Wellington College: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• Location: Crowthorne, Berkshire
• Type: Co-educational independent school (day and boarding)
• Age Range: 13-18 years (main entry at 13+)
• Entry Points: 11+ (Wellington Prep) and 13+ (main school)
• Pupils: Approximately 1,100 students
• Boarding: 80% boarders, 20% day pupils
• Houses: 17 boarding houses plus 1 day house
• Campus: 400-acre grounds in Berkshire

About Wellington College

Wellington College combines academic rigour with innovative educational approaches, maintaining a reputation for forward-thinking education. Founded in 1859 as a national monument to the Duke of Wellington, the school has evolved into a beacon of modern education whilst maintaining its distinguished heritage.

The college is renowned for its pioneering approach to wellbeing education, being the first school globally to introduce compulsory happiness lessons. This commitment to holistic development extends throughout the curriculum, where students engage with cutting-edge technology, participate in extensive co-curricular programmes, and develop essential life skills alongside academic excellence.

Wellington's ethos centres on eight key aptitudes: intellectual, physical, spiritual, moral, social, cultural, environmental, and practical wisdom. This comprehensive framework ensures pupils develop into well-rounded individuals prepared for the challenges of university and beyond.

Fees and key dates for 2026/27

Wellington College publishes day fees of £15,930 per term for 2026/27, with boarding at £21,690 per term, taken from the school's own fees page in October 2026. Registration dates for the next 11+ round are published by the school's admissions office. An activities-based assessment morning covering English, science, critical thinking and problem-solving, alongside the ISEB Common Pre-Test and a school reference, with some candidates invited to a further Lent-term session. Fees and dates change each year, so the school's website remains the reference for the current round.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Whilst Wellington College's primary entry point remains at 13+, the school offers an 11+ pathway through Wellington College Prep, providing families with earlier access to the Wellington educational philosophy.

11+ Entry Timeline

• Registration: Applications open in Year 4, with early registration strongly recommended
• Assessment: Takes place in January of Year 6
• Interviews: Selected candidates invited for individual interviews
• Offers: Decisions communicated by February half-term
• Entry: September start in Year 7

Assessment Components

The 11+ assessment evaluates candidates across multiple dimensions:

• English: Reading comprehension, creative writing, and grammar
• Mathematics: Problem-solving, numerical reasoning, and mathematical concepts
• Reasoning: Verbal and non-verbal reasoning skills
• Interview: Discussion of interests, aspirations, and suitability for Wellington's community

Wellington seeks pupils who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, collaborative spirit, and genuine enthusiasm for learning. The assessment process is designed to identify potential rather than solely academic achievement, recognising that excellence emerges through dedication and the right educational environment.

How to Apply

Application Process

Step 1: Registration
Complete the online registration form via Wellington's admissions portal. Early registration is essential as places are limited and demand consistently exceeds availability.

Step 2: School Reference
Wellington requests a comprehensive reference from your child's current headteacher, focusing on academic performance, character, and contribution to school life.

Step 3: Assessment Day
Shortlisted candidates attend Wellington for their assessment day, which includes written examinations and individual interviews with senior staff members.

Step 4: Decision
The admissions committee reviews all assessment components before making their decision. Successful candidates receive conditional offers based on continued academic progress.

Key Dates

• Registration Deadline: October (Year 5)
• Assessment Day: January (Year 6)
• Offer Notifications: February (Year 6)
• Acceptance Deadline: March (Year 6)

Required Documentation

• Completed application form
• Recent school reports (last two academic years)
• Current headteacher's reference
• Birth certificate copy
• Passport photograph

Preparing for the Wellington College 11+ with Taylor Tuition

Families preparing for the Wellington College 11+ usually come to us a year or so before the assessment, though shorter runs work where the foundations are already sound. Having prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools, with placements including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, our tutors build each programme around the format the school actually uses, whether a written paper, an online pre-test, an interview or a combination of them.

More than half of our tutors hold Qualified Teacher Status and around three in five hold a master's degree or doctorate, and the pool includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools, so the preparation is led by people who know how selective schools assess. Every tutor who works with children holds an enhanced DBS check.

Families in Berkshire and further afield work with us online, and in person in central London. Fees start from £50 per 50-minute session and depend on tutor level and subject, with no registration fee and a free initial consultation to talk through your child's current level and the timeline to the 11+. Families receive progress reports after sessions and have a dedicated point of contact, and we reply to enquiries within one working day with tutor recommendations.

Read more about our 11+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.