Wells Cathedral School is one of the oldest schools in England. If we had to describe Wells in just three words, they would be: music, music, and more music! But make no mistake—non-musicians are equally welcome here and quickly find themselves happy and at home.
Somerset is already a picturesque part of the country, but the village of Wells feels like something from a storybook. As you approach the school, you’re likely to pause in wonder—music drifts from every window, doorway, corridor, and courtyard. A young pianist is practising over there; nearby, you hear scales from violins and flutes. The school buildings are spread across the town, forming a sprawling campus entirely dedicated to music.
But Wells is far more than just a music school. We were equally impressed by the school’s sporting provision, including a superb hockey programme, a wide range of athletic facilities, and even its own indoor swimming pool. The beautiful setting and manageable size of the school add to its charm.
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Quick Overview
Age range of pupils: 11–18
Number of pupils: 570
Boarding pupils: 300
International pupils: 25%
Pupils in the Sixth Form: 210
Average class size in the Sixth Form: 12
Boarding fees for the Sixth Form per term: £15,762
Main sports on offer in addition to traditional team sports: rugby, swimming, climbing, tennis, fitness, dance, badminton
Nearest airports: Bristol (approx. 30 minutes away), London Heathrow (2 hours away)
https://wells.cathedral.school
Key Strengths at a Glance
First-class music facilities
School’s own swimming pool
Great community and atmosphere
Beautiful surroundings in Wells
Wells Cathedral School – Photo Highlights
Wells Cathedral School in Detail
Music
Wells Cathedral School believes that every child has the potential to become a musician. For those with a gift for music, the school offers an advanced specialist programme of remarkable quality. Talented young musicians receive intense, near-professional tuition from masters of their craft—whether they sing, play the tuba, cello, or harp. Cedar’s Hall, the school’s modern music centre, is not only an architectural gem but also a state-of-the-art concert hall. Just a short distance from campus lies Glastonbury, home to one of the world’s most famous music festivals. A lovely bonus: guest tutors from the Royal Academy of Music in London regularly visit Wells. And it’s not just for the gifted—Wells also welcomes beginners who want to take up an instrument for the first time.
Sport and Co-curricular Life
Musical excellence doesn’t mean physical development is neglected. Every pupil is encouraged to find a sport or activity that suits them. The girls’ hockey team is the reigning national champion, and pupils benefit from expert coaching—including a former national rugby team coach. The school boasts its own cricket pitch, a fitness centre, climbing wall, and a sparkling new indoor pool, which we found particularly impressive. Students can try their hand at tennis, fencing, cooking, debating, and even gardening. The culture of the school encourages pupils to be curious, adventurous, and to develop new passions.
Academics
While music and mathematics are academic focal points at Wells, the curriculum is broad and inclusive. Pupils benefit from mentoring support and can choose from a wide range of subjects, from History of Art, to all core sciences, and languages including French, Spanish, Latin. There’s even Geology. The Classical Civilisations course explores life in Ancient Greece and Rome. With a 100% pass rate and nearly half of all A-levels awarded A grades or better (well above the national average of 38%), Wells is no academic slouch. We especially appreciated that the admissions process includes thoughtful questions about each child’s learning needs—an unusually personalised touch.
Creative Arts
Although music is the school’s beating heart, Wells gives equal attention to the wider arts. Dancers, painters, and actors all thrive here, supported by an inspiring programme that has been recognised with the Artsmark Gold Award from Arts Council England. Pupils are constantly encouraged to explore their creativity. There is a lively drama department, a popular theatre club, and each year the school stages a full-scale production—recent shows have included Grease and Beauty and the Beast.
Our Visit
As we walked through the enchanting town of Wells, we were continually accompanied by the sound of music drifting from practice rooms and halls. Music is truly everywhere here—and the school is its vibrant core. The students, many of whom may well be the Beethovens or Mozarts of tomorrow, struck us with their warmth and humility. Joanna, the Head of International Admissions, led us on a cheerful and informative tour, and the brand-new swimming pool left a lasting impression.
Photos From Our Visit
World-class Music School – Wells Cathedral School
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Fees Wells Cathedral School
The boarding fees at Wells Cathedral School are £15,762 per term, or £47,286 per academic year.
Conclusion: Wells Cathedral School
Wells Cathedral School is a prestigious and musically outstanding boarding school in the UK. But it’s not the only school offering first-rate musical opportunities. We recommend exploring a range of British boarding schools to find the best fit for your child. We’d be delighted to support you with tailored advice. Thanks to our long-standing relationships with schools, we can offer honest, expert guidance.
We are confident we can find the right boarding school for your child. For an overview, please visit our “Boarding Schools in England” page.
What you gain with us:
- An exclusive interview with Joanna Prestidge (Head of Admissions)
- Professional guidance
- Years of placement experience
- Smooth and personal communication
- Support with visa and entry requirements
What Makes Akademis Stand Out?
- We remain your trusted contact throughout your child’s stay, well beyond the placement process.
- We provide support with guardianship, visa applications and recognition of qualifications within the German school system.
- We offer fully tailored advice. Our school recommendations are unique to each child and can run to 40 pages in length.
- Families receive our 30+ page boarding school guide, packed with practical tips and insights.
- We prepare your child thoroughly for entrance exams and interviews to maximise their chances of success.
- We arrange school visits, ensuring you have the opportunity to experience each school first-hand.
Every boarding school has its own character and ethos. Having personally visited more than 100 schools, we understand these nuances. We also work with schools that do not pay commission, ensuring that our advice remains independent and always in the best interest of your child.
Our roots lie in the UK. For years, we have placed 200–300 families annually into British boarding schools. While our portfolio now includes schools beyond Britain, the UK remains at the heart of what we do.
Our tailored approach results in exceptional acceptance rates. For example, in 2022/23, all seven students we placed at the highly selective Malvern College received offers – a 100% success rate.
We arrange for prospective families to speak with our current students to hear first-hand accounts of life at a UK boarding school.
