Wells Cathedral School
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| Wells Cathedral School | |
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| Motto | Esto Quod Es (Be what you are) |
| Established | 909 |
| Type | Independent |
| Head | Elizabeth Cairncross |
| Location | Wells Somerset England |
| Ages | 3 to 18 |
| Website | http://www.wells-cathedral-school.com |
| Coordinates: | |
Wells Cathedral School is an independent school located at Wells in Somerset, England. The school is one of the five established musical schools for school-age children in Britain, along with Chetham's School of Music, the Yehudi Menuhin School, the Purcell School and St. 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.
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[edit] 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 academic education.
Situated within the historic city of Wells in England, the school's boarding houses[1] line the northern parts of the city and the music school retains close links with Wells Cathedral.
Wells Cathedral School is claimed to be the 5th 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[2], 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 on 6 July 1979.[3] Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has also made a visit to the school during her Silver Jubilee tour in 1977.
[edit] 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.
[edit] School 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
- Lewis
[edit] Notable alumni
- Kris Marshall, actor
- Adrian Arnold-Smith, research chemist
- Bruce Parry, BBC presenter
- Michael Eavis, founder of the Glastonbury Festival
- Simon King, BBC Wildlife presenter (Big Cat Diary)
- Malcolm Nash, cricketer
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Wells Cathedral School - Facilities
- ^ Wells Cathedral School - Head, Elizabeth Cairncross
- ^ History of Wells Cathedral Choir School. Of Choristers – ancient and modern. Retrieved on 2007-10-04.
[edit] External links
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