Houses

At Wellington, there are nine houses for boys (for boarders and a limited number of day boarders) and five houses for girls (boarders only). Two houses especially for day pupils (Wellesley and Raglan) opened in September 2007. House provision has changed significantly over the last five years as the College has completed the transitional phase from single sex to co-education. There are have been several major building projects, many refurbishments and a lot of change as the school has risen in size to just under one thousand.

The House is the centre of a pupil's life. Houses vary in terms of size, location and character (see Choosing a House), but in each the Housemaster or Housemistress, supported by tutors, a Matron and a Housekeeper, has responsibility for looking after the students in his or her care and for monitoring students' academic and social development.

Each House is a self-contained community, organising its own musical events, plays, sports teams and similar. Students can visit other Houses but must follow strict rules when doing so. Several Upper Sixth formers are appointed House prefects and gain useful experience, as well as undertake a valuable service, by helping with the management of the House. Leadership Training Courses, given in the Lower SIxth or Sixth Form, help prepare students for being prefects.

Three Houses have some meals in their house dining rooms but the majority of pupils eat in the Dining Hall. All Houses have kitchens ('brews') available to the pupils to make light snacks or hot drinks.

There is also a very popular coffee shop (the V&A) in the middle of College where pupils can socialise; parents and others are welcome to use it.  It serves light meals to pupils at lunchtime and is available from breakfast through into the evening.

Each House is either an 'in-house' or an 'out-house', with in-houses located within the main school buildings and quads, and out-houses located in the grounds. Each House has aspects which distinguish it from other Houses, such as its own colours, emblem and a defined House spirit.

The Orange was previously a boys' house, but was changed to a girls' house in 2005, and opened in 2006. The same has happened to the Hardinge and Combermere, with boys from both merging to form a new and relocated Hardinge Sixth Form house, and girls joining a completely refurbished Combermere girls' house which opened in 2007. In 2010 and 2011 respectively, the Hopetoun and Angelesey completed their transition from a boys' houses to girls'.