In the education industry, institutions are increasingly tasked with preparing students for academic success and their roles as responsible global citizens. The emphasis on holistic development has become paramount as schools seek to cultivate well-rounded individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a complex world. This comprehensive approach encompasses academic achievement, personal growth, cultural awareness, and the ability to navigate diverse environments.
Wellington College International Shanghai, leading this charge, is part of a distinguished educational network that traces its roots back to 1859. This institute has established a reputation for excellence in education and has expanded its reach globally, empowering thousands of students across multiple countries. With a commitment to innovative teaching and a strong focus on community engagement, the institution seeks to create an inclusive environment where every student can flourish. Its guiding philosophy highlights the importance of nurturing both individual talents and collaborative skills.
By integrating a rigorous curriculum with a wide array of extracurricular activities, the institution aims to provide personalized educational experiences that cater to the unique strengths and aspirations of each student. This strategic vision positions the institution as a frontrunner in shaping future leaders, equipping them with the tools to navigate the challenges of a dynamic world while developing a deep respect for cultural diversity and global interconnectedness.
A Legacy of Pioneering Education and Global Impact
Wellington College International Shanghai is part of the Wellington College Education Group, which traces its origins back to 1859, when Queen Victoria founded Wellington College in Crowthorne, England. More than 160 years later, the College remains one of the most respected educational institutions in the UK. Its global network of 10 schools empowers more than 10,000 students in England, China, India, and Thailand, with schools soon to open in Indonesia, the US, and South Korea.
Wellington College International Shanghai shares with its sister school in the UK a common mission of offering a pioneering education to serve and help shape a better world, combining the very best of British and international education to create a pupil-centric, multilingual, multicultural, and inclusive learning experience. Guided by the motto ‘Be You. Be More.’ the institution is committed to inspiring its children to be learners, connectors, and changemakers.
Fostering Well-Rounded Development Through Diverse Activities
The institution believes that a well-rounded pupil is a successful pupil. That is why it encourages all Wellingtonians to pursue a diversity of interests and cultivate new talents. Its co-curricular activities (CCA) programme provides greater freedom for pupils to engage in various activities during the school day. The school offers a diverse range of activities in competitive and recreational sports, performing and visual arts, and clubs and societies, including Model UN and the Duke of Edinburgh’s award.
Additionally, through the Wellington Extra programme, pupils can supplement their educational and athletic skills with coaching and mentorship from select partner organizations. Held on campus in the evenings and on weekends, these after-school programmes offer a diverse selection of courses in sports, the arts, and more. The institution also has affiliations with a range of quality providers who offer activities for pupils off-site, such as equestrianism, sailing, rock climbing, fencing, ice skating, and skiing.
Cultivating Community and Celebrating Diversity
The institution's pastoral provision and house system are central to fostering a sense of inclusivity and community among its pupils. It recognizes that each pupil is unique, with individual needs. As such, pastoral care provides children with a transformative experience that increases the likelihood of happiness and fulfillment. Guided by the values of kindness, courage, integrity, responsibility, and respect, the school fosters personal and emotional development alongside academic ambition. Pupils are encouraged to express themselves and cultivate mindfulness as they learn from life's challenges.
Similarly, the house system engages and inspires pupils, giving them a chance to relish in the spirit of friendly competition and team pride. A pupil's house serves as a rallying point for various academic, artistic, and sporting activities throughout the year. These activities are designed to provide pupils with opportunities to try something new, venture out of their comfort zones, and discover and showcase their talents. The eight houses are selected from the 17 houses of the sister school in the UK. All pupils are allocated a house designation upon joining the institution and will remain members for the duration of their time there.
The institution also celebrates its diverse educational community with the annual International Food Festival and United Nations Day. A perennial favorite among pupils, parents, and teachers alike, this event is a fitting tribute to the spirit of inclusivity and multiculturalism. The community comes together to share and celebrate various cultures and heritage through an international parade and by sharing the cuisines of many home countries and territories.
State-of-the-Art Facilities for Holistic Education
The modern campus in the heart of the Qiantan New Bund Area offers the very best educational facilities, incorporating everything required for academic and extracurricular excellence in 21st-century schooling. Whether in academics, sports, or the arts, the school provides purpose-built spaces for discovering new passions and developing skills and talents. At the very heart of the institution—both physically and academically—is the library, a multimedia center that provides pupils with a wealth of resources for enrichment and independent inquiry. The Performing Arts Centre caters to musicians, dancers, and thespians, featuring dedicated practice rooms, a dance studio, a Black Box Theatre, and a 500-seat theatre for major concerts and productions.
The sports facilities are equally impressive, including a sports hall, three football pitches, a 400-meter all-weather synthetic running track, tennis and basketball courts, and two swimming pools, one of which is a 25-meter, six-lane competition pool. The air-filtered and temperature-controlled sports dome is equipped for tennis, football, badminton, basketball, handball, volleyball, and more. These facilities also support a wide-ranging co-curricular activities programme, both after school and on weekends.
Empowering Bilingualism and Holistic Learning
The institution offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) not only because it is the world’s premier university entrance qualification but also because it closely aligns with its holistic education philosophy. In addition to six academic subjects, the IBDP includes three core requirements designed to help pupils achieve greater academic and personal development: the Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and Creativity, Action and Service (CAS).
Pupils in years 10 and 11 study for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). The programme comprises three compulsory subjects: English, mathematics, and chemistry. Options are available within a structured framework consisting of the sciences, foreign languages, humanities, art, and electives. Subject choice is largely informed by what pupils will be required to take in their final two years, 12 and 13, for the IBDP.
The Dual-Language Pathway begins for pupils in the Early Years Centre. It aims to create fully bilingual, bi-literate, and bicultural pupils through immersion in a dual Chinese and English learning environment. Pupils learn every subject, from mathematics to social studies, in both English and Chinese, making their second language a medium of instruction in the classroom throughout the day.
Fostering Community Engagement and Celebration
The Friends of Wellington (FOW) brings together parents, teachers, and other members of the school community to share, learn, and celebrate. It is more than just a parent-teacher association; the FOW is an integral part of College life, helping the institution contribute to the wider community through various donation drives and charitable activities. Additionally, the FOW organizes many highlights on the annual event calendar, such as the International Food Festival, Summer Festival, and more.
Strategic Vision for Global Excellence and Innovation
Wellington’s three-year strategic development plan is designed to create a legacy anchored by three principal domains, aiming to garner international recognition for the school. The commitment extends beyond the fundamental pledge to safeguard pupils, enhance their well-being, and ensure success in academics, sports, and the arts. The institution aspires to build its reputation through a set of unique characteristics that align with the core vision of "Be You, Be More." While yearly strategic actions concentrate on providing top-tier education, facilitated by a team of highly skilled professionals and state-of-the-art resources to foster exceptional pupil achievements and pave pathways to the world's most prestigious universities, the extended vision is set on cultivating the school's identity as a global frontrunner. This in-depth plan serves to bolster further innovation and growth, securing a distinct place for the school on the international stage.
The three key objectives are:
1. Bespoke Educational Experiences
The school is pioneering an "Elite Pathways" program to create personalized educational experiences for its most gifted pupils, spanning academics, sports, and the arts. This initiative will adapt learning schedules and curricula, integrate mentoring from both internal and external experts, and draw upon a robust network of industry leaders. The aim is to offer elite scholars the leeway, tools, and support to achieve at a level unattainable in conventional school settings. The expansion of the sports program and the strategic enhancement of alumni connections will further support and strengthen this initiative, which will, in turn, support the growth of the scholarship program by providing bespoke educational experiences that distinctly position the school beyond its peers.
2. Innovation in Education
Drawing inspiration from the commitment to “pioneering education to shape and help serve a better world,” the school aims to create a distinct offering for current and future pupils, one that has a lasting personal impact on each of them and creates a significant impact on the educational landscape. The institution will constantly push the boundaries of traditional education to ensure that pupils enjoy a future-focused curriculum, equipping them with the skills they need to thrive personally, professionally, and socially. With a strong focus on digital citizenship and building empathetic leaders, the school seeks to set itself apart as an institution that truly understands how children learn, is sensitive and forward-thinking in what they learn, and is steadfast in its commitment to helping them develop the understanding, care, and power to make a positive difference in a world driven by innovation.
3. A Truly Global Outlook
The institution aims to provide an educational experience that offers pupils a comprehensive understanding and deep respect for the many cultures that make up the cosmopolitan world. Through an innovative curriculum and shared vision, the school seeks to set itself apart as one that helps build a bridge between the East and the West, providing opportunities for pupils to experience the world and consider their impact on it. The vision is clear: to nurture the hearts and minds of young learners so that they become the change-makers of tomorrow, leading in international cooperation, innovation, and cultural harmony.
