Spring Update – University and Music College Offers

With the physical return of the majority of Wells pupils to School for their onsite lessons this week, it is particularly uplifting to hear about and be able to celebrate the university and music college application successes of so many of our Upper Sixth pupils, as they prepare for the next stage of their education.

Wells musicians, who have chosen to continue with their instrumental, vocal or compositional studies at conservatoire now hold over 70 offers for places at the UK’s most prestigious music colleges, with over half also holding scholarships for their selected course. These include nine scholarships to the Royal Academy of Music, nine to the Royal College of Music and Drama, seven to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and six to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

On the academic side, from History of Art to Natural Sciences, Aeronautics & Astronautics to Modern Languages & Cultures, Wells pupils applying to further their academic studies have now received more than 170 offers from the Russell Group and other top universities to read a diverse range of subjects.

Particular congratulations should go to Tabitha Spindler, who has received an offer to study Classics at Merton College Oxford, and also to Shona M’gadzah, who has received offers to read Medicine at both the University of St Andrews and the University of Exeter. Tabby will be joined at Merton by François Cloete, who plans to take up his place to read Music as the College Organ Scholar in 2022. June Rippon is aiming to join St Catharine’s College, Cambridge as their Organ Scholar later this year. She will also read Music.

With a large number of offers now received, it is heartening to see that the three most popular universities for Wells pupils this year are Durham University, the University of Exeter and Cardiff University, all well-renowned Russell Group institutions.

Head of Sixth Form and UCAS and Higher Education Adviser, Sally Rowley said, “It is really heartening that this year’s Upper Sixth, whose experience of higher education opportunities has been limited by the pandemic have, nevertheless, shown real grit and determination to spread their wings. The subjects they’ve chosen are wonderfully broad and I’m delighted with the ambition and resilience of the year group.”