PROSPECTUS
WHO WE ARE
Wellington College International Bangkok opens in 2018; its mission is to deliver the most exceptional international school education in Thailand—and across the region. We are proud—and thrilled— jigsaw of Bangkok’s growing prominence as a Southeast Asian hub, and we are delighted to welcome families of all nationalities. The global family of Wellington Colleges—in the UK, China and here in Thailand—has a very strong reputation for the development of academic excellence, international-mindedness, leadership, responsibility, service to others, outstanding pastoral provision and an exceptionally rich programme of cocurricular activities.
Our values grow from those of our close partner school, Wellington College in the English county of Berkshire. It is our fundamental belief that every child can thrive when provided with outstanding, wide-ranging and open-ended opportunities to develop, explore and learn. Our students’ individual responses to these opportunities, shepherded by some of the best teachers in the world and supported by our uniquely dedicated pastoral teams, can set them on the path to extraordinary academic achievement—which, at Wellington, routinely goes hand-in-hand with excellence in performing and visual arts, sport and service to others. This is what it means for the whole
It is my privilege, and an enormous pleasure, to be able to welcome you to Wellington College International Bangkok. This prospectus will give you a glimpse of what we are and what we you see—do come and visit us: we would love to meet you, and the real thing will speak to you so much better than these pages can.
WELCOME
Have a look at our wonderful campus: there is space to move and to think; there is peace to ponder and to learn; there is nature to explore and to cultivate. Our outstanding school premises are purpose-built, echoing the grandeur of Wellington College in England as well as the grace and depth of the culture of Thailand. We are halfway between city and airport—convenient to both yet dominated by neither. The philosophy of Wellington College, originally developed in the UK, is rich—and absolutely central to our existence. When we talk about our identity, you will feel genuine commitment and belief, not just from me but from everyone in the community. We are, and expect everyone to be, inspired, intellectual, independent, individual and inclusive.
When we talk about our values, we mean what we say: courage,
And every one of our parents is central to our process. To understand your child, we need to know you personally and to share the responsibility of guiding your children with you openly
corridors and the classrooms. teacher-parent loop is fundamental to what we do. What teachers aim to instil, they must exemplify powerfully themselves: to engender respect, I must be respectful; before and they practise it with rigour. And yet a school is not a campus, no matter how ideal the location, nor is it a philosophy—even ours. A school is its people. So every one of our students is surrounded by opportunities to engage with, to explore and to encounter anything and everything there is to learn. The world is not just out there—and not just on the page of a textbook or the screen of a tablet: it is right here, ready for your child to experience.
channels. The Wellington approach to learning is absolutely
Recognising and acting on this is central to how we work every day.
My own roots are in the UK but education has taken me around the globe. The joy, the excitement and the boundless awe I have felt on my own journey of discovery are what I am most passionate about engendering in others. The world is an amazing place—and WCIB one of the very best schools in it. Christopher Nicholls Founding Master, Wellington College International Bangkok
A FLOURISHING PARTNERSHIP
BRITISH ROYAL HERITAGE Britain to great military victory but also led the country, as Prime Minister, in times of peace and enormous prosperity. In honour of ‘the greatest man this country has ever produced’, Queen Victoria herself founded Wellington College in 1859. Almost one hundred and sixty years on, the College is not only one of the United Kingdom’s most highly-respected schools but also one of its most pioneering—leading educational innovation and transformation across the country and, indeed, the world. Links with the British Royal family remain strong, with members regularly visiting the College. Few schools have such deep ties with history, and such a proud heritage.
IIt gives me great pleasure to welcome Wellington College International Bangkok to the Wellington family of schools, and I wish you all the best of fortune as you embark on your exciting new journey. When I visited Thailand recently it gave me a real sense of pride to see a new Wellington rise up to take its place in the remarkable city of Bangkok, and I know that this new school will contribute much to the educational landscape of Thailand, a country that is so proud of its history but which is so committed to investing in its future. It seems to me that this ability to look both backwards and forwards by building on a unique and powerful heritage is a quality that is recognisably Wellingtonian. It is not just the buildings that tie us together, but also our shared educational ideals and practices. To commit to a Wellington education is to believe absolutely in the transformative power of learning. Like all families we share so many values and characteristics, but in particular As you know that identity is built on intellectual curiosity, on true independence, on a generous and far-reaching inclusivity and on the capacity for all Wellington pupils, whether they be educated in the UK, China, Thailand or the Middle East, to be inspired to become the very best they can be. I am delighted that our group of schools is growing in such a dynamic and globally connected way, and I know that Wellington Bangkok will prove to be a vitally important and successful part of the family. Julian Thomas 14th Master Wellington College, Berkshire, England
WELLINGTON IDENTITY WHAT TYPE OF PERSON IS A WELLINGTONIAN? Inspired
Individual
Intellectual
and co-curricular opportunities: all our students discover and develop fully their own talents, passions and interests, knowing that interested children become interesting adults.
We want Wellingtonians to have been genuinely excited by everything they have done during their years with us. They will have developed a zest for life so that they go into the world ready and able, in turn, to inspire others. This is the core pillar of the Wellington Identity.
Wellingtonians must move into the world able to think critically and to engage in deep learning. They will be able to study beyond the bounds of any curriculum, to be inquisitive and ask questions of everything around them, and be imbued with a lifelong love of learning.
Independent
Wellingtonians develop personal, cognitive, social and study skills to enable them to cope with the challenges of university and their lives beyond. They adapt, cope and thrive in an ever-changing world. This is
The aim of a Wellington education is to allow students to develop themselves fully in every sense. The pastoral care and focus on student wellbeing at the College values each student as a unique individual. The journey to individuality
Inclusive
Wellingtonians will leave the College not in a bubble of elitism, privilege and exclusivity, but with the moral values and social conscience to serve others and do good in life. This inclusivity includes a strong pride in coeducation, a commitment to internationalism and a service programme rooted in depth and honesty.
our co-curricular programme, our commitment to the coaching philosophy, and our focus on character development and leadership.
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WELLINGTON VALUES Operating as it always has at the nexus of tradition and progressiveness, Wellington College embraces a values-based approach to education. COURAGE, KINDNESS, RESPONSIBILITY, RESPECT and INTEGRITY are timeless: they were valued when the College was founded almost one hundred and sixty years ago; they are valued today; they will be valued one hundred and sixty years from now.
receptive to new thinking and ideas as they arise, shaping those ideas into forms that are appropriate for our own organisation and context. We look for —to be open to everyone— learning, and ready to learn. At Wellington, academic and pastoral support are abundant, based on challenge, discovery and innovation. We teach everyone how to learn—and how to be the best they can.
in order to improve the next time. We foster a culture of leadership and responsibility throughout our organisation. We encourage internationalmindedness, better to understand others’ beliefs and backgrounds. We look beyond ourselves and show kindness, always considering how we may help others. We espouse integrity, honesty and doing the right thing.
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PRE-PREP Our youngest Wellingtonians are encouraged to develop their own individual learning skills in safe, stimulating, colourful and child-centric surroundings. In Early Years (Pre-Nursery, Nursery and Reception classes; ages 2-5), the children follow the English Early Years Curriculum. It features a guided play-based approach, where teachers’ detailed ongoing observation provides the main input for assessment of progress and attainment. Teachers design relevant, interesting, learning-focused tasks and activities, providing daily phonics, maths, literacy and other elements of input. The transition from Early Years to Key Stage One (Years 1and 2; ages 5-7) sees the style of learning develop: whilst the excitement of discovery is undiminished, lessons become more structured. We use the National Curriculum for England as our foundation and the International Primary Curriculum helps us develop broad, rich and exciting topic work. In Pre-Prep, the Class Teacher delivers much of the curriculum and provides the teachers generally lead Thai language, music, swimming lessons and, increasingly, the rest of Physical Education. We encourage every child, right from the start, to develop a passion for learning through deliberate enquiry, critical thinking and creativity. Even from Pre-Nursery, we expect every Wellingtonian to be looking and searching beyond what is taught in the classroom.
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PREP SCHOOL As students move into the Prep School, our emphasis is on high academic standards coupled with an extensive and varied programme of co-curricular activities. Curricular and co-curricular endeavours have balancing strengths, potential. One of the most important goals in the Prep School is to maintain and enhance underlies deep learning and will set them up for success at this stage and beyond. Enter a Prep School classroom and you will see rigorous, imaginative, creative teaching, and focused, independent, dynamic learning. The curriculum is based on the National Curriculum for England, includes relevant focus on local culture and history, and is enhanced by exciting elements from the International Primary Curriculum. As they develop greater independence and responsibility, our Prep School students also experience more specialist teaching. This introduces the upper levels of subject expertise at an important early stage, encouraging genuine high quality of learning, and requires that students take greater initiative, moving around the School more and following more complex timetables. The Wellington curriculum is rigorous and stretching, designed to meet the needs of each individual and giving both breadth of educational experience and academic depth, all the time preparing all our students for the next stage of their education and their lives.
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SENIOR SCHOOL In the Senior School, which will open by 2020, we focus keenly on academic achievement, looking always to inspire curiosity, creativity and compassion as we do so. We are here to enrich our pupils’ lives with enjoyment and deep understanding them with the knowledge, skills and independence of mind that will make them read responsible—and outstanding—leaders of the future. In Years 10 and 11 (ages 14-16), students will work towards external IGCSE examinations in various subjects. Some, such as English, Mathematics and the Sciences, are core subjects; a broad range of others are optional.
recognised International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), generally comprehensive preparation for leadership in the workforce of the 21st century. IBDP students study six subjects, at the same time taking the IB’s signature Theory of Knowledge course, writing an Extended Essay and—very importantly—engaging in CAS (Creativity, Action, Service). Every member of Wellington College has high expectations—of ourselves and of others; we insist that working hard, and intelligently, must always be the basis of success. We believe strongly that learning is most rewarding in a community that is lively, co-operative, curious and tolerant.
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ENRICHMENT The Arts
The Arts are central to Wellington life. Every student participates in our active, bold arts programme, which is constructed to inspire creative imagination and to present each child with varied, rich opportunities to make the most of his or her artistic talent and potential. WCIB aims to plant in every Wellingtonian dance, music, creative writing, art and design.
Music
Our music programme is enormously diverse and dynamic, with concerts and recitals featuring a vast range of musical styles and genres taking place throughout the academic year.
Dance and Drama extraordinary centrepiece for the school year. drama and performance but, with student-led House events, drama and dance competitions, jazz dance and ballet clubs and major stage productions happening across the three terms, drama is multi-faceted—and could happen anywhere!
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Art we encourage everyone to explore the full range of media, to study forms, approaches and styles thoughtfully and to experiment relentlessly. In this way, startling creativity and originality can emerge, Our two-layered aim is simple: to open up fascination with the world of art to every student; and to get our best practitioners into the top art and design schools around the world.
Sport
Sport is an integral part of every student’s development, wellbeing and education. It provides a platform to celebrate all that is unique about being a Wellingtonian. Of course, sport is not just about physical aptitude: it develops the whole person, giving each one of us insight into what it means to persevere, to work in and for a team, to struggle, to push ourselves, to face both victory and defeat. Wellington College International Bangkok has top-notch sports facilities, including a full Olympic-size 50-metre swimming pool as well as another 25-metre short-course pool; a fullsize football pitch enclosed by a 400-metre running track; a spacious gymnasium; and outdoor basketball and tennis courts. In addition, WCIB will enjoy use of the contiguous Unico Grande Golf Club’s par-70 grounds as the
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CO-CURRICULAR LEARNING WCIB’s programme of Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) provides an exciting and important opportunity for our students to try new activities, cultivate new interests and develop skills and aptitudes which will bolster their personal and academic development. CCAs, like the House system, run across year groups, enabling our students to
The programme is much more than simply an opportunity to play. It is made up of three distinct parts—prep sessions, enrichment and support; this structure is designed to encourage learning and progression, increase pastoral contact time and push children’s capabilities to a higher level. As part of the CCA programme, children in Years 3 and above have dedicated hour-long prep sessions, or independent study time, supervised by members assignments at school, and, if necessary, continue at home. Although we expect that most prep will be completed at school, parents can still play an important role in learning at home.
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THE WELLINGTON ACADEMY Our CCA programme is supported by the Wellington Academy, an optional paid service that further extends the holistic
The Academy will operate a variety of after-school and weekend programmes, including Indoor and Outdoor Sports training under world-class coaches, intensive Language courses, Science and Technology, Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Writing. At
The remarkable combination of excellence in teaching, training and coaching that Wellington College is renowned for, and Wellington experience.
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PASTORAL CARE
WELLBEING Wellbeing as a programme in schools was pioneered by Wellington College. Its fundamental aim is to guide students to develop personal strength and resilience
Our Wellbeing programme is made up of six strands and every lesson, session, workshop and discussion will contribute in some way towards developing one or more of the following aspects: Physical health: understanding the principal requirements of maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. Positive relationships: relationships with fellow students, teachers, family members and others. Perspective: building emotional resilience or a ‘psychological immune system’. This aims to help develop the thinking skills that enable students to overcome adversity. Engagement: recognising the importance of maintaining a healthy curiosity about the world around us and a willingness to engage with it.
When they join WCIB, all students are allocated to a House, in which they will remain for the duration of their time at the School. Right from Pre-Prep, students begin to understand the meaning of being part of a House, through our House point rewards system. They also begin to take part in House events such as swimming galas and creative competitions.
The world: understanding and promoting ways of living sustainably in a conspicuous consumer society. This strand also encourages students to consider themselves. Meaning and purpose: working out our response to the questions life asks of us.
This ‘vertical’ grouping creates family structures within the School: older children develop responsibility for the younger ones; in turn, the younger ones learn important social skills and values from their older friends. Once in the Prep School, students come together in their Houses to talk about, and experience, the virtues of being part of a team; this helps develop and deepen their understanding of Wellington’s core values and identity.
older children become powerful role models—helping, guiding and coaching their younger friends.
Combermere
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Lynedoch
Wellesley
Hill
Stanley
Hopetoun
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THE WELLINGTON FAMILY OF SCHOOLS Wellington College is renowned as a progressive school with a strong international perspective. Our family of schools currently comprises four schools in the UK and four in China: Wellington College in Crowthorne, Berkshire; two state academies in Wiltshire; Eagle House in Sandhurst; two schools in Shanghai; one each in Tianjin and Hangzhou (opening August 2018). We have a number of further international developments under consideration.
of numerous advantages, including opportunities for exchanges, cultural trips and extraordinary collaborative learning.
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WELLINGTON COLLEGE
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TEACHERS Our teachers have to be exceptional. Everything we want from our students skills must be second to no-one’s. The desirability of Bangkok as a place to live and work, coupled with the international reputation of Wellington College, ensures that we receive many applications for every teaching post. Our rigorous recruitment process involves extreme care and attention at every stage, from initial longlisting through to appointment. We personally observe shortlisted candidates’ teaching, typically in the UK or top British schools overseas, conduct multiple interviews, both online and face-to-face, check every detail of candidates’ CVs and references and engage directly with police services across the world during our meticulous process. The School is committed to the highest standards of safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of children and young people in all areas.
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FACILITIES There is a remarkable balance about our campus that you will notice instantly. Our grounds are enormous—yet everything feels close, connected via broad and convenient covered walkways.
technology and progressive pedagogy to the fore. Still, our traditions and core values are evident throughout. Our extraordinary sports facilities are designed for the focused development of world-beating athletes across many disciplines, but the leafy, green beauty of our expansive surroundings and the pure enjoyment of being outdoors and just playing are all pervasive. You may be a student exploring cutting-edge science in one of our state-of-theart laboratories; a parent relaxing with friends in our sophisticated V&A Cafe; a performer on the stage of our stunning theatre; a three-year-old encountering
many visits. Whoever you are, we believe simply that you will love what you experience here.
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ADMISSIONS Wellington College International Bangkok is a selective school that aims to admit boys and girls with a wide range of skills and capabilities, including those who
within, the Wellington Identity and Values.
AGE
YEAR
KEY STAGE
SCHOOL
The admissions process generally consists of a written assessment of academic and references; and an interview with a member of the Admissions team. Once the assessment is completed, we determine if English as an Additional Language or any other additional learning support would be required and, should a child be accepted for enrolment, we inform parents of any fees for such additional services. We endeavour to make the application process as welcoming and comfortable as possible for applicants and parents. The adjacent table indicates age on 1st September and the corresponding yeargroup.
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2
Pre-Nursery
3
Nursery
4
Reception
5
Year 1
6
Year 2
7
Year 3
8
Year 4
9
Year 5
10
Year 6
Early Years Pre-Prep
Key Stage 1
Key Stage 2
Prep
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CONTACT US WELLINGTON COLLEGE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL BANGKOK
Krungthep Kreetha Road (km 3)
TF.GROUP BUILDING HUAMAK RD.
RAMA 9 RD.
KRUNGTHEP KREETHA SPORT CLUB
KRUNTHEP KREETHA SOI 8
UNICO GRANDE GOLF CLUB U-TURN BRIDGE
GRAND BANGKOK BOULEVARD
MOTORWAY 9
SAMITIVEJ SRINAKARIN HOSPITAL
KRUNGTHEP KREETHA RD.
SR IN A K A
RI N RD.
KRUNGTHEP KREETHA ROAD (KM 3) SAPHAN SOONG DISTRICT BANGKOK 10240
MOTORWAY 7 (BANGKOK-CHONBURI)
SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT
02-087-8888 info@wellingtoncollege.ac.th www.wellingtoncollege.ac.th
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A PROUD TRADITION. EDUCATING FOR THE FUTURE.
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