Founded in 1595, Wellingborough School prides itself on its rich history and enduring traditions which are visible today in its architecture, House system and, most importantly, values. The School’s mindset, however, is thoroughly progressive and, as an organisation, is keen to embrace innovations which strengthen the ethos and integrity of the School. Families are reassured by the School’s longevity and the body of knowledge it has developed over time about how best to educate boys and girls.
Wellingborough School is a co-educational school for boys and girls from the age of 3 to 18, and is divided into a Preparatory School (age 3–11: 225 pupils), and Senior School (age 11–18: 625 pupils, including 168 pupils in the Sixth Form).
Curriculum. The Prep School follows the International Primary Curriculum which gives a thorough grounding in the core subjects, while offering the pupils a broad spectrum of experience in Languages, Art and Design, Music, Drama and Sports as well as an international perspective on global issues.
The School’s academic standards and expectations are high, based to a large extent on the National Curriculum. In the Senior School, quality learning and teaching enables pupils to take ownership of their future as they make decisions about their curriculum. Pupils in Years 7 and 8 have the opportunity to study a full range of subjects before spending more of their time on the subjects they enjoy in Year 9 (through our mini-options system) before choosing from over 20 GCSEs for Year 10.
Students in Sixth Form can choose from 25 A Level options including an Extended Project Qualification.
Sport. The playing fields, over 40 acres in extent, are used for the main boys’ sports of rugby, football and cricket, and hockey and netball for girls; cross country, athletics, and tennis are also highly popular. The School site also boasts two AstroTurf pitches, five all-weather tennis courts, a shooting range and Sports Hall. The latter has four badminton courts, indoor cricket nets and facilities for fencing, table tennis, basketball and a dedicated fitness suite.
Co-Curricular Activities. The School’s Co-Curricular programme blends inside the classroom with outside the classroom and is an extremely important part of the life and ethos of Wellingborough School. Pupils can choose from a wide variety of co-curricular activities, which aim to accommodate all abilities and most interests, at lunchtimes, after school and at weekends for all year groups.
During their time in the Prep School, the children can experience specialist dance lessons, individual music lessons, ensemble practices and frequent plays. Other activities include Art, Chess, Lego, Gardening, Cookery, Choir, Jigsaw, Touch-typing, Mindfulness, Reading and many more.
Pupils in the Senior School participate in lunchtime enrichment activities such as forensic science, chess, dance, first aid and public speaking, community cohesion projects are also popular.
The School’s Drama Department produces an annual production each year, recent performances have included Les Misérables, Oliver and Sweeney Todd. The Music Department benefits from a variety of visiting music teachers offering individual lessons and ensemble practices in 25 different instruments.
Pupils from Year 9 onwards join one of four CCF Sections: Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army or Royal Air Force, with the aim of developing cadets’ personal qualities and leadership skills. The School also offers pupils the opportunity to achieve the Duke of Edinburgh Award at Bronze, Silver or Gold levels.
Admission. All applications for entry should be made to Admissions.
Pastoral Care. In the Prep School pupils are assigned to one of six Clubs. The vertical structure of the Club system means that pupils of all ages integrate with one another and older pupils can share their experiences and help and support our younger pupils.
In the Senior School, all pupils are allocated a House on entry. The single-sex House system includes 4 boys’ Houses and 3 girls’ Houses. Each House has its own character, colour, charity and history and is led by a Housemaster or Housemistress. The School also has an award-winning Wellbeing Team offering guidance and support to pupils of all ages and their families.
Scholarships are offered to external candidates for entry at 11+ and 16+. These Scholarships are awarded in the following subjects; Academia, Music, Drama, Art & Photography and Sports. Applications are required by the beginning of January and assessments take place in the following weeks.
Bursaries. Wellingborough is a diverse and welcoming community, a School which believes that its fees should not present a barrier to children who are in a position to benefit from the opportunities that it offers. The School offers eligible parents or guardians financial assistance with tuition fees, usually aimed towards the Senior School. Bursaries are awarded as a discount of between 10% and 100% of tuition fees, depending upon the financial, compassionate or other pertinent circumstances of the applicants. The parents of over 60 Wellingborough School pupils, aged 11 to 18, are currently in receipt of a means-tested Bursary.
Fees per term (2023-2024). Preparatory School: £3,743 (Nursery & Reception), £3,910 (Years 1–2), £4,553 (Year 3) £5,202 (Year 4), £5,794 (Years 5–6); Senior School: £6,057 (Years 7–8), £6,537 (Years 9–13).
Term of Entry. New pupils are accepted throughout the year. The largest entry is in September at the beginning of each academic year.
Old Wellingburian Club. All former pupils who have spent at least one year in the School are eligible for membership. Correspondence should be addressed to the OW Club Secretary at the School.
Charitable status. Wellingborough School is a Registered Charity, number 1101485.
Governors & Staff:
Governors:
Mr P Tyldesley, Esq, BA, MRICS (Chairman)
Mrs D Line, BA, CA, CA SA
Mrs C Bruce, MA
Mr I M Cantelo, BEng Hons, CEng, MIET
Dr C Duncan, MBBS, DRCOG, MRCGP
Mr N M Lashbrook, BA Hons
Mr S Marriott, Esq
Mr J Smith, BSc Hons, MRICS
Ms Susan Tafeni, MBA, MA, BSc, RN
Mr R Thakrar, Esq, BSc Hons, MBCS
Miss R Turner, BA Hons
Mr D Waller, Esq, MA Oxon, MA London
Staff:
Headmaster: A N Holman, MA Cantab, MEd
Bursar: N A Johnson, MA Cranfield
Head of the Prep School: K Owen, BSc Exeter
Deputy Head (Academic): C A Gamble, MA Cantab
Deputy Head (Operations): R Spiby, MA Cranfield
Deputy Head (Pastoral): Q Wiseman, BA Newcastle
Head of Lower Prep: R M Girling, BEd Cambridge
Deputy Head (Prep School): C Petrie, BSc Loughborough
Director of Learning & Teaching: S R Medley, BSc Durham