"From the moment pupils arrive at Wellington they experience a rich and stimulating education offering both breadth and depth where the aim is to inspire and embed a deep love of learning."

Benjamin Evans FRSC
Deputy Head (Academic)

Third Form (from September 2023)

The Third Form (Year 9) balances breadth and depth. It encourages pupils to develop their learning in a wide range of subjects and to lay solid foundations for GCSE study. It consists of:

  • A core of Mathematics, English, and Science (taught as a fully integrated course)
  • Two Humanities (chosen by the pupil from History, Geography, Philosophy & Religion, and Ancient History)
  • Two Modern Languages (chosen by the pupil from French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, and Russian)
  • Classics (either Latin, or Greek and Latin (Gratin))
  • Three further elective subjects (chosen by the pupil from from Art, Computer Science, Dance, Drama, Design Engineering & Technology, Music, and Physical Education)
  • Wellbeing – an essential element of the College’s philosophy, encouraging pupils to reflect on their own personal, social, emotional, and intellectual development
  • The Third Form culminates in their matriculation where pupils present their work for the Malim Prize, an extended project showcasing each pupil’s manifestation of intellectual curiosity

Fourth and Fifth Forms (from September 2024)

Pupils choose their GCSE subjects for the Middle School towards the end of Third Form. Pupils study a core set of subjects (with some elective choice) and complement this with further free choice in a range of areas:

  • Mathematics
  • English (Language and Literature)
  • At least one core science (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics)
  • At least one Language (ancient or modern, from French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Russian, Latin, or Gratin)
  • At least one Humanities subject (from Geography, History, Ancient History, and Philosophy & Religion)
  • Pupils choose three further subjects. They choose further core sciences, languages, or Humanities, or from a range of options which includes Art, Art Textiles, Computer Science, Dance, Design Engineering, Drama, Music, Physical Education, and Photography
  • Wellbeing
  • Higher Project Qualification (HPQ), which accounts as half a GCSE, or Wellington’s internal Fragments course, which is a bespoke exploration in the field of academic enrichment

For details of all GCSE subjects available at Wellington, please visit the Academic Faculties pages.

Details of the Middle School subject choices may be found here.

Sixth Form

Pupils choose between A Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). A great deal of guidance, advice and information is given to both pupils and parents to facilitate this decision but ultimately pupils are free to choose the appropriate programme of study for them. For details of all Sixth Form subjects available at Wellington, please visit the Academic Faculties pages.

The IB Diploma provides a balanced, international and socially engaged education for the whole person, with depth and specialism provided by three Higher Level subject choices and breadth encouraged by three further Standard Level options. All IB pupils study Maths and English, as well as a language, a science, and a humanity as part of their IBDP.

A Levels provide an intensive and specialist education in a focused range of subjects. Most Wellingtonians start the Sixth Form studying four subjects of their choice although some will only take three through to full A Level. Currently just over half of the Sixth Form have opted for the A Level curriculum although the proportion of pupil choosing the IBDP has increased significantly in recent years and numbers are likely to settle around 50/50 in the years to come.

Wellington is whole-heartedly committed to this twin-track Sixth Form curriculum, and both pathways are academically rigorous, internationally recognised and valued by universities and employers. Neither is inherently more or less difficult nor more suited to strong or weak pupils. Both are fully linear and pupils should therefore choose the form of education to which they are best suited.

With outstanding results at both A Level and the IBDP, university outcomes are strong: 76 pupils have gained places at Oxford or Cambridge over the past three years with the vast majority of others going on to elite US and Russell Group universities.

For details of the Upper School subject choices please click here; however, these choices are subject to change for subsequent years.

“The IB programme has been a great success story. Over 50 % of our sixth form now take up the challenge. The outward looking nature of the IB has much to offer; it equips pupils with independence of thought and a desire to make the world a better place.”

Richard Atherton, Director of IB at Wellington College

Continue your journey

Admissions Overview

Find out more

Admissions Overview

Visiting Wellington

Find out more

Visiting Wellington