QUEEN'S College is celebrating its 175th anniversary.

The independent school, based on Trull Road, first began its life at Castle House, in the grounds of Taunton Castle, in 1843 and was originally called the West of England Wesleyan Proprietary Grammar School.

Tomorrow (Friday, September 28) staff and students will attend the annual founders' day service at the Temple Methodist Church followed by a reception at Castle House.

Headteacher, Dr Lorraine Earps, said: “We are so looking forward to celebrating both the history of the school and everything that makes Queen’s the wonderful community it is today.

“Our school motto, ‘non scholae sed vitae discimus’ – ‘we learn not for school, but for life’ – is as meaningful now as it was in 1843.”

Other celebrations include a dinner for former pupils on November 10 and a special rugby match November 15.

A community play, ‘For Queen’s and Country,’ has been written by the Director of Drama, Steve Eaton Evans, to mark both the school’s milestone and the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One.

It tells of former pupil and Head Boy Gilbert Hosegood – who, along with two of his brothers, Ralph and Arnold, served his country during the conflict – and will be performed from November 27 to December 1.

During the year, there will also be a code-breaking competition for each year group and staff at Queen’s with the winners receiving specially-produced silver wyverns, the school’s emblem.

The celebrations culminate in a 175th Anniversary Ball at the end of the Summer Term in July.