Is Wells Cathedral School a boarding school or a day school?

Wells Cathedral School is a day school (independent). No residential boarding is offered.

Does Wells Cathedral School require an entrance exam?

No entrance exam is required at Wells Cathedral School. Admission is based on academic records and a school reference.

What ages does Wells Cathedral School accept?

Wells Cathedral School welcomes students aged 2 to 19.

How many students attend Wells Cathedral School?

Wells Cathedral School has approximately 734 students.

Is Wells Cathedral School accredited?

Wells Cathedral School is accredited by BSA.

What languages are taught at Wells Cathedral School?

Wells Cathedral School offers instruction in English.

How far is Wells Cathedral School from the nearest airport?

28 minutes to Bristol Airport; 2 hours to London Heathrow The school is approximately 12 hours by flight from Bangkok.

Is Wells Cathedral School recommended for expat families?

Sport ["Specialist Music and Chorister training","World-class music programmes","Strong pastoral care emphasis","Location in England's smallest city with safe environment"] Wells Cathedral School is consistently recommended by international and expat families.

What are Wells Cathedral School's A-Level results?

In the most recent year, 15% of A-Level grades at Wells Cathedral School were A*. 20% of grades were A* or A.

How many Oxbridge places does Wells Cathedral School get?

In 2016, Wells Cathedral School had 2 Oxbridge acceptances. This included 2 Oxford and 1 Cambridge places.

What was Wells Cathedral School's ISI inspection result?

Wells Cathedral School was inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and met every Standard. ISI is the government-approved body for inspecting independent schools in England.

Wells Cathedral School — International School in Wells

Q: What is the inspection rating of Wells Cathedral School?

Wells Cathedral School received a rating of "Standards Met" from ISI. The school meets all Independent School Standards, National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools, and Early Years Foundation Stage requirements with no further action required.

Wells Cathedral School is an international school in Wells, United Kingdom. Founded in 1955. It serves 734 students for students aged 2–19.

Explore This School

Visit Website

Location & getting here

Postcode

BA5 2TJ

Nearest station

Mendip Vale9.5 km away

Nearest town

Wells500 m

Nearest airports

Framed for international families — drive times are from the school, not the city centre.

Airport	Distance	Drive from school	International note
Birmingham	151 km	~206 min	BHX — Midlands gateway
Heathrow	155 km	~212 min	LHR — gateway for Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai
Gatwick	172 km	~234 min	LGW — good for SE Asia, Middle East via BA/EK/QR

15 photos

NanaSays Scorecard

Est. 1955

Year Founded

734

Students Enrolled

Boarding Available

Key Details

Accreditations

BSA

Languages of Instruction

English

Scholarships Available

Types Available

✓Academic Scholarship — merit-based, 10% of tuition fees

✓Mathematics Scholarship — merit-based, 10% of tuition fees

✓Sports Scholarship — merit-based, 10% of tuition fees

✓Football Scholarship — merit-based, 10% of tuition fees

✓Drama Scholarship — merit-based, 10% of tuition fees

✓Art Scholarship — merit-based, 10% of tuition fees

✓General Music Scholarship — merit-based, 10% of tuition fees

✓All-Rounder Scholarship — merit-based, 10% of tuition fees

✓Chorister Scholarship — non-means-tested, 31% of tuition fees and 25% discount on boarding fees

✓Music and Dance Scheme (MDS) — UK Government-funded, means-tested, up to 100% of fees for exceptional musicians

Bursaries (means-tested): Means-tested financial assistance available to families from a broad range of income levels; assessed based on financial need, pupil potential and availability of funds. Contact [email protected].

💡 Scholarship amounts and bursary likelihood analysis are in the Full Deep Report.

Merit-based Scholarships

Academic Performance

Standards Met

ISI

ISI Inspection Report

The school meets all Independent School Standards, National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools, and Early Years Foundation Stage requirements with no further action required. The quality of pupils' academic and other achievements is excellent, with exceptional standards in music and at least excellent in other creative arts. The quality of pupils' personal development is also excellent, demonstrated through excellent self-awareness, strong empathy, and outstanding contributions to their community.

Academic Quality

Excellent

Pastoral Care

Excellent

Boarding Quality

Excellent

ISI Standards

Met

Key Strengths

Standards achieved in music are exceptional, and at least excellent in other creative arts

Strong study skills seeded in encouragement to explore and experiment from earliest days

Pupils collaborate naturally and benefit from freedom to study in the way that suits them best

World-class choir and exceptional levels of musical performance

Excellent self-awareness and confidence in pupils with strong empathy for others

Pupils value and respect the diverse backgrounds, beliefs, nationalities and talents of others

Outstanding contribution to school, local and wider community led by pupils themselves

Extraordinarily strong communication skills through speaking, listening and music

High levels of independence, leadership and collaboration across all age groups

Areas for Development

Further develop opportunities for pupils to take the lead in discussions about change

View Full ISI Report (2023-04-25)

Key facts

Founded

1955

Ages

2–19 (Co-ed)

Pupils on roll

734

Inspectorate

ISI

About

Wells Cathedral School is a family-orientated co-educational boarding and day school for ages 2-18 located in Wells, England's smallest city. It provides all-round education alongside world-class specialist music and chorister training for talented pupils. The school emphasizes pastoral care and inspires pupils to nurture their talents in a vibrant, creative, and stimulating environment.

School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.

What Makes This School Different

Specialist Music Training and Chorister Programme

continuous since 909 AD, with dedicated funding (31% tuition remission, 25% boarding discount) and lifetime alumni benefit post-choir

Football Specialism (launching September 2026)

partnership with Chelsea FC, including 9 weekly coaching sessions from UEFA coaches, visits to training grounds and stadiums, career development pathways

Mathematics Specialism

specialist provision for advanced mathematicians

Clubs & Activities

Air Rifle ClubAthleticsBadmintonBasketballCircuit TrainingClimbingCricketFencingFootballGolf+18 more

Academic Results

A-Level A*

15%

20% A*/A

Oxbridge 2016

2 Oxford · 1 Cambridge

University Destinations 2016

Durham1Warwick1Bristol1Bath1Oxford2Cambridge1

Admissions

Entry point	Assessment	Assessment date	Registration deadline
Reception - Year 1	Taster day (required before offer)	—	—
Years 2-6	Taster day with CAT 4 academic assessment and short interview; references from current school required	—	—
Years 7-11	Online CAT 4 academic assessment and short interview (online or in-person); references from current school required; Common Entrance 13+ marked on behalf of prep schools but not required	—	—
Sixth Form	Predicted grades required at registration; actual GCSE/IGCSE grades must be grades 9-4 in at least six subjects with typically minimum grade 7 or 6 in chosen subjects; exceptions for specialist music course	—	After GCSE/IGCSE results

How to apply

Request information from admissions
Visit the school — attend Open Day or arrange personalised visit (virtual tour available if unable to visit in person)
Complete registration form (UK Applicants or Overseas Applicants form)
Complete entrance assessments as required by year group
Receive formal offer letter with contract documents
Return signed contract and deposit to confirm place

What you'll need to submit

Online registration form (UK or Overseas)
References from current school
Predicted grades (Sixth Form)
GCSE/IGCSE results (Sixth Form)

Open events

Open Day (regular events throughout the year)
Personalised visits available by arrangement

Scholarships: Scholarship and specialist music programme candidates have additional requirements at point of registration; chorister candidates must audition; see Scholarships page for details and deadlines

Admissions contact: admissions email listed on website; phone 01749 834200

School accepts applications year-round for entrance when space permits; pupils can enter at any year group

Why Families Choose

Specialist Music and Chorister training
World-class music programmes
Strong pastoral care emphasis
Location in England's smallest city with safe environment

Student Life

Houses

Ten

Facilities & Programmes

Arts

Music

Specialist Music Training

Chorister Training

Student Demographics

School Type

co-ed

Age Range

2 – 19

Student Body

Boarding capacity274

School Background

Governance & Ownership

Independent

Religious Affiliation

Christian

Sports Programme

teams across 14 sports

Signature Sports

CricketTennisHockeyRugbyNetball

Teams by Sport

Tennis

teams

Netball

teams

Cricket

teams

Hockey

teams

Hockey Sevens

teams

Football

teams

Rugby Union

teams

Badminton

teams

Cross Country

teams

Tag Rugby

teams

Hockey Sixes

teams

Basketball

teams

Golf

teams

Rugby Sevens

teams

Also Offered

Athletics

Recent Highlights

NationalGirls' Hockey 1st XI reached Semi-Final of England Hockey T2 Plate2026

NationalGirls' Hockey 1st XI Quarter-Final National Plate victory vs Dauntsey's2026

NationalThree Year 8 students selected to England Hockey Satellite group2026

Facilities

Cedars Field (one of finest cricket pitches in county)State-of-the-art astro (hockey winter, tennis summer)Large sports hall with fitness suite and climbing wallOpen-air swimming pool with retractable roofHard courts for tennis and netballDance studioTwo full-size pitches (rugby, football, cricket, athletics)Sports PavilionMUGA (Multi Use Games Area) with four cricket lanes

Director of Sport: Tom Webley