Wells Cathedral School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school located in Wells, Somerset, England. The school is one of the five specialist musical schools for school-age children in the United Kingdom, along with Chetham's School of Music, the Yehudi Menuhin School, the Purcell School and St. Mary's Music School, Edinburgh. The Head Master, Alastair Tighe, is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference. History With links to a school founded in AD 909, Wells is one of the oldest extant schools in the world. The school admitted girls in 1969 and has over 700 pupils aged between 3 and 18. The school has a musical emphasis and specialises in combining high-level musical tuition with a general academic education, as well as sports. Situated within the city of Wells, the School's boarding houses line the northern parts of the city and the Music School retains close links with Wells Cathedral. The Vicar's Chapel and Library in Vicars' Close was built c1424-1430. The lower floor was a chapel, with a spiral stair leading up to the library. It is now used by the School. De Salis House and De Salis Cottage were built in the late 14th century. The Rib was built in the 15th century and is a Grade II* listed building. Cedars House was built in 1758 for Charles Tudway, the Member of Parliament for Wells and now forms part of the school. Claver Morris House was built as a canonical house in 1669 by Dr Claver Morris, while Plumptre dates from 1737 and was built for Dr Francis White. No.11 The Liberty was built as a Canonical house in the mid 18th century and it now forms part of Wells Cathedral Junior School. No 23 The Liberty was built in 1819 for the Chapter Clerk, William Parfitt, and the 15th century Polydor House formerly belonged to the organists. The red brick Cedars Cottage, which was built as a coachman's cottage the former stables and coach house were built in the mid to late 18th century, around the same time as Mullins. Ritchie House was built a little later around the end of the 18th century or the beginning of the 19th. Ritchie Hall became part of the School on its rebuilding in 1884 but incorporates part of a 12th-century Canon's Barn, while St Andrew's Lodge was built in 1713 as part of a charity school. Wells