History trip to Normandy
This half Term, the History Department took a group of 36 Year 9s, 10s and 11s to visit sites associated with D-Day and the subsequent... Read More
OLD WELLENSIANS
It is a great privilege to welcome you as Old Wellensians back to your School. There is a true family-spirit here and I am delighted that through the good work of the Wellensian Association and others, our community extends well beyond current pupils and parents and that there are opportunities for all former pupils to stay in touch with the School. No matter where you live or work now, no matter how often you or your fellow Wellensians are able to physically return to Wells, you are, and always will be, part of the Wells Cathedral School family, and you are always welcome here.
I am determined that my colleagues and I, as the current custodians of the School, work hard, therefore, to keep you in touch with what your old School is up to and let you know what your successors as Wellensians are doing. We are launching a monthly eBulletin for OWs which will include news, invitations and other information we hope will be of interest. So do please ensure that we have up to date contact details for you using the form below, and if you know of any Wellensians who aren’t already receiving our notifications please encourage them to let us have accurate records.
I’m also keen to extend an invitation to all Old Wellensians to contribute in some way to the education we offer here through opportunities to engage with our current pupils perhaps by offering to give a lecture or a recital, lead a roundtable discussion about something you are passionate about, or offer careers advice. We will be launching a Careers Fair in the Spring, for example, with the aim of providing our pupils with a chance to hear from OWs, as well as current and past parents, about the wealth of opportunity which awaits them after they leave School. These are just some ideas – you may well have your own, and please get in touch with us via the Foundation Office if you do.
Finally, do please remember that we are keen to see OWs back at their old School; you are always very welcome!
Alastair Tighe, Head Master of Wells Cathedral School
Latest News
Old Wellensian Rising Stars concert
It was a pleasure to welcome back two Old Wellensians to launch the new concert series Rising Stars. Sejin Yoon (piano, 2021) and Maddie Perring... Read More
BBC Young Musician live auditions 2024
The BBC Young Musician live audition highlights have been broadcast on BBC Four and are now available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Take a look... Read More
Wells Cathedral School unveils new app
We are thrilled to announce that a new Wells Cathedral School app is available to download for free on the App Store and Google Play.... Read More
OW appointed Principal Oboe with Orchestra of The Royal Opera House
Congratulations to OW Fergus McCready (2018) who has recently been appointed Principal Oboe with the Orchestra of The Royal Opera House. Fergus was a Specialist... Read More
Niall Mellis memorial Rugby match
This year’s Rugby officially began on Friday 6th September as our Senior 1st XV played their annual fixture against Wells Rugby Club. This event holds... Read More
Bronze at Paris Olympics
Huge congratulations to OWs Annie Campbell-Orde (2014), pictured, one of the Team GB Women’s Eight rowers, and Molly Lloyd Jones (2011), who worked alongside her... Read More
Year 10 German end of year lesson
Pupils in Mrs Alabiso’s Year 10 German class had a unique lesson to end the year. With the help of OW Franka, who was completing... Read More
OW takes to the stage at Glastonbury Festival
Who was at Glastonbury Festival? You might have seen Hetta Falzon (2022) on the Bread & Roses Stage at 3pm on Friday 28th June! Playing... Read More
OW ordained at Wells Cathedral
James Hall (2006) was ordained as a deacon by the Bishop of Bath and Wells at Wells Cathedral on Sunday 30th June. James was a... Read More
OW returns to Wells for work experience
In June we were delighted to welcome back Franka Wielath for work experience in our Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Department.Franka, who was one of our... Read More
Wellensian Association 100th birthday party
The Wellensian Association was thrilled to welcome over 150 Old Wellenisans to their 100th Association Reunion on Saturday 22nd June.From Luxembourg, Switzerland and Germany to... Read More
OW to compete in Paris Olympics
Huge congratulations to OW Annie Campbell-Orde (2014) who is heading to Paris as one of the Team GB rowers! Annie will be competing in the... Read More
Percussionists record for Snareobics app
Our Percussionists had an exciting morning on Tuesday 14th May, recording alongside the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO)’s Co-Principal Percussion Sam Walton and Old Wellensians Robbie... Read More
Intermediate Mathematics Challenge 2024
In February, 98 pupils from Years 9, 10 and 11 sat this year’s Intermediate Mathematics Challenge, a 60 minute problem-solving multiple choice test designed to... Read More
Choristers work with OW Hollywood composer
On Wednesday 27th March, the Choristers recorded the soundtrack for a new video game with music composed by OW David Buckley (1994). As the rest... Read More
Antonia Showering visit to Art Department
On Wednesday 7th February, Old Wellensian and leading contemporary figurative painter Antonia Showering visited the Art Department to have a tour of the Art studios... Read More
OW Emily is fastest female cross-country skier in the Army
OW Emily Smith (2014), currently serving in The Rifles (an infantry regiment with strong connections to Wells), has successfully defended her title as the fastest... Read More
OW Lola performs with Mid-Somerset Orchestra
OW Lola Frisby Williams (2023), who is currently reading Music at the University of Cambridge, gave a stunning rendition of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A... Read More
Pre-Prep assemblies: from farms to fossils!
The Pre-Prep enjoyed assemblies from two special visitors! OW Tom Gay, AKA ‘Farmer Tom’, came to share stories with the children in a talk about... Read More
Year 6 career advice on Civil Engineering
Year 6 pupils sat in Ritchie Hall for a talk about Civil Engineering. OW Emily Johnstone (2004) spoke to the children about her time at... Read More
OW Nina gives English-Speaking Union talk
On Wednesday 20th December, pianist Nina Savićević (2019) spoke at an English-Speaking Union (ESU) luncheon in conversation with Philip Maunder, the Chair of the Devon... Read More
OW Michael Eavis awarded knighthood
Glastonbury Festival creator Michael Eavis (1954), pictured in the Eavis Auditorium at the opening of Cedars Hall, has been awarded a knighthood for services to... Read More
OW Joe Arnold and Trinity Laban Trombone Collective visit Wells
OW Joe Arnold (2008) returned to Wells to deliver masterclasses and workshops to current trombone pupils alongside Trinity Laban students and some children from local schools. In the... Read More
Jāzeps Vītols International Piano Competition
Two Old Wellensians have been awarded prizes in this prestigious competition which was held in Latvia in October. Julian Chan (2018) and Mykyta Burzanitsa (2019)... Read More
CCF Biennial Inspection
On Wednesday 4th October the Combined Cadet Force underwent their Biennial Inspection through the watchful eyes of the Reviewing Officer (RO) Commodore Rachel Singleton, herself... Read More
OW celebrates places at Drama School and NYT
Drama Scholar OW Clemmie Macfarlane (2022) successfully auditioned for one of only 22 places on the BA (Hons) Acting for Stage and Screen at the... Read More
Percussion concert with Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
On Thursday 21st September the Music Department welcomed Percussionists from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) for a lively evening of playful Percussion. The collaboration was... Read More
OW performs at Glastonbury Festival
OW Hetta Falzon (2022) was selected for one of the highly coveted Wild Card slots on the Rumshack stage at Glastonbury Festival, a five-day festival... Read More
Coronation celebrations continue
The School was involved with the King’s Coronation Celebrations in Wells, with the Senior Jazz Combo headlining the event and Woody Collins (Year 10) and... Read More
Wells Cathedral School celebrates the Coronation
We’re celebrating the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla through a range of activities over the coming weeks.Head Master Alastair Tighe... Read More
OW Megan speaks to Lower Sixth Geologists
OW Megan Taylor (2020) visited the School to talk to our Lower Sixth Geologists. She is currently at St Anne’s College Oxford studying Earth Sciences,... Read More
Choir of Royal Holloway visit Wells
On Saturday 11th March, the Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London, were welcomed to Wells Cathedral with their conductor, Rupert Gough. The Choir gave... Read More
Black Swan Young Open 2023 – Art Competition Success
During half term we were delighted to be informed that seven of our pupils’ entries to the Black Swan Young Open 2023 art competition were... Read More
Mr Bowen co-writes two new books
Mr Bowen, our Senior School Head of English, has recently released the two latest books in his ‘The Art of…’ series, which he co-authors and... Read More
Nina launches Topsham Music Festival
OW Nina Savićević (2019) will be directing the first Topsham Music Festival, three days of classical concerts from 14-16 April 2023. Nina describes wanting to... Read More
Lower Sixth Mock Interviews
On Friday 27 January we welcomed a host of external interviewers to give our Lower Sixth pupils the experience of a mock interview in Cedars Hall. The... Read More
School Welcomes New Chaplain
The School’s new chaplain, Reverend Tom Handy, was licensed by the Right Reverend Dr Michael Beasley, Bishop of Bath and Wells, during our morning service.... Read More
OW Reunion
We were delighted to see so many Old Wellensians at our London Christmas Drinks Social on Thursday 24th November. OWs were joined by Alison Armstrong... Read More
MUGA Plaque
We are thrilled to have installed a plaque at our Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) thanking the generosity of donors to an Annual Fund for... Read More
BBC Young Musician 2022 Category Finals
The BBC Young Musician of the Year category finals, featuring violinist Dawid Kasprzak (Lower Sixth) and French Horn player Imogen Moorsom (OW 2022), have been... Read More
Founders and Benefactors’ Dinner
The Founders and Benefactors’ dinner is the School’s way of acknowledging and thanking those who have contributed to the School and its development whether through... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
Wellensian Association Horizons Awards
Congratulations to the following pupils, who have each been awarded £500 by the Wellensian Association towards the cost of their chosen projects:Emilia Candlin (Upper Sixth)... Read More
Bristol Suspensions Crowned ICCA UK Champions
Congratulations to The Bristol Suspensions, directed by Old Wellensian Robbie Armstrong, who have been crowned UK champions of collegiate a cappella, and now go on... Read More
Verity Signs with Intermusica
Congratulations to Old Wellensian Verity Wingate, a successful lyric soprano who has recently signed with Intermusica, an award-winning international classical music agency, for representation worldwide.Verity... Read More
Sam Wedgwood Provides Inspiration
Sixth form pupils studying A level Music Technology were treated to expert feedback on their creative work and inspiring career advice from esteemed media composer... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
Old Wellensian Wins Gold Medal
Congratulations to Old Wellensian violinist Eleanor Corr, who has recently won the Royal Over-Seas League Gold Medal, and the £15,000 first prize in the Annual... Read More
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... Read More
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... Read More
Slide Action Double Ensemble Win
Congratulations to two Old Wellensian trombonists, Benny Vernon and Jamie Tweed, whose trombone quartet, Slide Action, has recently won both the Philip Jones Brass Chamber... Read More
Upper Sixth Art Exhibition 2019-20
The creative talent of last year’s Upper Sixth A level artists is now on display in the John Baxter Foyer of Cedars Hall. The work... Read More
Somerset Youth Music
Nearly 100 pupils and staff from over 30 schools in Somerset, including current Wells pupils and Old Wellensians, virtually reunited recently to perform a track... Read More
Wells Musicians Form Part of New Virtual Orchestra
To mark the 40th anniversary of the government’s Music and Dance Scheme, young musicians from the UK’s five specialist music schools have collaborated on a... Read More
Junior School Glast-home-bury Festival
Pupils in Years 2, 3 and 4 had a fabulous time recreating their very own Glast -home-bury Festival last week, making the most of the... Read More
Update on OW Percussionist Kim Foster
Congratulations to Old Wellensian, Kim Foster, who will take up the post of Head of Music at Kingswood House Prep School in Surrey at the... Read More
Pre-University Guide for the Upper Sixth
Assistant Head of Sixth Form (Upper Sixth and Ritchie House), Julia Bird, and colleagues have put together a fantastic Webinar Series for Upper Sixth pupils... Read More
Stay Happy with the Percussion Ensemble
30 Wells percussionists from Year 5 to the Upper Sixth, along with five percussion staff have created a joyous and uplifting collaborative rendition of Pharrell... Read More
24 Boehm Caprices Inspires Flautists
On 1st June, fourteen Wells flautists came together with Elizabeth Walker and Susie Hodder-Williams in a sponsored challenge to play all 24 Boehm Caprices in... Read More
BBC Televise Brass Finals
This Sunday evening, 17th May, BBC4 will feature the third programme in the BBC Young Musician of the Year 2020 series, showcasing the Brass Final,... Read More
Old Wellensian Concert Soloist Inspires with Beethoven
Seasoned concerto soloist and Old Wellensian, Lee Jae Phang (OW 2012), had a performance premiered on YouTube last week as part of the Beethoven Piano... Read More
Senior School Careers Fair
Senior School pupils from Years 10 to the Lower Sixth had the opportunity to take part in an evening Careers Fair on Friday, an excellent... Read More
Lower School Paramedic Visit
On Friday, pupils in the Lower School took part in a First Aid and Careers themed Assembly. Upper Sixth pupil, Polly Palmer, explained about her... Read More
Thanks to the Friends of Music
Very many thanks to the Friends of Music of Wells Cathedral School who have raised and generously donated over £6,200 for the purchase of 80... Read More
Dave Smith & Fofoulah Inspire Percussionists
Wells percussionists took part in a fabulous collaboration with Old Wellensian Dave Smith and his energetic band Fofoulah on Saturday evening in Cedars Hall. Dave Smith... Read More
French Horn Day
On Sunday, long-standing Wells french horn teacher, Simon de Souza, and a trio of talented professional musicians, all his former students, led over 30 enthusiastic... Read More
John Baxter becomes a Foundation Fellow
Last Saturday, former Headmaster, John Baxter, was honoured with a Foundation Fellowship for his commitment and services to the School at the annual Foundation Dinner,... Read More
OW Cricket Match
On Sunday 23rd June the school 1st XI took on the Old Wellensians for the final match of the season. This match report was given:Another... Read More
Principal Horn Trial at SCO
Congratulations to Old Wellensian, Zoë, who is currently on trial as Principal Horn of the internationally celebrated Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO). Zoë, who was Head Girl... Read More
The Royal Northern Sinfonia
Congratulations to Old Wellensian, Jonathan Evans, who has just been appointed 2nd horn in The Royal Northern Sinfonia, one of only two horn positions in... Read More
Notable Alumni
Olympic Gold Medalist
(1965 – 1972)
Chairman of Consort Medical
(1968 – 1976)
International Cellist
(1985 – 1990)
International Soprano
(1994 – 2001)
Founder of Glastonbury Festival
(1944 – 1950)
Comedian, actress, singer, musician
(1999 – 2001)
Chairman of the Bristol Port Company
(1959 – 1964)
Award winning contemporary artist
(1981 – 1988)