Ian Waller recently caught up with Jody Wells, the Head of Wells Cathedral Prep School, to find out about his role at this prestigious and historic Somerset seat of learning
Can you please tell us, what your role as Head of the Prep School entails?
Ultimately to do everything I can to support the creation of a School where staff love to work and children love to be. A place where our children really are at the heart of all of our decisions and processes and can truly have a childhood they and their parents will always cherish, whilst also ensuring they learn and develop in a manner that prepares them appropriately for the next steps in their journey and the world beyond School.
On a day to day basis it is the creation of a positive and welcoming learning environment that delivers the highest standard of education through an ambitious, broad and exciting academic curriculum and extra curricular provision.
From your viewpoint, what makes Wells Cathedral Prep School a special place to teach?
Everything but if I have to narrow it down, the people and the environment. There is an element of the magical about Wells and one can’t help feeling very lucky to be a part of it.
As a history teacher, I can’t help but be in awe of being part of an educational establishment that is over 1,114 years old and that was established by the 2nd King of England.
Why was the name of the school recently changed to Wells Cathedral Prep School?
To better describe our role of responsibility to prepare children for the next steps in their education journey and the life they will lead in an ever changing world once they step beyond the confines of School. And, as one sensible pupil asked, ‘How can we have a Pre-Prep without a Prep?’”
What do you see as the core challenges and opportunities facing independent schools in the South West, and how is Wells Cathedral School well placed to handle them?
I would suggest the three interlinked core challenges facing almost all independent Schools remain, recruitment, financial sustainability/affordability and competition, especially in the current economic climate.
Through the School’s continued efforts to attract, develop and retain the highest quality teachers and provide a broad and balanced curriculum that both supports and stretches all pupils, Wells Cathedral continues its long-established reputation for supporting pupils to be happy and develop as well rounded and aspirational individuals.
The School has been adapting to an ever-changing educational landscape for 1,114 years and we will continue to embrace all that stands before us as we prepare our children for a new digital age.
How does the Prep School interact with the local community?
In numerous ways. This year we wrote Christmas cards for those in a number of our local care homes. Our youngest pupils joined forces with Somerset Arts in a project named Singing for the Brain, singing and playing music alongside those suffering from dementia.
We carried out a city wide ‘litter pick’ as part of ‘the Big Help Out’. Our Head of Music & Performing Arts runs Wells Young Music String Orchestra (WYMSO). We also ran a much enjoyed ‘Welly Wanging’ event at the recent Mayor’s Coronation event. Our musicians regularly perform for local events such as, Remembrance Day and concerts, and we look to provide further sporting opportunities for the broader community through the use of our facilities, with former Prep School pupils recently completing a programme called ‘Happy Hockey’ for children from two local primary schools.
Is there a core lesson that you have learnt from your years in teaching and that you would like to see applied more generally?
Children learn best when they have ownership of their learning, and this is one of the reasons why a creative curriculum approach done well is so valuable. I am a firm believer in education that focuses on gaining skills rather than just acquiring knowledge. I am not convinced that GCSEs necessarily do this.
What are the key principles and values that children learn at Wells Cathedral Prep School that help to prepare them for their future studies?
Through our motto ‘Esto Quod Es’ (be what you are), our children are encouraged to be themselves and to become the best that they can be, an ethos that is constantly reinforced through our values of Creativity, Aspiration, Responsibility and Endeavour. It is also no coincidence that these values spell the word CARE. Kindness sits at the heart of all we expect from our pupils and we encourage them to CARE for themselves, each other and the world around them.
Creativity – encouraging imagination, curiosity, adapting to new challenges and being a part of the School’s movement forwards.
Aspiration – we strive to instil a strong work ethic and a pursuit of progression and development in all that they undertake, through the promotion of critical thinking, problem-solving skills and a love for learning across various subjects.
Responsibility – encouraged through character development that fosters positive learning powers and character traits such as resilience, motivation, resourcefulness, honesty and integrity, empathy and resilience. We aim to develop well-rounded individuals who possess strong moral and ethical values and show respect and care for all.
Endeavour – doing your best in all things, in the classroom and beyond. We encourage pupils to try new things and discover new passions, and try for the sake of the team as well as the individual. It’s important to recognise the value of determined effort and participation before winning and success.
Can you tell us one funny story from your career in teaching – it’s always good to hear about the fun side of being a teacher?
I have always believed that everyday should be filled with fun. There are many stories and I wish I had kept a journal throughout my career.
One that immediately springs to mind (having been reminded of it only last week by a former pupil and now prospective parent) involved the vital lesson on why you should always dress appropriately for sport. I was teaching backstroke as part of a swimming lesson and hadn’t had time to change following another event so I was still in my suit. I was moving along the side of the pool ensuring children didn’t bash their arms/heads, and I slipped on a float and ended up doing the most gymnastic back flip into the pool in my favourite suit. 17 years later and apparently it still is one of my former pupil’s most enjoyable lessons ever!