News | Independent School | Wells Cathedral School

Wells Cathedral School WCS Independent School Somerset Photography Competition

04 Feb 2022

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...

Wells Specialist Music School and Royal College of Music (RCM) performing together

04 Feb 2022

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...

year 8 art trip from our Independent School in Somerset

31 Jan 2022

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...

exeat fun for our Independent Boarding School pupils

31 Jan 2022

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...

Netballers at our Independent Senior School in Wells, Somerset

31 Jan 2022

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....

Lola Frisby Williams, Rotary Winner, Specialist at our Music School

31 Jan 2022

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...

24 Jan 2022

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...

Challenge Quiz Team from our Independent School in Somerset

24 Jan 2022

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...

Joe Tong, piano teacher at our Specialist Music School in Somerset

24 Jan 2022

Piano Teacher Joe Tong Plays on BBC Radio 3

One of our Piano Teachers, Joe Tong, played pieces by Sibelius and Schumann live on BBC Radio 3 this week. He was joined by his brother, Daniel Tong, who is also a pianist, to talk about their upcoming concerts. Click here to listen to the programme.

Geologist Tom Penhall, OW, visits our Independent School in Somerset

24 Jan 2022

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!

Artist Richard Long visits our Private Senior School

24 Jan 2022

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...

Camp Craft as part of 909's in our Independent Secondary School

21 Jan 2022

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!

Community Outreach Project: Sierra Leone

14 Jan 2022

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...

Woody from our Music School on BBC Radio

14 Jan 2022

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, Rugby Player at Wells Cathedral School, an independent school, and Bath U18s

10 Jan 2022

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.

Specialist Musician at Wells Cathedral School, Hetta reaches final of the Pilton Stage Competition, to perform at Glastonbury Festival

07 Jan 2022

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...

Florrie, from our Independent Secondary School, with Wessex Water Young People's Panel

06 Jan 2022

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.

05 Jan 2022

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...

08 Dec 2021

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...

08 Dec 2021

Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge

Well done to our 13 pupils who finished in the top 10% of the Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge, which qualified them to take part in The Oxford University Computing Challenge (OUCC), enabling them to develop their skills further and produce programmed solutions to computational thinking problems. Our Gold Certificate Recipients who have qualified are: Thomas Parkman, Year 8 Lucille Raynal, Year 8 Harrison Williams, Year 9 Alfie Carey, Year 9 Eleanor Atkins, Year 9 Rosie Wells, Year 9 Alex Morris, Year 9 Joshua Knott, Year 9 Hugo Paton-Freeman, Year 9 Freddie...

Specialist Musician Mila, semi finalist, of BBC Young Chorister of the Year 2021

08 Dec 2021

Mila is Runner up in Young Chorister of the Year

We’re thrilled that Wells Cathedral School pupil Mila Tsoneva (Year 10) has finished second in the hugely prestigious BBC Young Chorister of the Year competition.For the second year running, Songs of Praise and Radio 2 joined together to celebrate the contribution made by young people to choirs and music groups across the UK and find the BBC Young Chorister of the Year 2021.In an immensely high quality competition, Mila was awarded second place by the distinguished panel of judges.A former...

03 Dec 2021

Celebrating Partnerships

We are delighted that Wells Cathedral School has been included in the Independent Schools Council’s “Celebrating Partnerships” publication, which highlights the important work that independent schools do in collaboration with state schools. Out of the hundreds of independent schools who are undertaking partnership work, Wells was one of just 45 schools to be featured in this publication. We were celebrated in particular for our primary school hockey and rugby events, which have seen hundreds of local children visit Wells to receive expert coaching from our staff and...

26 Nov 2021

Wells wins prestigious national cricketing award

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Wells Cathedral School has been chosen as the national winners of the enormously prestigious Forty Club Award. The Forty Club aims to inspire people of all ages to love cricket, and each year arranges more than 150 fixtures against independent schools, giving schoolchildren the chance to play against experienced players. At the end of each season, the club then selects a school to receive an award for the best fixture of the year. Criteria include...

26 Nov 2021

Oxbridge Preparation Day

On Friday 19th November, Wells co-hosted with Millfield an Oxbridge Preparation Day for 74 pupils from a range of local Sixth Forms, including five local state schools.Pupils worked in groups to solve a wide range of subject specific problems. The highlight of the day was when pupils had the opportunity to work together and discuss their ideas – there was a real buzz in the room!The event formed part of the School’s extensive scheme preparing pupils for Oxbridge applications, which has included...

09 Nov 2021

New Director of Music

The Governors and Head Master of Wells Cathedral School are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Alex Laing as the new Director of Music.The role attracted a very large field of applications, and Alex was part of an extremely strong short list of candidates who were considered for the post. Alex impressed throughout a rigorous process which was overseen by external consultants Jeff Sharkey (Principal of the Royal Scottish Conservatoire and formerly Director of Music at the Purcell School)...

Hetty, a brass musician at our Specialist Music School, performed for the Malcolm Arnold Centenary

08 Nov 2021

Malcolm Arnold Centenary Celebrations

Well done to Hetty Christopher, Year 11, for her superb performance of Malcolm Arnold’s Fantasy for Solo Trumpet. It was an honour to be part of the centenary celebrations of this eclectic composer and trumpet player. You can watch Hetty’s performance here.

Group of pupils at Wells Prep School trip to Skern Lodge 2021

08 Nov 2021

A Sunny Skern Lodge Residential Trip for our Junior School

Over half term, our Junior School pupils in Years 5 and 6 had the opportunity to go on a residential trip to Skern Lodge in Bideford, Devon where the sun shone on the happy and busy children! The adventure-filled long weekend included high ropes, kayaking, surfing, rafting, obstacle courses, climbing, archery, team building activities, beach walks, campfires and more! In addition, they had the opportunity to meet Steve Price, the first person to swim the Three Channels, and hear about...

Cole, a pupil at our independent school in Somerset, won a Future Talent Award

08 Nov 2021

Future Talent Worsely Award Winner

Cole Craggs, Year 7, was awarded the 2021 Future Talent Worsely Award, worth £3000 and three years on the Future Talent development programme, which aims to build confidence, develop personal skills and enhance musical experience. Cole, along with the other finalists, performed at an audition in London in September. This win follows on from his 2020 Future Talent Robinson Award of £1000 and a year on the programme.As a participant on the programme, Cole will continue to benefit from a...

Primary Maths Challenge at Wells Cathedral School, an independent school in wells, somerset

05 Nov 2021

Primary Schools Maths Festival

On Wednesday 3rd November we welcomed 11 teams of Year 6 pupils to Wells Cathedral School for a day packed full of mathematical activities. Pupils produced posters on the topic of ‘Symmetry’ and then took part in a fast paced relay race and puzzle rounds. All pupils threw themselves into the activities and enjoyed the challenge of varied mathematical tasks.At the end of the day, the team from Kilmersdon Church of England VA Primary School was crowned first place winners.The...

15 Oct 2021

Faraday Engineering Challenge Win

Our Year 8 pupils took part in the Faraday Engineering Challenge, a national, real-world challenge run by the Institute of Engineering. The pupils had to engineer a prototype that would improve the stay for patients at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Both of our team’s designs were centred around the delivery of food to patients using a motorised track system on the ceiling. One of our teams won with a score that places them on the leaderboard. We will watch with...

Wells Symphony Orchestra - Specialist Music School in the UK

15 Oct 2021

Symphony Orchestra Concert: Lights! Camera! Action!

Our Symphony Orchestra had its first concert of the academic year ‘Lights! Camera! Action!’ with performances on both Wednesday and Thursday. They gave beautiful performances of a variety of scores from the movies, including Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter, Shark Theme from Jaws and Dance of the Reed Flutes (Mirlitons) from the Nutcracker Suite, amongst others. As well as the ticketed concerts, they performed in a special matinee for local primary schools. Well done to all of our young musicians...

A Level Art trip to Bristol from our Independent school in Somerset

15 Oct 2021

Art and Photography Trip

On Tuesday, our A level Art and Photography pupils enjoyed a sunny and creative trip to Bristol….Street ArtArt pupils were able to gain a first hand insight into the origins and rise of Street Art in this bustling and creative city, which became part of a truly ‘global movement’. At the end of an inspiring, creative walk through the city centre down to the river, the ‘Vanguard’ exhibition, at Bristol’s MShed, mesmerised pupils (and teachers alike) with fantastic wall to...

15 Oct 2021

CCF Biennial Inspection

The CCF had its Biennial Inspection this week, which involved Cadets from Years 10, 11 and the Upper Sixth. Brigadier Richard Toomey, Ex-Commanding Officer of 1 Rifles inspected the Contingent and was full of praise for the Cadets he met, especially our Sixth Form Senior NCO’s. Our Navy Cadets completed a Field Gun Run, and our Army Cadets learnt about marksmanship principles, shot air rifles and had contact drills with our laser tag equipment.

15 Oct 2021

Festival of the Moon and the Performance of Noah

As a large and thoroughly entertained congregation listened to Joseph Horovitz and Michael Flander’s more modern interpretation of one the Bible’s oldest stories, the spectacular backdrop of a full moon will remain with everyone that was there for a long time to come!

Wells Cathedral Junior Independent School pupils at the Mendip Cross Country Race in Somerset

15 Oct 2021

Mendip League Cross Country

After nearly a two year break, the Mendip League Cross Country made an appearance once again. With over 300 runners taking part, this was a great comeback for some and a first time experience for others. The athletes from our Junior School were a credit to the School and supported each other around a lengthy course. The smiley faces in the photos say it all! Conditions were much more favourable than the previous week when the event was cancelled due...

08 Oct 2021

BBC Young Chorister of the Year 2021

We are thrilled to announce that Year 10 pupil Mila Tsoneva has reached the televised semi-finals of the hugely prestigious BBC Young Chorister of the Year competition.For the second year running Songs of Praise and Radio 2 are joining together to celebrate the contribution made by young people to choirs and music groups across the UK and find the BBC Young Chorister of the Year 2021.Mila is one of just 10 outstanding young singers (five girls and five boys) who...

Rugby at our Independent School in Somerset

08 Oct 2021

Rugby is thriving at Wells

Rugby at Wells was shining brightly on Saturday, despite the wet and windy conditions, with a full block of rugby fixtures of all five age groups: U12s, U13s, U14s, U15s and the First XV.The Year 7s and Year 8s played some fast flowing and expansive rugby on the picturesque setting of Cedars Field, the Year 9s and Year 10s travelled for a tough round of away fixtures, and the First XV – under the outstanding leadership of captain Tom Hill...

Trip to Barton Camp for our UK Boarding School boarders

08 Oct 2021

Trip to Barton for our Boarders

Last weekend over exeat, 78 boarders from Year 6 through Upper Sixth had a fun-filled time at Barton Camp in Winscombe. They were kept busy climbing, swimming, playing water polo and competing in an outside obstacle course, amongst other activities! The sun managed to shine all weekend so the views from the top of Crooks Peak were magnificent. The pupils managed to capture over 400 photos of their time away; a few of our favourites are below. Thank you to...

Shona, a pupil at our Independent School in Somerset, has been invested as Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Cadet for Somerset

08 Oct 2021

A High Honour for Shona

We are thrilled that Old Wellensian Shona M’Gadzah, who completed her A levels earlier this year, has been invested as Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Cadet for Somerset for the coming year.This hugely prestigious post recognises Shona’s many exceptional qualities, and will see her represent Her Majesty the Queen at official functions in Somerset and beyond.Shona was invested at a special ceremony on 5 October which was also attended by Head Master Alastair Tighe and also Stuart Elks, Head of the...

Nia, from our Independent School in Somerset, at the British Youth Musical Theatre

07 Oct 2021

Distinction for Nia

Congratulations to Nia Avenell, Year 10, for achieving a Grade 8 distinction for ‘Musical Theatre in Production’ based on her work on Goblin Market with British Youth Music Theatre this summer. We look forward to seeing Nia continue to perform during her time at Wells!

06 Oct 2021

Masterclass with Conductor Chloé van Soeterstède

We were delighted to welcome back acclaimed conductor Chloé van Soeterstède to Wells last Friday for an afternoon on Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, following her triumph with the Symphony Orchestra in last summer’s Symphonic Finale. Chloé worked with Bridget Yee, Brian Choy, Yufei Zhu (Upper Sixth), Defne Anar and Leo Wong (Year 11) in an afternoon conducting masterclass, followed by an open Q&A on her path to conducting and the world of orchestral music making. In the evening, Chloé treated...

06 Oct 2021

Photography Trip to Lacock Abbey

On Monday 4th October, our Year 10 GCSE artists and photographers, visited Lacock Abbey to gain an insight into the work of William Henry Fox Talbot and visually investigate the magnificent architecture in and around his former residence, now National Trust property, in Wiltshire. The sunny Autumn morning was perfect for pupils to take striking photographs of defined shadows and architectural details as well as looking through the window through which Fox Talbot discovered and created ‘a positive from what...

Ian Murphy, Art Workshop hosted at our independent school in Somerset

06 Oct 2021

Creative risk taking with contemporary artist, Ian Murphy

Year 10 Art pupils (along with four of our Year 11 short stay pupils) had a fantastic day on Tuesday this week, whilst boldly experimenting with a broad range of textural approaches to the observation of the built environment. The whole day Art Workshop with contemporary artist, Ian Murphy, encouraged pupils to take creative risks outside of their usual comfort zone and developed their skills in both drawing and imaginative use of layered grounds. In addition to being able to...

06 Oct 2021

European Day of Languages Great Bake-Off Challenge

To celebrate our diversity, our pupils and staff took part in the European Day of Languages Great Bake-Off Challenge during Exeat weekend and baked (or cooked!) a variety of tasty treats.The Director of Languages, Ms Desmarchelier-Arpino said, “It was a shame that we could not judge the competition by tasting the dishes this year… they all looked so delicious though, and everyone is a winner! Thank you to our parents, pupils and staff for their support!”Thank you to everyone who sent...

01 Oct 2021

West End Scholarship for Lily McCarthy

This summer, budding actress Lily McCarthy (Year 9) received a scholarship to train at the West End Stage summer school. The course focused on the main qualities of musical theatre, dancing, singing and acting and culminated in a performance of The Sleeping Beauty. This amazing experience offered her the opportunity to train with current West End actors and watch them perform. Lily even achieved a certificate of distinction at the end of the course! Well done to Lily for this...

30 Sep 2021

The New MUGA!

Wells Cathedral School is delighted to announce the opening of its latest, brand-new sporting facility – a new MUGA (Multi Use Games Area).Sited at the top of Cedars Field, the MUGA is a 33m x 15m fully enclosed all-weather sports facility. It offers four cricket lanes for bowling and batting practice, alongside a further 15m x 15m open area that can be used for multiple sports activities, including:skills practice for all main sports such as hockey, netball and footballPE activities...

27 Sep 2021

Kevin is Somerset Badminton Champion

Kevin Luk (Upper Sixth) had a hugely successful weekend at the Somerset Restricted Badminton Championships, where he won the Men’s Singles title, and came runner-up in the Men’s Doubles event.As champion of Somerset, Kevin has now been invited to take part in the English Counties “Champions of Champions” event at the National Badminton Centre in Milton Keynes on Saturday 18 December. This is one of the biggest events in the UK badminton calendar.It’s hugely impressive that at such a young...

24 Sep 2021

Heads of Schools Conference 2021

Fifty pupils from schools across the South West took part in our annual Heads of School Conference event – our largest turnout since we started this venture back in 2018!The demanding and exciting programme got off to a fast start with a couple of energisers before the pupils engaged in aspects of their role that they will have to contend with in the year ahead, including being visible, managing meetings, safeguarding responsibilities and aspects of leadership.The energy from the pupils...

24 Sep 2021

Concerto Final Winners 2021

Vivian Kao (Upper Sixth), with her beautiful rendition of Barber’s Violin Concerto, won our recent Concerto Final on Saturday, which took place in front of an external adjudicator and audience. Vivian will perform the Barber with the Symphony Orchestra before the end of the year. In addition, Yufei Zhu (Upper Sixth) was highly commended; she will be offered an opportunity to perform her marimba concerto with a chamber ensemble again at some point this academic year. As part of the...

Independet School Somerset England Hockey

23 Sep 2021

A Summer Full of Hockey Success

It has been a particularly busy summer for our Hockey players. Huge congratulations are due to Oskar Edwards (Lower Sixth), who represented England U16s against both Wales and Scotland and contributed to convincing victories in both matches. Oskar now has an U18 trial a year young this month.Ralf Warner and Monty Pratt (both Year 10) represented the West Panthers U14s at the Repton Cup where they made the final in scorching heat. Tilly Matthews and Linsey Mitchell (both Year 9)...

23 Sep 2021

Outstanding Harp Performance

Well done to Michael Dey (Year 6) who scored a quite amazing 148 out of 150 in his ABRSM Grade 1 Harp Performance exam. This score is incredibly rare, and will be one of the highest scores in the country.

23 Sep 2021

Academic Extension

The Sixth Form Academic Extension group enjoyed their first session this week. They undertook an ‘only problems not solutions’ discussion based on global challenges. The aim was to break down the problem so that they could understand it enough to think about solutions in the future. Critical thinking in action!

21 Sep 2021

Wells Cathedral School Seeks Director of Music

Wells Cathedral School – one of the world’s leading music schools – is today announcing the search for a new Director of Music.Wells is a completely unique school: not only is it the only one of the UK’s five specialist music schools to offer world-class musical education within an all-round school, but it is also one of the world’s oldest cathedral schools, where young choristers benefit from exceptional musical training and all-round education. The School enjoys a global reputation, and...

20 Sep 2021

Save the Children Walk 2021

On Sunday, over 300 walkers from our School community covered either five or ten miles over the Mendip Hills as part of our annual Save the Children Walk. In addition to raising money for Save the Children, the participants experienced glorious views from the top of Bristol Hill and Ebbor Gorge in the sunshine. The Junior School walkers particularly enjoyed our new stamp collecting adventure challenge en route!We are accepting donations until Friday 5th November: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wellscathedralschool2021 All money raised goes...

16 Sep 2021

Friday Night Symphony

We were thrilled to see the return of “Friday Night is Symphony Night” last week, with around 50 pupils coming together to give a performance of Haydn’s Symphony no 104 in Quilter Hall. This evening, the pupils will be in Cedars Hall for Mendelssohn’s effervescent Italian Symphony.

16 Sep 2021

An Incredible Bronze Medal for Sophie

Sophie Nicholls (Year 11) represented the England team at the Great Britain School Games Finals in Loughborough last week and won a bronze medal in the 3000m race, running an incredible time of 9:57.59.Director of Sport Tom Webley comments that: “This is an outstanding achievement by Sophie, who continues to demonstrate what a fantastic athlete she is. I’m delighted that we have an athlete of the calibre of Sophie flying the Wells flag on the International stage!”

15 Sep 2021

Weaving the Willow

The beautiful willow dome in the Junior School playground is a favourite spot for many of our pupils. This week, a group of Year 6 pupils – guided by Mrs Rogers – helped to weave it back into shape, after a period of bumper growth over the summer!

Year 7 trip to Mill on Brue Outdoor Activity Centre

15 Sep 2021

Exciting New Adventures for Year 7

Year 7 pupils visited the Mill on the Brue Outdoor Activity Centre as part of the transition process into Wells Senior School. They completed a number of challenges and team building activities as part of their overnight stay including canoeing, high ropes, assault course and zip wire. David Rowley, Head of Year 7, said, “It was great to see pupils challenging themselves, developing friendships and working together in their first week of senior school.”Well done to our Year 7 pupils...

12 Aug 2021

Wells Pupils’ Hard Work and Resilience Rewarded with Brilliant GCSE Results

Wells Cathedral School pupils are celebrating after their hard work and resilience has ensured they have achieved a very strong set of GCSE results. Their achievement is all the greater after two years of study full of unprecedented challenges, two extended periods of remote learning and considerable uncertainty.Head Master Alastair Tighe said, “The School is delighted with the successes achieved by all our pupils. They have collectively secured fantastic grades, and we could not be more delighted for this cohort...

10 Aug 2021

Wells Pupils Celebrate A Level Results After a Challenging Year

Wells pupils celebrated impressive results and the successful attainment of well-deserved places at University and Music Colleges with a Champagne Breakfast held by the School on the morning of Results Day.Head Master, Alastair Tighe, said “I am so proud of what this group of young people have achieved. Despite the enormous challenges of the last 18 months, they have all demonstrated resilience and tenacity beyond their years and all of them, no matter what their grades, are to be congratulated...

02 Jul 2021

Wells Shortlisted for Co-Ed School of the Year

After being crowned “Performing Arts School of the Year” at last year’s Independent School of the Year awards, we are thrilled that this year we’ve been shortlisted for “Co-Ed School of the Year”. A fitting tribute to our incredible staff and pupils, who have been truly amazing in such a difficult year! We’ll find out in October if we’ve won!Head Master, Alastair Tighe said, “On the penultimate day of an enormously busy term, and an extraordinary year, it’s so wonderful...

02 Jul 2021

Speech Day 2021

Pupils, parents and staff enjoyed a celebratory end to what has been an eventful and often complicated academic year at the School Speech Day on Friday.With social distancing still in place nationwide, the Prize Giving Ceremony in Cedars Hall was attended only by Prize Winners, and live streamed for the rest of the School, parents and families.The traditional Leavers’ Service at Wells Cathedral was held for Upper Sixth Leavers, their parents and Sixth Form staff, with the Service recorded and...

02 Jul 2021

Russell Fox Heath Trust Awards

Eight Upper Sixth pupils have been generously given substantial awards to complete a variety of adventures and expeditions in the year after they leave Wells by the Russell Fox Heath Trust.Russell Heath was a former pupil who died mountain walking in New Zealand in 1992. A fund was established in his memory by his family and awards are made each year to Upper Sixth pupils who are planning post-School adventures.This year, projects range from cycling in France, hiking the Hadrian’s...

01 Jul 2021

Year 7 Adventures at The Mill on the Brue

On Wednesday, Year 7 pupils enjoyed the final trip of the academic year with adventure activities at The Mill on the Brue!We’ll be back with next year’s Year 7 pupils for an overnight stay in September.Enjoy a selection of photos of their adventures below:

01 Jul 2021

Ribbon Acrobatics

Year 6 pupil Isabella Blake put on a wonderful demonstration of acrobatic skills to fellow Junior School pupils and staff in Jocelyn Gardens on Wednesday as she floated, balanced and twisted her way through a beautiful routine on a silk, to the tune of A Million Dreams.Isabella has been learning the silk for a couple of years and the routine she performed showed off her gymnastic skills and core strength. It was an amazing display of confidence and elegance, which...

01 Jul 2021

Arts and Volunteering Week

Wells pupils have spent the final week of term off-timetable enjoying a series of creative arts-based and volunteering activities.These have included a charity car wash, sponsored walk, volunteering at the Lawrence Centre, Wells Museum, Cathedral Gardens and Bishop’s palace, Film in a Day (courtesy of the Young Film Academy), Bollywood Dancing, treasure hunts, university cooking, stage combat, designing wedding dresses out of toilet roll, Kwik Cricket, artwork and abstract photograph, culminating in a whole School hike on the Mendips on...

30 Jun 2021

Zumba and Party for Years 3 and 4

Pupils in Years 3 and 4 all had a wonderful time playing garden games, eating ice lollies, participating in a fantastic Zumba session with local instructor Chiara Chatard and enjoying delicious pizza from DaLuciano in the last week of term. Well done on your hard work, resilience and positive attitudes this year!

Independent School Somerset Music Year 12

30 Jun 2021

Young Songwriter Winner 2021!

We are thrilled and extremely proud to announce that talented Lower Sixth songwriter, Hetta Falzon, has won this year’s prestigious Song Academy Young Songwriter 2021 Competition!The result was broadcast on Tuesday evening on a livestream with some of the competition judges, including BRIT Award winner Tom Odell. Hetta was invited to join them for an interview.Now in its 11th year, the Young Songwriter 2021 is the leading international songwriting competition for those under 18. This year’s competition attracted over 1,000...

29 Jun 2021

The Jazz Picnic

This year’s Parents’ Association Jazz Picnic took place with a limited pre-booked audience in the Marquee on Cedars Lawn – a fabulous way to celebrate the final Sunday of the academic year!Enjoy a selection of photos from the afternoon’s entertainment, below:

29 Jun 2021

Belinda Sings Solo at the Oxford Festival

Congratulations to Year 5 singer, Belinda Gifford-Guy, who sang the child solo part in Carmina Burana alongside the Orchestra of St John’s, as part of the Oxford Festival on Saturday.

Independent School Somerset Specialist Music

29 Jun 2021

Friday Musical Discovery Showcase

Wells musicians enjoyed an action-packed day of musical discovery last Friday, the final Friday Music Seminar of this School year. Outgoing Academic Music Captain, Francois Cloete, led the seminar with a fascinating comparison of composers’ reactions to the state, with a spotlight on Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5.Friday Night is Symphony Night returned in the evening with an exploration of Elgar’s Enigma Variations, ably led by student conductors Leo Wong, Yufei Zhu, Dawid Kasprzak, Defne...

24 Jun 2021

Confirmation Service 20th June 2021

Congratulations to David Gaski, Keziah Whitehead, Hannah Krekel and Shannon and Jo Williams, who were finally confirmed on Sunday 20th June 2021 by Bishop Trevor at Wells Cathedral after the completion of their Confirmation class 14 months ago!Confirmation classes for 2021/22 will start again after the summer holidays.

24 Jun 2021

Senior School Sports Day

Senior School pupils have been enjoying a fantastic day down at Tor taking part in Senior School Sports Day. A fabulous way to round off sport this year at Wells as we come to the end of the academic year!For a glimpse of some of the fun, see below:

Private School Somersey Specialist Music Year 10

24 Jun 2021

Wilamena Features in Music Teacher Magazine

Year 10 pupil Wilamena Dyer is featured in the July edition of Music Teacher Magazine, alongside Jayne Obradovic, Wells Head of Student Experience and Well-being and Co-ordinator of Percussion.Read the feature here: Wilamena’s on a Drum Roll

24 Jun 2021

Popular Music Showcase

Wells musicians presented a series of inspiring performances last Sunday at the Popular Music Showcase.A big thank you to Tim Walker and his team for the technical support and to the team of pupils who assisted on the day.Here are some images of the evening to enjoy:

24 Jun 2021

First Prize for Abbie

Congratulations to Upper Sixth violinist, Abbie Chan, who has won first prize in the USA Classical Music International Competition held in May 2021 by International Youth Music Competitions.

24 Jun 2021

Year 7 Geography Trip to Glastonbury

Pupils from Year 7 ventured over to Glastonbury on Wednesday in glorious summer weather for the annual geography trip. They used clinometers to work out slope angles and learned how to take bearings. In the town itself they conducted a survey of shop types and environmental quality.Thank you to Head of Humanities, Jeremy Boot, for arranging the trip and providing pupils with a fascinating and enjoyable conclusion to the year!

24 Jun 2021

Final Cadet Sailing Session of the School Year

The Wells Naval cadets enjoyed their final sailing session of the year on Wednesday afternoon. Here are James Durham, George Milton-Parry, Emily Oxtoby, Matilda Binns, Oliver Pearce and Hetty Christopher alongside Izzy Savage and colleague from Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club, the OnBoard Instructor – clutching a chocolate ‘thank you’ from Wells – all under the watchful eye of Humphrey the sailing spaniel!Great day’s sailing to close out the term – well done to all who have participated and here’s to...

22 Jun 2021

Prefect Team Building Session

Recently appointed prefects in the Lower Sixth enjoyed an afternoon’s training and team building session on Cedars Field on Monday!

22 Jun 2021

Celebration Concerts in Wells Cathedral

Last week, Wells musicians from across the music faculty put on two splendid concerts to mark the musical reopening of Wells Cathedral.After a year without the chance to play in public, Wells Brass and Percussion musicians were delighted to join forces with friends from the Vocal and Organ departments for a concert titled Eternal Source of Light Divine and to perform a programme of celebratory pieces.Later in the week, Wells Woodwind and Strings musicians celebrated with a programme of much-loved...

22 Jun 2021

Mozart Opera Gala Rehearsals

Rehearsals have been taking place in Cedars Hall for the Mozart Opera Gala, which will be performed to a limited audience on the evenings of Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th June.What a fantastic opportunity for our vocalists and instrumentalists to round off the year in such musical style!

22 Jun 2021

PA Quiz Night Trophy Presentation

On Friday, current Chair of the Wells Parents’ Association, Rachel Hewson, presented members of the winning PA Quiz Night team – The Slightly Muddled Troublemakers – with their engraved trophy. This year’s quiz was held online during lockdown and provided an evening of much needed competitive entertainment!

Private School Somerset Artwork Years 3,4,5,6

21 Jun 2021

Junior School Summer Artwork

During the Whitsun and Trinity Terms, Junior School pupils have been very busy in their art lessons, learning new techniques and discovering inspiration from a range of celebrated artists and historical events.Pupils in Year 3 focused on the theme of landscapes. They studied the work of several impressionist artists and then used the new painting techniques to paint in the style of their chosen artist. The pupils loved mixing the colours and worked on larger scale images. They then used...

21 Jun 2021

Jazz Evening

Last week’s Jazz Evening showcased the talents of jazz players and small group jazz from across the School. Introduced by Coordinator of Jazz Studies Edward Leaker and specialist improvisation tutor Nick Malcolm, the concert gave Wells pupils a long-awaited chance to perform a selection of jazz standards and original compositions. The evening finished with a socially distanced jam session.

18 Jun 2021

Year 5 French Fashion Show

Pupils in Year 5 have spent the year learning about colours, weather and clothes in their French lessons with Head of Modern Languages, Jules Desmarchelier, and as a culmination of all their hard work, they choreographed a fabulous French Fashion Show.Each pupil created a summer and winter outfit, with a written description in French. They then recorded their summary to practice their oral skills and perfect their French pronunciation.The Fashion Show, held in Cedars Drawing Room proved a riot of...

18 Jun 2021

West Panthers Hockey Squad

Well done to Year 8 pupils Paul Kemp-King, Tilly Matthews and Linsey Mitchell, who have all been selected for the West Panthers hockey squad to represent the West at the UK Festival of Hockey at U13 level in Nottingham. Following four trials and a lot of competition, they have all done extremely well to be selected.In further hockey news, seven Wells pupils – Year 9 pupils William Perring and Ralf Warner; Year 10 pupils Mia Falco, Florence Gummer, Archie Mycock...

18 Jun 2021

Oskar Selected for England Squad

Congratulations to Year 11 pupil Oskar Edwards who has been selected for the England U16 hockey squad and has played in two matches, one against Loughborough University where he scored for the team, and the other against Great Britain women’s U23.Oskar has also been playing for Team Bath Buccaneers 1st XI in the Y1 Hockey league, and took part in the Final of the League on Friday, beating the University of Bristol Men’s Hockey Club 4-3 to be crowned inaugural...

17 Jun 2021

Year 5 WWF Fundraising Initiative

Freya Williams and Alice Compton, both in Year 5, set up a fundraising initiative for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), holding a sale of homemade gifts after School on Monday. The girls raised over £50 for this leading non-governmental organisation, showing impressive independence and resourcefulness.

16 Jun 2021

Junior One Day Event National Finals

Congratulations to Year 9 pupil Lola Phillips whose team, the ETSW (Equestrian Training South West), have made it through to the National Finals of the Horse Trials Junior One Day Event, taking place at Swalcliffe Park in Banbury in early August.Lola was also one of the youngest competitors at the recent British Eventing competition at the West Wilts Equestrian Centre outside Bradford On Avon.

16 Jun 2021

Year 10 Hockney-Inspired Photography

Year 10 pupils produced some stunning Hockney-inspired photography, after studying the artist in their lessons this year. Here is a selection of their work:

16 Jun 2021

UK Mathematics Trust Junior Challenge

Wells Lower School pupils took part in the Junior Mathematics Challenge, run by the UK Mathematics Trust in the first half of the Summer term for Senior School pupils in Years 7 to 8.Four pupils achieved Gold Awards and were subsequently selected to sit Follow-On Kangaroo papers. Congratulations to Lucille Raynal in Year 7, and to Alfie Carey, Sophia Dou and Joshua Knott in Year 8.Five pupils achieved Silver Awards, congratulations to Charles Groom, Thomas Parkman and Luca Wiseman in...

Independent School Creatie Arts Somerset

16 Jun 2021

Our Country’s Good Filming

Filming has been taking place this week for the Senior School Drama production of Our Country’s Good, which will be available to view by a pre-booked virtual audience in late June.This challenging play, based on the novel The Playmaker by Thomas Keneally, has been professionally filmed in Cedars Hall this week, providing the actors and technical crew with the opportunity for real film experience instead of the usual live performances.The demanding storyline, which takes place in an Australian penal colony...

16 Jun 2021

Cricket Week 2021

The Wells Annual Cricket Week commenced with a wonderful display of cricketing prowess as the First XI took on the MCC on the glorious Cedars cricket pitch on Monday.The stunning grounds and blazing sunshine provided a fitting backdrop to this showcase, the first of many scheduled matches for the celebration week, and offered a masterclass in batting skill by Wells captain Bryce Furlong, who had a fine innings of 87 not out.The week’s cricket continues with matches against Taunton Deane...

16 Jun 2021

15 Years: A Lifetime at Wells!

Four members of this year’s Upper Sixth have been making the most of their final few weeks at School, as their 15 years apiece as Wells pupils comes to an end.Humphrey Boot, Harry Chantrey, Jack Denegri and Hector Gummer all joined Wells as toddlers in the Nursery, when it was run with military precision by the inimitable Ronni Clarke. Having progressed through subsequent years in the Pre-Prep, the Junior and Senior Schools and now the Sixth Form, they are all...

16 Jun 2021

Year 9 Army Cadets Field Craft Day

Last Thursday, Year 9 CCF Army Cadets spent the afternoon on Yoxter Ranges on the Mendips, conducting a day of fieldcraft, which culminated in a break contact drill under effective enemy fire. Much fun was had by all involved!

15 Jun 2021

Winning 1,111 Anniversary Mug Design

Pupils were asked to submit designs for a mug which would be specially created for the School’s 1,111 Birthday before Christmas. The mugs have now been made and the photo shows Upper Sixth pupil Charles Wilson with his winning design!

15 Jun 2021

Lower Sixth Geography Trip to Exmoor

Last Thursday Lower Sixth geographers, along with teachers Jeremy Boot and Rebecca Murdoch, conducted a river study to analyse downstream changes in channel characteristics of the River Horner on Exmoor.Pupils used equipment including a theodolite to measure gradient and hydroprops to measure velocity. The river itself is short and heavily monitored due to potential flood risk to two villages in its lower course. It was a great opportunity for pupils to conduct field work in a beautiful part of the...

Private School Somerset Lower Sixth Geology

15 Jun 2021

Lower Sixth Geology Trip to Sand Point

Despite Covid restrictions, Wells geologists have been able to participate in a number of field trips to enhance their studies this term, using covid-safe equipment.Visits have been made to Portishead, Sand Point and to Vallis Vale to observe, record and interpret the strata, fossils, geological structures and even lava flows in the local area!

15 Jun 2021

Year 3 and Year 4 Teams Reach National Finals

Congratulations to the Wells Year 3 and Year 4 teams who have made it through to the National Finals of the National Key Stage 2 General Knowledge Inter-School Quiz Championship for 2021.Teams from Years 3 to 6 participated in this annual general knowledge competition, which comprises four team members for each year group. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic this competition was held remotely this year.All four of the Wells teams did extremely well, but both Year 3 and Year 4’s...

15 Jun 2021

Junior Mathematics Challenge Awards

Congratulations to Year 6 pupil En Xuan Tan, who achieved a Gold Award and was selected to sit the Kangaroo Follow-On paper in this year’s Junior Mathematics Challenge, run by the UK Mathematics Trust. Fellow classmate, Tom Hellier achieved a Silver Award.The Junior Mathematical Challenge is a 60-minute, multiple-choice competition aimed at pupils across the UK. It encourages mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency in using basic mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems. The problems on the Junior Mathematical...

ALL NEWS

Read our Latest 'In Touch'

Keep Up To Date

News Filter