Wellingborough School
“The origin of Wellingborough School has been attributed
officially to the Year 1595; though both Bridges the historian of the county and Carlisle the historian of schools have suggested, without showing, an earlier origin, which is in fact certain. ”
Over 425 Years of learning
2022 Prospectus
Welcome to Wellingborough School
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Wellingborough School has a proud tradition of educating girls and boys from Northamptonshire and the surrounding counties, and today teaches more than 850 pupils aged 3 to 18. Comprising a Nursery and Preparatory School (3-11 years), a Senior School and Sixth Form (11-18), we offer a complete education which places the interests of the individual child at its centre. We hope this prospectus will give you an insight into the Wellingborough School Way, but it can only scratch the surface of the amazing opportunities that are on offer every day. We urge you to visit us with your family and learn first-hand how we can equip your son or daughter with the confidence, qualifications, resilience and commitment to be successful in life. We look forward to welcoming you to our School.
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Our Values: • Excellence • Independence • Empathy • Dynamism • Inclusivity
Andrew Holman Headmaster
At Wellingborough School we provide children and young adults with a world of opportunity. We aim to nurture pupils throughout their education, empowering them with the aptitude and tools to be life-long learners who are passionate to develop their knowledge and are unafraid of rising to new challenges.
Ethos
History
Learning and teaching are at the heart of our provision, and across the schools, our dedicated and specialist teachers are devoted to getting the best out of pupils.We are firmly focused on the future of our pupils and seek to equip them with the skills and qualifications they will need to achieve their dreams beyond school, whether at university or in their chosen vocation.
With more than 400 years of history, we are proud of our traditions but progressive in our thinking. At the core of our ethos is the wellbeing, happiness and development of our pupils. We are a family of schools, which enables us to provide a considered and consistent model of teaching from Nursery to Sixth Form. We also welcome new joiners at entry points throughout the School, adding to the richness of our community.
Complementing our robust academic provision is an extensive co-curricular programme which develops a rounded character and allows pupils to follow their own interests, whether in drama or on the sports field.
Enduring values with progressive thinking Founded in 1595, Wellingborough School prides itself on its rich history and enduring traditions. These are visible today in our architecture, our house system and, most importantly, our values. Our mindset, however, is thoroughly progressive and we are keen to embrace innovations which make our pupils better learners, whilst retaining the ethos and integrity of our School. Families are reassured by our longevity and the body of knowledge we have developed over time about how best to educate boys and girls. At a time of fleeting fashions, even in education, it is more important than ever to be led by our long-held values.
An all-through family of schools As an all-through school we provide the complete educational journey from age 3 in the Nursery to 18 in the Upper Sixth. Not only does this provide a sense of stability and belonging for pupils and families, it also allows them to benefit from a consistent and considered educational ethos designed to realise potential. Pupils also join us at other entry points and receive a warm welcome.
Rounded pupils The rounded education provided by Wellingborough School helps to develop pupils who are confident, unpretentious, outwardlooking and well-mannered. Our cornerstone values of community and charity mean that pupils embrace such ideals as civic responsibility, generosity of spirit and helping others.
Extensive co-curricular opportunites The range of opportunities available is extensive, allowing pupils to discover new talents or develop existing ones. They are encouraged to participate widely and our activity programme extends beyond the normal school day. Whether through music, sport, drama, debating or leadership activities, pupils learn to appreciate the value of dedication, teamwork and perseverance.
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Our environment enables our pupils to develop to their full potential and thrive as individuals.
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Headmaster
Academic Excellence Our academic provision is robust and challenging, equipping pupils with the qualifications they need to access the next stage of their education and achieve their career goals, whilst also establishing a lifelong love of learning. In the upper years of the School there is first-class support for UCAS applications and careers advice, and, throughout the School, there are considerable extension opportunities to ensure pupils are the best learners they can be. The award of scholarships promotes our academic culture.
Teaching boys and girls together We believe that educating girls and boys together in the classroom prepares them for life beyond the School. However, there are times when single-sex structures are more suitable and appropriate, such as in certain sports and in the House system in the Senior School. This complements the co-educational teaching and allows us to better tailor our pastoral and activity programmes.
Pastoral care and individual attention Individual attention and support from caring teachers, and a highly structured pastoral provision, allow our pupils to thrive. There is also a specialist Wellbeing team dedicated to helping our pupils to navigate the terrain of childhood and adolescence. Fundamentally, we believe that pupils must be happy to achieve their best, and their care is our primary concern.
Wellingborough School
Preparatory School Girls & Boys aged 3 to 11 Our Lower Prep School lays down the foundations not just for a child’s time at Wellingborough School, but for a lifetime of learning. We provide a stimulating environment supported by dedicated, specialist teachers, where children thrive and grow in character, responsibility and knowledge.
In spacious, well-equipped classrooms, Nursery and Reception children are engaged through structured play and carefully co-ordinated activities. The children also benefit from a stimulating and secure outside area where they have the opportunity to develop essential social skills and a sense of independence. We are a forward-thinking school, keen to embrace the best in new ideas and technology. From playing with programmable toys in the Nursery to more advanced app coding in Year 2, the children are well prepared for an increasingly digital world, but we are careful to ensure that the traditional subjects are embraced, too. Exciting learning awaits in Science, Art, PE, Humanities and Mathematics classes, Spanish is introduced early, and ’cello or violin are played by all in Year 2.
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From the first day we support your child to develop positive relationships through structured play and individual interests.
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Head of Nursery
We know our children; with our small class sizes, we are quickly able to identify personal strengths and weaknesses at an early stage, ensuring each and every child is challenged, encouraged and supported to achieve their very best. Beyond the classroom, there are clubs and activities to suit all tastes, from gardening to cookery and multi-sports. Learning in Lower Prep is fun and engaging, and the children are well prepared for the transition to the Upper Prep School.
“Saying thank you doesn’t sound
enough, when compared to the monumental amount of care and kindness shown to my daughter, not to mention the academic expertise, creativity, endless enthusiasm, passion and commitment. Parent
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The Upper Prep School guides pupils through the growing challenges of their education, exposing them to more specialist teaching plus close monitoring and assessment. This middle tier of schooling provides a smooth transition for pupils as they leave the Lower Prep School and prepare to advance into the exam years at the Senior School. The size of the School ensures they are undaunted by new surroundings and able to focus on the increasing curriculum demands.
“My As well as the core subjects of Mathematics, Science, English and French, Computing is taught throughout the Prep years, from basic programming to learning and applying some of the fundamental principles of computer science, such as logic and algorithms. Drama and Music are a part of daily life at the School. Our sport-for-all ethos allows pupils to take part in a range of individual and team games. Visits to theatre productions, talks from renowned authors and the Science field trip to Kew Gardens, among many other trips, excite young imaginations and inspire pupils to want to learn more about their subjects. Learning is also supported by the School’s first-class facilities, including an extensive sports provision, airy Art classrooms and a dedicated Music School.
daughter has blossomed since joining the Prep School. Opportunities in sport and music, and being nurtured in her studies by caring teachers, have instilled a new-found confidence in her and a love of going to school each day. Parent
Every pupil in the Upper Prep School is assigned to a Club and the Club President oversees their pastoral care. All pupils will also have a Form Tutor who will be the first contact for any pastoral or academic concerns. Support inside the classroom and beyond is highly personalised. Most important of all, the Upper Prep School is a happy and safe environment in which pupils thrive and look forward to returning to each day.
Preparatory School
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My son comes home each day bursting with enthusiasm about what he has been doing and delights in recounting exciting experiments in Science or the plotlines of new books they are studying. Parent
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Wellingborough School
Senior School Girls & Boys aged 11 to 16 Quality learning and teaching is continued in the Senior School, and pupils start to take ownership of their future as they make decisions about their curriculum. Excellent facilities, such as the dedicated Art Building and the Music School, support pupil learning and enable dynamic teaching. Our exam results are strong and the majority of students stay on to study A Levels.
Our academic focus is complemented by a range of co-curricular opportunities. These are designed to build character and soft skills, and allow pupils to develop new interests and abilities. This includes leadership activities such as The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and the Combined Cadet Force, as well as Music, Drama and sporting opportunities. We take the wellbeing of our pupils very seriously and are proud of our pastoral structure. Having benefitted from invidivual care through the oversight of a Head of Year in Years 7 and 8, the pupils are introduced to the bedrock of the Senior School: the House System. Each student belongs to a single-sex House, caringly supervised by our Housemistresses and Masters. The House provides indentity, a sense of belonging and a point of contact for parents. There is also a Deputy Head responsible for pastoral matters and a full time Wellbeing Department, who support our young adults and their families with any issues.
Trips to destinations near and far bring subjects to life whilst developing an outward looking attitude in our pupils. Many will have travelled to four or more countries during their time at the School, developing their understanding and appreciation of other cultures, opening them to many opportunities for international study and work. Community and charity work are also integral facets of the Wellingborough Way.
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As our third child passes through the Senior School, we have seen the way that the School has nurtured their individual strengths to allow them to reach their personal goals. It’s not a case of ‘one-size-fits-all’ at Wellingborough – each child’s education is individually tailored to get the best out of them. Parent
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Senior School
Wellingborough School
Sixth Form Girls & Boys aged 16 to 18
Our Sixth Form is a supported learning environment for students who want to attain their best academically, whilst participating in a range of activities which will enhance their future university and career prospects. With more than 20 A Level subjects to choose from and a vibrant Extended Project Qualification provision, students can take control of their education – accompanied by a new balance of freedoms and responsibilities – in readiness for university life.
The Headstart programme, which takes place after the GCSE period, allows students to experience courses before the start of the school year. This provides students with reassurance that their subject choice is right for them, as well as giving them the opportunity to make changes if necessary. Within the Sixth Form, students still belong to one of the Senior School day Houses, providing a structure of close support and individualised care. Educational trips are numerous and an extensive range of co-curricular opportunities are available from Combined Cadet Force sections to Young Enterprise and Public Speaking.
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I chose to study my A Levels at Wellingborough because of the high level of choice and the support available from the teachers. The advice on university applications has been great and I have enjoyed the leadership activities, such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
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Sixth Form Pupil
Our exam results are strong and the robust subjects offered enable more than 70% of pupils to gain their first choice of university. UCAS and careers support begins early in the Sixth Form, which covers not only information on university placement, but also advice on the burgeoning apprenticeship opportunities. When pupils leave our School, they will look back on happy memories and forward with a confidence in their ability to meet any challenge.
Sixth Form
A Wealth of Opportunities Here at Wellingborough we have the big 5 Co-Curricular programme Our 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 – so you can be sure to find something that suits you!
Beyond the classroom Prep
https://www.wellingboroughschool.org/prep/beyond-the-classroom/
Beyond the classroom Senior
https://www.wellingboroughschool.org/senior/beyond-the-classroom/
Music
DofE
Sport Drama
CCF
A warm welcome awaits We warmly invite you to visit us to discuss how Wellingborough School can help your son or daughter to reach their full potential. There are regular open events and personal visits can be booked any time. Taster days can also be arranged for your child so that they can experience school life first-hand.
Our dedicated admissions team will be only too happy to help and can be contacted
Here
https://www.wellingboroughschool.org/admissions/make-an-enquiry/
01933 222427 admissions@wellingboroughschool.org More information, including Scholarship and Bursary information, can be found online at https://www.wellingboroughschool.org/ Wellingborough School
To book a place at our next open event please visit
Open Days
https://www.wellingboroughschool.org/admissions/open-events/
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated Admissions Team on 01933 222427 or admissions@wellingboroughschool.org. Further details, and the dates for key admissions events and deadlines, can be found on our website at https://www.wellingboroughschool.org/ Wellingborough School