FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Boarding is available from Year 4. Claver Morris House, our Prep Boarding House, is a home away from home for our youngest boarders. Its beautiful house and grounds create a warm, caring family-style boarding school. Each of the six single-sex Senior School Houses is a large family-type unit that integrates 25-45 boarding pupils with designated day pupils. Ritchie House is a bespoke, Sixth Form coeducational house designed to provide a stepping stone from school life to university.

Yes, Wells Cathedral School is a through-school for pupils aged 2-18. The Nursery caters for children aged 2-4; Pre-Prep is for pupils in Reception through Year 2; Prep School is for pupils in Years 3-6; Senior School is for pupils in Years 7- 11 and Sixth Form for pupils in Years 12-13.

Wells Cathedral School achieved the highest possible description of “Excellent” in both pupil achievement (including academic development) and personal development in its 2023 Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Report, which stated ‘Pupils’ knowledge, skills and understanding are excellent in all areas of the curriculum and develop strongly as they move through the school.’ and ‘The school has a culture where all are respected and valued for who they are. Wells Cathedral School is an excellent example where a wide range of individuals: extremely gifted musicians, mathematicians, sports players, boarding and day pupils and the neurodiverse interact with respect, sensitivity and tolerance.’

At Wells Cathedral School, we embrace and promote four key values: Creativity, Aspiration, Responsibility and Endeavour. It is no accident that these values spell CARE, and first and foremost we encourage our pupils to be caring, careful and kind.

‘Esto Quod Es’  has been Wells Cathedral School’s Motto since at least the 19th century when the School was re-founded. But the words of the Motto are very much older, taken as they are from the personal motto of Aelfric, one of the Anglo Saxon Archbishops of Canterbury, who himself was inspired by the words of the Ancient Greek lyric poet, Pindar.

The adopted translation ‘Be what you are’ succinctly and powerfully represents the School’s belief in the individuality of each pupil. But the School is also very conscious that school should also be about discovering who you are so their purpose is to equip all pupils with the ability to enjoy a lifetime of discovery.

Wells offers 21 sports options across the year. They have competitive 1st teams in the major sports and compete successfully with other strong sports schools. In the past few years Wells have had over 35 pupils represent county level or above, including pupils who represent Great Britain. Wells offers a Sport Scholars Programme for pupils who have the potential to make an outstanding contribution to Sport at Wells.

Yes, Wells Cathedral School is a through-school for pupils aged 2-18. The Nursery caters for children aged 2-4; Pre-Prep is for pupils in Reception through Year 2; Prep School is for pupils in Years 3-6; Senior School is for pupils in Years 7- 11 and Sixth Form for pupils in Years 12-13.

As one of the four Specialist Music Schools in the UK, Wells receives funding from The Department for Education’s Music and Dance scheme, which offers means-tested funding for young musicians aged 8-18 who meet certain eligibility criteria that is worth up to 100% of tuition, boarding and music tuition fees. Unlike Chetham’s, Purcell and Yehudi Menuhin, Wells is the only Specialist Music School that is part of an ‘all-round school’.

Wells provides an all-round education. Alongside this, Wells offers world-class Specialist Music for those pupils who wish to further their studies at conservatoire level when they leave Wells (successful auditions are required). About 30% of Wells Senior School/Sixth Form pupils are Specialist Musicians.