Wrekin College
Wrekin College
Org 1: HMC
Wellington, Shropshire TF1 3BH
Telephone: 01952 265600
01952 265602 (Headmaster’s Office)
01952 265603 (Admissions)
Motto: Aut vincere aut mori
Open events: Saturday 9 March 2024
Age Range: Senior to 18
Day or Boarding: Day, Weekly Boarding, Full Boarding, Flexi/Occasional Boarding
Gender: Co-ed
Exams offered: A Level, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), BTEC, GCSE, IGCSE
Scholarships Tick: Academic, All-Rounder, Art, Dance, Drama, DT, Music, Sport
Bursaries and discounts: New entrant bursary, HM forces discount, Sibling discount, Former pupil discount
Wrekin College was founded in 1880 by Sir John Bayley and in 1923 became one of the Allied Schools, a group of independent schools.
Wrekin is a highly successful independent co-educational day and boarding school for children aged 11–18. Boasting an extensive campus in a beautiful part of Shropshire, Wrekin opened a new Dance Studio in September 2021, and its state-of-the-art Music School in January 2020. Wrekin now turns its attentions to its new Design and Technology Centre, its next major project. These additions come after the launch of Wrekin's enviable Business School, in January 2017, which has the future of Wrekin's pupils at its heart. The recent and future developments reflect the school's guiding principle to help every child achieve the most they are capable of, prepare them for the competitive world they will enter, and give them a lasting sense of the joy and value of learning that will enrich their future lives. Other facilities include a purpose-built Theatre, a double Sports Hall, Astroturf (a second all-weather playing surface opened in January 2022), 25m indoor swimming pool, together with all the expected classrooms, ICT facilities and a dedicated Sixth Form Centre. Co-educational since 1975, there are seven Houses, which cater for both day and boarding pupils, and these include dedicated junior Houses for the 11 to 13 intake. Everyone eats together in a central dining room and a Health and Wellbeing Centre is available to all pupils. The Chapel is central to the school both geographically and in the impact it makes on the ethos of the school.
Admission. Wrekin is non-selective; boarders and day pupils are admitted at 11+ and 13+ after sitting the Entry Examination or Common Entrance. There is also a Sixth Form entry based on GCSE achievement. Entry into other years is possible, dependent on places being available.
Term of Entry. The normal term of entry is the Autumn Term but pupils may be accepted at other times of the academic year.
Academic Matters. The core purpose of the school is teaching and learning to support each child in reaching his or her academic potential. Wrekin is proud of its academic record, based on stimulating intellectual curiosity, providing excellent and inspiring teaching, and making learning exciting.
Teachers are experienced, expert and approachable, and give a great deal of time to pupils both inside and outside the classroom. Our tutoring system means each pupil has personalised academic and pastoral support throughout the year. Our Support for Learning staff can help those with additional needs, and our enrichment programme stimulates and stretches our more able students.
Our curriculum is constantly reviewed in the light of changes in educational policy and philosophy, but we are committed to offering our pupils a solid and broad academic foundation. We offer a wide range of subjects for GCSE, A Level and BTEC exams, and guide pupils in choosing subjects that suit their interests, abilities and future plans. Our Head of Sixth Form offers expert advice on life after Wrekin, including university applications.
Sport. For a ‘small’ school, our sporting prowess is remarkable. We aim for very high standards in our core sports and a very wide range of options. We believe in excellence but also in participation – sport for all, and for life.
Educating the Whole Person. The outdoors is one of Wrekin’s most valuable classrooms. The skills learned and adventures experienced during pupils’ participation in the Combined Cadet Force and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme stay with them for life. Both are enthusiastically supported by highly dedicated staff, and the take up among our pupils is impressive. We are very proud that Wrekin’s ‘completion rate’ at all levels of the scheme is substantially above the national average.
What happens outside the classroom is just as important a part of a Wrekin education. The range and quality of activities available to every pupil is outstanding. Our pupils’ development and achievements in these areas are supported by wonderful facilities and highly dedicated staff.
Scholarships and Bursaries.
Academic Scholarships are awarded at our normal entry points of 11, 13 and 16.
Music and Art/Design Scholarships: As for all other scholarships, Music and Art Awards will not exceed twenty five per cent of the fees. However, Music Scholarships carry with them a specified amount of free instrumental and/or vocal tuition. Candidates must also satisfy the school’s normal academic entry requirements.
Sports Awards: Sports Scholarships may be awarded to candidates with outstanding ability in Sport. Applicants must attend a sports assessment day and satisfy the school’s normal academic entry requirements. Candidates should be capable of a very significant contribution to the sporting success of Wrekin College. Typically candidates will have representative success at regional or National level.
Pendle Awards may be offered to all-rounders who have high academic standards and excellence in other areas such as sport, music or art. Those seeking a Pendle Award must sit the academic Scholarship Examination, either at 11+, 13+ or 16+ level and meet scholarship standard in at least one other area.
Bursaries may be awarded on entry and can be awarded in addition to a scholarship. All bursaries are means-tested.
For further information please visit our website www.wrekinoldhall.com
Fees per term (2023-2024). Years 7 and 8: £5,850 (day), £8,450 (weekly boarding), £10,350 (full boarding UK), £11,200 (full boarding international). Years 9–13: £7,050 (day), £9,900 (weekly boarding), £12,110 (full boarding UK), £13,100 (full boarding international).
Music lessons: £29.25 per 30-minute session; Extra tuition: £29.25 per 30-minute session.
Sibling discounts are available when three or more siblings are enrolled in the Trust; details on request.
Old Wrekinian Association. A flourishing Wrekinian Association of over 3,500 members exists to make possible continuous contact between the School and its old pupils, for the benefit of both and to support the ideals and aims of the school. It is expected that pupils will become members of the Old Wrekinian Association when they leave Wrekin.
Charitable status. Wrekin Old Hall Trust Limited is a Registered Charity, number 528417. It exists to provide independent boarding and day co-education in accordance with the Articles of Association of Wrekin College.
Governors & Staff:
Visitor: The Rt Revd The Lord Bishop of Lichfield
Governors:
R J Pearson, BSc (Chair)
Revd M Beer
E Crawford, MB, ChB, BSc, MRCP [OW]
A J Dixon, LLB
T Edwards
J A Grant, BSc [OW]
N Griffiths [OW]
R M L Jones, FCA, BA Hons
P Mack, BSc, ACA, CTA
M Samra, FRGGP
D Styles
L Welsby
R Yates-Ward
[OW] Old Wrekinian
Headmaster: T Spence, BA, MEd
Senior Deputy Head: Mrs A Wright, BSc
Deputy Head (Teaching and Learning): B Smith, BA, MPhil
†Assistant Head (Head of Boarding): Dr G Roberts, BSc, PhD
Assistant Head (Co-Curricular): D Winterton, BA
Assistant Head (Director of Planning): P M Stanway, BSc
Assistant Head (Director of Music and Head of Middle School): S Platford, MBE, BA, LTCL, ABSM
Head of Sixth Form: T Southall, BSc
Bursar: D Brown, BA, ACMA, CGMA
Assistant Staff:
† Housemaster/mistress
E Anastasi
T Asch, BA
J Ashington-Carter
D Blanch, MA, MBA, MA (Cantab)
†E Boffey, BSc
J Boulter, BA
R Brock, BSc
†H S R Brown, BA
S Carter, BEng, MBA
S E Clarke, BA, FRGS
M Crone, BA
K Davies, BSc
C Del Manso
R Edge, BSc
R Evans, BA
S Hammerton, BSc
R Harrison, BA
S-B Holder, BA
L Howsam
A Jagger, BA
W Jennings
R Johnson
A King
A Knight, BSc
†J D Kotas, BA
B Lambert
T Lintern, BSc
K B Livingstone, BA
†J Longfellow, BA, MEd Cantab
C Manganaro
†J Mather, BSc
D Mathias, BSc
S Mathias, BA
†H Milton, BA
F Milton, BA
R Norval, BSc
J G Phillips, BA
A Pitchford, BSc
K Richards, BSc
C A Ritchie-Morgan
R Salano Marin, BA
J Shaw, BA
J Shindler, BSc
A Thomas
C Thust, BSc
A Tickner, MSc
S Trask, BEng
G Walker
A Walsh, BA
†M N J Warner, BSc
A E Wedge, BSc
S Williams
Dr A Woodshore-Gray, BA, MA, PhD
Support for Learning:
M Beattie, BA, TEFL
H Ingoldby, BA, TEFL
J Roberts, BA, BSc, TEFL
D Tunnah, BSC, QTS, NASENCO, CPT3A
French Assistant: F Kennedy
Visiting Music Staff:
L Adamson (Voice – Classical, Music Theatre, Rock and Pop)
J Burgess (Flute)
R Ellis (Voice – Music Theatre, Rock and Pop)
M Giles (Piano)
C Hickman (Low Brass)
Dr M Hall (Piano)
T Hall (Percussion)
O James (Percussion)
A Jones (Guitar)
C J Jones (Piano, Clarinet and Saxophone)
L Jones (Violin)
Y Kagajo (Piano)
J Magee (Cello)
P Parker (Guitar)
A Pinel (Organ and Piano)
F Stubbs (Bassoon)
M Svensson (Strings)
G Wilkes (Upper Brass)
Games:
C A Ritchie-Morgan (Head of Girls’ Games)
J Shaw (Director of Sport)
Sports Coaches:
T Asch (Rugby)
J Ashington-Carter (Rugby)
K Bennett (Girls’ Games)
G Bush (Athletics)
D Clarke (Swimming)
L Coop (Hockey)
P Dean (Netball)
F Edwards (Tennis)
T Ettridge (Cricket)
J Gwynne (Sports Graduate)
B Lambert (Rugby)
P Lauder (Badminton)
J Longfellow (Rugby)
D Mathias (Rugby)
S Mathias (Hockey)
J Mostyn (Senior Options)
K Richards (Football)
T Simms (Basketball)
O Stevenson (Sports Graduate)
L Toor (Sports Graduate)
I Williamson (Cross Country)
S Williams (Hockey)
V Woodman (Netball)
CCF:
SSI & Outward Bound Activities Instructor: A Chwalinski
Secretary OWA: M de Weymarn
Deputy Bursars:
Operations and Head of Estates: H Hyde
Facilities: B C Crone
Chaplain: Revd L Plummer, BA, LTh
Director of Marketing: C Hendy, BA
Head of Admissions (UK): R Curel
Head of Admissions (Int): E Cornaby
Headmaster’s Personal Assistant: K Daniels, BSc