Where Academic Excellence and Wellbeing Come Together
Founded in 1853 as a living memorial to the Duke of Wellington, Wellington College is a co-educational boarding school with a long and distinguished tradition in the UK. Set within a 160-hectare parkland campus in Berkshire, the school offers a spacious and supportive learning environment that shapes daily life both academically and socially. Historic buildings from the 19th century sit alongside modern teaching and boarding facilities, creating a setting that combines heritage with contemporary education.
While deeply rooted in its history, Wellington College is firmly forward-looking. The school is recognised as a pioneer within the British education system and was the first school in the UK to embed wellbeing into the curriculum. This philosophy continues to shape everyday school life: traditions are valued, while new approaches are constantly developed to prepare young people for the future. The atmosphere is purposeful and driven by a strong sense of community, encouraging students to take responsibility and realise their full potential.
Akademis makes history – A Triple Award-Winning Consultancy (2023, 2024 & 2025) 🏆
Akademis has been recognised three years in a row by StudyTravel for excellence in the education sector:
2025 & 2024: Winners of the StudyTravel Secondary School Award (Best Western European Agency)
2023: Winner of the StudyTravel Star Award
(Best Western European Agency)
The StudyTravel Awards are among the most prestigious honours in international education, recognising outstanding quality, client focus and trusted partnerships. Being the first consultancy ever to win for three consecutive years is something we are deeply proud of. For us, these awards highlight our commitment to offering the very best guidance, personal service and long-term support for families embarking on this exciting journey.
Quick Overview
Total number of students: 1200
Age of students: 13–18
Boarding students: 950
International students: 15%
Students in the Sixth Form: 500
Boarding fees for senior school: £20,750
The most important sports on offer in addition to traditional team sports: rugby, hockey, golf, cricket, netball, tennis, football
Nearest airports: London Heathrow (30 minutes), London Gatwick (60 minutes)
Key Strengths at a Glance
A pioneering approach to wellbeing as part of the curriculum (first school in the UK)
A 160-hectare campus with extensive sports facilities, including a 9-hole golf course
Outstanding academic results (with IB results regularly around 39 points)
A strong theatre and performing arts culture centred around the 900-seat G.W. Annenberg Theatre
Wellington College – Photo Highlights
Wellington College in Detail
Academic life
Academically, Wellington College offers an inspiring range and high quality of provision. In the Upper School, students have the valuable freedom to choose between A Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school places great emphasis on learning that goes beyond exam preparation and promotes genuine understanding. The subject offering is extensive, ranging from traditional academic disciplines to Design Engineering, Philosophy and Computer Science. The academic record is impressive and opens doors to the world’s leading universities. 92% of all final grades were achieved in the range of A–B or 7–5*. The school’s strength is also evident at GCSE level, where an impressive 42% of all grades were awarded the top grade 9. These results are the outcome of a learning culture that encourages curiosity and develops individual strengths rather than simply testing knowledge.
Sport
Sport plays a central role at Wellington. With over 1,500 sports fixtures each year, the calendar is full, giving every student the opportunity to compete, from beginners to elite athletes. The facilities are among the most extensive in the country: the campus includes 11 rugby and 11 football pitches, 9 cricket grass pitches and 22 hard tennis courts. For indoor sports, there is a large sports hall, a dance studio, and five squash and rackets courts. The offer is complemented by two swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), a climbing wall, a shooting range and the school’s own 9-hole golf course directly on campus. Outdoor education, including the Combined Cadet Force and expedition activities, is also an integral part of the Wellington experience.
Arts & Music
Culturally, Wellington is an absolute powerhouse. At the heart of artistic life is the impressive G.W. Annenberg Theatre with 900 seats, which is in no way inferior to professional London stages. Performances take place regularly, with students taking part not only as actors, but also as directors or technicians. The music department also offers opportunities at the highest level. Whether in the symphony orchestra, jazz bands or choirs, music is a central part of everyday school life. Thanks to modern facilities as well as contemporary rehearsal and music rooms, students are able to further develop their talents. The school does not see the arts as a minor subject, but as an essential element of personal development that fosters creativity and self-expression.
Wellbeing & Community
Boarding life across the 18 boarding houses lies at the heart of the school. This creates a true “home from home”, where students from all year groups live together and form lifelong friendships. What makes Wellington truly distinctive, however, is its uncompromising focus on student wellbeing. As the first school in the United Kingdom to embed wellbeing as a fixed part of the curriculum, students actively learn how to manage stress, build mental resilience and lead a balanced life. This holistic approach ensures that students develop not only academically, but also grow personally and feel safe and supported within the community.
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Conclusion
Wellington College stands for an education that combines academic clarity, personal development and responsible action. The combination of structured academic expectations, a consciously embedded wellbeing culture and an exceptionally active school life creates an environment in which young people can grow sustainably – academically and personally.
We are confident that, together, we can find the right boarding school for your child. We’re also happy to advise you on other boarding schools in England. You’ll find an overview on our Boarding Schools in England page.
Benefit from:
- straightforward communication and support
- guidance on visa questions
- authentic insights from first-hand experience
- increased chances of admission thanks to our strong relationship with the school
What Makes Akademis Stand Out?
- We remain your trusted contact throughout your child’s stay, well beyond the placement process.
- We provide support with guardianship, visa applications and recognition of qualifications within your home country’s education system.
- We offer fully tailored advice. Our school recommendations are unique to each child and can run to 40 pages in length.
- Families receive our 30+ page boarding school guide, packed with practical tips and insights.
- We prepare your child thoroughly for entrance exams and interviews to maximise their chances of success.
- We arrange school visits, ensuring you have the opportunity to experience each school first-hand.
Every boarding school has its own character and ethos. Having personally visited more than 100 schools, we understand these nuances. We also work with schools that do not pay commission, ensuring that our advice remains independent and always in the best interest of your child.
Our roots lie in the UK. For years, we have placed 200–300 families annually into British boarding schools. While our portfolio now includes schools beyond Britain, the UK remains at the heart of what we do.
Our tailored approach results in exceptional acceptance rates. For example, in 2022/23, all seven students we placed at the highly selective Malvern College received offers – a 100% success rate.
We arrange for prospective families to speak with our current students to hear first-hand accounts of life at a UK boarding school.
