- Wells Cathedral School
Infobox UK school
name = Wells Cathedral School
latitude = 51.213524
longitude = -2.643585
dms= yes
motto = "Esto Quod Es"
(Be what you are)
phone = 01749 834200
fax =
established = 909
type = Independent
head = Elizabeth Cairncross
head_label = Head
street =
city =Wells
county =Somerset
country =England
enrollment =
lower_age = 3
upper_age = 18
publication =
website = http://www.wells-cathedral-school.comWells Cathedral School is an independent school located at
Wells inSomerset ,England . The school is one of the five established musical schools for school-age children in Britain, along withChetham's School of Music , theYehudi Menuhin School , thePurcell School andSt. Mary's Music School ,Edinburgh .The school is also referred to as a public school, which in England is a fee-paying school where the head is a member of the Headmasters` Conference.
History
With links to a school founded in 909 AD, the school has admitted girls since 1969 and now teaches over 700 pupils between the ages of 3 and 18. The school has a
Christian emphasis and specialises in combining high-level musical tuition with a general academiceducation .Situated within the historic city of
Wells inEngland , the school'sboarding house s [http://www.wellscathedralschool.org/wells/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=166&Itemid=32 Wells Cathedral School - Facilities ] ] line thenorth ern parts of thecity and the music school retains close links withWells Cathedral .Wells Cathedral School is claimed to be the fifth oldest public school in the country. It cannot be shown, however, that the school has existed continually since the date of its supposed foundation in the tenth century, and there was certainly a hiatus during the 1880s, after which it was refounded.
The current Headmistress is Elizabeth Cairncross [http://www.wellscathedralschool.org/wells/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=111&Itemid=181&ed=1 Wells Cathedral School - Head, Elizabeth Cairncross ] ] , with Charles Cain as Deputy Head. The Director of Studies is Nigel Walkey, and Dorothy Nancekievill is Director of Music.
The Royal Family hold links with the school; many of the buildings being opened by
Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother on6 July 1979 . [cite web | url= http://www.ofchoristers.net/Chapters/Wells.htm | title= History of Wells Cathedral Choir School | work= Of Choristers – ancient and modern | accessdate= 2007-10-04] Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has also made a visit to the school during herSilver Jubilee tour in 1977.In 2005 the school was one of fifty of the country's leading private schools which were found guilty of running an illegal price-fixing cartel, exposed by "
The Times ", which had allowed them to drive up fees for thousands of parents. [ [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article588559.ece Independent schools face huge fines over cartel to fix fees - Times Online ] ] Each school was required to pay a nominal penalty of £10,000 and all agreed to make ex-gratia payments totalling three million pounds into a trust designed to benefit pupils who attended the schools during the period in respect of which fee information was shared. [ [http://www.oft.gov.uk/news/press/2006/182-06 The Office of Fair Trading: OFT names further trustees as part of the independent schools settlement ] ]Music
Touring world-class musicians visit the school from all over the world to give masterclasses. The music school has several main practice areas and caters for specialist, special provision and general musicians. The school comprises pre-prep, junior school, lower school, and upper school, including a sixth form.
The school's connection with the cathedral offers a range of opportunities. There is a school service every Monday morning in the cathedral as well as music concerts. Chapel, chamber and cathedral choir rehearsals and performances are performed in both the cathedral and the Music School. Her Royal Highness visited Wells on Thursday 18th October 2007.
chool houses
;Boys' houses:
*De Salis (lower school boarders) (navy tie with thin diagonal blue, yellow and white stripes)
*Mills (lower school day) (navy tie with thin diagonal white stripes) - no longer in use
*Cedars (upper school) (navy tie with green emblems)
*Ritchie (upper school) (navy tie with red emblems)
*Shrewsbury (upper school) (navy tie with blue emblems);Girls' houses:
*Claver-Morris (lower school boarders)
*Mary Mitchell (lower school day) - no longer in use
*Edwards (upper school)
*Haversham (upper school)
*Plumptre (upper school);Competitive houses:
*Carter
*LewisNotable alumni
*
Kris Marshall , actor
*Adrian Arnold-Smith , research chemist
*Bruce Parry ,BBC presenter
*Michael Eavis , founder of theGlastonbury Festival
*Simon King , BBC Wildlife presenter (Big Cat Diary )
*Malcolm Nash , cricketeree also
* [http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/news/3-5m-boost-concert-hall-bid/article-383634-detail/article.html Wells School New Concert Hall]
*List of the oldest schools in the world References
* [http://www.wellscathedralschool.org/wells/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=166&Itemid=32]
* [http://www.wellscathedralschool.org/wells/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=111&Itemid=181&ed=1]External links
* [http://www.wells-cathedral-school.com Wells Cathedral School]
*(http://www.wellsfoundation.org.uk Wells Cathedral School Foundation]
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