Flywire's payment experience

ALL NEWS

Choristers Meet David Briggs

Choristers Belinda (Year 6) and Michael (Year 6) were very excited to have the opportunity to meet world-renowned organist David Briggs at Wells Cathedral on Saturday 21st May.David was an Organ Scholar at King’s College Cambridge and now teaches at Cambridge University whilst serving as Artist-in-Residence at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City. He frequently gives master classes at colleges and conservatories across the globe and serves on international organ competition juries. David was performing...
Read More

School Library Features Diversity Display

Our School Library has recently installed a new display celebrating the diversity of our pupils’ nationalities.Including birthplace, where in the world they reside and which nationality they claim, our pupils represent 40 different countries including non-sovereign states such as Wales and Jersey. The flag of each country is displayed as part of the Library’s global display featuring stories and authors from around the world. It is also an extension of the diversity and inclusion display featuring LGBTQ+ fiction and nonfiction...
Read More

University of Southampton Junior Maths Challenge Winners

Congratulations to En Xuan (Year 7) and Lucille (Year 8) who have each been awarded a winners certificate in the University of Southampton’s Junior Maths Challenge and will attend a Prize Evening at the University in June.The Junior Maths Challenge is aimed at pupils up to Year 8 and consists of a range of mathematical questions for pupils to complete outside of lesson time, enabling them to think outside of the box and beyond the standard curriculum. The most successful...
Read More

Wells Girls’ Hockey Successes

The School have been celebrating some fantastic Girls’ Hockey achievements this half Term.Congratulations to Linsey Mitchell (left, Year 9) who represented the UK Lions U14 Girls in Rotterdam and Tilly Matthews (right, Year 9) who played for Clifton Robinsons Hockey Club at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, part of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, in the semi final of the England Hockey Tier 1 Supra League. Congratulations also go to Tilly’s younger sister Lulu (centre, Year 7) who...
Read More

Art Workshop With Sir Richard Long In Cedars Hall

On Tuesday 10th May, our Year 3 pupils and Year 7-9 Art Scholars enjoyed an exciting creative experience, working alongside world-renowned artist Sir Richard Long RA CBE, in the Eavis Auditorium of Cedars Hall. Richard, Turner Prize Winner in 1989 (and four times Turner Prize nominee), is one of Britain’s leading contemporary artists, creating land art and installation pieces across the globe. He very kindly agreed to work with pupils at Wells Cathedral School, helping them to create their own...
Read More

Somerset Day Celebrations

Across the School, we celebrated Somerset Day on Wednesday 11th May. We were proud to promote the official day of our beautiful home county and had a wonderful time celebrating our heritage with bunting, craft projects and Somerset-inspired food.The School community got involved in a number of ways, with our fabulous caretaking team putting up flags and bunting across the site and our Pre-Prep children designing flags and bunting of their own. This was followed by a special Somerset taste test during...
Read More

Josh and Justin Run To McDonald’s (And Raise Over £1400!)

Sixth Formers Josh Chong (Upper Sixth) and Justin Chan (Lower Sixth) ran 33km from Wells to the McDonald’s in Street and back again to raise money for the humanitarian organisation Action Against Hunger.The duo learned to map read as part of their effort, with Josh explaining that the idea originally formed as a joke to run so far to reach the Golden Arches which, after a bit of research, became a golden opportunity to fundraise. The UN reported that up...
Read More

Woody Is Named Song Academy Young Rising Star

Congratulations to Woody Collins (Year 9) who has been named in the Song Academy’s Young Songwriter competition as the Young Rising Star of the UK/Ireland 13-18 year old category, narrowed down from nearly 900 entrants. You can listen to his entry, Iron Fist, here:Woody was the competition’s youngest entrant and will be performing at the 2022 showcase on Saturday 25th June in Notting Hill.Well done, Woody!

Old Wellensian Annie Selected For GB Rowing Team

Annie Campbell-Orde, who boarded in Haversham from 2007 to 2012 and had great success as a netball player, has been selected to represent Great Britain in the Women’s Eight rowing squad at the Windermere Cup in Seattle. Annie took up rowing while at Loughborough University, having been spotted through the talent ID programme, and went on to win BUCS gold for Loughborough and represent GB Universities in Serbia in the European Championships. After graduating Annie based herself in the East...
Read More

Netball Girls Watch Team Bath Netball Live In Superleague

More than eighty of the School’s Netball players enjoyed a trip to Bath to watch Team Bath Netball take on Saracens Mavericks in the Netball Superleague.The Netball Superleague is the highest level of domestic Netball in the UK and the game proved to be an exciting clash between the two sides. In the final quarter the Mavericks edged a five goal lead only for Bath to claw the game back and secure an emphatic win by one goal. The game’s...
Read More

Year 10 Silver DofE Exmoor Expedition

Twenty Year 10 pupils completed their Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Practice expedition on Exmoor over the School holiday. The weather was kind but the terrain was not with the South West Coastal Path offering up some mighty ascents and a total of 60km was covered over three days of walking. The pupils coped brilliantly showing high levels of fitness, excellent navigation skills and outstanding teamwork throughout. Mr Padget, Mrs Gray, Mrs Stockall, Mr Lancey and Mr Elks were very...
Read More

Year 7 Cartographers Map The Combe

As part of their Thursday afternoon ‘909’ activities programme, a group of budding Year 7 cartographers visited The Combe, a nineteenth-century secret garden which lies to the north of the School. Divided into small teams, the pupils were presented with their challenge: to produce as detailed a map of the area as possible, complete with symbols, colour coding, and a key. While each team’s map-maker planned the design, their hardy researchers scampered off into the (manicured) wilderness before reporting back...
Read More

Sixth Form Literary Seminar on Samuel Taylor Coleridge

English classes from the Upper and Lower Sixth joined together last week for a seminar with literary historian Mr Stuart Andrews on the subject of one of their A level texts, the poetry of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Mr Andrews, who is also librarian of the Wells Museum, has published extensively on the Romantic Poets – most recently ‘The Lake Poets in Prose: Connecting Threads’ (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2021) – and generously gave some of his time to allow Wells Cathedral School...
Read More

Sir Antony Gormley at Cedars Hall

For CHAT 7 of the CHATS series of talks in Cedars Hall, curated by Sophie Rucker, pupils had the rare opportunity to listen to Sir Antony Gormley OBE RA talk about his artwork, including his sculpture, Doubt, currently situated on the West Front of Wells Cathedral. The evening was both thought-provoking and highly informative, with a personal and intriguing insight into the artist’s creative concepts, views on art and the methods and techniques he has utilised to create many of his world...
Read More

Estates Team Visit Lord’s For Groundskeeping Advice

Members of our Estates team recently travelled to Lord’s Cricket Ground, also known as the Home of Cricket, to learn about groundskeeping techniques from Head Groundsman Karl McDermott.Kindly organised by Karl, the group spent three and a half hours at the ground which has stood for over two hundred years, during which they were shown both the Nursery Ground and the Main Ground, followed by a tour of the facilities including the Pavilion, Media Centre and the newly built Compton...
Read More

The University of Cambridge and Wells Cathedral School Help Pupils To Improve Their A Level Results

Wells Cathedral School has partnered with a department of the University of Cambridge to trial a new online assessment that promises to help pupils perform even better in their A levels.The Cambridge Personal Styles Questionnaire (CPSQ) was developed by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing, part of the University of Cambridge. The CPSQ is an online assessment that helps teachers understand the attitudes and behaviours of individual pupils, so that they can then encourage each pupil to develop better learning habits and...
Read More

Choristers Enjoy Busy Easter Period

The Choristers are in the midst of a busy Easter period with services beginning on Palm Sunday and ongoing through to Easter Sunday.Cathedral visitors enjoyed Hosanna!, a sequence of music and readings for Holy Week on the afternoon of Palm Sunday. This is to be followed by an hour of devotion as part of the Cathedral’s Three Hours Devotion service on Good Friday and a jam-packed Easter Sunday involving Cathedral Eucharist, Matins and Festal Evensong throughout the day, though the...
Read More

Our Musicians Impress at the Mid-Somerset Festival

Many of our Musicians attended the Mid-Somerset Festival and achieved fantastic results.The Mid-Somerset Festival provides an annual platform for children and adults to showcase their skills in creative writing, speech and drama, music, musical theatre and dance. This year, there were 5,000 entrants vying for 200 awards.Congratulations to Hetty Christopher (Year 11), who won the Concerto for Woodwind, Brass or Recorder category, and the Premier Award for best instrumentalist.Among pianists, Justus Frantz (Year 11) came first in the Romantic Piano...
Read More

Wells Pupils Receive University and Conservatoire Offers

Upper Sixth pupils at Wells Cathedral School have been receiving and confirming offers from universities and music colleges across the UK since the start of the year.To date, pupils have received over 170 offers from Russell Group and other top UK universities including the University of Oxford, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Exeter and the University of York, to study a wide range of subjects from Architecture to Biochemistry, Geophysics to Liberal Arts. Several pupils have received multiple...
Read More

Upper Sixth Pupil Interviews Alex Hibbert

Upper Sixth pupil Adele Beecham recently interviewed polar traveller and explorer Alex Hibbert for the Youth Perspective Interview Series on her YouTube channel. The series is an online programme where talented and innovative people share their views on current affairs through interviews with Adele.Alex is a British World-Record-holding polar traveller, expedition leader, public speaker, author and photographer. He has skied further on an unsupported Arctic journey than anyone in history. We were fortunate enough to have Alex come to the...
Read More

Luke Is Awarded Royal Academy of Music Scholarship

Congratulations to Luke McCarthy (Upper Sixth) who has been awarded one of the two available scholarships to study at the Royal Academy of Music funded by Sony Music UK’s Social Justice Fund.The UK arm of the Sony Music Group’s Global Social Justice Fund was created in June 2020 in order to support equal rights, social justice and anti-racist initiatives, thereby addressing structural inequality for lasting change. The scholarship has been launched in partnership with pianist, composer and producer Alexis Ffrench,...
Read More

Mater Dolorosa Sculpture On Loan In Cedars Hall

The School is privileged to have Mater Dolorosa, a sculpture by Peter Eugene Ball, displayed on loan in the John Baxter Foyer in Cedars Hall.Peter’s work is often sculpted with, and inspired by, found materials with each piece being the latest form of an object’s many lives. His religious work frequently features figures with closed eyes as if capturing a moment in time, depicting deep concentration and giving the viewer an opportunity to stop and contemplate. Addressing the School’s pupils as...
Read More

Platinum Jubilee Concert Provides An Opportunity To Re-Connect

On Thursday 31st March we enjoyed a spectacular and deeply moving orchestral and choral concert at the Cathedral in celebration of the Queen’s Jubilee.The all-English programme encompassed Britten, Vaughan Williams and Parry, including a stirring performance of “I was Glad”, which was performed at the Queen’s Coronation 70 years ago, and concluded with Britten’s spellbinding arrangement of the National Anthem.The concert marked the first time in more than two years that the massed choirs and symphony orchestra have been able...
Read More

Hetta Wins Glastonbury Festival Slot

Congratulations to Hetta Falzon (Upper Sixth) who won the Pilton Stage Competition 2022 and has been awarded a 30 minute set every day at Glastonbury Festival in the Field of Avalon.Competing against 600 artists, Hetta fought off tough competition in the heats and then triumphed in the final to secure her place at the world-renowned festival. She is the youngest person ever to win the competition.We wish Hetta the best of luck for her big performances!

Wells Pupils Attend WESTMUN Model United Nations Conference

A group of Senior School pupils travelled to Westonbirt School to take part in WESTMUN, a Model United Nations conference.Model United Nations gives students the opportunity to develop “skills in leadership, debate, public speaking and negotiation, as well as considering how to solve the major issues facing the world, all within a structured and supportive environment” by allowing them to play the role of delegates at a conference debating global issues and developing solutions to problems of international significance. As...
Read More

Millfield Maths Challenge Success

Congratulations to our four Maths specialists who won the Millfield Team Maths Challenge this week.Samuel Chan (Year 9), Nathan Lam (Year 9), Chris Chan (Year 10) and Luca Ng (Year 10) performed extremely well against Millfield School, King Edward’s School Bath, Downside School, Shaftesbury School, Buckler’s Mead Academy, Norton Hill School, St Dunstan’s School and The Kings of Wessex Academy at the competition. Well done Sam, Nathan, Chris and Luca on your fantastic achievement!

Year 3 Netball Tournament

Year 3 pupils from Saint Joseph and Saint Teresa Catholic Primary School and Wells Cathedral School came together for an enjoyable afternoon of netball. The pupils were split into small groups for mini matches with a large team of Wells coaches and Sixth Form pupils teaching them the rules of the game and providing useful tips.This delightful, non-competitive afternoon finished with a biscuit and a drink, and fun was had by all.

Upper Sixth Geography Coastal Management Field Trip

On Wednesday 23rd March, Upper Sixth Geographers took a field trip to the Somerset coastline in glorious sunshine. The pupils were studying different approaches to coastal management at Minehead and Porlock Bay. Porlock Bay adopted a soft engineering approach in the mid-1990s following the breach of the shingle ridge that protects low lying land beyond, whereas Minehead by contrast is heavily defended by sea walls and stone groynes. The group were able to investigate hypotheses by examining sediment patterns on Porlock...
Read More

Wells Wins National Schools Geology Challenge

We’re delighted to announce the team of Harriet Carlill, Marco Yu, Hermione Christey-Clover, Will Peutherer and Louis Cronin have won the National Schools Geology Challenge, held at the Geological Society’s headquarters in London.The team travelled to the capital to take part in the final after qualifying with their video entry to the competition entitled ‘The Geology of the Mendip Anticline’, which can be viewed below, and upon arrival were faced with a real world decision-making scenario on the location of...
Read More

Wells Schools Join Together for Mayor’s Concert

On Friday 25th March, Wells Cathedral School and The Blue School presented a joint rock and pop concert at Cedars Hall for Philip Welch, The Mayor of Wells. Both Schools presented a rich variety of popular music with original music, cover songs, singer/songwriters and full bands. The evening culminated with a lively collaborative version of Status Quo’s ‘Rockin’ all over the World‘ with every young Musician taking to the stage. Pupils from both Schools had a wonderful time listening to and learning from...
Read More

Local Author Matt Dickinson Runs Creative Writing Workshops

On Friday 25th March, Senior School pupils were visited by local author Matt Dickinson who gave two fantastic creative writing workshops. Matt has found inspiration for many of his books from his three trips to Mount Everest as a documentary maker. The theme of the School’s creative writing competition this year is therefore ‘Challenge‘ and we are inviting short stories of up to 1000 words on this topic to be submitted to a member of the English department by Friday...
Read More

Bernard Society Hosts OW Stuart Tibbs

On the 24th of March the Bernard Society hosted its fourth guest speaker since re-launching this year after a 90 year hiatus. Mr Stuart Tibbs, Old Wellensian of the Government Economic Service, came to speak to an audience of Society Members and A level Economics pupils on the topic of “How Britain Can Build Africa Back Better and Careers in the Civil Service”. It was a fascinating talk enjoyed by all the pupils with networking opportunities afterwards.The Bernard Society is...
Read More

Jazz Orchestra Perform with Mark Armstrong

On Sunday 20th March, Wells Cathedral School Jazz Orchestra performed at Strode Theatre with ace trumpet player and bandleader Mark Armstrong. Mark is the Artistic Director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) and Head of Jazz at the Royal College of Music. He is an outstanding jazz trumpeter and a regular with the Ronnie Scotts Jazz Orchestra. The band played a selection of big band originals and arrangements by Mark. We are looking forward to welcoming him to Cedars...
Read More

Sophie Represents England in Cross Country

Congratulations to Sophie Nicholls (Year 11) who was selected to run for England at the Home Countries’ Cross Country International, held at Pembrey, Wales. Sophie qualified due to her superb performance at the English Schools Cross Country Championships at Hop Farm in Kent; she ran for Somerset in the Intermediate Girls race and won the bronze medal.Racing across hills and sand dunes, Sophie and the team ran in beautiful weather across the Welsh coast. Their efforts were rewarded and the...
Read More

Concert for Ukraine Raises Money for Humanitarian Aid

The School’s Concert for Ukraine was a success made possible in part by our brilliant musicians who put on a moving performance, including a powerful introduction by Music Specialist Dawid Kasprzak (Year 11) who quoted from the Ukrainian National Anthem and shared his own family’s efforts in Poland to help the refugees. The programme included A Fanfare for Ukraine 2022 (composed by Torbjorn Hultmark in response to the conflict), Nocturne by Reinhold Glière who was born in Kiev, and pieces...
Read More

Matilda the Musical Jr Wows Audience

This year’s production of Matilda was a sight to behold: slick, professional and enthralling throughout. The messages that you can control your own story and that rebellion and protest can defeat the bullies was deeply embedded as the cast told the story with relentless energy, comedy and power. All of the characters were completely believable, adorable, scary, sweet and feisty in equal measures, and the relationships touching. The singing and dancing were second to none providing ample opportunity for the...
Read More

Senior Swimmers Race At Bath Cup

On Friday 11th March, the Wells Cathedral School senior swim squad travelled up to London Olympic Park in order to compete in the Bath Cup, a prestigious competition that attracts many of the United Kingdom’s best independent school swim teams. Lara Keirle (Lower Sixth), Tamsin Howard (Lower Sixth), Xanthe Knott (Year 11), Maddie Wilkins (Lower Sixth), Mia Coakes Santamaria (Lower Sixth), Emily Trotman (Lower Sixth), Ethan Wright (Upper Sixth), Devon Mycock (Lower Sixth), Sebastien Barley (Lower Sixth) and Reuben Ashton (Year...
Read More

CCF Fieldcraft Weekend

Twenty-four of our School CCF cadets from Years 10, 11 and Upper Sixth have had an enriching fieldcraft weekend on the Mendip Hills.The cadets practiced occupying and maintaining a harbour area, living in the field, section and platoon attacks, patrol skills, break contact drills and fire drills as well as conducting a night ambush against a rather enthusiastic enemy who resembled a certain Head of History (he lost the firefight). They were met with some testing conditions under their bashas with...
Read More

Boarders Enjoy Lent Term Exeat Weekend

Sixty of our boarding pupils enjoyed a weekend away in Devon at the Manor and Ashbury Hotels for our Lent Term Exeat.Pupils from Years 7 to Upper Sixth swapped our boarding houses for hotels over the Exeat weekend on a full-board trip of food and fun. A huge variety of activities were on offer, including bowling, snooker, pool, spa, swimming, archery, roller skating, golf, a sports simulator and arts and crafts. There was something for everyone to enjoy.The School extends...
Read More

England Hockey Cup Quarter Final

Our First XI Boys Hockey team travelled to Oxford this week to play in the Quarter Final of the England Hockey Cup against Magdalen College School. Despite the awful weather the team were in good spirits as they looked to progress to the next stage of the competition. The boys put their hearts and souls into their performance, but unfortunately the opposition came out on top, claiming a 3-0 victory. Our side were gracious in defeat, acknowledging the talent of...
Read More

Eddie the Penguin Pre-Prep Production

The children of Pre-Prep worked together to make a wonderful production called Eddie the Penguin Saves the World! The play is about a penguin named Eddie who realises that the ice is melting because the world is getting warmer, so he and his family travel across the globe teaching the humans a variety of lessons to help them protect the planet. They meet polar bears, lumberjacks, school children, the Australian Prime Minister, a DJ, and more. It’s quite the adventure!After...
Read More

Head of History is Appointed Fellow of the Royal Historical Society

Chris Eldridge, Head of History at Wells Cathedral School, has been made a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (RHS) in recognition of the unique work he and his team have been doing in promoting the study of medieval history in the Sixth Form at Wells. He is thrilled to have been made a Fellow, especially as it is normally university level academics who receive the recognition.“When I first arrived in Wells I was captivated by our 10th century origins...
Read More

CHATS Talk With Randall Wright

On the evening of Thursday 10th March, our Art pupils attended a CHATS talk with award-winning filmmaker Randall Wright and gained a valuable insight into filming and interviewing world renowned artists such as David Hockney, Lucian Freud and Maggie Hambling. Randall, who has created numerous documentaries for the BBC, gave a highly informative and thought-provoking talk that certainly inspired some of our own budding filmmakers and young artists here at Wells. The next talk in the CHATS series is CHAT...
Read More

Life of Pi Drama Trip

51 A level and GCSE Drama pupils travelled to London’s Wyndham’s Theatre yesterday to see the stage production of Life of Pi adapted beautifully by Lolita Chakrabarti and based on Yann Martel’s Man Booker Prize-winning novel. Pupils were mesmerised by the exquisitely designed large-scale puppets, especially Richard Parker the breathtaking Bengal tiger, as well as the vividly drawn characters and dazzling visual effects. It was truly a magical and life-affirming experience that has given them plenty to write about in...
Read More

Little Wellies Go Dotty

Our Little Wellies have been really busy this term having been inspired by Yayoi Kusama, a Japanese artist who covers everything in dots. A super practitioner launched this creative “dotty wotty doo dah” initiative after observing the nursery children having so much fun making dots with their bingo dabbers. They encouraged the children to be creative, work together, learn about a new culture and take dots to a whole new level. From dotty cakes with smarties on top to making all...
Read More

Netball County Cup Tournament

Congratulations to our 1st VII and U15A Netball teams on a successful campaign in the County Cup Tournament.The 1st VII made it through to the semi-finals, narrowly missing out on a place in the final after a 7-5 loss. Taking on King’s Bruton in the third/fourth place play-offs, a tight game ended 6-5 with our side finishing the competition in fourth place.The U15A’s also made it through to the play-offs against King’s Bruton, competing for fifth/sixth place. A patient performance...
Read More

Senior Chorister Concert

The School’s Senior Choristers performed at their annual instrumental concert in Quilter Hall on Tuesday evening.Although the Choristers are always performing using their voices, this concert offers them a unique opportunity to show off their skills on their instruments of choice as well. The audience were treated to pieces played on a range of instruments, including piano, saxophone, cello, violin and viola.Thank you to the Choristers for providing such a very special evening!

International Women’s Day Music and Talks

In celebration of International Women’s Day, our pupils put on a fascinating evening of music and talks. The construction of the programme and even the idea itself was entirely pupil driven; together the pupils matched their talks on ideas worth sharing with music that resonates. The evening started with a rousing March of the Women performed by Choralia, followed by music interspersed with talks. The audience enjoyed hearing about the Tiananmen Square incident, the fate of our universe and whether...
Read More

Somerset Badminton Association Tournament

The School hosted a Badminton tournament on behalf of the Somerset Badminton Association, with ten of our pupils selected to play.Year 10 pupil Morris Chan won the U15 group, beating fellow Year 10 pupil Kingston Leung 21-8. The duo then teamed up to beat all other pairs in the group 2 doubles. Well done, Morris and Kingston! Thank you to both Adam Feather and Jane Lipton for running the tournament.

Richard Jacques Revisits Wells

On Monday 28th February, pupils were treated to a visit from Old Wellensian and internationally renowned composer Richard Jacques. Richard, a BAFTA and Ivor Novello-nominated composer, spent the afternoon conducting one-to-one sessions and giving talks to our A level tech pupils and music specialists. Pupils found out about Richard’s career, from his first job offer at SEGA through to his recent work on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy video game. They were able to take part in a Q&A to...
Read More

World Book Day

Yesterday, for World Book Day, our pupils had a wonderful time celebrating a love of reading across the School through activities ranging from decorating classroom doors and book tasting in the ‘reading restaurant’ to dressing up as favourite characters. Even staff joined in with much of the Junior School being taught by pirates for the day!

Exhibition of Work by Local Artist Shelley Dyer Gibbins

As part of the School’s ongoing programme of developing links and working relationships with practising artists (whether local, national or international), this week we are pleased to exhibit work by local artist, Shelley Dyer Gibbins, in the John Baxter Foyer in Cedars Hall. The work will be on display until the end of March and although access to the exhibition is only available to the public immediately before and during each public concert or event, we hope that everyone enjoys...
Read More

National Schools Geology Challenge Finalists

We’re thrilled the team of Harriet Carlill, Marco Yu, Hermione Christey-Clover and Louis Cronin have qualified as one of the top ten teams in the National Schools Geology Challenge final.The National Schools Geology Challenge is an annual competition in which pupils showcase their interest in Geology, learn more about the way Geoscience impacts our lives and put teamwork and presentation skills to the test.The 2022 Wells Cathedral School entry in the national qualification round was a five minute long video entitled...
Read More

Matilda Cast See Stage Show

The Wells Cathedral School Matilda cast visited The Cambridge Theatre to see The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical in London’s West End ahead of the School production later this month, which features pupils in Years 7-9. The cast were inspired by the sight of their roles on the big stage on this aspirational trip and will be able to add a new dynamic to their performances after this enriching experience.A limited number of tickets are remaining for the School production; click...
Read More

Shrove Tuesday Chorister Race

The Wells Cathedral Choristers celebrated a longstanding tradition this week – the Shrove Tuesday pancake race.With frying pans in hand, pupils raced in groups along Vicars Row to test their fastest flipping skills. This was followed by a winner’s race to crown the quickest Chorister before gathering for a group photo. A joyous occasion for everyone, lots of fun and laughter was shared as this grand tradition was revived for another year.Well done to all of our Choristers on their...
Read More

Wells Cathedral School welcomes publication of IICSA Report

Wells Cathedral School has today welcomed the publication of a report from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), focusing on residential schools and with a particular focus on specialist music schools and boarding schools.Representatives of all of England’s specialist music schools were asked to give evidence to the inquiry. Wells Head Master Alastair Tighe and former Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Helen Bennett both spoke about historical cases at the School, as well as current safeguarding systems and procedures.Head...
Read More

Year 10 Pupils Attend Oxford Open Day

Ten of our Year 10 pupils made the journey to Oxford on Monday for an Open Day hosted by Lady Margaret Hall, accompanied by Mr. Murdoch and Mr. O’Sullivan.After a brief coach tour around the city during which Mr. O’Sullivan talked a bit too much about all the places featured in Philip Pullman’s books, they arrived at the college and met their 3rd Year English undergraduate guide, Casey. She walked them around all the main areas of the college –...
Read More

Netball Selections

Congratulations to Lower Sixth pupil Madison Lewis (right) and our current gap year Sports Assistant Flora Collier (left) for their selections into the Celtic Dragons U19 NPL squad. Flora has also been selected into the Welsh U21 Regional Academy which makes her eligible for U21 international selection. This is a huge credit to both girls’ hard work, effort and dedication. Well done, we can’t wait to see you play!

Snowdrop Festival Photography Commendation

Congratulations to Year 10 pupil Oliver Stankiewicz on receiving a Highly Commended certificate for his entry in the 12-17 category of the annual Snowdrop Festival Photography competition. The entries were judged by renowned nature photographer Carol Sharp. Oliver’s entry presented a very imaginative interpretation of this year’s brief to capture the message of reawakening of nature and excitement that snowdrops bring. View Oliver’s piece, The Photographer, below.Well done, Oliver!

David Hinitt Visit

The Wells Cathedral Choir and A level Music Technology pupils were fortunate to have an opportunity to spend time with leading classical recording engineer, David Hinitt, last week. David spent three days recording an album with the Wells Cathedral Choir; in between recording sessions he also gave A level pupils an insight into the impressive microphone setup and recording process and shared advice on how to get the most from musicians during recording projects. It was an enriching experience for...
Read More

Local Business Volunteers Join Lower Sixth For Employment Skills Enrichment Event

On the final Friday of the Epiphany term, the Lower Sixth spent an engaging afternoon with a host of business volunteers as part of an employment skills enrichment event.Members of the local business community visited the School to act as ‘real’ interviewers, giving the pupils an opportunity to be totally immersed in the interview experience. This follows on from an earlier session pupils had attended, in which they were given a presentation on how to be powerful in the interview...
Read More

Pre-Prep Raise Money for WWF

Our Pre-Prep came into School on Friday in some amazing fancy dress outfits in aid of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). With the £72.05 they raised, they are going to adopt an animal. You looked amazing, Pre-Prep, and we are sure you’re going to love receiving updates about your adopted animal!

Art Pupils Enjoy Visit by Tim Marlow

On Tuesday 8th February, Art pupils were excited to see Tim Marlow, speak about ‘working with artists’, as part of the CHATS series, at Cedars Hall. Tim (art historian, writer and broadcaster), who is currently Director of the Design Museum in London and formerly Director of Exhibitions at White Cube in London, both entertained and informed in equal measure. Pupils gained rare insights into the inner workings of some of the World’s most innovative exhibitions and what it’s like to...
Read More

Annual Inter-House Public Speaking Competition Results

The much anticipated annual Inter-House Public Speaking Competition was held in Cedars Hall, proving to be as energetic and competitive as ever with seven Houses represented. Each House consisted of a speaker, a chairperson and a questioner. The event was thoroughly enjoyed by a good sized audience in the Eavis Auditorium and was live-streamed to all pupils and Houses to allow for everyone to watch the event from the comfort of their rooms and lounges. The competitors were totally independent in...
Read More

Bibi Redford Wins Portman Cup

Congratulations to pianist Bibi Redford (Year 11) for receiving the Portman Cup in the “16 and under class” following her moving performance of Debussy’s La plus que lente at the Taunton Festival of the Arts. Well done, Bibi!

Old Wellensian Reunion

Our annual Old Wellensian Reunion was held at the RAF Club in London with a dinner reception and a three-course meal. Open to all Old Wellensians, it was a special five-year reunion for our 2016 and 2017 leavers in particular.Nearly one hundred OWs attended the event. They were joined by former and present members of staff including the Head Master Alastair Tighe, Jack Coward, Ken Padgett, Jeremy Boot, Alwyn Gillen and Andy Kemp. It was a particular pleasure to catch...
Read More

Hockey Win For First XI

Congratulations to our 1st XI Boys Hockey Team who are through to Round 4 of the England Hockey Cup after winning against Marlborough College on penalty strokes during the Round 3 decider following an exciting 5-5 draw at full time.We wish them luck as they go on to play Blundell’s School after half term!

Wells Young Musicians String Orchestra (WYMSO) Returns!

We’re thrilled to be relaunching our Wells Young Musicians String Orchestra (WYMSO), a free string group for players aged 6-13 (Grades 1-5), run by Clare Rowntree, Head of Music at Wells Cathedral Junior School.The group meets on Saturdays from 10.00am – 11.00am at the Wells Cathedral Music School on St Andrews Street (across from Wells Cathedral, near Wells Museum). If your child is interested in joining, please fill out the application form here.For further information, please click here.

Junior School Artist Visits

Our Junior School pupils have been very busy improving their artistic technique with the help of some external visitors.Mary-Ann Wills, a local artist and teacher, joined the Junior School art enrichment group to show them different techniques based on Jasper Johns’ Number paintings. After an interesting demonstration, the children had a go at applying the techniques themselves. The results were fantastic! Click here to view Mary-Ann Wills’ work.Kath Hadden, an artist from Exeter, spent time with Year 3, teaching them...
Read More

Cole Performs Platinum Jubilee Fanfare

We are very proud of Year 7 pupil Cole Craggs for his trumpet fanfares at tree-planting ceremonies in Sandford and Winscombe in honour of the Queen’s Green Canopy project for the Platinum Jubilee. Cole’s fanfares added a sense of occasion to each ceremony where he performed with such poise and confidence that he was featured on BBC Points West later in the evening.Organiser Rosemary Mann said, “He really did us proud at both of the tree-plantings today”, adding that “he was...
Read More

Platinum Jubilee Celebrations at Wells Cathedral School

Wells Cathedral School has celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne with a thanksgiving service and tree planting ceremony.At 9am on Monday 7th February, staff and pupils gathered in Wells Cathedral for a special service of thanksgiving, which incorporated words, prayers and music. The Dean of Wells gave an engaging address highlighting the Queen’s long, dedicated service to the nation, the Junior School Choir gave a beautiful rendition of an anthem by John Rutter, and the...
Read More

CCF Enjoy Trip to Redpoint Climbing Wall

Our CCF enjoyed their second trip to Redpoint Climbing Wall this term with Lt. Padgett and Major Elks in tow. Next term, they will be caving, exploring the underground world of the Mendips. The adventurous training opportunities in the CCF continue to grow. We are glad to see the pupils enjoying their adventures!

EDF Workshop

“Year 9 were fortunate enough to be given a talk from Clair, who works for EDF; she discussed the different energies used to create electricity and the negative and positive effects. Furthermore, she talked about what energy supplies are used more and why. For example, we learnt that solar energy was very efficient, although less practical during the winter months. Later on, we learnt about wind turbines and how the quicker they travel the more electricity they produce. This led...
Read More

Platinum Pudding Entry by Josie

We would like to wish Josie Prestidge (Year 7) good luck with her entry for the Fortnum and Mason Platinum Pudding Competition. Her recipe has a very interesting twist on a brownie and sounds delicious! Here are Josie’s thoughts on how she developed her idea:‘A version of this recipe was created for my parents’ coffee shop in Bath, and was extremely popular. I have added brewed coffee to the mix, which brings out the flavour of the chocolate, while also...
Read More

Blue Peter Music Badge for Henry

Congratulations to Henry (Year 4) who received a Blue Peter Music Badge (designed by Ed Sheeran) after he demonstrated what music meant to him by sharing his experiences playing in our percussion ensemble and orchestra and sending a video of himself playing the drums. Well done, Henry!

Hockey Successes

We have had a fantastic start to the boys’ hockey season, which has seen numerous team and individual successes. The boys 1st XI are showing that they are clearly a very competitive side on the circuit in which they play and are currently in round 3 of the England Hockey cup where they will play Marlborough College on Tuesday. In the first two rounds they have convincingly beaten Clayesmore 8-2 and Bryanston 10-3. The senior boys are currently playing an...
Read More

A Question of Taste Workshop at We The Curious

The Upper Sixth Biologists had a fabulous day in the laboratory at the We The Curious science centre in Bristol using one of the most revolutionary biochemical technologies – the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) – to explore an unusual human trait. They used DNA extraction, PCR techniques and gel electrophoresis to determine their own genotype in relation to the bitter-tasting chemical PTC (phenylthiocarbamide). The possible evolutionary significance of this characteristic was then discussed, along with the broader social, medical and...
Read More

Musicians Perform at our Annual Promenade Concerts

Last week, our Musicians performed brilliantly in the magnificent Wells Cathedral for three Promenade Concerts: Brass and Percussion, Woodwind and Strings, and Early Music.The Brass and Percussion Promenade was dedicated to Paul Denegri as a celebration of his thirty years service to Wells Cathedral School, and everyone was delighted that Paul was able to join us for the concert. The Woodwind and Strings Promenade illustrated a wonderful collaboration between departments with beautiful pieces, which include works by Bridge, Debussy and...
Read More

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Happy Chinese New Year of the Tiger!

Our Senior School has been celebrating the Chinese New Year of the Tiger with a range of activities, including a special Cathedral Assembly on Monday led by Ms Bird and some of our international pupils to celebrate the nationality diversity of our pupils, a Chinese New Year concert on Saturday, a selection of pieces in Tuesday’s Going Solo Concert, and creating Chinese decoration art projects in tutor time that have been subsequently displayed around the School.The Cantonese speaking A Level...
Read More

Belinda and Freya Receive Shepton Snowdrop Festival Poetry Competition Awards

Congratulations to Belinda (Year 6) who won the U11 category of the Shepton Snowdrop Festival Poetry Competition with her poem ‘The Willow Tree’ and to Freya (Year 6) whose poem ‘Winter Walk’ has been awarded ‘Highly Commended’.The Shepton Snowdrop Festival Poetry Competition is an annual, international competition, where poets, young and old are encouraged to pen a poem based on a given theme. This year’s theme ‘Hope in Nature’ focused on the power of nature, its reawakening, and the hope...
Read More

Christmas Photography Competition Winners

Congratulations to Brooke Rackstraw (Year 9), James Durham (Year 11) and Marco Yu (Upper Sixth) who are the winners for their respective age category in our Christmas Photography Competition, which was judged by our Creative Captains. Our Senior School pupils were invited to respond to Antony Gormly’s “Doubt” through the medium of Photography over the Christmas holiday. Pupils were encouraged to consider the concepts of “distinct “and “standing out” in their own individual way. Please see below for the descriptions...
Read More

Side-by Side Performance with RCM

Wells brass and percussion pupils enjoyed an inspiring day of side-by-side rehearsing and performing with students from the Royal College of Music (RCM), including a Q&A session about life as a student of the RCM. Thanks to Nigel Black (RCM Head of Brass), David Hockings (RCM Head of Percussion) and all the RCM students for taking the time to travel to Wells and perform such an inspirational and exciting programme! David Hockings wrote, “Just to say a huge thank you...
Read More

Year 8 Pupils Investigate Wells Art

As busy as we are in our daily lives, we can, all too often, overlook many aspects of the environments in which we live, learn and work, no matter how spectacular or significant. On Monday 17th January, Year 8 pupils were given the opportunity to reflect upon and discover far more about two places they frequently visit: Wells Cathedral and The Bishop’s Palace. With the recent installation of Anthony Gormley’s sculpture ‘Doubt’ on the West Front of the Cathedral, Wells...
Read More

Boarders Enjoy Fun-Packed Exeat at Okehampton!

Fifty-two boarders spent a fun-packed weekend in Okehampton at the Ashbury and Manor House Hotel in Devon. Comfortable accommodation was definitely appreciated alongside the wealth of indoor and outdoor activities available at the hotel and in the extensive grounds.Pupils had plenty of choice and enjoyed some of their favourite sports, such as badminton, tennis, snooker and table tennis. A total of four swimming pools were accessible across the split site and included flumes, saunas, steam rooms and a hydrospa for...
Read More

A Brilliant Start to the Netball Season

Our netball season has started brilliantly! Our U12 and U14 teams in particular have had a great first few sets of results and are showing some raw sporting talent on the netball court. Two year groups to watch for sure! Our U13 team came third at their recent Millfield tournament and progressed brilliantly through the day.All age groups are working hard on their team and individual skills in lessons, with a focus on attacking skills and possession across all teams....
Read More

Lola Wins First Place in the Rotary Avon Young Musician Competition

Congratulations to both Clarinet Specialist Lola Frisby Williams (Lower Sixth) who won first place and Oboe Specialist Harold Lee (Year 11) who won third in the Bristol Finals of the Rotary Young Musician Competition last Friday.Chris Neild, Rotary Avon Young Musician Award, wrote to Lola, “Sincerest congratulations on achieving first place in, and for making such a wonderful contribution to the Finals of the Young Musician competition last Friday. Your marvellous performance, full of real musicianship, was hugely appreciated by...
Read More

New Sensory Room for our Junior School

During the Christmas holidays, our Learning Support Department started equipping our new ELSA/Sensory room in the Junior School, which was kindly funded by the Parents’ Association. The room will have a range of uses but will be primarily used by the School’s fully trained ELSA’s (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants) to deliver individualised support programmes to meet the emotional needs of the children in their care. We’d also like to thank Mrs Kinnersley for donating a large teddy, which is already...
Read More

Challenge Quiz Team Places Second

Our School’s Challenge Quiz Team, consisting of Lola Frisby Williams (Lower Sixth), Alexei James-Cudworth (Lower Sixth), Emily Williams (Year 9) and En Xuan Tan (Year 7), travelled to Exeter School to participate in the South-West round of this year’s competition.The competition is in the format of University Challenge, and, playing three rounds of 12 minutes, Wells Cathedral School got off to a storming start, beating Kings Taunton convincingly with a lead of over 100 points. Subsequent games against Mount Kelly...
Read More

A Level Geologists Inspired by OW Visit

Tom Penhall (Old Wellensian, 2015) returned to Wells to speak to Sixth Form geologists about his degree in geology at Aberdeen University and his career so far. Since graduating, he has worked as a mining geologist in the Peak District and is currently designing and constructing part of the HS2 tunnel with the engineering company Costain in London. It was great to hear of Tom’s success and for him to help inspire the next generation of Wellensian geologists!

GCSE and A Level Artists Meet With Richard Long

On Thursday 13th January, many of our GCSE and A level Art pupils seized a fantastic and rare opportunity to listen to and afterwards, meet, the world renowned artist Richard Long. Richard was in conversation with writer and art critic Hettie Judah, at Cedars Hall, as part of the enlightening CHATS series of talks. Pupils were fascinated not only to hear about the artwork itself but the extraordinary adventures the artist has had around the globe, within the frequently isolated...
Read More

Year 9’s Enjoy Camp Craft

This week, Year 9 pupils joined Mr Elks for some adventurous camp craft as part of our exciting 909 programme, which is compulsory for all non-Specialist Musicians (though they are welcome to join if they want to) in which Year 9 pupils participate in five activities over the year: camp craft, navigation, first aid, expedition cooking and either archery, climbing or shooting. We are glad to see they had such a fun time!

Latest Sierra Leone Projects are Nearly Complete

Since 2009, we have had an annual trip to Freetown in Sierra Leone, partnering with two local schools in the capital: The Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts (the only music academy in the country) and the JT Reffell Memorial French Friendship School.During this time, we have forged a very close relationship and have supported many projects over there, including a scholarship programme for pupils to attend the Academy and develop their musical talents, as well as financial help...
Read More

Woody Features on BBC Somerset

Last night, Woody Collins, Year 9, featured on BBC Somerset Radio during the ‘Big Band Quiz’ with Luke Knight from 7-9pm. He was interviewed and his new song ‘Memories‘ was played. Well done, Woody!

Tom Plays Rugby for Bath

It has been fantastic to see our 1st XV Captain, Tom Hill (Upper Sixth) starting in the front row for Bath U18s Academy League! Congratulations to Tom and the Bath team for their win this past Saturday at Marlborough against Exeter Chiefs.

Hetta Reaches The Pilton Stage Finals 2022

Congratulations to Hetta Falzon (Upper Sixth) who won heat 2 of The Pilton Stage 2022 competition on New Year’s Day, putting her through to the final. Hetta’s heat was hotly contested with some very experienced artists presenting their original music.This worldwide competition, run by Michael Eavis, finds talented original artists to perform at the Glastonbury Festival and was open to unsigned artists of any age, attracting hundreds of applications.In the final in March, Hetta will compete on Pilton Stage against...
Read More

Florrie and Team Won the Young People Panel’s Presentation

Congratulations to Lower Sixth pupil, Florrie Hutchison, who after working with Wessex Water Young People’s Panel, has won with her team! As part of the final project they had to present to the Financial Director and the CEO of Wessex Water as well as the CEO of Nuffield. Well done!You can read about the Young People’s Panel here and find out how to get involved.

Zoolab Visit

The children in Pre-Prep and Year 3 had a fantastic visit from Zoolab. They met a whole host of animals that may live in hot places, such as the rainforest, including Phillipe the hissing cockroach and Dolly the python.For Years 1 to 3, this will lead nicely into a range of Geography and Science topics that the children will be carrying out, and for the children in the Foundation Stage this will no doubt inspire a whole host of learning...
Read More

A Christmas Carol

Following the past triumphs of Les Misérables, The Crucible, Beauty and the Beast, Private Peaceful and Grease and the recent film of Our Country’s Good, Wells Cathedral School made a live drama return to Cedars Hall this week to tell a new stage version of Dickens’ compelling tale of love, loss and redemption: A Christmas Carol. Featuring a live score of Christmas favourites composed and adapted by pupils, giant puppets and an ensemble cast, this festive classic played to rapt...
Read More