English Boarding Schools in Profile: Wells Cathedral School - Where Bach, Beethoven and the Beatles would have loved to go to school

When we set off for Somerset in early May, two exceptional schools were on our itinerary – as different in their strengths as they were outstanding in their own right: Millfield, the top boarding school for sport, and Wells Cathedral School, whose musical reputation resonates across England.

At Wells, music is not just in the air – it shapes the very atmosphere of the school. Attentive courtesy, curiosity, and a readiness to give just that little bit more were qualities we sensed everywhere on campus.

Our visit at lunchtime held a special surprise: instead of the usual canteen meal, we were treated to fine dining in the elegant reception hall with Martin Ashton, Deputy Head Pastoral, and Lucy Llewellyn, the wonderfully warm Head of Admissions. Over engaging conversations about boarding life and English football (especially Arsenal!), we were invited to listen to rehearsals for a music competition. You know that moment when the first notes of a piece send shivers down your spine? Yes – music truly matters at Wells. But, as Martin Ashton puts it, “People hang on to stereotypes – but there is so much more beyond music.”

 The school has worked for years to move beyond the image of being “just” a leading music school. It now enjoys great recognition for its excellent mathematics programme, and to complete the trio, Headmaster Alastair Tighe and his team are developing a third pillar – the new motto will be “Music, Maths & Football.” From next year, football enthusiasts can look forward to something truly special.

It’s no surprise that we’ve been working closely with Wells Cathedral School for 30 years, and often recommend it to families. And not only to those whose children are musical prodigies – every single student we’ve placed there has returned inspired and full of enthusiasm.

If you’re curious, follow us – and the music – to Wells Cathedral School.

The Setting

Trace your finger westward from London towards Bristol and then turn south. After about 30 kilometres, you’ll reach Wells, England’s smallest city. With just 12,000 inhabitants, cobbled streets and a magnificent early Gothic cathedral, it feels like something out of time. We travelled the roughly 200 kilometres from London by train, arriving after just over three hours and a short taxi ride. Charming, historic and slightly remote, Wells struck us as wonderfully calm and safe. 

Glastonbury is a rite of passage

Once a year, however, tranquillity gives way to thundering bass. That’s when nearby Glastonbury hosts England’s most famous music festival. Pop and rock legends from around the world descend on Somerset, transforming the peaceful countryside into a sea of tents, stages – and occasionally, mud. For pupils at Wells Cathedral School, Glastonbury is the highlight after their GCSE exams: after months of revision and an intense run of tests, the festival is their well-earned reward. “For many, it’s a rite of passage,” says Lucy Llewellyn – a coming-of-age experience of a very special kind. 

1.000 years of history meets state-of-the-art Cedars Hall

Today, however, it’s an ordinary school day, and Jo from the Admissions team takes us on a tour. Beyond the old stone walls, the school grounds open up – stately, but not pompous; no Harry Potter fantasy, but a place that has embodied stability for over a thousand years. Remarkably, Wells manages to balance its long history with a strikingly modern spirit, blending ancient buildings with new architecture and innovation. 

This is especially evident in Cedars Hall, the school’s state-of-the-art music centre, built in 2016. Made of weathered red-brown steel and glass, it stands beside a vast Atlas cedar known as “Charlie’s Tree”, planted half a century ago by King Charles III himself.

The music is on another level

Cedars Hall immediately impressed us. Architecturally and acoustically, it’s a true gem – the beating musical heart of the school. In the main performance space, Eavis Hall, which seats up to 350 and has superb acoustics, a sixth former was rehearsing for an internal competition. Dressed in sports kit and accompanied by piano, his clarinet playing was breathtaking. Alex Laing, Director of Music, waved us into the light-filled John Baxter Foyer. “We make music here at a level that sets global standards,” he said with a smile. “It’s easy to forget how extraordinary what we do every day really is.” His enthusiasm for teaching in this inspiring setting is unmistakable.

Next to Eavis Hall are several cutting-edge rehearsal and teaching rooms equipped with professional recording technology. Here, pupils receive individual coaching, chamber music tuition and masterclasses. It’s no wonder that Cedars Hall is also a creative hub for musicians from all over the UK.

Wild water polo sessions

As we walked across the campus, we passed the school’s award-winning cricket pitch, perfectly framed by immaculate lawns – a scene straight out of an English painting. Nearby are tennis courts, a sports hall with a climbing wall, a fully equipped gym, and the large MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) for team sports like hockey and netball. Pupils can go for a cross-country run through the surrounding fields in the morning or play football with friends in the evening – everything is within easy reach and open in design.

On our way to the boarding houses, we passed a small, somewhat quaint covered outdoor pool. It’s certainly not comparable to Millfield’s facilities, but large enough for kayaking and water polo. “It can be wild,” laughs Jo, amused by our surprised faces. 

She then led us into an older part of the campus, where former stables have been converted into a cosy library and social spaces. The atmosphere is friendly, informal and lively. In the narrow passageways, pupils quickly learn that good manners – not elbows – are the best way to get ahead.

 Modern classrooms face the old Cathedral 

The teaching spaces at Wells Cathedral School combine historic architecture with modern functionality. Within the old buildings are bright, quiet classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards, Wi-Fi and generous workspaces. Many overlook the cathedral or manicured courtyards, lending the learning environment a calm, almost monastic focus. Teachers work closely with small groups, and even the science block feels more like an open, creative studio than a laboratory.

A piano in every boarding house

We pass several boarding houses, each with its own character – some within the main grounds, others just a short walk away. A few are housed in medieval buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries, where any lack of modern luxury is easily offset by a strong sense of community. We certainly heard no complaints. Boys in De Salis House, however, should mind their height: the original 14th-century entrance remains intact – low beams and all! 

Less than five minutes’ walk from the school stands the city’s magnificent cathedral, forming a living, daily connection between church and school. Just beyond lies Wells itself – small enough for pupils to feel at home, yet lively enough never to feel lost.

What, in our view, makes Wells Cathedral School so special

Wells Cathedral School is without doubt the place for pupils who are passionate about music. The facilities, the extraordinary range of opportunities, and the teachers’ enthusiasm take music education here to a whole new level — something we’ve rarely seen elsewhere.

What impressed us most, however, is that Wells Cathedral manages to maintain such exceptional musical standards without neglecting other areas. With a wide range of sports and excellent pastoral care, the school offers a truly well-rounded experience.

Add to that the beautifully kept grounds, the inviting facilities, and the lively mix of curious young pupils moving through the narrow paths of the historic campus — and our verdict is clear: The kids seem to want to be here.

The Academics

Academically, Wells Cathedral School offers both breadth and a personal touch. Pupils can choose from more than 25 GCSE and A Level subjects, ranging from hands-on sciences, languages and the arts to music, business, drama and more. Teachers know their pupils well, and lessons are challenging yet never impersonal: in the Senior School, the average class size is around 15, and in the Sixth Form often just eight students.

The 2024 results show that this approach works: nearly half of all GCSE grades were 9–7, and one in five maths grades achieved the top mark of 9. In the sciences, many pupils performed well above the national average. At A Level, students achieved an average of over 38 points, which compares very favourably with schools of a similar calibre.

Maths, Music, Physics and Religious Studies are strong A-Levels

In the Sixth Form – equivalent to the German Oberstufe – students can choose from more than 20 A Level subjects, including distinctive options such as Photography, Music Technology, Psychology, Theatre Studies, Philosophy and Ethics. Most start with four subjects and then reduce to three after two terms. Many also complete an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) – an independent research project undertaken over several months, which develops academic writing and research skills. In 2023, the strongest A Level subjects were Music, Mathematics, Physics and Religious Studies.

The Mathematics Scheme

For particularly gifted mathematicians, Wells offers a Specialist Mathematics Scheme. From Year 7 onwards, pupils can join through a scholarship or internal recommendation. Participants attend advanced problem-solving sessions, work with an external professor, and remain fully integrated into school life.

Most pupils stay at Wells until they graduate at 18, especially those aiming for degrees in Music, Medicine or the Sciences. Many music specialists progress to leading conservatoires such as the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music or the Guildhall School, while others go abroad to institutions like The Juilliard School or Berklee College of Music.

In 2024, three students received offers from Oxford and Cambridge, six began studying Medicine, and many others secured places at top universities including Exeter, Durham, Bristol, Leeds and Imperial College London.

Extracurricular Life – Beyond the Classroom

At Wells Cathedral School, it’s easy to imagine not only Bach, Beethoven and the Beatles feeling at home – but perhaps also Pythagoras and Ronaldo. Why? Because this boarding school goes the extra mile to offer an extraordinarily broad and high-quality range of activities.

Let’s start with music: whether classical, jazz or pop, it’s in the school’s DNA. There’s not only a wealth of practice rooms, but also pianos in almost every boarding house, just waiting for someone to sit down and play a few notes.

International Masterclasses

Things get more serious in the international masterclasses – for example, with pianist Dame Imogen Cooper, who recently worked with students on Beethoven’s sonatas, or jazz singer Clare Teal, who gave a vocal masterclass straight after her concert. There are ensembles, orchestras, concerts and solo recitals; for some, radio broadcasts and international tours are highlights of their school life.

The school’s choir is one of its most distinctive features. As old as the cathedral itself, its boys and girls have for centuries sung alongside the professional Vicars Choral in services. The sheer grandeur and acoustics of the Gothic building leave a lifelong impression on many.

Partnership with Chelsea Football Club

But Wells Cathedral School is far from being only about music. The current sports programme includes cricket, hockey, tennis, cross-country, climbing and fitness training. From 2026, a new partnership with the Chelsea Football Club will begin: selected students will receive up to nine training sessions a week, led by a full-time Head of Football from Chelsea, and gain insight into professional structures. Football is set to take its place alongside music and mathematics as the school’s third flagship area.

Beyond music, maths and sport, Wells offers an astonishing range of activities. With over 100 clubs to choose from, pupils can take part in theatre, debating and Model United Nations, or explore photography, film and art. There’s also Outdoor Education, featuring sailing, kayaking and climbing. Those with initiative can join the school band, start a mini enterprise, or experiment creatively in one of the many workshops.

Never forget social responsibility

A strong sense of social responsibility runs through everything. In the Sixth Form, pupils regularly volunteer in the local community – crafting and chatting with residents in a care home, for example. Environmental action is encouraged too: one entire Year 10 cohort recently joined teachers in a litter-picking campaign as part of the school’s commitment to sustainability. Such activities aren’t one-off events but a core part of the school’s ethos: Wells encourages pupils to step outside their own bubble and make a positive contribution to the world around them.

Boarding Life 

From Year 9 to the Lower Sixth, boarders live in three senior houses for girls and three for boys. In the Upper Sixth, they move into a co-educational house – a natural next step towards adulthood that brings a new level of independence and cooperation.

Walking through the corridors, we couldn’t help smiling. Wells is no different from other boarding schools in one sense: the boys’ houses display a kind of organised chaos – pragmatic stacking, beds half-made, minimal decoration. It’s functional, nothing more, nothing less. The girls’ houses, by contrast, feel inviting and personal – full of colour, decorations and warmth. Even a spacious triple room manages to feel cosy. And yes, pianos are everywhere!

 Rules for mobile phones 

When it comes to mobile phone rules, the school is firm: phones are handed out only between 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. “It encourages real interaction,” explains Jo – and it works. Instead of scrolling on screens, pupils spend time together, which is especially valuable in a boarding environment. Saturday morning lessons also keep the school buzzing and provide international pupils with extra contact time and structure.

 Balanced mix of day pupils and boarders

The ratio of boarders to day pupils is about three to two, which creates a healthy, lively balance. “We see how naturally both groups mix,” says Jo – a particular advantage for international students. When they can’t fly home for Exeat Weekends, they simply stay with friends. It’s how genuine, lasting friendships grow – across houses and beyond.

Our Verdict: Who Is Wells Cathedral School For?

If you love music, Wells is paradise. It doesn’t matter whether you’re already advanced or just discovering your strengths – there are endless opportunities to explore your talent. You can play in orchestras and ensembles, perform solo, or simply connect with others who share your passion for music. Best of all, whether you’re quiet and focused or curious and experimental, Wells gives you the space to be yourself.

But Wells is not only for musicians. Those whose passion lies in numbers, codes or puzzles will also find themselves at home here. You’ll meet people who find mathematics just as fascinating – and teachers who stretch and support you in equal measure.

And all this happens far from any ivory tower. Pupils can shine – in the classroom, on the sports field or on stage. Wells is a school for those who don’t like being put in boxes: a place where you can be versatile, achieve great things and still follow your own melody.