Wellington fastest riser in league tables
The Financial Times and The Daily Telegraph have highlighted Wellington's exceptional recent performance in their latest special supplements on the top independent schools in the UK.
According to the Financial Times on 15 September, "Wellington College has re-established itself as one of the leading boarding schools. The fastest riser among the big schools - those with more than 100 A-level candidates - the boarding school has shot up from 240 in the FT league table to 105th place this year.
"Few at the school doubt that the arrival of Anthony Seldon as the Master two years ago has speeded up the recovery started by Hugh Monro, his predecessor.
"Dr Seldon, the historian and biographer of Tony Blair, has demanded a high standard of discipline in and out of the classroom and improved pupils' work ethic. He has also kept the school in the public eye through innovative lessons in happiness to foster well being.
"As far as we can see there has been no difference in the ability profile of pupils over the last few years but Dr Seldon has brought with him change of attitude," says Robin Dyer, the second master. "There has been a complete cultural change in the way we view academic work alongside our commitment to education in the broadest sense."
The Daily Telegraph's Independent Schools report, also on 15 September, says Wellington is one of the biggest climbers in 2007, calling Dr Seldon 'a pioneering and reform-minded headmaster'. "For far too long," says Dr Seldon, "our education system has been skewed in favour of numerical and literary aptitudes. We have largely neglected other aspects of personal development." Well-being classes, sometimes referred to as 'happiness studies', are now an established part of the Wellington curriculum. For Dr Seldon, they are not a gimmicky sideshow, but an integral part of the whole education process.
"Not only have our academic results improved since we introduced them, but we have had fewer disciplinary problems. The classes have had a hugely beneficial effect."
