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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 (Excel Spreadsheet).

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24 activities found.
Thursday 5.45pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Special Interest
Weekly
Staff Leader: JMW
Library
LawSoc

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

Tuesday 6pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Special Interest
Weekly
Staff Leader: NC
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
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Special Interest
Weekly
Staff Leader: EO
Library
Cultural Society

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

Tuesday 6pm
6th Form
Science
Weekly
Staff Leader: MCC
CH3
Tricky Chemistry

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

Thursday 5.45pm
5th form, 6th Form
Science
Weekly
Staff Leader: OLV
Bio Department
Biology Bites

discuss biology and medical research over snacks.

Wednesday 4.30pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Science
Weekly
Staff Leader: MCP
Bio Department
SciSoc

series of presentations on a range of different topic delivered by students, staff & external speaker

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

Thursday 5.45pm
Upper 6th Form
Science
Weekly
Staff Leader: MXY & WHH
Physics Department
Tricky Physics

lots of challenging questions and problems to solve in this advanced group.

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

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

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

hispanic topics through advanced grammar.

Thursday 5.45pm
3rd Form, 4th Form
Languages
Weekly
Staff Leader: DM
MFL
Sociedad Hispanica

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

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.

Thursday 5.45pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Humanities
Weekly
Staff Leader: DXC
Econ Department
EconSoc

student-led discussion group focusing on economics in the news

Thursday 5.45pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Humanities
Weekly
Staff Leader: DZ
Politics Department
MUN

train and compete in academic simulations of the United Nations.

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

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

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.

Wednesday 4.30pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
Humanities
Weekly
Staff Leader: SRB
Econ Department
InvestmentSoc

learn what drives stock market valuations and take part in trading simulations

Thursday 5.45pm
6th Form
Humanities
Weekly
Staff Leader: SFR & OJR
Econ Department
Disrupt

delve into the world of business through reading-based interactive discussions, successful entrepreneurs coming in as speakers and business-related competitions.

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

Tuesday 6pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
General
Weekly
Staff Leader: EO & GV
PR1
Debating

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

Thursday 5.45pm
5th form, 6th Form
English
Weekly
Staff Leader: EG & FHHS
E1
LitSoc

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

Tuesday 6pm
3rd Form, 4th Form, 5th form, 6th Form
English
Weekly
Staff Leader: CMP
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
Dance
Weekly
Staff Leader: CEK
GWA
Junior Dance Academy

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

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.

Lent Term 2024

New Time: 5.45-6.45pm

JANUARY

Mon 15th (GS)
Jake Meyer, World record breaking mountaineer.
Taming the Savage Mountain’

Mon 22nd (GS)
Dr Arianne Shahvisi, Author & Senior Lecturer in Ethics, Brighton and Sussex Medical School
Arguing for a Better World

Mon 29th (Weekend Leave)

FEBRUARY

Mon 5th (GS)
Dr Lewis Dartnell, Author, presenter and astrobiology research scientist at the University of Westminster
Being Human: How Our Biology Shaped World History

Mon 12th (Half Term)

Mon 19th (DLR)
Prof Carl Heneghan, Director of the University of Oxford’s Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine
‘Pandemic Planning’ what should we do differently next time

Mon 26th (DLR)
Kate Ferry, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director at Burberry
Inside Burberry – the inner workings of the luxury fashion industry

MARCH

Mon 4th (Weekend Leave)

Mon 11th (GS)
OW Elite Sportswomen Panel
Empowering Excellence: Inspiring Stories of Elite Sportswomen

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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