Wells Cathedral School pupils celebrate outstanding A level results and exciting next steps
Wells Cathedral School is delighted to announce another year of excellent A level results, with pupils celebrating outstanding achievements across a wide range of subjects.
These results are a testament to the hard work, commitment and determination of our pupils, alongside the guidance and support of their teachers, families and the wider Wells community.
Pupils have enjoyed success across the breadth of subjects offered at Wells, from sciences and humanities to the creative arts. Among the highlights were 100% of pupils achieving A* to B in Drama, Geography, Geology, PE and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), while 100% of pupils achieved A* to C in Art, History, Music Technology and Further Mathematics.
Of the 261 exam entries, 189 were awarded A*-B, accounting for over 72% of all results, with 31% of pupils achieving AAB or better, while 30% achieved at least one A*. 41% of our pupils’ results were A*-A grades, once again significantly surpassing the national average of 28.3%.
The breadth of academic achievement is also reflected in the Extended Project Qualification, with 13 pupils taking this non-compulsory independent research course, where pupils explore a wide range of subjects and areas of personal interest, with over 55% being awarded the top grade.
Among the individual successes, Paul K-K of Somerton achieved three A*’s alongside an A in his EPQ, and will be studying Economics with a year in industry at the University of Exeter. While Anton P of Totnes, and Deputy Head of School, achieved A*A*A, and will be studying two degree-level courses simultaneously: the Graduate Diploma of the Royal Northern College Music (GRNCM) and the Bachelor of Music with Honours (MusB (Hons) at The University of Manchester.
Adelaide K who joined Wells in Year 10 from the USA achieved A*AAA, plus an A* in EPQ, and will now progress to study Medicine at the University of St Andrews.
Mike G, of Burrington, will be moving on to the University of St Andrews to study Computer Science having achieved three A*’s and an A in Computing, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Biology, plus an A* in EPQ. Mike’s EPQ was in the field of Maths and Artificial Intelligence in which he achieved a phenomenal 50 marks out of 50.
Having started at Wells Cathedral School in Year 7, Mike has been involved in many academic and Mathematics competitions during his time with us.
Mike says, “I’ve enjoyed my time at Wells and have a really good group of friends who I am going to miss. I’m going to miss the environment I’ve become so familiar with, but I am now looking forward to starting anew and making the most of opportunities to meet different people in a different environment.”
Barnaby D, of Bath, joined Wells Cathedral School as a boarder in September 2024 for Sixth Form from Beechan Cliff in Bath. Barnaby came to Wells as a Specialist Musician and studied Classical Civilisation, Music and Music Technology and secured an A and two A*.
Barnaby says, “Starting at Wells was like starting university early. I chose the subjects that I wanted to study, I was living away from home in a boarding house, and I was able to balance my studies and practice with the social elements of living at school.”
When asked about memorable moments, highlights for him were being part of the ensemble for the blockbuster film Project Hail Mary at Abbey Road Studios, learning to climb on the School’s climbing wall, and the friendships he has made with both musicians and non-musicians. Barnaby will be moving on to The Guildhall School of Music and Drama on their Jazz course.
Alastair Tighe, Head Master, commented:
“We are immensely proud of our departing Upper Sixth and delighted to be celebrating their A level success today. These results are a reflection of their hard work, determination and resilience, as well as the dedication of our teaching and pastoral staff and the support of their families. What is particularly pleasing is the breadth of achievement across the year group, with pupils excelling not only academically but also in Music, Sport, Drama, the Arts and so many other areas of School life. We are delighted that they leave Wells as confident, capable and well-rounded young people, and we wish them every success as they begin the next chapter of their lives.”
Our latest cohort of Old Wellensians will now progress to a wide range of universities, conservatoires and other destinations, from top Russell Group universities such as UCL and St Andrews to world-leading conservatories including the Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music. Pupils are pursuing an equally diverse range of courses such as Astrophysics, Aeronautical Engineering, Medicine, Graphic Design, Classical Studies, and Surrey University’s renowned Tonmeister Music and Sound Recording course. 73% of pupils successfully obtained places at either Russell Group universities or Conservatoires, with over 78% of pupils securing places at their first choice university.
Sally Rowley, Head of Sixth Form, added:
“It is wonderful to see our pupils’ hard work rewarded with such a range of excellent results and exciting opportunities for the future. During their time in the Sixth Form, they have grown enormously in confidence and independence, pursuing their individual interests and ambitions alongside their academic studies. We are particularly proud of the diverse range of their destinations and courses, and look forward to seeing all that they go on to achieve.”
As the Class of 2026 prepares to take its next steps, Wells Cathedral School congratulates every pupil on their individual achievements and wishes them every success for the exciting opportunities ahead.
These results are a testament to the hard work, commitment and determination of our pupils, alongside the guidance and support of their teachers, families and the wider Wells community.
Pupils have enjoyed success across the breadth of subjects offered at Wells, from sciences and humanities to the creative arts. Among the highlights were 100% of pupils achieving A* to B in Drama, Geography, Geology, PE and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), while 100% of pupils achieved A* to C in Art, History, Music Technology and Further Mathematics.
Of the 261 exam entries, 189 were awarded A*-B, accounting for over 72% of all results, with 31% of pupils achieving AAB or better, while 30% achieved at least one A*. 41% of our pupils’ results were A*-A grades, once again significantly surpassing the national average of 28.3%.
The breadth of academic achievement is also reflected in the Extended Project Qualification, with 13 pupils taking this non-compulsory independent research course, where pupils explore a wide range of subjects and areas of personal interest, with over 55% being awarded the top grade.
Among the individual successes, Paul K-K of Somerton achieved three A*’s alongside an A in his EPQ, and will be studying Economics with a year in industry at the University of Exeter. While Anton P of Totnes, and Deputy Head of School, achieved A*A*A, and will be studying two degree-level courses simultaneously: the Graduate Diploma of the Royal Northern College Music (GRNCM) and the Bachelor of Music with Honours (MusB (Hons) at The University of Manchester.
Adelaide K who joined Wells in Year 10 from the USA achieved A*AAA, plus an A* in EPQ, and will now progress to study Medicine at the University of St Andrews.
Mike G, of Burrington, will be moving on to the University of St Andrews to study Computer Science having achieved three A*’s and an A in Computing, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Biology, plus an A* in EPQ. Mike’s EPQ was in the field of Maths and Artificial Intelligence in which he achieved a phenomenal 50 marks out of 50.
Having started at Wells Cathedral School in Year 7, Mike has been involved in many academic and Mathematics competitions during his time with us.
Mike says, “I’ve enjoyed my time at Wells and have a really good group of friends who I am going to miss. I’m going to miss the environment I’ve become so familiar with, but I am now looking forward to starting anew and making the most of opportunities to meet different people in a different environment.”
Barnaby D, of Bath, joined Wells Cathedral School as a boarder in September 2024 for Sixth Form from Beechan Cliff in Bath. Barnaby came to Wells as a Specialist Musician and studied Classical Civilisation, Music and Music Technology and secured an A and two A*.
Barnaby says, “Starting at Wells was like starting university early. I chose the subjects that I wanted to study, I was living away from home in a boarding house, and I was able to balance my studies and practice with the social elements of living at school.”
When asked about memorable moments, highlights for him were being part of the ensemble for the blockbuster film Project Hail Mary at Abbey Road Studios, learning to climb on the School’s climbing wall, and the friendships he has made with both musicians and non-musicians. Barnaby will be moving on to The Guildhall School of Music and Drama on their Jazz course.
Alastair Tighe, Head Master, commented:
“We are immensely proud of our departing Upper Sixth and delighted to be celebrating their A level success today. These results are a reflection of their hard work, determination and resilience, as well as the dedication of our teaching and pastoral staff and the support of their families. What is particularly pleasing is the breadth of achievement across the year group, with pupils excelling not only academically but also in Music, Sport, Drama, the Arts and so many other areas of School life. We are delighted that they leave Wells as confident, capable and well-rounded young people, and we wish them every success as they begin the next chapter of their lives.”
Our latest cohort of Old Wellensians will now progress to a wide range of universities, conservatoires and other destinations, from top Russell Group universities such as UCL and St Andrews to world-leading conservatories including the Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music. Pupils are pursuing an equally diverse range of courses such as Astrophysics, Aeronautical Engineering, Medicine, Graphic Design, Classical Studies, and Surrey University’s renowned Tonmeister Music and Sound Recording course. 73% of pupils successfully obtained places at either Russell Group universities or Conservatoires, with over 78% of pupils securing places at their first choice university.
Sally Rowley, Head of Sixth Form, added:
“It is wonderful to see our pupils’ hard work rewarded with such a range of excellent results and exciting opportunities for the future. During their time in the Sixth Form, they have grown enormously in confidence and independence, pursuing their individual interests and ambitions alongside their academic studies. We are particularly proud of the diverse range of their destinations and courses, and look forward to seeing all that they go on to achieve.”
As the Class of 2026 prepares to take its next steps, Wells Cathedral School congratulates every pupil on their individual achievements and wishes them every success for the exciting opportunities ahead.
