House Ethos
Bishop Fox is an incredibly, friendly and welcoming environment. Boys are encouraged to continue to explore and expand their interests and involvement in all aspects of school life. We are a proud and successful house with a strong tradition of being well represented in all areas of the school. We have a fantastic mixture of sportsmen, actors, musicians, and academic scholars, and some boys that do everything! All of the boys in the house are important and they are all encouraged to respect each other and their achievements whatever they may be.
House History
Bishop Fox House was one of the school’s original four houses and initially occupied one of the large dormitories on the first floor of the main building. It is named after Bishop Richard Fox (one of Tudor King Henry VII’s closest advisors) who was a great benefactor of education in Taunton. Indeed, the school’s pelican crest was Bishop Fox’s emblem.
In 1946 the school purchased Fullands (on the way to Taunton racecourse) as a larger premises for ‘The Fox’. Fullands was a former school which counted General Gordon of Khartoum amongst its alumni. The Fox became the largest House, known for its close-knit atmosphere with a strong sporting reputation, possibly because the boys had to cycle up and down South Road on a regular basis.
The move to the current purpose-built accommodation attached to two characterful 19th century properties took place in 1986.
Bishop Fox Today
Bishop Fox is one of the biggest houses, catering for between 70 and 80 boys ranging from Third Form to Upper Sixth. The accommodation and rooms are a mixture of spacious and quirky areas, with some of the older boys living in the oldest, Georgian part of the building.
With the luxury of space, we have plenty of social areas, as well as designated study areas for younger boys, and enough beds to accommodate the whole house if they ever do all board at the same time. This also offers great flexibility for day pupils when they do stay for the night.
At the centre of the house is the courtyard area. This is a fantastic space for the boys to enjoy, particularly when the sun comes out, with a constant and varying plethora of games being played. The courtyard also plays host to our annual house concert ‘Fox Rocks’, as well as a number of other gatherings throughout the year.
Houseparent
Mr Candler lives with his wife Amy who is also a teacher, and their lively and lovely son Freddie.
Bishop Fox is a delightful and supportive community. It is Mr Candler’s hope that everyone leaves with happy memories and lasting friendships. He believes that effort brings reward and therefore will encourage everyone to throw themselves wholeheartedly into all the wonderful opportunities they have at the school. Bishop Fox is a happy house with brilliant staff and a really approachable and experienced group of Sixth Form prefects.
The house leadership team would never claim to have all the answers but are firm believers that talking is the route to all solutions. The aim is to support all pupils to be the best version of themselves. Alongside his responsibilities in Bishop Fox, you will find Mr Candler teaching economics and business, coaching rugby and cricket, or lost in his extensive collection of bicycles.