News | Independent School | Wells Cathedral School

Flautists taking part in the Furstenau Challenge

30 Apr 2021

The Furstenau Flute Challenge

Saturday marked the final event for the ‘Furstenau Challenge’, a project that was set up by flute teacher Liz Walker to engage Wells pupils with flautists from around the world. The aim was to study the famous Furstenau Op 125 etudes for flute as well as raising money for Help Musicians by performing all 24 pieces in one go!Wells pupils have been studying the whole set of pieces since January with additional early morning classes run by Susie Hodder-Williams.24 eminent...

National Youth Orchestra (NYO) performing

30 Apr 2021

National Youth Orchestra 2021

The following Wells musicians have been confirmed as members of the National Youth Orchestra 2021, and will take part in virtual performances:Brass: Luke Lane and Imogen MoorsomPercussion: Stan TalmanStrings: Rocket Brooks, Summer Brooks, Tom Mahoney and Isabelle NettleWoodwind: Emily Moores and Rebecca Pughe.Old Wellensians, from last year’s Upper Sixth cohort include: Alfie Creber, Ella Leonard and Eliza Talman

Dawid Kasprzak, violin specialist, participated in the Menuhin Competition Richmond 2021

30 Apr 2021

Dawid Selected for International Menuhin Competition

Congratulations to talented Year 10 violinist Dawid Kasprzak, who was selected to take part in the First Round of the Junior Section of the prestigious Menuhin Competition Richmond 2021, the world’s leading international competition for young violinists.Founded by Yehudi Menuhin in 1983 and nicknamed “The Olympics of the Violin” the competition attracts hundreds of entries from countries across the globe, choosing only 44 of the world’s very best young violinists, under the age of 22, to participate. Held every two...

27 Apr 2021

Meg to Play at Jelli Records Songwriter Night

Year 10 songwriter Meg Curl has been invited to play at the Jelli Records Singer Songwriter showcase on the 18th May with two other artists, Chris Beauman Jn and Grace Dukes.Jelli Records, a Bristol-based music management company, usually hosts a Songwriter Night at The Bristol Fringe on the last Tuesday of each month. This features three musicians all performing six original songs and talking a little about each one. Since Covid-19, the Songwriter Night has gone online.Meg will be playing...

26 Apr 2021

Koechlin International Flute Competition

The Koechlin International Flute Competition took place remotely throughout March and April, with competitors from 20 countries submitting recordings of their performances of the celebrated ‘Chants de Nectaire’ to a team of adjudicators.Congratulations to Year 10 flautist Annie Banks who was awarded Third Place in the 18 Years and Under category; Year 9 flautist Diego Jurado Hoshino and Year 12 flautist Amy Cleverley, who were Highly Commended in the 14 Years and Under and the 18 Years and Under categories,...

26 Apr 2021

British and National Youth Music Theatre Success

Congratulations to Year 9 pupil Nia Avenell, who has successfully auditioned for both the British Youth Music Theatre (BYMT) and National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT) as a musician for their summer season.Nia has been offered and accepted a place playing viola in the NYMT production of Hunchback of Notre Dame in Manchester Cathedral in performances from 11th to 14th August; and she has also been offered and accepted a place playing violin in the BYMT production of Goblin Market in...

26 Apr 2021

Competitive Team Sports Back in Action

This weekend it was a joy to see so many Wells pupils out representing the School in sports teams with the full return of competitive fixtures.Matches took place on the beautifully prepared Wells cricket pitches and tennis courts, as well as away at Queen’s College Taunton and Kingswood School in Bath. Thank you to our dedicated ground staff team for their hard work in the run up to the start of the season. The photo shows the First Boys’ Tennis...

26 Apr 2021

Maths Kangaroo Merits

Congratulations to the following talented mathematicians, who achieved Merits in the recent follow-on Kangaroo round of this year’s Intermediate Mathematics Challenge.Year 9 pupil Luca Ng; and Year 11 pupils Oscar Ho, Jason Kong, Karen Ng, Jeanie Tang and Christine Yang.

26 Apr 2021

Geography Field Trip to Porlock Bay and Minehead

The Geography department ran its first field trip for over a year on Thursday, with Upper Sixth pupils studying beach profiles and coastal management at Porlock Bay. As can be seen from the photo, this is a beautiful stretch of coastline, part of the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate.From there the group, accompanied by Head of Geography and Humanities, Jeremy Boot, and Geography teacher and Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Rebecca Murdoch, travelled to Minehead to study a very different type...

22 Apr 2021

Two Wells Songwriters reach the Top 30

Huge congratulations to Hetta Falzon in the Lower Sixth and Megan Curl in Year 10, who have both been selected as Top 30 Finalists in this year’s prestigious Young Songwriter of the Year competition for UK and Ireland.Both girls are members of the School’s Popular Music department, and have been selected in the 13-18 category.This is Hetta’s second successive selection for the Top 30 – last year, at just 15 years old, she was runner up of the whole Young...

20 Apr 2021

Wellensian Association Summer Reunion Weekend

The Wellensian Association plans to host its annual Summer Reunion Weekend from Saturday 26th to Sunday 27th June in the beautiful school grounds at Wells.Do join friends and guests on glorious Cedars Lawn and in the Marquee for the summer reunion dinner on Saturday 26th June, tickets cost £20pp and include a welcome drink and three course buffet dinner.There will also be the opportunity for a school tour on Saturday afternoon, and the chance to watch the OWs vs School...

Independent School Somerset Photography (Years 7-9)

26 Mar 2021

Lower School Photography Competition

There have been some fantastic entries, bursting with imagination and humour for the Lower School Photography Competition, and judging has been particularly hard.The three winning entries were selected for their excellent composition and meaningful interpretation of the subject.Congratulations to first prize winner, Harry Hellier in Year 8 for Trapped and The Ripple – both reflections on Lockdown.The two runners up are Oliver Stankiewicz in Year 9 for “Oh, the places you’ll go”, and Sam Butler in Year 7 for “Freedom...

Royal Navy & Wells Private School Collaborate

25 Mar 2021

Royal Navy Cadets Chocolate Galleons

In Wednesday’s Afternoon Activities, members of the Royal Navy Section of the Wells CCF in Year 11 were challenged to construct their version of HMS Victory in a chocolate galleon team building competition.Head Master Alastair Tighe, who judged the cadets’ entries, found it extremely difficult to select a winner, but eventually chose the winning team, consisting of Elsie Carter, Sophie Karseras, Ben Mapleston, Oliver Sturgess and Ethan Turnbull.

Independent Day Junior School Art Exhibition

25 Mar 2021

Junior School Spring Artwork

Pupils in the Junior School have been particularly creative this term, working on a series of artworks during lockdown and on their return to the classroom.Year 4 pupils have been studying the patterns and colours found in water. They used batik to create the basic patterns and dyed the fabric. They then added different textured fabrics and sewed over the top. Examples of their work can be viewed below.Year 5 pupils studied portraits during the latest Lockdown period. Examples of...

22 Mar 2021

National Youth Orchestra Inspire Course

Congratulations to Year 11 flautist Emily Moores and to Lower Sixth violinist Rocket Brooks who have recently been selected to join the online National Youth Orchestra’s Inspire outreach course, two of just 30 additional new young musicians selected for the Orchestra this year due to the impact of Covid-19.Due to the lack of performances during 2020, the National Youth Orchestra did not conduct main auditions this year, but instead chose to re-enroll from last year’s cohort. They did however invite...

22 Mar 2021

Year 10 Art Exhibition

Graphite drawings inspired by the expressive drawing techniques of artist Ian Murphy can be seen here as part of Year 10 pupils’ GCSE artwork:

22 Mar 2021

Chemistry Olympiad 2021 Successes

Congratulations to Upper Sixth pupil Oscar Purcell-Shirley, who has been awarded a Gold in this year’s UK Chemistry Olympiad, scoring in the top 2 percent of entrants.Oscar is planning to study Chemistry at University, and after receiving successful offers from all five of his applications to Russell Group Universities, he is hoping to continue with his studies at Imperial College London.Four other Upper Sixth pupils obtained Silver Awards: Wayne Chen, Serena Chung, Hector Gummer and Amelia Watson. Oisin Moriarty, in...

Geology Competition at Our Private School

19 Mar 2021

Geological Society of London: National Schools Challenge

The Wells Geology team once again progressed to the National Final of the Geological Society of London’s National Schools Challenge, alongside nine other schools and colleges from as far afield as Yorkshire and Kuala Lumpur (the eventual winners).This year, participants were offered a free choice of topic for the qualifying round, with the initial Wells team of Humphrey Boot in the Upper Sixth and Harriet Carlill in the Lower Sixth choosing to make a video presentation on the Geology of...

Wells Independent School Write Off Competition

18 Mar 2021

The Great Wells Cathedral School Christmas Write Off

Over the Christmas holidays and into the January lockdown, Senior School pupils were invited to submit a short story of around 500 words for the English Department’s fifth annual creative writing competition, ‘The Great Wells Cathedral School Christmas Write Off’. The title, of course, was ‘A Winter’s Tale’.Congratulations to Upper Sixth pupil Oscar Howe, who won the Upper School prize, for the second consecutive year, with an extremely well-crafted and richly descriptive tale of a battle in the woods.Also, to...

Walk & Sketch Challenge at Our Private High School

17 Mar 2021

Walk and Sketch Challenge

The Art Department would like to thank all pupils who submitted work for the ‘Walk and Sketch’ challenge, which was open to all Senior School pupils over the lockdown period during the Epiphany term.Staff were very impressed with the wonderful creative entries, and it was difficult to select just one winner from each year group. After much deliberation and discussion, we are delighted to announce the following winners:Congratulations to Archie Blee in Year 7, Elsa Melia in Year 8, George...

16 Mar 2021

BBC Young Reporter 2021 Awards

Huge congratulations to Year 10 pupil Wilamena Dyer one of two regional winners in the South and West of England regions in this year’s BBC Young Reporter Competition for her report on How music helps cope with Tourette’s Syndrome.Wilamena’s inspiring 3-minute film is about how playing a musical instrument can lessen or even prevent Tourette’s tics. As part of the film she interviewed her Wells cello teacher, Penny Driver, as well as several other musicians with Tourette’s syndrome who have...

Vocal Performance at our Specialist Music School

16 Mar 2021

Vocal Department Performance Platform

On Sunday, Wells vocalists performed a triptyque Performance Platform Concert, split into three sections to allow the showcasing of our international vocalists currently based in Hong Kong and China, as well as afternoon and evening performances from pupils based in the UK, singing live from the Eavis Auditorium in Cedars Hall.This was an open invitation for singers to perform – to blow off the cobwebs after many months away from live music making and it is wonderful that so many...

Film Set Experience for Wells Independent Secondary School pupils

16 Mar 2021

Film Set Experience for Year 8 Pupils

Lucky pupils in 8L had an exciting opportunity to visit the set of Becoming Elizabeth, the Tudor historical drama dealing with the years before Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, which was being shot on Cathedral Green and Vicars’ Close last week.The visit was part of the class’s study of King of Shadows by Susan Cooper, a novel in which a modern-day teenager wakes up in London in the 1590s and plays the part of Puck opposite Shakespeare’s Oberon in a production of...

16 Mar 2021

Monday Morning Assembly

In the absence of the School’s regular Senior School Cathedral Monday Assembly, Wells Chaplain, Sarah Curl, has produced a virtual alternative, which includes the video of ‘hope messages’ gathered from pupils at both Wells and The Blue School.To see the address from Sarah, click here: Chaplain’s MessageTo see the messages of hope, click here: Messages of Hope

Intermediate Maths at Wells Private Secondary School

16 Mar 2021

Intermediate Mathematics Challenge 2021

39 pupils in Years 9 to 11 gained awards in this year’s Intermediate Mathematics Challenge.Five pupils achieved Gold Awards, ten pupils achieved Silver and 24 pupils achieved Bronze.Congratulations to the following pupils in particular on their Gold Awards: Oscar Ho, Jason Kong, Karen Ng, Jeanie Tang and Christine Yang, all in Year 11.

Jan Cowell of Our Specialist Music School

16 Mar 2021

Recital Music Composition Competition 2021

Congratulations to two Wells Double Bassists, who submitted new pieces for unaccompanied double bass in this year’s Recital Music Composition Competition, which were then judged by an international jury.Upper Sixth pupil Jan Cowell was awarded second prize, winning £75, and seeing off talented entrants from the USA, Mexico, Hong Kong, Chile and Italy. Lower Sixth pupil Brian Choy’s piece was commended.Jan has just achieved his performance ATCL Diploma (Associate of Trinity College London) with distinction under the tutelage of David...

Wells Private High School Lockdown Monologues

16 Mar 2021

Lower School Lockdown Monologue Project

Over the lockdown period, Drama and Theatre Studies teacher, Shelley Deans, undertook a creative monologue drama project throughout the months of Winter lockdown with pupils in Years 7 to 9 during their Drama lessons.With an emphasis on performance and taking the work through from page to stage, pupils focused on original characterisation and creating a piece that allowed the observer an insight into a particular moment of that character’s world. Focus was also placed on creating the mood and tone...

House Physical Challenge at Wells Secondary Boarding School

16 Mar 2021

Get, Set, Go: A House Physical Challenge

In February, pupils and staff took part in Get, Set, Go: A House Physical fitness challenge. The aim of the challenge was to see which House achieved the furthest distance by completing a run, walk, cycle or row. There was no limit to how many exercises each pupil was able to input. The winning House was decided by the furthest total distance achieved in kilometers (km).Head Master, Alasatir Tighe, calculated that by the end of the event, the total distance...

15 Mar 2021

Clean Sweep of Grade 9s for Specialist Mathematicians

Congratulations to all seven Year 11 specialist mathematicians who were in the UK and able to physically sit their IGCSE Mathematics exams half a year early, in January, despite the national lockdown. They performed magnificently and have all been awarded the top Grade 9!Well done to Jacob Gatenby, Kenneth Greenshields, Madison Lewis, William Lloyd, Sebastian Stankiewicz, Ethan Turnbull and Alexander Wong.Sadly Jason Kong and Christine Yang were not in the country and therefore unable to sit their examinations.The Specialist Maths...

12 Mar 2021

Elizabeth Tudway Quilter (14 April 1929 – 14 February 2021)

It is with enormous sadness that the School learned of the death recently of one of our Foundation Fellows, Elizabeth Tudway Quilter (known to many as “Bubbles”).Elizabeth and her husband David, who died in 2007, were both huge supporters of the School in many different ways, both formally and informally, and successive Heads found their unstinting efforts on their behalf an essential support. They were descendants of the Tudway family who built and owned Cedars House. And as a Governor,...

10 Mar 2021

Spring Update – University and Music College Offers

With the physical return of the majority of Wells pupils to School for their onsite lessons this week, it is particularly uplifting to hear about and be able to celebrate the university and music college application successes of so many of our Upper Sixth pupils, as they prepare for the next stage of their education.Wells musicians, who have chosen to continue with their instrumental, vocal or compositional studies at conservatoire now hold over 70 offers for places at the UK’s...

10 Mar 2021

Finding Meaning in Music

Year 10 pupil and chorister, Sophie Harbridge, has contributed to Wells Cathedral’s current online talk series, with a piece about finding meaning in music.To watch Sophie’s talk, please click here: Finding Meaning in MusicHead Master, Alastair Tighe, also gave an inspiring talk about Education in the Pandemic as part of the same series earlier in the term.Alastair’s talk can be viewed here: Education in the Pandemic

10 Mar 2021

Woody Live on BBC Somerset

Year 8 pupil and enthusiastic composer, Woody Collins, recently created a lively and uplifting anthem Live Your Life! over lockdown, which was played live over the airwaves when he was interviewed by Claire Carter on her Breakfast Show on BBC Somerset Live on Monday morning.Woody’s interview covered a wide range of musical topics, including how he conceived the song as an antidote to Lockdown Blues, a previous composition, which they also played on air; his composition technique using piano chords...

Specialist Music School Drums and Percussion

09 Mar 2021

Bang the Drum for Change

Congratulations to Old Wellensian, Emily Gunton, on her inspiring front page article about women in the music industry in Monday’s The Guardian, which quotes our very own Head of Student Experience & Well-being and Head of Percussion, Jayne Obradovic.Read this uplifting article here: Bang the drum for change

11 Feb 2021

Calling all Young Brass Players for “Salsa Brass Go!”

Wells Cathedral School School is thrilled to announce “Salsa Brass Go!”, an exciting new online project aiming to inject life and energy into this wintry lockdown.The aim of this free project is to help brass players to develop their skills, meet other performers online, and have fun!Wells Cathedral School – one of the UK’s five specialist music schools – is putting out a call for any brass players aged under 18, between Grade 2 and Grade 8 standard. Participants will...

04 Feb 2021

Over the Rainbow

We’re thrilled to share this beautiful recording of “Over the Rainbow”, performed by outstanding Wells Cathedral School Upper Sixth percussionist Stan Talman, which he is dedicating to Captain Sir Tom Moore.Throughout the first lockdown, Stan’s family – including his mother, who is working on a care home while her career as an actor/musician is on hold – formed a band to play on the street during the weekly “clap for the NHS”. We’re so immensely proud of Stan for his...

03 Feb 2021

Wells Cathedral School announces 50% off boarding fees for Choristers

Wells Cathedral School has today announced that all cathedral choristers will be entitled to a 50% reduction on boarding fees. The places will be offered in a newly refurbished boarding house for children in Years 4 to 8, which will be opening in September 2021. Wells Cathedral Choir is a world class choir, gracing one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, offering equal opportunities for boys and girls between Years 4 and 9. Alongside performing in regular services...

Our Private Secondary School Hygiene & Safety

22 Jan 2021

This Week at Wells

We received results for the latest round of Trinity Instrumental and Vocal exams, and we’re delighted to say that 100% of Wells pupils gained a Distinction! Congratulations to all involved.On Thursday, four Wells pupils – Yuhan Zhang (Year 11), Flo Gummer (Year 10), Archie Bray (Year 9) and Hana Wong (Year 9) – took part in the first round of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s “Top of the Bench” competition. They had to work remotely as a team to complete...

21 Jan 2021

Global Successes for Wells Pianists

Being in lockdown hasn’t prevented Wells pupils from triumphing in two major international competitions, performing from their homes.There was an astonishing level of success for Wells pianists in the Newport Rhode Island USA International Virtuosi Music Competition 2020. This prestigious competition attracted entrants from a dozen countries, and all six Wells pianists who entered claimed a share of either first or second place in their respective age categories. Huge congratulations to Lucille, Bibi, Edvard, Sejin, Max and Ruby.The Piano Competition...

18 Jan 2021

Finding New Inspiration in a New Lockdown

As Wells pupils returned to remote learning, staff provided two new fun challenges to keep everyone busy and healthy in mind and body. Librarian Carole Estall set her annual “Ten Book Challenge”, encouraging Senior School pupils and staff to read books in ten different categories. She shared an extensive reading list of 300 inspiring and engaging books for readers of all ages to discover, and promised rewards for every book completed! Meanwhile, sport staff started a new series of “Keep Fit at...

06 Jan 2021

University and Music College Offers Update

As Wells pupils return to School for online lessons this week following the Christmas break, we are delighted that so many of our Upper Sixth pupils have received excellent offers from universities and music colleges across the UK to continue with their tertiary education post-Wells.The main UCAS application deadline has been prolonged this year, but despite this extension to the end of January, Upper Sixth pupils have already received over 100 offers from the prestigious Russell Group to read a...

04 Jan 2021

OW Hannah Wheeler Awarded Queen’s Police Medal

Very many congratulations to Old Wellensian, Hannah Wheeler, who was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the New Year’s Honours List for Distinguished Service, one of fewer than 30 officers of all ranks from across the UK and the British Territories to have received this award, this year.At the start of the Coronavirus outbreak, temporary Superintendent Hannah Wheeler was seconded to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services. Hannah moved to lead the work of establishing and...

04 Jan 2021

Inspiring Wells Geologists!

In the run up to the Christmas break, Old Wellensian geologist Guy Hatcher gave an online lecture to Upper Sixth geologists.After finishing at Wells in 2006 Guy completed a BSc and MA in Geology at the University of Leeds before pursuing a career in geology. He has spent much of his career in Africa, initially in Ghana, before moving to the Democratic Republic of Congo and then to Zambia as an exploration geologist searching for and extracting copper deposits.In his...

Children singing Christmas carols at Wells Preparatory School in Somerset

14 Dec 2020

Wells Celebrates Christmas

During the final few days of term, Wells pupils enjoyed a number of celebratory Christmas events, suitably modified to allow for social distancing.On Wednesday, pupils wore Christmas jumpers and enjoyed a festive lunch in the canteen, prepared by our award-winning catering team, and with the Head Master himself joining the serving crew!On Thursday, for an extra treat, candyfloss was served outside Cedars House, which was particularly enjoyed by staff!And on Friday – the final day of term – the whole...

09 Dec 2020

Year 7 and 8 Christmas Dodgeball

Pupils in Years 7 and 8 were unable to have their usual Christmas disco this year, but instead played dodgeball as their end of term social event!Great fun and tremendous enthusiasm, skill and spirit was shown by everyone.

08 Dec 2020

Specialist Maths with Simon Singh

This term, Wells Specialist Mathematicians in Years 7 to 11 have been taking part in weekly problem solving activities set by popular science author, theoretical and particle physicist and mathematician Simon Singh, author of books such as Fermat’s Last Theorem’ and ‘The Simpsons and their Mathematical Secrets’. Recently pupils were invited to win a 30 minute online tutorial with Simon. Year 7 pupil Archie Blee was one of 100 lucky Year 7 and 8 pupils from across the country to get...

Junior School Art at Wells Private School

08 Dec 2020

Junior School Art Exhibition

Junior School pupils have worked incredibly hard in their Art classes over the Michaelmas and Advent terms and we wanted to share their achievements with this virtual exhibition of work: Junior School Virtual Art Exhibition Each year group has covered a variety of topics and used different mediums, looked at different subject matter and studied numerous artists.Year 3 investigated leaves and drew from observation. They then used the colour, shape, and patterns found in the leaves to create large scale...

08 Dec 2020

Christmas Concert

On Monday evening there was a beautiful live streamed Christmas Concert from Cedars Hall, as the community commenced festivities for the final week of the Advent term.The seasonal musical programme incorporated performances from the talented Chamber Choir, Senior Stylists, Lower School Choir and instrumental ensembles.From the joyful ‘Air’ from Handel’s Water Music, to rousing renditions of ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’ and ‘We Wish you a Merry Christmas’, performances were enthusiastically engaging, with the evening rounded off in style with...

Senior School Art at Wells Secondary School

08 Dec 2020

Senior School Virtual Art Exhibition

Senior School pupils have worked hard over the Michaelmas and Advent terms. Here is a selection of their work: Senior School Virtual Art Exhibition

Duke of Edinburgh Award at Wells Private High School

07 Dec 2020

Duke of Edinburgh Awards

Congratulations to the following pupils who have achieved their Duke of Edinburgh Certificates of Achievement or full Awards.Certificates of AchievementGold: Lucy Harris, Upper SixthSilver:Annabel Ake, Year 11Eliza Green, Year 11Lara Keirle, Year 11Sophie Morrell, Lower Sixth Bronze:Annie Banks, Year 10Full AwardsSilver:Sam Lemmon, Lower SixthBronze:Demi Adekola, Year 11Nathaniel Halls, Year 11Felix Redman, Year 11Joshua Christensen, Lower SixthZachary Hannam, Upper Sixth

07 Dec 2020

Concerts Continue Apace

Over the final two weeks of term, musicians from across the school have taken part in a series of departmental concerts, held in Cedars Hall, with many live streamed to invited audiences.Over the last weekend in November, members of the Brass department performed a wide repertoire from Jazz to classical at the Teatime Brass Concert, while String players performed pieces by Shostakovich, Rachmaninov, Haydn and many others at the Strings Performance Platform.At the start of December, pupils’ stunning compositions were...

07 Dec 2020

International Piano Competition Winner

Congratulations to Lower Sixth pianist Bridget Yee, who has just been awarded First Prize in the prestigious Putra International Piano Competition, in the Piano Concerto Young Artist (19 and below) section, playing the first movement of the Ravel Piano Concerto in G.The judging panel consisted of six members from five nations, included Armen Babakhanian, Ádám György and Julian Jacobson.Competition was tough with entrants from 27 countries and prizes only awarded to pianists playing at the very highest standard.Well done Bridget!

01 Dec 2020

A Christmas Cracker!

Pupils in Pre-Prep and Nursery have been incredibly creative over the last few weeks, honing their acting, singing and dancing skills for the end of term Christmas Cracker. Some photos of their wonderful preparations can be viewed here.

01 Dec 2020

Virtual Musical Advent Calendar

The Choir and Organists of Wells Cathedral have spent the second lockdown recording plenty of music for online offerings during Advent. One of these projects is a set of 25 pieces for 25 days – the perfect way to countdown to Christmas! A new musical gift will be available every morning throughout Advent from 9am, so don’t forget to visit daily for a festive treat!Virtual Musical Advent Calendar

Cross Country for Our Private Secondary School

30 Nov 2020

Senior School Cross Country

Senior School pupils participated in House Cross Country throughout last week, with races completed in separate year groups. Over 350 pupils participated across the week with some absolutely thrilling finishes to each race, including a new school record! Winners of each year group were:Year 7Boys – George BroomheadGirls – Tilly Fitton-WhiteYear 8Boys – Daniel AllenGirls – Linsey MitchellYear 9 Boys – Arthur SharpGirls – Tabitha HeaselgraveYear 10Boys – Dougie SharpGirls – Sophie Nicholls New School recordSenior Boys – Oskar EdwardsGirls – Sophie...

30 Nov 2020

Senior Mathematics Challenge Golds 2020

Congratulations to four Senior Wells pupils who have achieved Gold Awards in this year’s Senior UK Mathematics Challenge: Jason Kong in Year 11, Joshua Ng in the Lower Sixth, and Harry Chantrey and Leo Li in the Upper Sixth.38 Senior Wells pupils sat the challenge in early November, the majority of whom completed the paper in its usual paper format whilst a few completed the paper simultaneously remotely via a computer link. The top 10% achievers are awarded Gold Certificates...

30 Nov 2020

Trading Places Writing Competition

Year 9 pupil Harry Jordan came away with a richly-deserved prize of £50 after being placed 3rd in the country for the University of Greenwich’s ‘Trading Places’ creative writing competition.Writing entirely independently, Harry read Victorian working class trade magazines on the University’s website to research the context for his story and wrote an impressively mature and sophisticated response which shared with Dickens, George Eliot and others a real concern for and understanding of the conditions of labour in Britain in...

30 Nov 2020

1,111th Birthday

Wells celebrated its 1,111th Birthday on Monday, on St Andrew’s Day, with a Wells Cathedral Service and celebratory St Andrew’s Day cake.Sixth formers attended Wells Cathedral for the Monday Morning Service, which was live streamed to the rest of the School community.At morning break, pupils and staff enjoyed a heart slice of the cake; followed by a St Andrew’s Day themed lunch arranged by Trevor and his team. The St Andrew’s flag flew from the roof of Cedars to mark...

TuneUpTuesday at Our Independent Secondary School

25 Nov 2020

Tune up Tuesday – Celebrating the Importance of the Arts

Pupils at Wells, along with thousands of young people from across the country, took part in the uplifting online event #tuneupTuesday this week.The event aimed to highlight the importance of the arts, whilst continuing to encourage young people to pursue a career in this amazing industry, despite the difficulties posed by covid-19.Pupils had the opportunity to access a free library of five minute activities designed by professionals to develop artistic skills, covering music, dance, art, drama, design, poetry, screenwriting and...

24 Nov 2020

Bronze Food for Life Award Renewal

Congratulations to Trevor Phillips and the hard working Catering Team at Wells who have had their Bronze Food For Life Award renewed following a recent inspection!Despite the logistical difficulties of catering for hundreds of pupils and staff during a global pandemic, the team has continued to serve healthy, tasty meals throughout the term time and the holidays, when many boarders have been unable to return home, and it is wonderful that their hard work has been recognised once again.

23 Nov 2020

November Exeat Weekend Activities

This weekend boarders enjoyed an Exeat-with-a-difference. Due to the national lockdown there were almost 200 boarders across a wide age range staying at School who engaged with well over 30 different activities.There was a buzz of activity around the School with frisbee, badminton, dance, supervised academic study, music practice, and a host of dog walks and hikes into the Somerset countryside.New relationships were forged and pupils enjoyed the opportunity to try new hobbies as well as renew past interests. Above...

Wells Private Secondary School Pupil Lily is off to Princeton

23 Nov 2020

Lily Headed for Princeton

Huge congratulations to Upper Sixth pupil Lily Webb, who has been awarded a prestigious four year hockey bursary to attend Princeton University for the forthcoming academic year.Princeton University, a top ten Ivy League research university in New Jersey is the fourth oldest college in the United States. Famous for its faculty of world-renowned scholars and inclusive global community of students, Princeton alumni are well known for their ‘Tiger spirit’.Whilst she is there, Lily will play field hockey for the celebrated...

Explore Learning Writers' Award Winner attends Our Independent Primary School

20 Nov 2020

Explore Learning Writers’ Awards Winner 2020

Congratulations to 11 year old aspiring writer Heidi Ashton in Year 6, whose story ‘No Longer Hidden’ has been chosen from thousands of entries as the Overall Winner in the prestigious national Explore Learning Writers’ Awards (ELWAs) 2020. Heidi, along with fellow Wells Year 6 classmate, Maisie Warner, were both initially shortlisted for the Top 100 Finalist List in the annual competition, having extended their creative writing skills over the October half term break as part of the Year 6...

20 Nov 2020

Odd Socks for Anti-Bullying Week

To mark Anti-Bullying Week, the Sixth Form wore odd socks on Thursday to indicate our School’s commitment to kindness, individuality and as a way of demonstrating that we do not tolerate or accept bullying at Wells.

Wells Private Primary School Wildlife Artist Exhibition Winner

20 Nov 2020

Wildlife Artists Exhibition Winner

Congratulations to Year 5 pupil Michael Dey, whose artwork ‘Go Wild’ has won the 8-12 year old category of the RSPB sponsored entry to the 57th Society of Wildlife Artists Natural Eye Exhibition.The Natural Eye, the annual exhibition of the Society of Wildlife Artists, showcases the very best of fine art inspired by the natural world. Renowned for displaying a wide-ranging collection of exciting and thought-provoking work including sculpture, printmaking, painting and drawing, there will always be something to delight...

We Help Children in Need at Wells Independent Primary School

19 Nov 2020

Pre-Prep Pupils Support Children in Need

Pre-Prep pupils were very keen to raise money for this year’s Children in Need, which took place on Friday 13th November.Year 2 pupils took charge, choosing the theme of ‘film characters’, creating their own video for the Pre-Prep Tapestry portal to make everyone aware of the plans, and asking everyone to dress up as their favourite character and to bring at least £1 as a donation.On the day, pupils dressed creatively, with brilliant costumes of characters from Star Wars, Harry...

Netball Activities at Our Senior Secondary School

19 Nov 2020

Netball Success for Lauren and Madison

Congratulations to Upper Sixth pupil Lauren Wilkinson, who has been selected for the Severn Stars National Performance League U19 long squad, following a series of trials in October. Wells Head of Netball, Lisa Jarvis, said, “This is a huge achievement and will be a big commitment for Lauren involving travelling to Worcester twice a week to train and play with the squad. She works so hard on her netball and thoroughly deserves this success.”The National Performance Leagues (NPL) are England...

18 Nov 2020

Concert Series Continues at Cedars Hall

Despite the restrictions of covid-19, musicians at Wells have been actively involved in a number of high quality performances across the whole musical range over the last two weeks, with a series of concerts held in Cedars Hall.In addition to the popular and well-attended Performance Platforms for both Vocal and Woodwind musicians in Cedars Hall last week, involving 27 vocalists and 17 Woodwind musicians, Friday’s impressive Popular Music Concert featured performances of compositions by our very own talented array of...

16 Nov 2020

Upper Sixth University Offers and Music College Auditions

Only a month after the first UCAS deadline of 15th October, Upper Sixth pupils, who applied early to University, have received more than 50 offers for places at top institutions across the UK. The majority of offers are from Russell Group Universities to study subjects as diverse as Aeronautics, Classics, Geography, Music, Philosophy and Theology, and Psychology.Many Wells Upper Sixth musicians are also in the process of applying to Conservatoire through applications and recorded auditions, used this year for the...

13 Nov 2020

Top 100 Writing Competition Finalists

Congratulations to Heidi Ashton and Maisie Warner, both budding young writers in Year 6, who have been shortlisted from thousands of entries for the Top 100 finalists in the national Explore Learning Story Competition 2020.Year 6 pupils extended their writing skills over the October half term break by creating 500 word stories to enter into the Explore Learning Writers’ Competition. Children aged 4-14 years of age were invited from across the Uk to pen a 500 word story on the...

11 Nov 2020

Last Post Trumpeters Perform in the Community

Despite many of this year’s local Remembrance Services being cancelled due to COVID-19, Wells trumpeters have still managed to perform The Last Post and Reveille for local communities at Services on Remembrance Sunday and on Armistice Day.Charlie Ballamy and George Wareham, both in Year 9, played at Maiden Bradley Church and Binegar Church, respectively; Erin Davies and Grace Davies, both in Year 11, played at Wells Cathedral and Ditcheat War Memorial, respectively; Charlie Spencer, in the Lower Sixth, played at...

11 Nov 2020

School Remembrance Service

In the absence of the usual whole school Remembrance Assemblies, this year Remembrance was observed by pupils, teachers and staff before the start of morning lessons on Armistice Day, with a recording of Sunday’s Memorial Service, followed by two minutes silence.As part of the recording and in line with the School’s traditional Service, pupils recited war poetry, in both German and in English and there was a reading from The Book of Wisdom.In this the 80th anniversary of the Battle...

10 Nov 2020

A Level Photography Exhibition 2020

We are currently holding a 2020 A Level Photography Exhibition in the John Baxter Foyer of Cedars Hall which showcases some of the final outcomes produced by last year’s A Level pupils as part of their Personal Investigation Unit. There is a range of creative responses on display, from nature and wildlife photography, to fashion and street photography.Enjoy the images from the exhibition, below:

10 Nov 2020

Lower School Art Exhibition

We are currently holding a Lower School KS3 Art Exhibition within the Art department gallery, showcasing outcomes and sketchbooks created by pupils in Years 7 to 9. Project themes have included Structures, Natural Forms and Identity. See below for a selection of work.We are very proud of all our Lower School pupils’ efforts and the high standard of work achieved.

Wells Private High School Somerset Selection

09 Nov 2020

Somerset Selection for Will

Congratulations to Year 5 pupil William Sharp, who has been selected for the Somerset U11 County Cricket squad.Wells Director of Sport, Tom Webley said, “This achievement is particularly exceptional considering Will is just nine years old. He possesses a huge amount of potential and we look forward to watching him progress in the years ahead.”

Wells Private Secondary School Drum Line

09 Nov 2020

Drum Line for Remembrance

In the absence of the Wells CCF being able to lead the City’s Remembrance Parade this year, here is the Drum Line in action, recorded last week: Wells Drum Line

09 Nov 2020

Love through the Ages

Wells Head of English, Neil Bowen, will be presenting at the English in Action Love Through the Ages online conference for pupils studying English A level next week.Neil will be one of five expert lecturers delivering a day that is filled with a love for learning, inspiring pupils to dive deeper into key texts and to excel in their examinations.Neil, an acclaimed author in his own right, will be presenting an informative session on representations of love in poetry. He...

09 Nov 2020

Reflections on Remembrance

In our virtual Whole School Assembly last week, Head of History, Chris Eldridge, gave this Reflection on Remembrance, a fitting tribute, in this 102nd year marking the end of the First World War: Remembrance Day is an opportunity to reflect on the dead and veterans of all wars. It was, as many of you know, conceived in the aftermath of the First World War, hence the choice of the 11th November, the date that war stopped. Not a single person alive...

Wells Secondary Boarding School Fundraises for Save the Children

09 Nov 2020

Save the Children Walk with a Difference

Congratulations to all those involved in this year’s Save the Children Sponsored Walk with a Difference, held annually at Wells since 1966, but in 2020, held as a first non-cohesive event in the School’s history, as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.Pupils in their own chosen groups, in Houses and in families walked or ran the 10km or 5 km distance over a two week period before half term and together raised £2,065. The Save the Children committee in Wells are...

03 Nov 2020

Luke’s Film Debut Available on Netflix

This weekend, Year 10 pupil Luke Doyle’s film debut in the award-winning and emotive story, The Song of Names, will be available to view on Netflix for the very first time.The film, directed by Francois Girard, is based on the award-winning novel of the same name by Norman Lebrecht, with the screenplay written by Jeffrey Caine.Starring Clive Owen, Tim Roth and Catherine McCormack, The Song of Names is a heart-wrenching tale of friendship, faith, betrayal and classical music – with...

England Hockey Trials for Wells Private High School

03 Nov 2020

Hockey Success for Wells Seniors

Senior School Wells hockey players are enjoying success across the age ranges, with many selected for trials and matches over the October break and the weeks ahead. Three pupils are taking part in England Hockey trials this week: good luck to Year 11 pupil Oskar Edwards for the Under 16 trials, and to Year 11 pupil Charles Rowley and Upper Sixth pupil, Lily Webb for the Under 18 trials.Archie Bray, Monty Pratt and Ralf Warner, all in Year 9, played...

03 Nov 2020

Announcement of Head of Wells Cathedral School Junior School

The Governing Body of Wells Cathedral School is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Jody Wells as Head of Wells Cathedral School Junior School with effect from 1 September 2021. He will succeed Mrs Julie Barrow who will now retire at the end of the Trinity Term 2021 after over thirty years of dedicated and committed service to the School.The Governors and School are heartened to have made an appointment from a strong and very experienced field of candidates.Jody...

02 Nov 2020

Hereford Cathedral Organ Scholarship

Congratulations to Upper Sixth organist François Cloete, who has been awarded the organ scholarship at Hereford Cathedral following auditions and interviews over the half term break.François will start his year-long position at the Cathedral next September, before taking up his place at Merton College, Oxford as organ scholar and to read Music, the following year.

02 Nov 2020

Recorder Masterclass

Thank you to Ian Wilson, principal recorder professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, for an inspiring masterclass with Wells specialist recorder players just before the half term break. Recorder playing at Wells goes from strength to strength thanks to our fabulous recorder teacher Tabea Debus.

13 Oct 2020

Duke of Edinburgh Award Certificates of Achievement

Congratulations to 33 Senior School pupils who have been awarded Certificates of Achievement by the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme for completing the three or four sections of their Duke of Edinburgh Award, minus the Expedition, during the lockdown period.In recognition of their efforts, The Duke of Edinburgh Award has formally recognised their achievements in the face of the unprecedented challenges caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.Director of Outdoor Learning and School CCF Contingent Commander, Major Elks, said “It is an...

13 Oct 2020

François Awarded Postgraduate Diploma

Congratulations to Upper Sixth musician, François Cloete, who has just been awarded a postgraduate Associates Diploma (ARCO) from the Royal College of Organists.Associateship of the College indicates a standard of professional competency in organ playing technique, essential keyboard skills and interpretative understanding. It also indicates accuracy in aural perception and fluency in those written disciplines (standard stylistic techniques and analysis of performance and historical issues in relation to organ repertoire) which support practical musicianship. The Associateship examination consists of two...

12 Oct 2020

Independent School of the Year for Performing Arts

We are delighted to have been chosen as Independent School of the Year 2020 for Performing Arts!Wells secured the title, awarded by Independent School Parent Magazine, for “really living their philosophy of ‘Be what you can be’ [sic] through their elite and general programmes.”Head Master, Alastair Tighe said, “This is such a fantastic achievement. It is truly wonderful that the efforts, commitment and talents of so many colleagues and pupils have been recognised in this way. It is a particular...

Tom Webley, Director of Sport at our Private Secondary School in Somerset

12 Oct 2020

Elite Coaching Masters Awarded to Tom

Very many congratulations to Wells Director of Sport, Tom Webley, who has been awarded an MSc in Elite Coaching from the University of Gloucestershire.For his specialised dissertation, ‘The impact of an independent education on sporting participation and success.‘, Tom conducted a vast amount of research into extra-curricular programmes at both independent and state schools throughout the country. His exploration found that pupils who attended independent schools had significantly increased opportunities to excel at sport, with particular reference to the quality...

07 Oct 2020

Ian Murphy Drawing Workshops

As part of their Skills Foundation Course for GCSE and A Level Art, Year 10 and Lower Sixth artists participated in an advanced drawing masterclass with internationally renowned artist Ian Murphy this week. They enjoyed an action-packed day, learning and experimenting with new and exciting drawing techniques and utilising a diverse range of alternative drawing and mark-making media processes. The pupils were inspired by Ian’s infectious passion for drawing, his inspirational demonstrations and supportive, individual advice.Head of Art, Linzi Stockdale-Bridson...

07 Oct 2020

Double Oxbridge Organ Scholarships

Huge congratulations to Upper Sixth pupils François Cloete and June Rippon, who have both been awarded organ scholarships and offers to read Music at Merton College, Oxford and St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, respectively, for the next academic year. A double organ scholarship first for Wells!

05 Oct 2020

Robinson Award Winner

Congratulations to Junior School trumpeter, Cole Craggs, winner of a Future Talent Robinson Award, at the tender age of just 10 years old.Cole, who is in Year 6 at Wells, originally applied to Future Talent’s Junior Programme. Having reviewed the video sent with his application, the adjudicating team suggested that he audition for their main programme, usually intended for 16 – 17 year olds. Cole was offered the full Robinson Award of £1,000 after he impressed their audition panel with renditions of...

02 Oct 2020

Bridget Wins Gold at International Solo Competition

Many congratulations to Lower Sixth pianist Bridget Yee who has been awarded First Prize and a Gold Medal with Honour at the prestigious He Yue International Online Instrumental Solo Competition.Bridget played the Scarlatti Piano Sonata in G Major and Chopin’s Barcarolle in F# Major for the virtual performance in the Final.The online closing ceremony for the competition will be broadcasted on Facebook on the evening of 17th October.

30 Sep 2020

Two Moors Festival Winner

The delayed 2020 Two Moors Festival Competition took place over the last weekend in September at Taunton School, and seven Wells woodwind musicians took part. Congratulations to Year 10 clarinettist Leo Wong, who was one of the four winners of this prestigious competition, winning a significant financial prize. Year 9 flautist Lily Owens and Upper Sixth recorder player Cordelia Murray Brown were runners up. All three Wells prize winners will take part in a masterclass with Anna Menzies focusing on performance skills, before...

Medals at Wells Secondary Private School in Somerset

30 Sep 2020

Wells CCF Ongoing Success

The Wells CCF is going from strength to strength, with over 200 enrolled cadets, plus their officers, now active members of the School Contingent. School Contingent Commander, Stuart Elks is promoted to Major in line with the increased scale of the Contingent, whilst Contingent Training Officer and School Staff Instructor, Glyn Lancey is promoted to Captain. Glyn is also the Company Commander of the Somerset Army Cadet Force, based in Taunton, where he is in charge of eight detachments, and hundreds...

30 Sep 2020

Upper Sixth Geology Field Trip

It was great to see the Upper Sixth geologists able to continue their mandatory fieldwork exercises in Portishead last week. Socially distanced sedimentary logging and sketching, face masks in minibus, hand gel, rule of six between localities and individual equipment in ziplocks meant that it was a little different from previous years, but the quality of work was excellent and the day was enjoyed by all.

30 Sep 2020

Year 7 Team Building

Year 7 pupils made the most of last week’s beautiful weather as they completed a variety of activities to develop team building skills. The event was coordinated by Graham Norris who adjusted the programme to meet the most up to date Covid-19 guidelines. Head of Year, David Rowley said, “It was good to see the pupils responding well to the challenges and working on behaviours to stand them in good stead both inside and outside the classroom.”

29 Sep 2020

First Team Cricket Match Played in Glorious Surroundings

On Thursday the First XI played their opening cricket match of the year against King’s Bruton, on the glorious Cedars Field pitch, delighted to be back playing competitive team sport for the first time in many months.Wells Director of Sport, Tom Webley said, “It was fantastic to be out playing cricket again! The boys thoroughly enjoyed the game and their excitement was clear to see.”The Wells Grounds Team ensured that the pitch played superbly well and the beautiful School grounds...

29 Sep 2020

Sheku Kanneh-Mason Visits Wells

Cellist and BBC Young Musician of the Year Winner 2016, Sheku Kanneh-Mason performed a version of the Dvorak Cello Concerto especially arranged for reduced forces in the Cathedral on 16th September, with the Fantasia Orchestra and the conductor Tom Fetherstonhaugh.The musicians rehearsed on the evening of the 15th, and members of the Wells Cathedral School Strings Department were invited to attend this rehearsal.Accompanied by a number of Graduate Music Assistants and Wells Co-ordinator of Strings, Simon Smith, 25 pupils were...

25 Sep 2020

Year 10 GCSE Artwork

Year 10 pupils studying Art have already completed some high quality drawings this term as part of the Personal Portfolio component of their Art GCSE. This incorporates a skills foundation which includes drawing, painting, print, digital and mixed media on a variety of themes. The initial drawings form part of the Man-Made / Natural Structures theme.Head of Art, Linzi Stockdale-Bridson has been particularly encouraged by the high standard of the work completed to date.

CCF at Wells Private Sixth Form College and Independent Senior School

23 Sep 2020

Activity Afternoon for Wells CCF Cadets

Senior Wells CCF cadets enjoyed an afternoon of rigorous activities in their year groupings on Wednesday, directed by recently promoted Major Stuart Elks, the Contingent Commander.After a fully distanced parade inspection at the front of Cedars, the cadets split into groups to focus on key physical and leadership activities. Year 10 cadets took part in Royal Navy Gun Run training and Life Raft Flipping; cadets in Year 11 learned Infantry Section Attack skills; whilst the Lower and Upper Sixth cadets...

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