Recent experiences with Wellington?

[missylissy9]

This is my second thread so feel free to give any other recommendations. DS in year 5, very sporty and strong in maths and science but weaker in English.

Spoke to the school today and they thought Wellington would be a good fit. A lot from his school go there. Anyone had any recent experiences? Feel free to PM.

It’s ultra bling. Lots of ‘sleb kids (Beckwiths, Hurleys, the Greek royals, many famous sportspeople’s kids etc etc). Uber-facilities, manicured everything. The whole place - and the student body - reeks of privilege and entitlement - more so even than Eton now I think. It reminds me of an American co-ed prep school in many ways: the immaculate campus, the slightly paranoid security, and po-faced political correctness and desperation to adopt new fads (which a few years ago led the school to get rid of all the books from its library, a decision which is now being walked back at great expense). There aren’t many average kids there these days - they are either very wealthy or very talented (elite level sport or music or drama), preferably both, and have an abundance of self confidence right from the off.

On the plus side, the head is both an able leader and genuinely nice low ego man - much better than his immediate predecessors IMHO - and there are some first rate teachers/HMs in Common Room even though as a school, it’s nowhere near as academically competitive as the likes of Eton, Westminster or Wycombe Abbey.

Which Wellington do you mean? There is the ultra posh one and the slightly less posh, but still fairly posh one?

Wellington College is the one we were recommended.

Have you considered Lord Wandsworth College?

Similar neck of the woods to Wellington and good sports offered but not at sacrifice of academics. Kids are well rounded.

My two, very different, both thrived there.

Is Wellington full boarding in sixth form mandatory?Thank you!

My son will be joining in year 9

@anne1985
There is no option to pay for only weekly boarding, if that’s what you mean. Either you pay full boarding fees or day fees. However in practice, a majority of those who are not international students go home on Saturday nights. That’s not just for sixth form but pretty much everyone.

My ds left a couple of years ago having loved his time there. Ziegfeld: I don’t recognise the school you describe. Yes there are celeb kids but there are in every boarding school, and it really isn’t very bling. London-y, yes. Bling? No. (We had another kid at Bedales - now that’s another story.)
We found other parents and the teaching staff incredibly down to earth, friendly and approachable. Facilities are brilliant, but actually it was the teaching that most impressed us and the leadership of the head, James Dahl, who knew every child. The school is very switched on in terms of uni applications, home and abroad. Our son is now at Oxford for which he was extremely well prepared.
He loved his time at Wellington and meets up with his old friends regularly. We’d choose the school again in a heartbeat.

Yes, from all I know. This is the experience.

A good school in berkshire with top facilities is going to have a few "s'lebs". Does it affect the school rhythm. Def no.

It's competitive so will be having a lot of talent in there. But once in they will know you fit I am sure or else they won't have picked you. And they definitely nurture you.

If you don't get in, recommend cranleigh.