Founded in 1837, Wellington School is a co-educational, academically selective school providing a friendly, disciplined environment and a wide range of co-curricular opportunities.
Situation. Located on the southern edge of Wellington, at the foot of the Blackdown Hills, this fully co-educational School is equidistant from Tiverton Parkway and Taunton Railway Stations. The M5 approach road (Junction 26) is within a mile. Currently there are 600 pupils in the Lower and Upper Schools (11–18 years), of whom 20% board.
Buildings. The School has witnessed an extensive building programme over the last twenty years, the new buildings having been carefully and tastefully blended in with existing architecture.
The John Kendall-Carpenter Science Centre has state-of-the-art laboratories and lecture theatre, a multimillion pound sports complex, a purpose-built Prep School and a new classroom block and examination hall. Major improvements to Performing Arts facilities, including a new foyer and theatre space, were completed in 2010. Plans are under way to refurbish boarding houses, the School cafe, and to create a new study hub.
Grounds. There are 35 acres of playing fields as well as a new floodlit all-weather hockey pitch, squash courts, an indoor swimming pool and a climbing wall.
Houses. There are separate Day Houses for boys and girls in Upper and Lower School, with many inter-house competitions. In addition, there are 5 boarding houses in total.
There is a central Dining Hall and all meals are served on a cafeteria basis. The School also has its own well equipped laundry.
There is a fully equipped Health Centre, with a trained staff under the direction of the School Medical Officer.
Academic Organisation. The School is divided into the Upper School (Year 9–Sixth Form) and the Lower School (Years 7 and 8). The Prep School (Nursery–Year 6) is on a separate, adjoining campus.
Most pupils enter the School at Year 7, 9 or 12. The curriculum in Years 7, 8 and 9 is designed to allow pupils to develop the skills needed to succeed at GCSE and features a good range of practical and more academic subjects including Latin. At GCSE all pupils study English, English Literature, Mathematics and a Short Course in Religious Education as well as a Modern Foreign Language and a further five or six subjects. Pupils have a free choice of studying three sciences separately or as Dual Award Science. The Mathematics and Science courses lead to IGCSE qualifications. The most able mathematicians take IGCSE at the end of Year 10 before taking Additional Mathematics in Year 11. Students have a free choice from a wide range of subjects in the Sixth Form as well as the Extended Project Qualification. A system of grades every term and tutor groups ensure that academic monitoring of pupils is supportive and effective.
Religious Education is part of the curriculum throughout the School. The School is Christian in tradition and there is a short Act of Worship in the School Chapel on each weekday with a longer Sunday service. The content and form of these services are based on contemporary Anglican procedures. Attendance is expected although sensitivity is shown towards pupils of other faiths for whom alternative provision can be made.
Music. Tuition is available on all orchestral instruments, as well as piano, organ, drum kit and percussion, classical and electric guitars and voice. The department consists of 2 full-time, 1 part-time and 25 specialist instrumental staff. The School is an All Steinway School and facilities include a fine Steinway model D Concert Grand Piano. There is a large Rodgers Digital Organ in the Chapel. Some 30 ensembles rehearse each week, giving plentiful opportunities to performers of all ages and all instruments. The department currently runs 7 choirs of various kinds and styles from the renowned Chapel Choir to the lighter sounds of Girlforce9. Concerts of all kinds take place throughout each term and the Wellington Professional Concerts Series bring world class musicians to the School to give recitals and masterclasses. Pupils are entered for ABRSM, Trinity Guildhall and Rockschool exams each term.
Physical Education and Games. New Sport and Wellbeing Department in 2016 with all pupils playing games regularly, unless exempt for medical reasons. Wellbeing, which is also part of the curriculum for Years 7 to 11, takes place in the Sports Complex and includes nutrition, psychology and mental health alongside activities such as judo, and body-pump with the aim of embedding physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. All pupils learn to swim and are given the opportunity to take part in as many sports as possible. In the winter term, rugby and hockey are the main sports; in the spring term hockey, netball and cross-country running; in the summer term athletics, girls and boys cricket, tennis and swimming. Team practices take place throughout the week with matches on Saturday afternoons. The Sports Complex houses a purpose-built fencing sale / movement suite.
Out of School and CCF Activities. All pupils from the Year 10 upwards either join the large CCF contingent, with army, naval and RAF sections, or are engaged in volunteering activities on a weekly basis, ranging from community services and conservation, to music, art and creative activities such as producing school radio podcasts. Outdoor Education, both within the CCF, as part of the flourishing Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and climbing and caving clubs are very popular, with many trips organised for all year groups. The CCF also has a highly respected Corps of Drums, which frequently features in local ceremonial events. Societies, in addition to the above, include art, chess and drama at various levels, STEM, computing and others.
Careers. A complete careers guidance service is offered including visits to and from employers, a careers speed-dating event, careers talks, a careers networking dinner and careers fair with local schools.
Entry. Entrance exam for Year 7, 9 and Sixth Form. There is a registration fee of £50 for all pupils and a refundable deposit of £400.
Scholarships and Bursaries. A number of academic and sport, drama and art and design scholarships are offered each year for entry at 11+ and 13+. Music scholarships are awarded for entry at 11+, 13+ and above. Awards may be increased by an income-related bursary. A small number of awards are offered for the Sixth Form.
Fees per term (2019-2020). Boarders £9,920–£10575, Weekly Boarders £7,940–£8,275, International Boarders £10,200–£10,895. Fees include tuition, board, laundry, medical attention and Health Centre and books. Day pupils £4,650–£5.225.
Extras. Apart from purely personal expenses and school lunches, the termly extras are private music lessons from £235 to £290; EAL lessons at various rates depending on need.
Charitable status. Wellington School is a Registered Charity, number 1161447. It aims to provide a happy, caring co-educational day and boarding community, where pupils are provided with the opportunity of making best use of their academic experience and the School enrichment activities, in order to enhance their overall preparation for life after the age of eighteen.
