals.
•To continue to raise the academic expectations of all pupils at GCSE, BTEC and A level, and in terms of their higher education and career aspirations within a broad and balanced curriculum.
•To ensure that, within the School’s resources, access to a King’s education and facilities are as open as possible to the wider community.
•To aim for excellence in the fields of sport and the performing arts.
•To enhance the School’s strong Christian ethos, and to continue to encourage and support pupils in their spiritual growth and faith.
School values. These school values are outlined every year by the Senior Prefects. They are the values that the Prefects want upheld by the rest of the King’s community. As a school community we aspire to uphold:
•A sense of community. In a small school like King’s, the community spirit is what makes us stand out from the rest. We are a close-knit school so no one is left out. The friendly atmosphere allows individual personalities to develop.
•Punch above our weight. Our size does not hold us back. We have the willingness and determination to go the extra mile and to achieve the best of our abilities both inside and outside the classroom.
•Modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat. At King’s, we believe encouraging involvement in all areas of school life leads to a more rounded individual. We acknowledge the humility and enthusiasm necessary to do better in the future.
•Acceptance and equality. King’s prides itself on the equality and fairness of its pupils. Diversity is accepted and valued equally so no one feels excluded or less important than anyone else.
•Loyalty. Loyalty drives life at King’s: this is not only loyalty to friends and staff but also loyalty to Houses, teams and ultimately oneself. Whether it’s on the sports field, or halfway through the toils of the School year, our loyalties will be what inspire us.
•Respect. We believe King’s shows respect in all aspects of school life; this includes respect towards the School grounds, each other and any member of staff while also being able to enjoy fun and friendly relationships across the age groups.
•Pride. We feel all members of King’s, staff and pupils alike, are proud to be part of our school community. This leads to a desire to excel in the School and help us to make the School the best it can be.
Scholarships & bursaries
Scholarships are awarded to recognise talent and potential and we encourage boys and girls entering the 3rd Form and 6th Form to apply for our various scholarships. The maximum value of any non means-tested Scholarship or Award, or combination thereof, is 20% of fees.
Scholarships and Awards are available at 3rd Form entry in the following subjects: Academic, Art, DT, Drama, Music, Sport, All Rounder.
Scholarships and Awards are available at L6th Form entry in the following subjects: Academic, Art, Drama, Music, Sport
Overseas applicants
King’s Bruton continues to welcome pupils from all countries of the world and encourages applications from interested families and agents. Our European and international pupils bring great benefits to the School in all aspects of school life. We have never differentiated school fees between UK, Europe or international pupils and continue to ensure the fees remain consistent across all nationalities. Boarding is an essential part of life at King’s Bruton, and currently boarders and day pupils are fully integrated into all of the Boarding Houses.
Armed Forces families
King’s Bruton has a long tradition of welcoming children from serving Forces families and with ex-Service men in teaching and support roles, as well as at Senior Management level and on the Board of Governors, we have a deep understanding of the unique circumstances associated with military life.
The School works hard to ensure our provision remains affordable for Service families while ensuring the best levels of education and care. A Forces discount of 20% is currently available for all Forces families, irrespective of whether they are in receipt of CEA. With a Bursar who has spent 25 years in the Army, many of them as a CEA claimant, there is an intimate knowledge of the CEA system and understanding of the process. The emphasis is on flexibility and recognising the unique circumstances of every family.
Additionally, we have a specially designated member of staff who acts as the focus for Forces families ensuring that the School understands the specific requirements of our various Forces families and their children, and the pressure that comes with Service life both in the UK and abroad.
The King’s Bruton Foundation
The King’s School, Bruton Foundation comprises three schools – King’s Bruton, Hazlegrove Prep and Sunny Hill Nursery – and offers the opportunity for a continuity of outstanding education for children aged 2 to 18. The schools are united by a common set of values and principles and bound by a shared history that stretches back to the foundation of King’s in 1519. A junior school was started at King’s in 1902 and was established as an IAPS Preparatory School in 1947 when it moved to Hazlegrove House, which the Foundation purchased in 1953. Sunny Hill Nursery joined the Foundation in 2022.
Charitable status. King’s School, Bruton is a Registered Charity, number 1071997. It exists to provide education for boys and girls from 13–18.