Senior School at Wells Cathedral School: Inspiring young people from Years 9-11

Senior School

Inspiring young people from Years 9-11

Our Philosophy

We give our pupils the opportunity to explore new experiences and develop their own aspirations and dreams. Pupils are valued for themselves and are encouraged to develop as individuals within a strong family atmosphere in which they can express their individuality whilst enjoying the support, warmth and interaction created by community living.

While pupils are increasingly expected to organise themselves and manage their workload, they continue to register in small groups with tutors so they can maintain regular contact with someone who knows them really well and who is able to help them when needed. From Year 9, we really start to let go so that our pupils can achieve a greater sense of independence.

Life at Wells is exciting and busy.

Although the school day starts at 8.40am, usually with an assembly or tutor time, some pupils have music practice before then. The five one-hour academic lessons are broken up by break and lunch, which provide opportunities to socialise and join in with clubs and sports. All pupils belong to a house, which is where many choose to go during breaks, lunches and after school.

Breakfast for boarders [Music practice]

Assembly/tutor time

Lesson 1

Lesson 2 Break Lesson 3

Life at Wells

After lessons finish at 4.00pm, the day continues with clubs, societies, sport and music. Homework for boarders is supervised and expected to be completed from 7.00pm - 8.00pm, although some musicians use this time for practice. Complementing our ‘normal’ schedule, pupils have timetabled activities on Wednesday afternoons and academic lessons on Saturdays followed by sports fixtures.

Lunch/activities

Lesson 4

Lesson 5

Activities/supervised prep

Buses depart for day pupils

Supper

Homework

Academic Excellence

We enable all pupils to become successful learners who enjoy making progress and achieving their goals. Some subjects are set based on ability and some are deliberately mixed. From Year 10, pupils tailor their educational experiences by choosing from a range of GCSE options to match their interests, making the first steps towards their future career.

Our curriculum is innovative and bold with its focus on the Creative Arts, Modern Foreign Languages options and our Specialist Maths Scheme. We have a Scholars Programme that stretches and challenges our most able pupils across the whole range of school life. We also offer after-school clubs in all the main subject areas for further inspiration and support.

We encourage all pupils to engage in activities that will enrich and broaden their experiences during the school day by taking part in our wide range of clubs and societies that we run throughout the week, both during lunch and after school. Our activity programme varies based on pupil requests and demand and is designed to accommodate all abilities and most interests. In addition, all pupils have a timetabled activity, which they choose from a range of options, such as clay shooting, hand sewing, Combined Cadet Force, Oxbridge preparation, current affairs and more. Many pupils also join our thriving optional Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

Clubs and Activities

Pupil Profiles

Bill

When I first joined Wells, I was worried what it’d be like, but I had little to worry about. Everyone I met was friendly and welcoming, and the teachers were kind and helpful. Now it feels like Wells is a second home. I particularly like the motto “Be what you are” which I think is really important for young people. One of the best parts of my school life is being an academic scholar as we have added fun and exciting experiences that test the limits of our ingenuity and creativity!

Ellie May

I’m a specialist French horn player and boarder, and I have enjoyed every single moment of being here! My favorite aspect of music at Wells is the endless ensembles to choose from at all different levels. I find them a good way to make friends and improve the standard of playing. I also am part of a great hockey team and am involved in the Navy Cadets, which is so fun! The after-school clubs are all amazing, and the academic teaching is of a high standard with a wide variety of subjects.

https://wells.cathedral.school/senior-school

Alex Ernest

What I like best is the sports, especially hockey - we have even got through to regionals. Everyone had a fantastic time at our Year 9 PGL residential, where we went climbing, canoeing, on high ropes and more. As part of the CCF Navy, I have been orienteering on the Mendips and represented the School by marching through Wells for Remembrance Day. The food here is great, and my favourite is the apple and maple crumble. We are now practising for our inter-house singing competition.

I have found Wells to be an incredible place for new musical and academic opportunities. I am a Special Provision Musician and a Maths Specialist and also play tennis. My passion for music has grown immensely, and I have gained confidence as a composer and singer. I enjoy being constantly challenged in Maths. I have learnt interesting problem solving techniques and logical thinking as well as to think critically and creatively. My friends and teachers are always supportive and kind to me.

Creative Arts

Pupils at Wells are uniquely placed to enjoy and participate in the creative arts in its many different forms. In Year 9, pupils investigate music, art, dance, photography, food studies and drama. From Year 10, as well as pursuing individual creative arts subjects to GCSE and A level, all our pupils have the opportunity to work side by side with those specialising in a creative arts field. Pupils are invited to take advantage of our one-to-one lessons in speech, dance, drama and musical theatre as well as our range of activities that take place during lunch and after school, with many pupils opting to be involved in our popular annual major drama production, which we often take to an external theatre. Cedars Hall, our performance centre, is a hub of creativity, and this unique building gives the pupils space in which to exhibit their photographs, art and installations. Open mic nights and mini music and arts festivals are also popular. As far as the creative arts are concerned, opportunities are only limited by the imaginations of the pupils.

Music

Wells uniquely provides a pre-professional performance course for outstanding young ‘specialist’ musicians from all over the world, as well as catering to pupils who wish to enjoy music as a hobby, so that all pupils can enjoy the excellent music tuition available as part of the more varied programme we offer. We develop music and academic

programmes on an individual basis; the amount of time required for music and academic subjects varies so we can best support each pupil’s musical aspirations. Specialists will have up to three hours per week of individual tuition, ensemble opportunities and masterclasses. Please see our Specialist Music leaflet for further details.

At the core, our sports programme promotes physical health and social interaction and provides every pupil with the opportunity to represent the school. We encourage our pupils to participate in a broad range of sports and give them more freedom of choice in their games option, such as basketball, badminton, football, volleyball, swimming, water polo,

climbing, weights and fitness, fencing and dance. Pupils are able to use the gym, dance studio and swimming pool, on top of playing our key sports (rugby, hockey and cricket for boys and hockey, netball and tennis for girls). Our sporting ethos revolves around developing the ‘whole’ pupil, which is at the forefront of everything we do on a daily basis.

https://wells.cathedral.school/senior-school

Next Steps

GCSEs give pupils the opportunity to make some personal choices about their individual interests and passions. By the end of their time in Years 9, 10 and 11, they will have grown and developed in confidence and independence while at the same time being nurtured carefully by their tutor.

These experiences also prepare them for their move up into the Sixth Form, which brings increased choice and freedom. This transition brings the right balance of new challenges and opportunities whilst providing the continuity of care: an approach that will allow them to thrive both in and out of school.

Find Out More

If you would like to find out more about Wells Cathedral School, please contact our admissions team on 01749 834441 / admissions@wells.cathedral.school or visit our website https://wells.cathedral.school