Wellington College

Overview Of Wellington College

Wellington College is one of the UK’s most academically prestigious boarding schools, renowned for its high-achieving students and innovative approach to education. Set within 400 acres of Berkshire parkland, the College offers both A Levels and the International Baccalaureate (IB), consistently delivering outstanding results across both pathways. Its commitment to academic excellence is matched by a strong culture of intellectual curiosity, preparing pupils for admission to top universities in the UK, US, and beyond.

Academic Matters

Step into the world of Wellington College—an esteemed institution founded over 170 years ago, set within the breathtaking grounds of Berkshire. With a legacy of academic excellence and innovation, Wellington has educated some of Britain’s most distinguished minds, earning its reputation as one of the world’s leading boarding schools.

Named “Best of the Best for Boarding” by The Week magazine, Wellington College blends rigorous academics with a rich co-curricular programme. The school is a powerhouse in UK school sports, holding national titles in hockey, rugby, shooting, triathlon, squash, and more. Creativity thrives just as strongly, with Wellington awarded the prestigious Artsmark Gold by Arts Council England for its outstanding provision across all arts subjects.

Wellington’s unique approach to holistic education has shaped generations of leaders, authors, politicians, performers, and athletes. Its impact stretches far beyond the classroom, continuing to set the standard for excellence in modern boarding education.

Wellington College Courses & Programmes

Third Form

A unique component of the school’s teaching philosophy. This class encourages students to reflect on their own development

1 hour/ week promoting ICT competency, research and referencing skills and independent learning

Fourth & Fifth Forms

*Optional: Double Award subject

Allows pupils to complete an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) Level 2

Pupils have the option to take two or three additional subjects, depending on their subject combination.

Sixth Form

Wellington College offers both A-Levels and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) to its students.

In the IB Diploma programme offered at Wellington College, students are encouraged to pursue in-depth knowledge and specialization by selecting three subjects at the Higher Level and three additional subjects at the standard level. Along with mandatory modules in Mathematics and English, IB students are also required to study a language, a science subject, and a humanities subject.

At Wellington College, the A-Level program emphasises a select range of subjects. Typically, students in the Sixth Form will undertake studies in four subjects of their choosing.

Wellington College Application Deadline

Wellington College Ranking

Despite the exceptional academic achievements of Wellington College, the institution firmly believes that a truly outstanding education extends far beyond mere exam results and grades. As a result, the school made the decision in 2016 to no longer supply pupil examination results for newspaper league tables. However, certain independent league tables have still included Wellington College in their rankings, which we will discuss below.

In 2024, Wellington College’s IB cohort attained an impressive average of 38.4 points, placing the school 10th globally in the IB Schools league table.

According to our 2024 A-Level League Table, Wellington College secured the 46th position in the UK with an impressive 66.3% of students achieving A*-A grades.

In our latest 2024 GCSE League Table, Wellington College was ranked as the 59th best school in the UK, with an outstanding achievement of 83.3% of students attaining grades 9-7.

Over the past few years, Wellington College has sent 76 pupils to Oxbridge, with the vast majority of other pupils attending elite Ivy League universities in the US and Russell Group universities.

Wellington College Examination Results

Wellington College Fees

The Governors of Wellington College have set the 2024/25 fees as follows:

£ 59,540

Wellington College Entry Requirements

13+ Entry

Stage 1 (Oct/Nov Year 6)
Candidates will sit the ISEB common Pre-TEST
An age standardised series of tests in English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Overseas candidates can take the test at a British Council or an approved testing centre

Selected pupils will attend Assessment Day at Wellington, consisting of:

Collaborative
Problem-solving activities
Interview

16+ Entry

Online registration, requiring a non-refundable fee of £300
Submission of the most recent school reports
Submission of a personal statement, limited to a maximum of 1000 words

Selected students will be invited to attend an Assessment Day at Wellington College, which includes:

Short exams
An interview
Participation in one lesson
Engagement in a group discussion on a subject of the candidate’s choice, which they can select beforehand

Offers will be sent out on the 1st of December

Exams can be taken at an approved testing centre near their location.
Interviews will be conducted via video conference.
Applicants who do not have English as their first language must take the UKiset test.

Wellington College Reviews

“My son loved the mix of traditional values and innovative teaching – harkness & 8 aptitudes and the curriculum and super-curricular activities offered. And most of all, all staff and pupils we met at the college, throughout the interview and testing process, were absolutely wonderful; extremely welcoming, helpful and charming.”

“Academically it is rapidly climbing up the ladder. You can really see it at the school. Teaching is generally outstanding – History and English depts are amazing, My son has managed to achieve straight (12) A*s at GCSE due to extremely strong and experienced module departments that offered him exceptional help during his studies.”

“I really miss Wellington College, It’s a state of art huge campus. I miss the yummy meals too and hopefully I could pay a visit back to the school and spend some more time there”

“What can I add to the Wellington College recommendation page that hasn’t been pointed out before ? The campus is the most beautiful and luxurious you can imagine. The standard of education is the best in the United Kingdom and I can say that with some clarity. My two children have flourished and thrived under Wellington’s wings. The establishment does everything with your child’s abilities in mind and teaches them how to fly and glide above the world. It injects pride into everything they do and seeing how the students behave Day in and day out just demonstrates how Wellingtons ethos is reflected in every boy and girl.”

“An incredible institution which gave my children the best possible start in life, not only from an academic and sporting perspective where success is based wholly on the grounds of reaping the rewards of hard work, but also from the perspective of being exposed to so many other fields where every peer’s own individual strengths and talents are also respected. Grounded, good citizens who all give back to society – proud to be Parents of Old Wellingtonians.”

Wellington College Accommodation

Wellington College encompasses a total of 17 boarding houses, each overseen by a Housemaster or Housemistress, along with an Assistant, Tutors, Matron, and Housekeeper. This comprehensive system guarantees the constant presence of responsible adults, ensuring the utmost well-being and safety of the students.

Student Services And Extracurricular Activities

Wellington College takes great pride in its esteemed enrichment program, which is widely regarded as one of the finest in Britain. Students at Wellington College are presented with endless possibilities to enrich their academic journeys through active involvement in a diverse range of co-curricular activities.

The Arts

*Pupils are expected to be involved in an Arts programme after their Third Form

Chapel Music
Music
Drama
Dance
Art
Design
Student Media

Sports

Facilities

2 floodlit AstroTurf pitches

Sports hall
Indoor and outdoor swimming pools
22 hard tennis courts
9 cricket pitches
2 lacrosse pitches
8 netball courts
Gym
Dance studio
Basketball and volleyball courts
Rackets court
Squash and badminton courts
Real Tennis court
Climbing wall
Shooting range
Nine-hole golf course

Sports

Athletics
Badminton
Basketball
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Climbing
Cricket
Equestrian
Fencing
Football
Golf
Hockey
Lacrosse
Modern Pentathlon
Netball
Orienteering
Polo
Racket
Real Tennis
Rounders
Rowing
Rugby
Running Club
Sailing
Shooting
Squash
Strength and Conditioning
Swimming
Tennis
Triathlon/Cycling
Water Polo
X-Challenge

Global Citizenship / Leadership

Arts Award
Adventure
CCF
Community Action
Connected Curriculum
Enrichment
Sustainability

Expedition and Adventure

Gold Level DOE award programme

Horse riding
Mountain biking
Canoeing
Walking for expedition

Service Learning-based Expedition

Past activities include:

Visit to textiles industry in Tanzania
Business and economies trip in Nicaragua
Sixth Form Biologist trip to Indonesia for conservation projects and scuba-diving with marine biologist

Student has the opportunity to travel the world to countries such as

Switzerland
Italy
Greece
Spain
Germany
U.S
South Africa

Enrichment

Wellington College also offers enrichment programmes to students from the Third Form all the way up to Upper Sixth. A plethora of student-run societies is available for students to participate in, as well as academic departments -based societies such as Philosophy and Theology, Classics Society, World History Society and many more.

Wellington College Contact Information

Official website: https://www.wellingtoncollege.org.uk
Location: Wellington College, Duke’s Ride, Berkshire, Crowthorne RG45 7PU
Email address: admissions@wellingtoncollege.org.uk
Phone: +44 (0) 1344 444013

School Level

Boarding Age

Courses

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Gender