Life at LWC
Welcome from the Headmaster
LWC is a friendly, supportive and ambitious community, and we are delighted that you are joining us. Over the coming months and years, we will ensure you have all the information you need as your family becomes part of College life. We recognise that starting at a new school can feel daunting, with plenty to take in, but please don’t ever hesitate to ask if you have a question. We are here to help and are always happy to do so.
Now entering my eleventh year as Headmaster, I continue to feel incredibly privileged to lead this remarkable school. What makes Lord Wandsworth College so special is not simply our beautiful campus or the opportunities available to our pupils, but the warmth of our community and our unwavering commitment to developing young people of character, confidence and compassion.
From my very first days at LWC, it was clear that our pupils had a genuine desire to shape the future of their school. That spirit remains as strong today as ever. Their ideas, energy and sense of purpose continue to influence the direction of the College, whether through leadership opportunities, sustainability initiatives, charitable work, creative projects or the everyday life of our community.
Pupil Voice and Character Education
remain firmly at the heart of everything we do.
As our College continues to evolve, we remain ambitious for the future. The vision established through Project 2030 continues to shape the development of our campus, our curriculum and the opportunities we provide, while always remaining true to our founding values. Alongside exciting developments to our facilities and learning environments, our greatest investment continues to be in our people and the relationships that define life at LWC.
The years ahead promise to be an exciting time for the College, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming you and your family into our community. We hope that your time here will be filled with opportunities, friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
I wish you a very warm welcome and every happiness as your Lord Wandsworth College journey begins.
Adam Williams Headmaster
Finding your way around our 1200 acre campus can be daunting in the first few weeks, everyone gets lost at least once! The best place to start if you do need help is your child’s House.
Matrons and pupils are always happy to point you in the right direction.
General Information
Term dates for the Academic Year September 2026/2027
The first day of term is Thursday 3rd September. You will receive more information about this in your House newsletter.
A full list of term dates can be found here.
Communication with Parents
All letters, notices and information of a non-sensitive nature are sent to parents via email as we find this the most efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly way of sharing information. We send an electronic weekly bulletin and Houseparents send a weekly newsletter over the weekend. Additionally, information is posted on MySchoolPortal.
All general communications are sent directly to your email address(es) biweekly on a Tuesday and a Friday. Consequently, it is vital that you inform us of any changes to these.
Pupils’ academic and AtoL (Attitude to Learning) reports are accessed via MySchoolPortal and invoices are sent via email.
Contacting Houseparents
Houseparents are usually the first port of call for any questions regarding your child. You can contact them by email or telephone. Addresses and numbers are available within your House Handbook.
Unless it is an emergency, the hours to call Houseparents are after 7.30am and before 10pm. Matrons are also a good point of contact and are in the boarding houses from 8am to 9pm every weekday, and from 8am to 6pm on Saturdays.
You will appreciate that Houseparents teach and take part in co-curricular activities, so may not always be at the end of the phone, but if you leave a message they will contact you as soon as they they possibly can.
Transport - Bus Services/ International Travel Bus Services
We offer a comprehensive range of routes in the morning and, in addition, run an evening bus to Winchester and Alresford. We also offer weekend buses on a Saturday afternoon and on a Sunday evening.
To book a bus place, please visit: http://lordwandsworth.vectare.co.uk where you will find details of timings and costs for all routes.
International Travel
We are happy to arrange travel to and from airports for students who live overseas. Please contact Matrons for information about this.
Daily Routines
Arrival and Registration
1st and 2nd Form
Day pupils may be dropped off at Bramley House or at the main school. The latest drop off at Bramley is 8.15am, although pupils are welcome from 7.15am and may have breakfast with boarders, which is at 7.30am. Pupils being dropped at the main school, either in the main car park or the drop off point at the top of the main drive, should arrive at 8.30am and register in Hendersons, the Bramley House Hub in the centre of the main school.
Saturday morning registration is at 9am at Bramley House, or for day pupils being dropped off at main school, in Hendersons, with activities starting at 9.30am.
3rd to Sixth Form
Morning registration for boarders and day pupils takes place in each House between 7.30 and 8.20am. All pupils in 3rd Form and above need to be in their respective boarding house no later than 8.15am. At registration, pupils should be ready for the day ahead and correctly dressed in College uniform. Pupils arriving late for school should report to their House Matron.
Day pupils may have breakfast in school (at no extra charge), which is served from 7.30am in Julyans.
All pupils who are attending Saturday morning activities must register in House by 9.15am prior to their activity.
Prep
Prep (homework) happens every weekday evening; prep is set by subject teachers on a rota so that no pupil should be completing more than three preps for different subjects in any one prep session. Prep is supervised in the boarding houses by the Duty Tutor and House Prefects. Day pupils are welcome to stay and do their prep at school, but if they choose to go home, should complete prep at home.
Bedtimes
During the working week bedtime and ‘lights out’ are as follows:
Bedtime Lights out
1st Form 9.00 pm 9.15 pm
2nd Form 9.00 pm 9.15 pm
3rd Form 9.30 pm 9.45 pm
4th Form 9.45 pm 10.00 pm
5th Form 10.00 pm 10.15 pm
Sixth Form from 10.30pm
Departure
During the week, day pupils can be picked up at 4pm or after their co-curricular activities, whichever is later. Please be aware that pick up times may vary each day depending on the sport/activity your child is involved in. Parents and guardians can use SOCS to find out their child’s activity programme and whether they have been selected for fixtures. If in doubt, please liaise with Matrons.
• Pupils involved in school matches are free to leave either once an away match has finished, or once the pupils have returned to school. Parents may take their child home from away fixtures provided that they have informed the team coach that they are doing so and have called the boarding house to inform Matron.
• Pupils not participating in a match on Saturday are free to go home after their Saturday morning activity or sports training has finished (whichever comes later).
• Day pupils may stay for tea and supervised prep (at no extra charge).
• Parents of pupils in Bramley House are requested to collect children from inside the House as the children are not allowed to wait by the road.
Signing Out When Going Home
Day pupils must sign out with Matron or the House duty staff when going home. Boarders returning home at the end of the week must sign out in the same way.
Boarders Going Home During the Week
Boarders may go home during the week for family events or special occasions by arrangement with their Houseparent.
Food
We have our own ‘in-house’ catering team who are responsible for all meals and catering services. Almost all diets can be catered for. If your child has a particular dietary need, please contact our Catering Manager, Iain Headley, prior to your child joining us (headleyi@lordwandsworth.org), as well as our Senior Nurse, Mrs Lindsey Scott (healthcentre@lordwandsworth.org) to discuss your child’s specific requirements, to ensure that these needs can be met.
Tuck
Boarders may keep small amounts of nonperishable food in a lockable container in their dorm/room and small amounts of perishable goods in the House fridge. We do not encourage pupils to bring much in the way of extra food as pupils are required to attend all meals and snacks/fruit are available in the boarding houses in the evening. All Houses run small tuck shops selling sweets and snacks.
Laundry
Matrons look after all the laundry in the Houses which is done on a daily basis.
Full boarders may put any of their clothes in for washing.
Weekly boarders may put all school uniform, underwear and games kit in for washing. Flexi boarders may put all school uniform, underwear and games kit in for washing on the nights when they are resident at College, as well as their bedding. Casual clothes should be washed at home at the weekend.
Day pupils are not entitled to have their clothes laundered by the Matrons and they should therefore be taken home.
Any items for dry cleaning should be handed to Matron who will arrange for them to be cleaned. A charge will be placed on your school account for this service.
Lost Property
We cannot stress enough the importance of making sure your child’s clothing and personal property are clearly named – even casual clothes and footwear. All lost property goes to our lost property store outside the Gavin Hall and named items are returned to Houses on a regular basis.
We advise that as soon as you become aware of a missing possession you ask your child to report it to Matron and their Houseparent. We also advise you contact your child’s Houseparent and Matron to let them know; the sooner we know about a missing item, the greater chance we have of finding it.
Six school weeks after the hand-in date, any unclaimed items will be disposed of in an appropriate manner.
Weekend Arrangements and Return Times for Boarders
Weekly boarders, and full boarders who are out of school during the weekend, should return by 9pm on Sunday or by 8.15am on Monday. If you wish your child to return at a different time, please let your Houseparent know.
Absence
Pupil Absence
When a day pupil will be absent during normal school hours or when for health reasons they should be excused from physical activity, please email their Matron and Houseparent to that effect. Verbal messages by pupils cannot be accepted. A further email should be sent when they are fit again. If a day pupil is sick and unable to attend school, parents should ring the House by 8am or email Houseparents copying in Matrons. Apart from special occasions (e.g. a family wedding), pupils are expected to be in school throughout the term. The holidays are not short and to avoid embarrassment parents are asked not to request extra time away. If really necessary, requests for time away from school should be made to the Headmaster with a minimum of two weeks’ notice. The same applies if a pupil is not able to attend a sports fixture.
Parent Absence
If for any reason you have to be away during the term (parents of both day and boarding pupils), we do need to know what arrangements you have made for your child, so that in any emergency we know the adult to contact. Please let us have, in writing, the relevant name, address and telephone number.
Occasional Boarding
Occasional boarding is for pupils who want to stay overnight on an ad hoc basis. This facility is available to all day pupils if space allows in individual boarding houses. Beds need to be booked in advance with the Houseparent. There is no guarantee that a bed space will be available.
Occasional boarders must fit in with the routine of the boarders and not be disruptive.
In case of family emergencies, or when parents are away, we can usually help with a bed for the night. The cost per night is currently £85 (excluding VAT).
Changing Status (between Day and Full, Weekly or Flexi boarding)
Any change of status requires a full term’s notice to the Admissions Office. Pupils may only change status where the College has capacity for them to do so. We have a defined number of day, flexi, weekly and full boarding places, and while we will always try to accommodatea status change, this will only be possible if the relevant space is available. To request a change of boarding status please click here
Holidays, Half Terms and Exeats
Pupils should be collected from their House at the end of term, half term and on exeat weekends. Timings vary but are communicated via email prior to each.
The College is closed over half terms and holidays.
If a pupil is not going home directly, or is not going home at all over a holiday period, the Houseparent must have written consent from the pupil’s parent/guardian, giving detail of the arrangements. Additionally, there needs to be consent from the host.
If a student is required to stay in College over exeat weekends, this should be agreed in advance with the Houseparent, of which there will be an additional charge.
The parents or guardians of full boarders must complete a Travel Document for Houseparents.
Barriers
We have security barriers at each of our campus entrances. The main entrance barrier is set to rise on approach throughout the day but is switched to PIN operation overnight (11.30pm – 5.30am).
The West Gate & Hyde Road barriers have two modes of operation – open on approach and PIN access only. For security reasons, PIN numbers are not issued to parents. Outside of the barrier open hours below, we require all access to the College to be through the main gate.
The West Gate & Hyde Road barriers are set to open on approach at the following times:
Monday: 06.45 - 09.15 & 15.45 - 20.30
Tuesday: 06.45 - 09.15 & 15.45 - 20.30
Wednesday: 06.45 - 09.15 & 11.30 - 20.30
Thursday: 06.45 - 09.15 & 15.45 - 20.30
Friday: 06.45 - 09.15 & 15.45 - 20.30
Saturday: 06.45 - 12.00
Sunday: 10.30 - 19.30
At all other times these barriers can be opened by PIN operation only. You can exit the College through any barrier at any time.
Matrons
Our Matrons play an extremely important role in the school.
Every House has a Matron on duty from 8am-9pm each weekday and 8am-6pm on Saturdays.
The Matrons’ role is to support the Houseparents in the care of the pupils. They are responsible for the health and wellbeing of the pupils and the smooth running of the domestic side of their House. It is vital that Matrons are told of any medicines brought into the College by pupils, whether prescribed or ‘over the counter’. Self-bought treatments can cause adverse or dangerous reactions if taken with other medicines, and it is essential that Matrons and medical staff are aware of such treatments.
Student Use of Mobile Phones
Daily routines
For Years 1 -3, smartphones should not be brought to school. For 4th Form, 5th Form and Lower Sixth, smartphones can be brought to school but must be handed into the house staff on arrival at school.
Boarders can have access to their phone in house before morning registration but phones should not be taken out of the boarding house.
Students from 3rd Form are allowed access to their phones from after tea (18.00) until 18.50, but phones must be kept in the house.
Once phones have been handed in at 18.50, they should not be accessed again unless special permission has been given by the house staff.
All devices for 1st to 5th Form should be handed in 30 minutes before the respective bedtime.
Away Fixtures
Students can take their phones with them in order to communicate about return and pick-up times. During fixtures, phones should not be visible and permission should be sought from a staff member to use a phone for specific communication (not general use).
Trips
Generally, phones should not be needed on trips. During the trip activity, phones should not be visible, even for Sixth form, unless specifically required for an activity or briefly for communication, after staff permission.
For more information on our IT Acceptable Use & Mobile Phone & Device Policy, please click here.
The Sternians’ Association
The Sternians’ Association is the alumni association for former pupils. It is named after the College Founder, Baron Sydney James Stern – Lord Wandsworth.
It is a rapidly developing organisation, with a programme of events to suit all ages and interests. The purpose of the organisation is to keep Sternians connected with each other and the College once they leave. While your child is here at LWC there is a small termly Sternian fee that enables them to benefit from the support of the Sternian Association once they leave.
You can view the latest annual Sternian magazine on the website to see Sternian and College news. A hard copy can be collected from reception if preferred.
We also have a networking platform, LWC Connect. This platform enables our 1000+ members (Sternians, Sternian parents and current parents) to support and mentor our Sixth Form pupils and our young Sternians as they navigate their way through life after LWC. We welcome all our LWC parents to become members to increase the wealth of knowledge and experience available.
If you have any queries regarding Sternians or LWC Connect then please do not hesitate to contact Clare Faherty, Alumni Relations Manager.
01256 860356 sternians@lordwandsworth.org
The Friends of Lord Wandsworth College (FLWC)
The Friends of Lord Wandsworth College exists to create opportunities for parents to connect with each other and with LWC. Reps are in place for each year group in each house, and work to support an arranged programme of events for each year.
Parental Engagement Programme
The Parental Engagement Programme is a pioneering programme of parental support that has been nominated for a national award. Co-created at LWC by parents and the school, it exposes parents to the same research-informed opinion, from the same speakers, that staff and students are also exposed to over time.
The aim is to support parents in the toughest job we’ll ever have, and create an even more coherent culture around each child, bringing us closer together in understanding and supporting as a team. The programme of events is closely overlaid with our Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education which provides parents with opportunities to have more insightful conversations about vital life topics with their children.
A parental toolkit has also been co-produced between parents and the school, and though far from a silver bullet, it provides a resource for parents to consult when dealing with classic challenges and dilemmas from the perspective of developing a child’s character.
Pastoral
The House System
Pupils entering the school at 11+ or 12+ join Bramley House. At 13+ Bramley House pupils transfer to a senior House into which new pupils are also allocated. Pupils are allocated to senior Houses by the Pastoral Team. The intention is that all Houses have a balance of boarders and day pupils and a mixture of children with differing interests and skills. Bramley House is a co-educational House for both day and boarding 1st and 2nd Form pupils. Within Bramley, there is a ‘House’ system. The four Houses are called: Hesters, Sheephouse, Handcroft and Hyde. There are seven Senior Houses: Girls Houses: Gosden, Park and Haygate. Boys Houses: Hazelveare, School, Summerfield and Sutton. There is a thriving inter-house programme.
House Councils
House Councils meet at least once per half term and are made up of a broad, representative spectrum of pupils. The function of the House Councils is to give pupils the opportunity to raise issues and offer suggestions, and to discuss and present current pupil opinion on matters of College and House policy. The chairperson of the House Council, who is usually the Head of House, has the opportunity to raise issues from House Council meetings with senior management at their weekly meeting.
Peer Mentoring
We sometimes find that pupils are more comfortable talking to a peer rather than a member of staff in the first instance. As a result we have in place a Peer Mentoring
Programme. Around 40 volunteer members of the College are peer mentors who have received formal training in basic listening and counselling skills. They offer a listening ear to allow pupils to ‘get things off their chest’ if they need to. There are posters in Houses and around the College letting pupils know who the peer mentors are and how to make contact with them. The Peer Mentors are trained to know how to pass on issues to members of staff when they believe they are of significance.
Prefects
The Prefect body at LWC is made up of the Heads of Houses and the College Prefects. Pupils may apply to be considered for leadership roles in the Spring term of their Lower Sixth year and there is a rigorous interview process for all positions.
The College Prefect body is integral to whole-school initiatives, divided into four specialised groups overseeing Academic, Community, Co-Curricular, and Wellbeing matters.
The student leadership team is headed by four Heads of College, appointed directly by the Headmaster from the Prefect body, whilst further leadership pathways exist for Sixth Form pupils to serve as Departmental Prefects.
Heads of College and Prefects
Our Heads of College for the academic year 2026/2027 are Ella Morris, Abi MacDonald, Henry Wood & Jack Cook. A full list of our Heads of House and Prefects can be found on our website.
House Tutors
Each Boarding House has a team of residential and visiting tutors. These tutors are integral to the House community and assist the Houseparents in running the House in the evenings and at other times when necessary. They take an active interest in all the pupils in their House, getting to know them and helping them. They also offer additional adult contact for the pupils and can be used as a sounding board for their opinions or act as confidants, mentors or mediators. The tutors also act as the academic tutors for a group of pupils in their House. The tutor team meets formally with the Houseparent each week to discuss individual pupil concerns and general House matters. We see this sharing of information as vital in the care of the pupils as it enables an informed and consistent approach to any issues.
Tutors
Every pupil will be assigned a tutor. Tutor groups range in number from 10 to 16 pupils. Your child’s tutor plays an integral role in your child’s development, so please get to know them! The tutor-tutee relationship is most effective when parents/guardians are fully involved; it is therefore important to keep in regular contact with your child’s tutor. More information on the role of the Tutor can be f ound here.
Heads of Year
We also have members of staff who act as Heads of Year. Their role is to lead on the academic tracking and monitoring of pupils in that year to make sure all our pupils are fulfilling their potential. They also help their year group to cohere and develop the kind of supportive culture that will enable all to thrive. They organise socials, plan year group assemblies and give the tutors the support they need to carry out their role more easily. We believe that the combination of tutors, Houseparents and Heads of year gives us a sufficiently tight structure to ensure no one is left behind.
Spiritual Life
While the College is founded on Christian principles, pupils from all faiths are welcomed, as indeed are pupils without a faith. If any pupil wishes to attend a particular place of worship, we will endeavour to make arrangements for them to do so. If any pupil requires special arrangements in order to carry out their acts of worship e.g. suitable areas to set out prayer mats, we will ensure that their needs are met sensitively. Spiritual diversity is embraced within the College and the whole community benefits from exposure to this diversity through assemblies, the teaching of Religious Studies and the SMSC programme.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Exceptional pastoral care is the foundation of an effective, nurturing education. Happy, healthy children thrive in an environment where they feel safe and cared for. Safeguarding and child protection are at the heart of life at LWC.
Our Commitment
The College’s Safeguarding and Child Protection policy is available on our website The Headmaster has overall responsibility for safeguarding, overseen by the Governors. If a concern arises, from any source – a student, staff member, parent, peer, or someone external – any adult in our community is trained to respond.
Our Team
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is the Deputy Head of Pastoral, Mrs Alexandra Cocksworth, overseeing Safeguarding, Child Protection, and overall Pastoral Care. The DSL is supported by Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs), including the Head of e-Safety and the Senior Mental Health Lead.
The DSL and DDSLs are trained to identify and respond to any form of child abuse
– physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect. They make informed decisions about who to involve. All staff understand they must refer concerns to the Safeguarding Team, Headmaster, and/or Child Services. Student Support
Every House has posters explaining who to talk to if worried, including a QR code for anonymous reporting. Photos and contact details for the DSL, DDSLs, Health Centre Team, and House staff are displayed.
We are confident our students are safe and feel safe in our care. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Boarding – LWC’s Aim and Objectives
At Lord Wandsworth College, boarding is much more than a place to stay – it is where pupils belong. Every pupil, whether day, flexi, weekly or full boarding, is part of one of our Houses, creating a true sense of community from the very first day.
Our Houses are welcoming, supportive environments where pupils are known as individuals and encouraged to grow in confidence, independence and character.
Led by dedicated Houseparents and supported by Resident Tutors, Tutors and Matrons, each House provides exceptional pastoral care, ensuring every young person feels safe, valued and able to thrive.
Boarding life is full of opportunities. From shared meals and evening activities to inter-house competitions, weekend trips and lifelong friendships, pupils quickly discover that their House becomes a genuine home away from home. Living alongside pupils from different year groups also helps to develop leadership, responsibility and a strong sense of belonging.
Whether pupils board every night or simply spend time in House before and after the school day, our aim is the same: to create
an environment where every child feels supported, challenged and inspired to become the very best version of themselves.
“Boarding has been the best decision we’ve made for our daughter. She has truly blossomed – gaining so much selfconfidence, trying new activities, building deep friendships and becoming more independent. We couldn’t have wished for a happier, more settled start to senior school.”
– Current LWC Parent
To find out more about life in our Houses and our approach to boarding, including our Boarding Principles and Aims, please click here
Pastoral Care
Our education at LWC centres on outstanding pastoral care. A happy student will excel as they grow. We have a wide range of support available, including Houseparents, Assistant Houseparents, Matrons, the Health Centre, Youth Workers, College Counsellors, and the Safeguarding and Pastoral Team.
A professional counselling service is available to enhance the College’s pastoral care. Students can contact counsellors in person or by email. The first six sessions are free, after which sessions are added to the term bill. Counselling is confidential unless a counsellor is concerned for a student’s welfare.
We ensure there is always someone to support our young people through difficult times and guide them back towards brighter days.
Academic Information
Our Waymarkers
The future does not come with a map.
That is why we use Waymarkers. They are not rules. They are bearings — principles that help pupils orient themselves when the path ahead is unfamiliar, uncertain or still unfolding. They shape everything here: our curriculum, our pastoral life, our co-curricular programme, our boarding community, our relationship with the land around us. If our mission is to widen worlds, our Waymarkers show how.
Character & Compassion - Who you are when no one is watching
Achievement matters. Effort matters. Ambition matters. But none of it means much if it collapses under pressure.
This Waymarker is about what remains when outcomes wobble and confidence takes a knock: how you treat others, how you respond when things do not go your way, and how you carry yourself when the easy options disappear.
Rooted in our Foundation, this belief runs deep. We have always known that real strength is often quiet, and real confidence does not need an audience. We want young people who are capable, yes, but also grounded, humane and reliable. Because character travels further than talent alone.
Connection & Service - Perspective is a team sport
It is tempting to stay inside your own world. It feels efficient, controlled and safe. It is also limiting.
This Waymarker asks pupils to step beyond themselves: to notice how ideas, people and experiences interlock, and to gather points of view from different disciplines, backgrounds and perspectives, then connect them in ways that create meaning.
Service, here, is not a badge. It is a habit of attention. Whether supporting the local community, contributing to school life or engaging with wider questions, pupils learn that the fullest lives are rarely lived alone.
Mastery & Imagination - Get good. Then get curious.
Depth matters. This Waymarker is about learning things properly: taking time, practising, building fluency and knowing that excellence is rarely accidental.
But mastery without imagination is brittle. We want pupils who can take what they know and apply it somewhere unexpected. Pupils confident enough in their craft to question assumptions, challenge conventions and explore unfamiliar territory.
Some problems do not come with instructions. Some futures will not look like the past. This is where imagination earns its keep.
Vitality & Adventure - Energy changes everything
There is a particular kind of confidence that comes from doing hard things in the real world. This Waymarker is about building that confidence physically, emotionally and mentally: discovering that discomfort is survivable, effort can be joyful, and uncertainty can even be enjoyable.
Across our 1,200 acres, pupils learn by moving through the world, not just thinking about it. From endurance challenges to quiet moments outdoors, they develop the energy, resilience and perspective needed to keep going when things get demanding.
Not every lesson happens at a desk. Some of the most important ones happen on your feet.
Stewardship & Legacy - Think beyond yourself
None of this exists in isolation. This Waymarker is about understanding consequence: that choices ripple outward through communities, landscapes and generations.
We encourage pupils to think carefully about what they consume, what they create and what they leave behind. Not as an abstract principle, but as a lived responsibility.
Progress that narrows the world is not progress worth making. Our aim is to help pupils leave people, places and possibilities better than they found them, and to pass on a world that feels bigger, fairer and more hopeful than the one they inherited.
Curriculum Support and EAL
The Curriculum Support Department manages both Learning Support and English as an Additional Language (EAL). Through additional support, not accessible in the classroom, we aim to equip students with the skills needed to study confidently and independently in our school environment. To meet the learning needs of students who require specialist support, LWC endeavours to offer both small group and one-to-one additional teaching.
Please click here for more information.
Aiming High and Scholarships
Scholarships are available to pupils entering the College at 11+, 13+ and 16+.
Pupils already attending the College may apply for a Scholarship as they enter 3rd Form and Sixth Form.
Our Aiming High programme encourages the very best from our pupils whether they are academic scholars or those just looking to delve further into their subjects.
Please click here to see our Scholarship Guide.
Futures Provision
At the heart of the Futures provision is the ethos of creating confident young people who have been given the skills and agility to make informed decisions for themselves about their future. By empowering our pupils in this way, we ensure they are equipped to be flexible, resilient, and can cope with the ever-changing landscape of skills and employment.
For further details on our Futures provision please click here.
Annual Programme of Progress Reports and Parents’ Meetings
We regularly report on the progress of individual pupils and provide an annual schedule of parents’ meetings.
Tutor Meeting Parents’ Meetings
1st Form September November & January June
2nd Form September March June
3rd Form September Academic –November GCSE Options — January June
4th Form September May June
AtoL (Attitude to Learning) Grades
October, December, February, March, May, June
Exams
5th Form September December March
October, December, February, March, May, June February
October, February, March, May, June June
October, December, February, March, May, June April (Mock Exams)
October, February, March Mock GCSEs — November
Lower Sixth September May June October, December, February, March, May, June November, April
Upper Sixth September October (post exams) & March (post exams) December October, December, February
Mock A Levels — November, February, March.
Co-Curricular Information & Saturdays
The aim of our Co-curricular Programme is to ‘widen worlds’ by providing pupils with activities and experiences outside of the academic curriculum. We recognise the vital role the co curriculum plays in the personal development of our pupils and strive to ensure it is as broad, rich and balanced as possible
The co-curricular programme is explicitly mapped to LWC’s five Waymarkers:
• Character & Compassion - looking beyond oneself and finding your role in the wider story. This waymarker underpins all of our activities, encouraging pupils to step out of their comfort zones, embrace new experiences, and view challenges as opportunities for growth.
• Mastery & Imagination - discovering your talents and how to apply them
* Academic: including subject-specific societies, debating, STEM clubs and academic clinics.
* Creative: art, design, textiles, cookery.
* Performing Arts: music, drama and dance. The Nadine Upall Theatre, in the centre of our campus, is home to our thriving Music and Drama Department where our creative teams work closely together to deliver an extensive programme of opportunities and events. This includes the first form Orchestra initiative where we aim to foster a genuine, lifelong appreciation for Music, and consequently encourage as many students as possible to learn an instrument.
studio and offers a range of styles across all abilities, and in addition, LAMDA is an opportunity we are pleased to be able to offer. If you are interested in enrolling your child in Music, LAMDA or Dance lessons, please contact our Performing Arts Administrative Assistant - Alice Youngs (youngsa@lordwandworth.org).
• Vitality & Adventure - fostering a lifelong love of sport, health, fitness and adventure. Sport, Health and Fitness. Our main team sports for each term are: Winter – Rugby and Football for boys, Hockey for girls. Spring – Hockey for boys, Netball and Football for girls. Summer – Cricket, athletics and tennis for girls and boys.
Alongside main team sports there are a range of alternative activities including marathon canoeing, strength and conditioning training and fitness training, swimming, golf, horse-riding and yoga. Where there is an additional cost for these activities, parents will be notified in advance and asked to opt-in. Duke of Edinburgh Award – Bronze award for 4th form and Gold award for Sixth form. Pupils learn new skills and undertake volunteering activities before taking part in qualifying expeditions. Outdoor learning – including bushcraft and outdoor cooking.
• Stewardship & Legacy - learning to live lightly and gratefully on our shared planet. Activities include the Environmental Leaders programme and volunteering activities with a focus on conservation.
• Connection & Service – finding yourself through your community and beyond. Committees – including Charity, Green, Anti-Bullying, Peer Mentor and Pride. Outreach and Volunteering – forging links and collaboration as well as sharing skills and experience within LWC and the wider community. CCF – The Combined Cadet force creates opportunities for developing responsibility, initiative and resilience, along with leadership skills. Training is based on a mixture of military knowledge and skills, along with outdoor pursuits. Our Combined Cadet Force offers opportunity within the Army, RAF and Naval sections from 3rd form to Sixth Form.
For our 1st and 2nd Form (Bramley) pupils, the focus is on discovery and breadth and the pupils are encouraged to try a range of activities across all Waymarkers; trying new things and building confidence. In the 3rd to 5th form we would expect to see growing specialisation and commitment and in the Sixth form there is a focus on specialism, expertise, service and leadership.
The Co-curricular Timetable
The weekday co-curriculum runs from 4.006.00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and from 2.00pm on Wednesday afternoons. A few activities finish at 6.30pm, including drama production rehearsals and marathon canoeing training.
Sports fixtures against other schools take place on either Wednesday or Saturday afternoons, with occasional cup fixtures on other days of the week.
Saturday morning activities take place from 9.30-11.00am. 9.30-11.00am.
All pupils will have the opportunity to take part in our evening activity programme which runs from 7.00-9.15pm. The first hour focuses on enrichment activities, such as academic societies and guest speakers, and the remainder of the evening on recreation activities. Paid-for classes in Dance and LAMDA also run into the evening.
It is College policy that pupils are expected to attend all sport and activity sessions that are programmed for their year group. If a pupil is selected to represent the College (in sport, music, drama or other representative activities) they are expected to fulfil that commitment.
Saturday Morning Programme
Our Saturday morning programme is designed to develop inquisitive learners. The Saturday programme gives pupils the freedom to:
• Try things that they would not normally have the opportunity to experience
• Challenge themselves and develop character
• Stretch their intellectual passions
• Find the additional support they need to consolidate their learning
• Explore their inner creativity
• Explore the outdoors and develop new passions
• Become active change makers
Saturday mornings are all about expanding horizons from the normal curriculum. It is a non-uniform day to ensure it feels different from the normal working week. Full boarders are expected to participate but the programme is optional for all other pupils; however, most pupils do participate – and Friday night is our busiest boarding night!
International Pupils
We offer our international boarders a home from home, allowing them to immerse themselves into the British culture in a wonderfully friendly and supportive way. All pupils join one of our eight boarding houses and have the support of their Houseparent and, of course, their Matron. In addition, all pupils are assigned a personal tutor who is responsible for both the academic and pastoral care of pupils and is always on hand to answer any questions or offer advice to both parents and pupils if needed.
With just over 700 pupils on roll we are small enough to really know our students, yet big enough to offer an extensive range of facilities and a broad curriculum. Our students consistently achieve excellent exam results, while still enjoying our extensive co-curricular activities and leadership
opportunities. In our Sixth Form, a growing focus on life after school means our pupils develop greater confidence and ambition as they prepare for university and beyond.
Our Head of Boarding organises a series of trips and activities at the weekends. Boarders can suggest trips they would like to go on and activities they would like to try. Recent trips include days out in Windsor and Winchester and visits to our local golf centre and to the cinema. Our extensive co-curricular programme includes activities such as golf, performing arts, science clubs, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and much more.
We have a special interest in the pastoral care of all our overseas students and we aim to help them settle happily into their new
College Policies & Inspection
Policies
Many of our policies are available on our website. Hard or electronic versions of all our policies are available on request from the Headmaster’s Office (headsec@ lordwandsworth.org).
The following key policies can be found via this link.
Admissions
Boarding Principles and Aims
Complaints
Data Protection
Mission and Aims
PHSEE & RSE
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Please contact the Chairman of Governors, Mr Robert Hannington, regarding any policy questions, via our Chief Operating Officer01256 862201
Academic Performance and Inspections
Our academic results last year can be found here and our most recent inspection report here.
Fees & Insurance
Fees, Billing and Insurances
We would like to reassure all parents that we have no plans to change our bank account details. If the College were ever to change bank account details, we would communicate this through our established College communication channels and would never notify parents solely by email or ask for payments to be redirected based on an email request alone. If you ever receive a communication requesting a change to our bank details, please contact the College directlyusing ourpublished telephone number before making any payment.
For your security, payment by Direct Debit is the safest and most secure method of paying school fees, as it significantly reduces the risk of fraudulent payment diversion. We therefore strongly encourage parents to use Direct Debit wherever possible.
College fee invoices are issued approximately one month before the start of the term and sent via email. The finance team will also issue a communication to all parents once invoices have been issued as we are aware that sometimes these fall into junk folders.
For our current fees please click here
Payment is due on the 1st day of the term, and prompt payment of the invoice would be appreciated. Please note that interest may be charged at 2% per month on overdue accounts.
Interim bills are usually sent around half-term and cover any additional charges incurred.
There are three ways to pay for school fees: Direct Debit, Online Tranfer & Bank Transfer LWC runs a Fees in Advance (FIA) scheme offering discounts for parents wishing to pay tuition fees in advance. Please get in touch with Amy Scragg, Finance Manager at LWC for further information on the FIA scheme. scragga@lordwandsworth.org
Fees Refund Scheme
The College provides access to a ‘Fees Refund Scheme’ for pupils. This scheme seeks to allow parents to recover the cost of school fees where a pupil is unable to attend school due, for example, to illness or injury.
Pupils will be included in the Fees Refund Scheme if a parent requests it by completing an application form, found on the VLE. The charge, (currently 0.82% of the termly fee for
Extras
It is our policy to try and keep ‘extras’ on school bills to a minimum. However, there are occasional charges for some trips and outings, specialist books, books for retention, etc.
If the cost of an extra is under £10, the charge will appear on your bill without notification. You will be notified of any extras costing over £10. You have the right to opt out of any trip or activity where cost is prohibitive. If you wish your child to opt out, please ensure that we are informed as early as possible. For large amounts, eg for overseas trips, you will always have the option of paying in instalments.
Our Chief Operating Officer is always happy to talk to parents about any fee concerns (bursarssec@lordwandsworth. org).
Music Lessons
Our current fees and policy can be found here
Learning Support Lessons
Our current fees and policy can be found here
Insurances
Pupil possessions insurance will cover loss of items at school without having to make a claim through household insurance. The termly charge is £7.09 per term. Details of the policy can be found here. Possessions Insurance LWC
To register your child, please log into the Howden Portal and complete the relevant form.
Pupils’ Personal Accident Insurance
All pupils are automatically members of this scheme and the charge is absorbed within the school fees. For full details of the scheme, please click the link here.
Personal Accident Insurance
If you have any queries or require further information on any of the above, please contact the finance team by email at accounts@lordwandsworth.org
Travel Insurance
The College has a ‘Travel Cover for Schools Policy’, which covers trips at home and abroad, including winter sports. This is included within the termly fees. Please contact the College office if you would like any additional information,
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Our current fees and policy can be found here
Private Medical Insurance
LWC offers a private medical health scheme for all pupils, through AXA Health. The termly charge for this scheme from September 2026 will be £162/term, inclusive of Insurance Premium Tax (IPT). For full policy information regarding the scheme, please click on the Axa Link here.
If you wish for your child to participate in this scheme, please complete the online application form via this link.
Deadline for new applications: 30th September 2026 (Autumn Term), 24th January 2027 (Spring Term) and 4th May 2027 (Summer Term).
Notice to Leave/Change of Status
A full term’s notice is required in writing, to the Headmaster, if a pupil is to be withdrawn, or wishes to change status from boarding to flexi or day pupil. Likewise, changing from a flexi to a day pupil requires a full term’s notice.
To request a change of boarding status please click here.
Pupil Absence Insurance Scheme
The Pupil Absence Insurance Scheme (PAIS) offers a pro rata refund of school fees if your child is absent due to illness or accident for a continuous period of at least four days, including weekends and bank holidays. There are various other new benefits added as well.
The termly charge for participation in the scheme is 0.69% of tuition fees per term. For full details of the scheme, please click the information leaflet which can be found here.
To register your child, please log into the Howden Portal and complete the relevant form.
Guardians, Travel Documents and Visas
Guardians
The safety and wellbeing of our international pupils is of the utmost importance. To ensure every pupil receives the appropriate level of care and support whilst studying in the UK, all pupils whose parents are resident overseas are required to have full guardianship support in place throughout their time at Lord Wandsworth College, in accordance with the College’s Guardianship Policy.
An educational guardian acts as the parents’ representative in the UK, providing support both during term time and in the event of an emergency. Depending on a family’s circumstances, a guardian may also assist with airport transfers, travel arrangements, exeat and holidayaccommodation, attending school events on behalf of parents and providing additional pastoral support throughout a pupil’s time at the College.
Parents may appoint either an individual guardian or a professional guardianship organisation.
Where a professional guardianship organisation is appointed, the College requires it to be AEGISaccredited, providing independent assurance that it meets nationally recognised standards of safeguarding, welfare and pastoral care.
Parents who choose to appoint an individual guardian are welcome to do so; however, the guardian must be able to provide the same level of care, availability and support expected of an AEGIS-accredited organisation. They must be permanently resident in the UK, over the age of 25, able to act with the full authority of the parents and meet all of the expectations set out in the College’s Guardianship Policy.Whilst the choice of guardian remains the responsibility of parents, the College is committed to ensuring
thatallguardianshiparrangementsappropriately safeguard the welfare of our pupils. We therefore reserve the right to request that alternative arrangements are made should we have any concerns regardingthe suitabilityoreffectiveness of a guardianship arrangement.
Before joining the College, parents are required to complete our Guardianship Nomination Form, providing full details of their appointed guardian orguardianship organisation, and all parties (The College, the parents and the Guardian) are then required to sign the Guardianship Agreement. Any changes to these arrangements must be communicated to the College in writing without delay.
Travel Documents/Visas
Parents are responsible for ensuring that passports, visas and all other travel documentation remain valid throughout their child’s time at the College.
Boarding pupils are asked to hand their passport, visa documentation (where applicable) and any travel documents to their Houseparent for secure safekeeping. Copies of passports and visa documentation must also be provided to the College to enable us to meet our responsibilities under UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements.
Should you have any questions regarding guardianship, visas or any aspect of joining Lord Wandsworth College, please contact the Admissions Team at: admissions@ lordwandsworth.org.
