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History of the School

The history of our school dates back to 1641 when it was established as a charitable foundation by Margaret Barkham the wife of a local churchman, Ezekial, respecting the legacy wish of her late husband to provide an education for children of St Cuthbert’s Parish in Wells.

The Blue School has always been for the children of Wells and its local communities

It is understood that our name was derived some time after foundation as a result of the blue dyed uniforms that were eventually provided for pupils at that time.  Numbers were few to begin with and all male, but thankfully this changed in the 20th Century to gradually become the larger, co-educational provision seen today.

Our students are encouraged to take pride in the school's history, which is celebrated annually by each Year 7 in a Founder's Day Service at St Cuthbert’s Church, the parish and civic church of the City of Wells, our school’s church.  The aim of this simple service is to place our students into a community that goes a long way back and which will continue on after they have left the school.  The service aims to make explicit the value of belonging to our community, treating all with empathy, respect and politeness.

The school has been located in various buildings around Wells over the last 380 years.  But in the 1950s a new “state of the art” purpose built Blue School (Kennion) was erected to the north of the City at the foot of the Mendip Hills.   In the late 1960s, a new Milton School was built adjacent to The Blue School with only the West Mendip Way to provide separation.  Some of our local community still remember their “meetings with the other side” on this path at the end of the school day.

In the early 1970s when the Government raised the school leaving age to 16, it was decided to merge both schools into one secondary, comprehensive provision for Wells to be called The Blue School.  The campus today of 35 acres reflects the 1950’s “Kennion” building (named after Bishop of Bath and Wells George Kennion 1845-1922) and the 1960’s Milton School.  Middle blocks were erected as part of this “bringing together” of the two school buildings and were subsequently named after the long-standing Headteacher of the 1980s, Ken Bailey and the two Hanwell brothers, who taught for many years at the school up to the early 1990s. 

In the 1990’s Wells Road Bypass was built by Somerset Council, slicing off the southern part of the school’s playing field but providing some money to build Wells Blue Sports Centre on the school's site, opening in 1999.   It was not until the turn of the millennium that work was able to start in earnest on modelling of the use of the buildings on-site into one campus.  This was helped significantly in 2007, when a new Science extension was erected to the Kennion building, expanding much needed specialist facilities.

Reflecting an historic oversight, in 2012, a new four classroom teaching block, was named after The Blue School’s founders - Margaret and Ezekial Barkham.  Taking pride of place in the centre of the campus, the Barkham building contains brickwork found on both Milton and Kennion, physically representing the campus being brought together as one school.

In 2022, the Wells Blue School, our foundation charity, with help from the PTA and other benefactors, supported the installation of a new outdoor social area for our students.  This reflected the lessons learnt from the pandemic, with students encouraged to be outside as much as possible in the fresh air.  The Bailey Terrace provides a superb seating area for students with views across our playing fields to Wells Cathedral, St Cuthbert's Church and Glastonbury Tor beyond.

After over 350 years of educating the children of Wells and surrounding areas, the future appears to be secure, The Blue continuing to thrive as one of the largest, state maintained, all inclusive 11-18 year schools in Somerset.

 

Latest Tweets

@BlueSchoolWells - 9th Dec 2024

@BlueSchoolWells - 9th Dec 2024
We are taking part in Christmas Jumper Day this week to raise money for Save The Children.On Thursday 12th December all students and staff are invited to wear a Christmas jumper to school and to donate a minimum of 50p to raise money for Save the Children. pic.twitter.com/n1z1jDjbzK— The Blue School () December 9, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 4th Dec 2024
Don't forget MUFTI DAY this coming Friday 6th Dec.money raised to go to Young Lives vs Cancer &The Grand Appeal— The Blue School () December 4, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 2nd Dec 2024
📣We are having a Mufti day this coming Friday 6th December to raise funds for two charities;- Young Lives vs Cancer- The Grand Appeal (linked to the Bristol Children's Hospital)The money raised will be split equally 50/50— The Blue School () December 2, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 27th Nov 2024
We have a variety of positions available at The Blue School. Please click the link for more information. https://t.co/jBx3R4HeAO— The Blue School () November 27, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 18th Nov 2024
Wednesday 27th November. PTA Second-hand uniform sale. Kennion Activities Room 3.30pm to 5.30pm.— The Blue School () November 18, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 4th Nov 2024
We are seeking to appoint a full time Teacher of Music from January 2025 Applications for part-time roles would also be considered.Please click on the following link for more information.https://t.co/jBx3R4HeAO— The Blue School () November 4, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 24th Oct 2024
2004, Jason Robinson, becomes the first black captain of the England Rugby team.— The Blue School () October 24, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 23rd Oct 2024
2003, Baroness Amos, became the first black female cabinet minister.— The Blue School () October 23, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 22nd Oct 2024
2002, Paul Boateng, becomes the first black cabinet minister, is appointed chief secretary to the Treasury.— The Blue School () October 22, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 21st Oct 2024
1998, Chris Ofili, s the first black artist to win the Turner prize.Hope Powell, the first Black manager of a UK national football team, Hope Powell was in charge of England Women.— The Blue School () October 21, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 21st Oct 2024
1993, Paul Ince, is the first black captain of the England football team.— The Blue School () October 21, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 17th Oct 2024
1991, Ben Orki, wins the Booker prize for his novel, The Famished Road. The first black writer to win the prize. Bill Morris, First black leader of a major British Trade union.— The Blue School () October 17, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 16th Oct 2024
1987, Black History Month became a fixture in the UK. Diane Abbott became the first black female MP.— The Blue School () October 16, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 15th Oct 2024
1981, Moira Stuart,first black female news presenter on national British television— The Blue School () October 15, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 15th Oct 2024
1978, Viv Anderson, first black footballer to play in England’s senior men's team.— The Blue School () October 15, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 11th Oct 2024
1976, The Fosters, a TV sitcom with an all black cast arrives on British TV. Race relation act strengthens laws against discrimination and establishes the Commision for Racial Equality.— The Blue School () October 11, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 11th Oct 2024
1976, Rock Against Racism, carnivals were organised to bring together black and white fans in their common love of music, to discourage young people from embracing racism.— The Blue School () October 11, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 10th Oct 2024
1975, Sir David Pitt became a life peer, Lord Pitt of Hampstead. He later became chair of the British Medical Association.— The Blue School () October 10, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 10th Oct 2024
1973, Sir Trevor McDonald became the first black newsreader on British TV.— The Blue School () October 10, 2024
@BlueSchoolWells - 8th Oct 2024
1968, Race Relation Act making it illegal to refuse housing, public services and employment on the grounds of ethnicity.— The Blue School () October 8, 2024