I am delighted to introduce you to the Wellington Family Summer School, a unique and enriching experience held at the prestigious Wellington College in the UK. For the past five years, this program has brought together international students from the Wellington College Education network for two weeks every July of immersive learning, cultural exchange, and unforgettable memories.
Our summer school is designed to foster a global community of learners, providing students with the opportunity to engage in a diverse range of academic and extracurricular activities. From stimulating classroom sessions led by expert educators to exciting outdoor adventures and cultural excursions, every aspect of our program is crafted to inspire and challenge students.
At Wellington College, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. Our summer school not only enhances academic skills but also promotes personal growth, leadership, and a deeper understanding of different cultures. Students leave with new friendships, broadened horizons, and a renewed passion for learning.
I look forward to welcoming you all to the Wellington Family Summer School, where the journey of discovery and growth awaits.
Kind Regards, David Wilson Summer School Course Director
Introduction
The Wellington Family Summer School is a two-week programme, run in July each year, and provides an incredible opportunity for pupils from the Wellington College family of international schools to strengthen their connection to a Wellington College education.
Throughout the programme, the students will be immersed into the authentic boarding and learning experience of being a College Wellingtonian at the impressive Wellington College campus in Crowthorne, England.
The daily schedule is action-packed, blending academic learning with team-building activities and cultural exploration. This unique combination allows the students to not only expand their knowledge but also foster a sense of camaraderie and global understanding. The course is designed to be a memorable and transformative experience that leaves a lasting impact on all students.
History of the College
Wellington College is one of the UK’s — and indeed the world’s — great coeducational boarding and day schools. The College is set in 400 acres of beautiful parkland and is home to a blend of breathtaking original architecture and modern state-of-the-art facilities to provide the best possible educational environment for students.
The school was founded in 1853 as the living memorial to the Duke of Wellington, described by Queen Victoria as “the greatest man this country has ever produced”.
A wonderful fusion of heritage and modernity characterises the educational philosophy. Wellington College is a school which is dynamic in every sense of the word, and yet all that is rooted firmly in the five College values — Kindness, Respect, Courage, Integrity, and Responsibility — values which underpin every aspect of life here at Wellington including the summer school programme.
Our
Programme Features
Inspirational Lessons
The students can broaden their horizons through enriching and engaging bite-sized lessons in various subjects, including math, sciences, chemistry, philosophy, history, English literature, and IT. Overall, this approach to learning provides a well-rounded and exciting educational experience for the students, fostering a deeper appreciation for academic subjects.
Leadership Programme
Students have a valuable opportunity to develop crucial soft skills. Engaging in a variety of activities and exercises in 12 hours of sessions, they hone their ability to speak confidently and express themselves effectively in public settings. These activities allow them to put essential life skills like leadership, collaboration, and communication into practical use and gain confidence and courage to share their ideas with others.
In another session, the pupils delve into self-inquiry, learning to thoughtfully assess their own personality traits, strengths, and areas for improvement while cultivating a positive attitude.
Overall, the programme not only equips the students with valuable soft skills but also instils in them a sense of empowerment and growth. They emerge from the experience more confident, adept at working in teams, and self-aware, setting a solid foundation for their future personal and professional development.
Sport and activity
The programme looks at developing essential coordination skills through a wide range of exciting activities on campus. Engaging in team sports like basketball and football, students learned the value of collaboration and teamwork. In solo sports like real tennis, badminton, and table tennis, they discovered the significance of self-reliance and personal determination. The students also face their fears and practice resilience and teamwork on Wellington’s indoor climbing wall and outdoor low ropes climbing course, and new for 2024 the obstacle course and 0.22 rifle shooting – all often used by the College’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) for their outward bounds’ activities.
Adding a touch of creativity to the summer experience, the pupils explore artistic pursuits like pottery painting and design and paint their own personalized mug or plate, which is then fired in a kiln and taken home as a special keepsake.
Through this blend of sports, adventure, learning and creativity, the Wellingtonians not only have a lot of fun but also acquire essential life skills that will serve them well in various aspects of their lives.
Excursions
Day excursions to London, Oxford and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard offers the international Wellingtonian the opportunity to experience the country’s rich culture and fascinating history.
For over 500 years, Portsmouth Dockyard has been crucial to England’s naval strength. King Richard, I granted Portsmouth its first Royal Charter in 1194, and King Henry VII oversaw the construction of the world’s first dry dock there.
Oxford is famous the world over for its University, and for over 800 years, has been a home to royalty and scholars, architecture, and heritage.
A trip to Hampton Court Palace gives students the opportunity to learn of the public dramas and private lives of Henry VIII in the world of the Tudor court and a visit to explore the corridors and gardens of Windsor Castle the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world which has been the home of 40 British monarchs.
In London, the nation’s capital, students will visit the Natural History Museum to travel through 4.6 billion years of our planet’s history and learn how to help protect its future. On to Buckingham Palace, recognized around the world as the home of the British monarch, and the focus of national and royal celebrations over 100s of years. A ride on the spectacular and iconic The London Eye is included – a cantilevered observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames with a bird’s eye view over London.
These excursions not only broadened the students’ understanding of British culture and history but also deepened their connection with the country itself. It is a chance for students to experience first-hand the beauty and heritage that makes Britain a cherished destination for travellers from around the world.
Through these experiences, the Wellingtonians’ Summer School journey becomes a truly unforgettable and holistic exploration of learning, adventure, and cultural appreciation.
Accommodation, Catering, Transport and Insurance
Accommodation
Students are housed with their fellow international students in a selection of the College’s 19 boarding houses on campus. Boys and girls will be separated in accommodation and allocated ageappropriate rooms for their stay with experienced pastoral care in each house. Boarding house bedrooms are spacious, comfortable with plenty of storage space and some rooms have ensuite showers and washing facilities. Common Rooms in each house have a TV, table tennis tables, kitchenettes, and quiet study rooms.
There is time to relax in the boarding houses and around campus in the evenings with activities such as the board game Olympiad held in the College Library, entertaining movie nights with popcorn and pizza in houses, and a highly competitive quiz night in the Monro Pavilion with fun questions to challenge even the most knowledgeable student.
Catering
Meals at College are taken in the elegant oak-panelled Dining Room where students can choose from a wide variety of freshly prepared dishes and then eat with their friends and staff from the programme. Picnic lunches are provided for all off campus excursions.
Food is provided by our contract caterers who are committed to the provision of delicious meals that bring both ingredients and cultures to life. Students with special dietary needs such as dairy/lactose intolerance, vegan and vegetarian or gluten-free diets and halal food can also be catered for.
Transport
Transport is provided by a local luxury coach company with a long history of providing reliable transport services to the College. They provide a high-quality service with experienced drivers. These coaches transport students alongside staff to and from the airport and all off-site activities.
Insurance & Medical
Each student is covered under the Studentguard+ insurance which is underwritten by Chubb Insurance Group. This robust policy covers students for various medical expenses, personal injury, personal liability, and loss of personal belongings including money, credit cards and passports.
Example activities
Examples of off-site activities
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London –
The Making of Harry Potter
Raft Building Challenge
Bowling
Hampton Court Palace
Windsor Castle
London
Oxford Portsmouth
Examples of on-site activities
Leadership Activity
Ropes Courses
Bowling
Climbing Wall
Drama Classes
Basketball
Football
Badminton
Real Tennis
Rounders
Cricket
Pottery Classes
Movie Night
Quiz night
Shooting
Obstacle Courses
Treasure Hunt
The V&A Café
Summary
• Set in an idyllic location with a royal heritage
• Premium accommodation in College boarding houses
• Teaching and learning in state-of-the-art, modern facilities
• 24/7 exceptional pastoral care and medical provision
• Excursions to royal and historical sites of British and cultural significance
• Extensive range of sporting and challenging leadership activities
• Exciting and creative art, dance, and drama classes
• Staffed entirely by experienced College staff and students
All the above course features are included in the price of the programme but may be subject to change.
