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Wellington has been shortlisted for ‘Outstanding Partnership’ in The Independent Schools of the Year Awards in recognition of our dynamic partnership with Carwarden House Community School in Surrey.
The finalists will be announced on 9th September with an awards ceremony held in London in October. The awards celebrate best practice in all areas of education, and the breadth and depth of the student experience provided by the independent sector.
2024 marks the ten-year anniversary of our ongoing friendship and fundraising partnership with Carwarden House which is part of Global Citizenship. The partnership has become an integrated and much-loved aspect of school life, evolving beyond the efforts of staff to encompass increasing numbers of pupil-led projects.
Every Wednesday afternoon, pupils from Wellington meet with Carwarden House pupils to participate in hands-on activities that build friendships, develop life skills, encourage laughter and foster mutual understanding. These can be anything from quizzes and pumpkin carving to low ropes, Easter egg hunts and nature walks. Since the initiative started, over 200 activities have been organised and around 100 Wellington pupils and 150 Carwarden House pupils have benefited.
“We are no longer two communities, we are an extension of each other’s communities.” – Maria Ramsay, KS4 Lead and Coordinator of the Wellington/Carwarden House Partnership
Over the last decade, and in partnership, over £30,000 has been raised, funding meaningful projects that have made a true difference to pupils and staff at Carwarden House, including an outdoor classroom, bird tables and an interactive TV screen for learning
Wellington pupils regularly initiate new activities themselves. In November, Harry, George and Miles from The Stanley House busked in Guildford raising over £2,500 (in person and via Just Giving) which funded a whole school trip to Thorpe Park for Carwarden House. Wellington pupils perform concerts at Carwarden and this year we are trialling a new formalised work experience scheme for two Carwarden House pupils at Wellington College.
“The partnership gives our pupils an insight into the similarities between themselves and other young people, even if they go to a completely different type of school. Wellington pupils are so accepting of our pupils and treat them with huge respect.” – Dean Biddle, 6th Form Tutor at Carwarden House
“After ten years of building a successful bond with Carwarden House, we’re honoured that this unique relationship between our two schools, has been recognised and shortlisted for The Independent Schools of the Year Awards. Each year a different set of Wellington pupils joins the mentorship programme and every cohort never fails to impress me with their passion and the enjoyment they gain from spending time with the Carwarden pupils. This partnership truly is as beneficial to Wellington College as it is to Carwarden House.” – Charlie Sutton, Wellington College Assistant Head (Pupils) and Carwarden House Project Lead
Find out more about Global Citizenship and the Carwarden House partnership in this short film from Speech Day 2024
