Wells Cathedral School
Wells, Somerset, England
Wells Cathedral School
Wells, Somerset, England
Overview
One of Europe's oldest schools, Wells Cathedral is set against the beautiful and historical backdrop of Wells, England's smallest city, yet with easy access to elegant Bath and cosmopolitan Bristol. The School offers a full, modern education to all pupils as well as first-class pre-professional tuition to specialist musicians and choristers. All students benefit from this cross-over and the School encourages every pupil to 'be what you are', enabling a wide range of talents to thrive.
At a glance
Academic
Students at Wells Cathedral are able to focus on where their talents lie, whether in a breadth of academic qualifications or tailored to a more specific field, such as music. 29 A Level options and the EPQ ensure that all interests and talents are supported whilst the ISC offers pre-GCSE and pre-A Level courses for international students. Almost half of A Level candidates achieve A*/A whilst a third of leavers go on to Russell group universities and a fifth go to leading colleges of music.
Boarding
All the boarding houses are beautiful medieval or eighteenth century buildings with gardens for the boarders' own use and all the modern conveniences a boarder could want – including WiFi! There are 20-30 boarders per house along with some day pupils and the aim of the resident houseparent and assistant is to make the school a home from home. A range of in-house activities strengthens friendships, whilst inter-house rivalry in sport, drama and public speaking fosters a sense of community.
Sports
Sport is viewed as integral to developing essential character qualities – all pupils do some physical activity every week and there are regular competitive fixtures. Facilities include a sports hall, a fitness suite, a swimming pool, a climbing wall, a newly-resurfaced all-weather for hockey and tennis, tennis hard courts and extensive playing fields. Former England Rugby Coach Brian Ashton mentors the school's coaches and well-known performance psychologist Steve Bull is a consultant.
Creative arts
All Lower School pupils take an integrated arts programme with the option to pursue individual subjects to GCSE and A level. Tuition is available in speech, drama, musical theatre and a range of dance disciplines and the School is a recipient of the Arts Council's Artsmark Gold Award. The recital hall of the School's performing arts centre accommodates an orchestra of 60 and an audience of 250. Hundreds of concerts are held each year and ambitious drama productions are held in local theatres.
Did you know?
- The world-famous Glastonbury Festival is held only 11km away, and both its founder Michael Eavis and his daughter Emily, who now co-organises the event, attended the school.
- In 1969 Wells was one of the first independent schools to become fully co-educational and today remains one of the few to maintain roughly equal numbers of boys and girls.
