Wellington School is situated in Timperley, Cheshire, which is a ‘leafy’ suburb of Altrincham. Wellington is an 11 – 18 Co-educational Foundation School of 1300+ pupils including a Sixth Form of 160. 5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals and 94.5% of pupils are of white UK heritage.

Wellington School lies in the Local Education Authority of Trafford which is one of the few remaining Authorities retaining total selection at age 11. As a consequence, 40%+ of pupils in the borough are allocated Grammar School places. In theory therefore, Wellington School admits from the 60th percentile downwards in ability terms. In reality, so successful is Wellington, that more parents are rejecting the offer of a Grammar School place and choosing to send their children here.

Given this selection system, it makes results at GCSE quite remarkable. In 2009, 73% achieved 5 or more subjects at A* - C (including English and Maths 62%), a figure which outperforms the majority of comprehensive schools in the country which admit the full ability range. These are genuine results and have not been enhanced by introducing performance table-friendly courses which may not be appropriate for individual pupils.

The popularity of Wellington School is such that the over-subscription factor is 4 times the 244 places available and those places are mostly filled from within a radius of less that one mile from the school. As a result, Wellington serves a very local community.

The rise in popularity has been rapid and has reflected the developing success of the School. The previous Headteacher inherited an 11 – 16 school of 900 pupils 13 years ago. He applied to the Secretary of State for Education for a ‘change of character’ to the School to include a Sixth Form. Having been successful in the application, the Sixth Form has grown each year since, to its present 160 which was the target figure. Approximately 20 different subjects are offered at AS and A2 level to post-16 students.

Whilst Wellington is a Technology Specialist School, it retains traditional values and its motto ‘Excellence in Everything’ is its target in all things. Uniform is strictly adhered to and there is a defined dress code for post-16 students and for staff. Wellington is a School where teachers teach and pupils learn. In session, the School is quiet with an atmosphere of ‘industry’.

Over the past ten years, building work has been pretty much constant to accommodate the expansion of the School and to upgrade facilities. Accommodation is bright, well-cared for and graffiti free. Recently, a refurbished Sixth Form Study Facility and purpose built meeting facility have been built.

A policy of the School is that every teacher will have ‘ownership’ of their own teaching base with no shared use. As a result, rooms are cared for and the standard of display is outstanding. Subjects are suited to permit efficient use of resources and allow support for individual teachers, particularly new appointees, by subject colleagues.

In 2004 and in 2005, as part of a programme to determine the effectiveness of the Key Stage 3 Strategy, Wellington was inspected by HMI. The report written by HMI following the inspection included this statement: ‘The lessons observed demonstrated clear strengths of teaching and learning. Teachers have good command of their subjects, have high expectations of pupils and deploy effective and appropriate teaching strategies. Classroom Management is excellent, as are relationships with pupils. Pupils display very positive attitudes to work and behave very well. The lessons observed, and discussions with pupils and teachers, confirm that aspects of teaching and learning promoted by the strategy are embedded in practice’. The Report concludes by saying: ‘I enjoyed my visit to Wellington School and the opportunity to meet such enthusiastic teachers and observe so much good practice’.

In September 2006, the School again underwent an OfSTED Inspection where Inspectors found Wellington to be an ‘Outstanding School which provides a supportive environment in which students blossom’. We have been deemed a High Performing Specialist School and have received several awards for Value Added and High Performance at GCSE from the SSAT. We have recently received a Leading Aspect Award for the quality of our Induction Programme.

The Curriculum at Key Stages 3 and 4 is wide and balanced for all pupils. A Modern Foreign Language and a Technology subject are mandatory up to GCSE for all pupils. In addition, all pupils study English Language and English Literature to GCSE. In total, dependent on ability level, pupils will study 10,11 or 12 GCSE’s.

The addition of a Sixth Form to Wellington School has been a major factor in its remarkable development and popularity. The vast majority of students apply successfully for University places following their studies in the Sixth Form.

The support groups of Parents and Governors play a huge part in the success of Wellington School. An attendance rate of 95% by parents at Parents’ Evenings is the norm. A Parent Staff Association raises additional funds for the ‘extras’ and organises social events.

The Governors are a group committed to the success of Wellington School. They give total support and backing to the Headteacher and have been fully involved in the success of the School. OfSTED deemed governance of Wellington School as ‘excellent’.

Wellington School is a Technology College and the leadership of the School is committed to ensuring that all aspects of the Curriculum benefit from enhanced funding.

As part of Wellington’s Specialist School’s programme there is a well-developed commitment to helping the primary feeder schools with ICT.

The current Headteacher is in her fifth year of Headship and was a Deputy Headteacher at the School prior to appointment to Headship.