Wells Cathedral School
The Liberty, Wells, Somerset BA5 2ST
Tel: 01749 834200 Email: admissions@wells.cathedral.school Web: wells.cathedral.school
Name of Master: Mr Alastair Tighe
Age of pupils: 2 – 18
Number of pupils: 775 (including the nursery)
Fee structure per term: Prep School day fees: from £3,112. Prep School boarding fees (from Year 4): from £10,239. Senior School day fees: £7,231. Senior School boarding fees: from £12,065
Faith: Christian. All faiths welcome
Exam Results 2023: GCSE: 9-4 = 94%. 9-5 = 84%. 9-7 = 53% A level: A* – C = 88%. A*-B = 74%. A*-A = 42%
The curriculum: Wells Cathedral School provides an innovative and bold curriculum with an Integrated Arts Programme, Modern Foreign Languages, STEM, a Specialist Music Scheme and a Specialist Maths Scheme. Around one quarter of Senior School pupils are specialist musicians, however, it’s unique in being the only specialist music school in the world to be situated within the context of an all-round school, meaning that pupils benefit from “the best of both worlds.”
Co-curricular: Sport is an integral part of School life and they encourage pupils of all abilities to take part. They offer over 15 sport options and are proud to have the best cricket grounds in Somerset. The drama department has built a reputation for ambitious productions (one was attended by Sir Cameron Mackintosh!). Art flourishes with regular exhibitions in Cedars Hall, and CCF has over 200 cadets. The School won the Independent School of The Year Award for Performing Arts in 2020, was shortlisted for Co-ed School of The Year in 2021 and was a finalist for Independent Pre-Prep School of The Year 2022. It recently won the Muddy Stilettos 2023 Best School Award for ‘Most Inventive Sports Programme (Senior School)’ and was a finalist for’Special Sixth Form’.
Pastoral care: Wells aims to provide all pupils with a family environment within a kind and caring community where they can be happy, healthy and, most importantly, who they are. With the mixed day and boarding houses situated in the heart of the School, this warm atmosphere extends into the day-to-day life of every pupil making Wells not just a school but a home. The 2023 ISI report noted, “Pupils demonstrate that they know how to stay safe and where they can turn for help. Their understanding is supported by a strong and well-planned personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) curriculum.”
Outstanding characteristics: There is a strong sense of family, acceptance and kindness at the School that makes it a very special place in which to live and learn. Wells encourages every pupil to be curious and open-minded. Their core values of Creativity, Aspiration, Responsibility and Endeavour (CARE) represents the most important thing of all – that everyone takes care of each other, and is kind to each other.
In the 2023 ISI report, the School has been awarded the highest possible grade of ‘Excellent’ for both pupil achievement and pupil personal development and has also passed the accompanying compliance inspection. The inspectors noted, “The school has a culture where all are respected and valued for who they are. Wells Cathedral School is an excellent example where a wide range of individuals: extremely gifted musicians, mathematicians, sports players, boarding and day pupils and the neurodiverse interact with respect, sensitivity and tolerance.”