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Academic pursuit beyond the curriculum.

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Academic Pursuit Beyond The Curriculum

At Wellington every student enjoys rich opportunities for academic extension and challenge.  Nobody’s potential is fixed; everybody can develop and transform his or her capacity for learning. Each and every member of the Wellington community has the opportunity to develop a genuine and lifelong love of learning.

This webpage provides details of the different ways that you can stretch and challenge yourself academically at Wellington. You can find out about weekly clubs and societies, and one-off talks, lectures and demonstrations. There is information about competitions within and beyond Wellington, as well as links to reading lists, online courses and holiday activities. Where will you take yourself?

Academic Extension Programme

Please use the filters below to find your desired activity.
Our current Academic Extension Programme for the Lent term can also be downloaded here (PDF File).

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30 activities found.
Monday 5.45pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
General
Weekly
Staff Leader: AJEC
Great School
Fireside Talks

thought-provoking, inspiring talks which encourage our students to engage with topics beyond the normal curriculum and question their preconceptions.

View further information

Tuesday 6pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Art
Fortnightly (Week B)
Staff Leader: AHF
Art Department
ArtNow

learn and engage with Contemporary Art, Artists and Theories through discussion and practical activities. Areas of discovery will include Visual Arts, Film, Fashion and Culture.

Tuesday 6pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Special Interest
Fortnightly (Week B)
Staff Leader: OJR
Library
FemSoc

A group discussing various issues from a feminist perspective whilst considering the perspective of all in the Wellington community. (Moral Room, Library)

Tuesday 6pm
5th form, 6th Form
Humanities
Fortnightly (Week A)
Staff Leader: TAJR
G4
GeogSoc

little introductions to big topics in Geography.

Tuesday 6pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Maths
Weekly
Staff Leader: NSB
M4
MathsSoc

MathsSoc – challenging problems, preparation for the Maths Challenges, and practice sessions for the College Maths team

Tuesday 6pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Humanities
Weekly
Staff Leader: PCAD
Politics Department
MUN

train and compete in academic simulations of the United Nations.

Tuesday 6pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Humanities
Weekly
Staff Leader: DZ
Politics Department
Politics

discuss current topical debates

Tuesday 6pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form
Science
Weekly
Staff Leader: SRB
DET Department
Robotics

build robots, learn how to code, solve fun logic puzzles, and gain useful team building skills

Tuesday 6pm
3rd Form, 4th Form
Languages
Weekly
Staff Leader:  RSK
MFL3
Sociedad Hispanica

Improve your spanish through fun games, suitable for beginners and advanced.

Tuesday 6pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Humanities
Weekly
Staff Leader: KRS
H7
World History Society

range of fun and intellectually electrifying history themed activities: discussions; lectures; quizzing; presentations.

Wednesday 4.30pm
5th form, 6th Form
Science
Weekly
Staff Leader: OLV
Bio Department
Biology Bites

discuss biology and medical research over snacks.

Wednesday 4.30pm
4th Form, 5th form
Humanities
Weekly
Staff Leader: AJPA
EC1
BusinessSoc

a chance to learn business skills and tools applicable to the real world

Wednesday 4.30pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
English
Fortnightly (Week B)
Staff Leader: RET
Joanna Seldon Reading Room
Creative Writing Society

a chance to experiment with a range of writing techniques and enjoy the versatility of language.

Wednesday 4.30pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Special Interest
Fortnightly (Week B)
Staff Leader: EO
Library
Cultural Society

a discussion group aimed at bringing people of all races together to discuss societial issues. (Logical Room, Library, Week A)

Wednesday 4.30pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Science
Weekly
Staff Leader: RWW & JEXC
DT (Classroom 2)
EngiSoc

explore engineering and problem-solving including with lots of hands-on activities.

Wednesday 4.30pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Art
Fortnightly (Week A)
Staff Leader: SPW
History of Art Classroom
History of Art

Discussions and talks about history of art and visual cultures.

Wednesday 4.30pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
General
Weekly
Staff Leader: CW, EO, KJS, FZEMB
PSY1 (Seb Faulks)
Debating

hone your debating skills with expert tuition and practice. All welcome from beginners to experts and anything in between.

Wednesday 4.30pm
3rd Form, 4th Form
Dance
Weekly
Staff Leader: CEK
GWA
Junior Dance Company

an auditioned group for future dancers to extend both their skill and understanding of dance and performance

Wednesday 4.30pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Humanities
Fortnightly (Week A)
Staff Leader: DR
PSY1 (Seb Faulks)
PsychSoc

discussions about human behaviour, relationships, social problems, scientific discoveries including practical experiments, visiting speakers and a trip.

Wednesday 4.30pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
English
Fortnightly (Week A)
Staff Leader: EO & JMM
Joanna Seldon Reading Room
TEDtalk

short, influential presentations delivered by experts to share innovative ideas with an opportunity to reflect afterwards.

Wednesday 4.30pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Languages
Weekly
Staff Leader: TG
MFL7
Spanish Debating

Practice debating in spanish with the opportunity to compete against other schools.

Wednesday 4.30pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Humanities
Fortnightly (Week A)
Staff Leader: EMHS
Library (Moral Room)
Symposium

philosophy discussion group

Wednesday 4.30pm
4th Form, 5th form
Languages
Weekly
Staff Leader: AG
MFL10
Spanish Grammar

Hispanic topics through advanced grammar- specifically tailored for the GCSE and IGCSE courses.

Thursday 5.45pm
6th Form
Humanities
Weekly
Staff Leader: AMH
Classics Department
ClassSoc

devoted to all things Classical, delving into ancient literature, philosophy, language, history, art, archaeology and everything in between.

Thursday 5.45pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Science
Weekly
Staff Leader: SRB
CS1
Computer Science

discussing various computer science based topics, alongside coding introductions and collaborative projects.

Thursday 5.45pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Special Interest
Weekly
Staff Leader: TB
Library
LawSoc

various talks and discussions related to Law. Periodic guest speakers to discuss interesting cases and careers.

Tuesday 6pm
6th Form
Science
Weekly
Staff Leader: MGRW & JMAO
CH3
Tricky Chemistry

lots of challenging ideas to stretch your understanding of chemistry in this advanced group.

Thursday 5.45pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Art
Fortnightly (Week B)
Staff Leader: ATLPW
Art Department
Life Drawing

a chance to practice your figurative drawing skills from a nude model using a variety of media in a calm and relaxed environment. Priority to artists.

Thursday 5.45pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
English
Weekly
Staff Leader: RSL
Joanna Seldon Reading Room
LitSoc

one-off talks on exciting literary topics with a range of speakers.

Thursday 5.45pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Science
Weekly
Staff Leader: HWYW/AGE
Library
MedSoc

explore issues and topics related to the practice of Medicine, with student presentations, guest speakers, training sessions and practical activities. (Moral Room)

Lecture Programme

Every Monday evening the Master opens up the sitting room of his house and invites in an outside speaker to share their experiences. The main aim is to make the students think and question their preconceptions, rather than teach them about a particular topic. The Q&A, that is a major element of the talks, is often animated, drawing questions from students from all year groups.  Please bring a cushion.

Michaelmas Term
September – December 2024

9 SEPTEMBER
Robin Monotti, Founder of Luminous Arts Productions of London; Film Producer and Architect
Challenging Official Narratives: Saving Critical Thinking: From Plato’s Academy to Elon Musk’s X

16 SEPTEMBER
Timothy Cho, Secretariat of the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on North Korea
Escaping the Shadows of North Korea: A Journey of Survival and Resilience
From imprisonment to advocacy: how education, freedom and humanity can change the world

23 SEPTEMBER
Dr Arianne Shahvisi, Author and Senior Lecturer in Ethics, Brighton and Sussex Medical School
Arguing For a Better World: How Philosophy Can Help Us Fight for Social Justice

7 OCTOBER
Floyd Steadman OBE, Former Captain of Saracens Rugby Club and Published Author
From Rejection to an OBE and Beyond

14 OCTOBER
Mr Bingo, Author and Commercial Illustrator
13 Things I’ve Learnt

4 NOVEMBER
Lt Gen Andy Harrison DSO, MBE, Former Colonel Commandant of the Parachute Regiment
Ready for Anything: The Man in the Arena

11 NOVEMBER
Prof Dave Goulson, Professor of Biology, University of Sussex
Averting the Insect Apocalypse

18 NOVEMBER
Jennifer Brandsberg-Engelmann, Author and Founder of Regenerative Economics
Regenerative Economics: Building a Sustainable Future

2 DECEMBER
Elizabeth Oldfield, Author and Host of The Sacred Podcast
Rethinking Spirituality: Why It May Be More Essential Than We Think

9 DECEMBER
Dr Jason Hickel, Professor, Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, ICTA-UAB
The Divide: Why is Global Inequality Rising and What Can We Do About It?

Previous Fireside Talks

Click on a poster to view the larger PDF.

Clubs & Societies

Our co-curricular programme encompasses a wealth of opportunities in music, drama and dance as well as a full range of academic clubs and societies, from the ever-popular Phil-Thy society to Russian for beginners.

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US election fever hits Welly

Before the event At the start of November the Politics Society organized a mock US election, with the campaigns of Hillary Clinton (Serena) and Donald Trump (Clemente) involving with speeches in junior and senior assemblies, poster campaigns and [...]

European Union Mock Referendum

The EU Referendum is a yes/no decision that will be made by the UK public on whether we should leave the EU or remain in it. David Cameron has created a voting date for this decision being Thursday [...]