A friend of mine is considering Wells Cathedral School as a possibility for her very able 15-year old daughter who already has several Grade VIII exams under her belt, all with Distinction. She likes the idea of the boarding school, the Cathedral link and the musical standards.

Anyone on here have any knowledge of same or experience of attending it, teaching at it etc....?

PM me if you don't want to reply to the full Forum and I'll pass your comments on, anonymously.

Many thanks
Oboist

I don't know anything about the school personally, but there was a 17-year-old on my clarinet course who is studying at Wells, and I got the impression that she was very pleased to be there! She's an excellent musician and very modest and friendly with it - a lovely girl. If that's the sort of pupil they turn out I'd say it must be good!

I don't know a lot about it, but I do know that they get a lot of opportunities to perform around the town (which is beautiful!).

Isn't jonscott going there in September?

Yes, think so!

I don't know the school personally, but it has a good reputation. However, my a piano teacher friend accompanies a very talented boy who achieved a diploma at 15 (can't remember which instrument), but who had to change schools because the instrumental teacher couldn't take him to that level. It might be worth asking the school if study to this level is possible. There's no point in stagnating.

I know in Sixth Form you get two hours of tuition on your first instrument and that even though it is so intensive you still do the normal number of A levels (but fewer GCSEs).

When I looked around, they said you usually take 7 GCSEs, 3 AS levels and 2/3 A2s. Normally it would be 10 GCSEs, 3/4 AS levels and 3 A2s. They also request that you use some sports lessons to practice.
The old school itself is beautiful, particularly the grounds, the new buildings less so (they are sort of portable cabins). The class sizes go up to 25 in 6th form including for science classes, and you share 4 in a dorm in year 12. Personally, that really put me off but for some people who are less interested in the academics/having some privacy, I guess it wouldn't be a problem. I enjoyed the international and cultural mix, and the fact that it's not all musicians, but almost everyone plays an instrument to some level. The discipline seems somewhat lacklustre but probably no more than in your average school - I happened to go round on a normal school day. Oh, and the students themselves were all really lovely That was the most positive part of the visits.

One of my pupils is starting there in September, and his mother was very impressed indeed. The only thing she was worried about was that he will only be offered 30 minutes tuition on his second instrument, the piano, unless she pays extra (very expensive apparently). He has a full scholarship but she is going to pay for an additional 15 minutes piano tuition to make the lesson 45 minutes.

Since being accepted, he has already been down for a few clarinet lessons before starting the school and he and his mother both love it there.

I'm going there, how old is your pupil, it would be good to know some people who are new.
I'm starting there in september, for 6th form. I'm having one hour a week main instrumnet lesson - secondary instrument lessons haven't been decided on yet...
The school is very friendly, and combines a huge range of other subjects with the music, it's like a secondary school with a massive music department, rather than a school that just does music.
I am taking 4 AS levels, cutting back to 3 for A2 - Musicians are encouraged to take music tech, as well as straight music. Also 6th formers do a small course in ICT, there are also sports lessons.
The area is fantastic, the town is really beautiful, and the music department could have come from a Harry Potter set!
The only problem I face is a long journey every morning and night, although there is flexi-boarding - if i end up stuck there - there are lots of extra curricular activities - sonething everyday, and sometimes twice a day! - Life is going to be busy!

Not actually one of my pupils - a friend of mine is just considering it, amongst a number of options, for her daughter. I think they plan to go and take a look round sometime next academic year.

I'll keep you posted jonscott! Hope it all works out really well for you.

Thanks to everyone who's contributed something - all very helpful and appreciated.

jonscott, my pupil is 11 years old. He is going to board there.