From the Archives: 25 Years ago

As terms go by;
You must remember this …*

Twenty-five years ago (and more), Wells pupils (like you?) would at this time of the summer have been apprehensively anticipating the longest term of the School year – 14 solid weeks of Michaelmas with just one week of half term break. And then 10 weeks each of Lent and Summer.

But times they were a changin’ and a government commission was proposing changes for 2005; “The days when children had to be released from the classroom to bring in the harvest are long gone, but the school year has remained as it was laid down more than a century ago.”

Wells Cathedral School was ahead of the game. After consultation with parents, staff and pupils in 2000, organised by Deputy Headmaster, Mr. Charles Cain, the School decided to adopt a six-term format, beginning in the academic year 2002/2003. This saw the introduction of Michaelmas, Advent, Epiphany, Lent, Whitsun & Trinity terms, each of up to six weeks and with a two week or longer break between each of them (plus one exeat per term for boarders).

Deputy Head (Curriculum) Mr. Nigel Walkey said, “The principal aim of having two terms before Christmas is to enable pupils and staff to be fresher and more focused during November and December. This has proved to be the case and the new arrangements are also welcomed by working parents and those living abroad, who see the two-week break as more worthwhile.” There has also been a lower incidence of illness and absence from School since the change.

The change has been a long term success. Head Master, Mr. Alastair Tighe said last year, “Wells is one of the very few independent schools to have moved to a six-term year and this has given the pattern of the School year a consistency and rhythm.”

It’s reassuring to hear that all at Wells remain on the best of terms!

*With thanks (and apologies) to the film ‘Casablanca’