Take the Next Step – Wells Cathedral School

Application Process

We’re delighted that you’re applying to Wells! Our students benefit from extraordinary teachers, small class sizes, a rich array of extracurricular programs, and much more. We’re looking for intelligent, active young people who are ready to participate in the school’s varied activities and classes. We also welcome your application if you’re not experiencing success or fulfilment in school, but are willing to try to do better work with our support.

We want your application process to be clear and easy so we provided you with step by step instructions below. However, if you have any questions, please contact our admissions team on 01749 834 441 / [email protected], and we’ll be happy to help.

We accept applications year-round for entrance when space permits, and students can enter the school at different levels. We look forward to working with you through the application process.

Step 1. Request information

Simply contact admissions, and we’ll send you information relevant for your family.

Step 2. Arrange a Visit or Attend an Open Day

Please join us for an Open Day with a student-led tour of the school, an opportunity to meet teachers and more.

We also would be happy to arrange an individual visit if you can’t make an Open Day or if you just can’t wait! Please contact our admissions team if you’re interested, and we’ll find a time that works for you.

Step 3. Register

To register, fill in this Registration Form and return it with the registration fee to our admissions team. If you’re interested in applying for one of our scholarships, you will also need to return the relevant form with the registration form. See our Scholarships Section for details. Please see our Financial Assistance Section for details on how to apply for a bursary.

Step 4. Attend the Entrance Day and/or Scholarship Day

Once you have registered, we will invite any students currently in Year 9 or below to take an assessment test and have a short interview, either individually or in groups. We do this testing the last Saturday of January each year. Individual assessment days may be scheduled after this date.

We will also send details to invite relevant students to attend a scholarship assessment day.

Detailed Entry Requirements

Your child can start at Wells any time from Nursery right up to year 13. As the process and entry requirements vary from year to year, please refer to the detailed information below that applies to your family.

Nursery

We usually welcome children during the term after their third birthday, and we help them to adjust to nursery life over two weeks before they start their full sessions. Typically, children join us for at least three sessions a week and eventually build up to a full week, if desired, as they get older.

Please contact us on 01749 834213 to book a free taster session or visit. We recommend you contact us well before your child’s third birthday to ensure we have availability.

Junior School (Reception - Year 6)

Whilst pupils normally start in the Michaelmas Term, we often have vacancies available at other times of the year. We will ask your child to do an assessment exercise. We will need a satisfactory reference from the Head of their current school (where applicable).

Lower School (Years 7 - 9)

We hold assessment tests throughout the year, typically on a visit or taster day. Please remember you have to register before your child can take part. For prep school candidates, we mark Common Entrance 13+ Examination; however it is not a requirement for entry and all candidates sit our own assessment tests. We do not provide past papers.

We will need a satisfactory reference from the Head of their current school.

Upper School (Years 10 - 11)

Pupils enter the Upper School to begin the two-year GCSE course. Candidates will be interviewed and will need a satisfactory reference from the Head of their current school.

For pupils going into Year 10, we hold assessment tests throughout the year. Please remember you have to register before your child can take part.

Sixth Form (Years 12 - 13)

Candidates will have an initial interview with the Head or a member of the Senior Team. They will need a satisfactory report from the Head of their current school. They will be expected to secure at least six grade C passes at GCSE level, with B grade or above in the subjects to be studied at AS level where relevant. Exceptions to this made be made for those following a Specialist Music course.

Order a Prospectus

Fill out the form below to get a link to our online prospectus or fill out the 'Contact Admissions' form for a paper copy and more detailed information.

Contact Admissions / Book a Visit

Our admissions team can give you the relevant information you need to find out more about us and what we can offer your family. We always recommend that you book a visit whenever possible by using the form below - Wells is a magical place and you have to see it to believe it!