The ISSP is no longer funded by government and has adopted a self-sustaining model where the partnership is now funded by the schools themselves and there are currently 11 schools in the ISSP partnership located in the Wokingham and Surrey Heath areas.

The key aims of the partnership are to raise aspirations and attainment amongst able pupils within the partnership schools, specifically to enhance confident, aspirational and active engagement in facilitating subjects. The intention is to raise pupils’ awareness of their own potential and to improve successful ambitious university application rates and the take-up of enrichment opportunities. The ISSP is supported by a steering group representing the schools in the partnership who work with Sue Parker, the Partnership Coordinator.

As a member of the ISSP Partnership schools have access to a range of courses primarily run at Wellington College. Every year we deliver a programme of workshops and courses to over 1000 students in years 8 -13. Courses include STEM Competitions, Personal Development Skills days, Creative Technology, Languages at Work, Masterclasses in Physics, History and English, as well as support for university applications. It is a valuable opportunity for pupils to meet and work with like-minded young people on common areas of interest outside the curriculum and is designed to enhance their personal expectations and aspirations, as well as broadening their horizons.

Wellington also runs a successful Oxbridge programme that supports local pupils through the application process from Year 10, when we introduce the idea of going to Oxbridge, right through to running personal statements workshops and offering mock interviews for all applicants.

For more information or to make contact with Sue Parker about Wellington’s ISSP work, please email her at sxp@wellingtoncollege.org.uk.