Wellington College Exchange Programme

Our real and lasting partnership with Wellington College UK was celebrated in fine style in early February as ten of our students enjoyed almost a fortnight there on the inaugural visit of our Exchange Programme. We already have another ten eagerly anticipating our second trip in April, which coincides with our appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Generously hosted by Wellington UK families, the students – from Years 9, 10 and 11 – were fully immersed in life at the College, and gained a very revealing insight into life in one of the busiest, most ambitious, and certainly one of the most over-subscribed schools in the country. For many it was their first trip to the UK, and for all of them, the scale, energy and warmth of Wellington College community has left an indelible mark.

Dr Anthony Seldon, Master of Wellington UK held a welcome reception for our students and their host families shortly after arriving, and saw all our students again just before they left for a debrief over Coke and donuts, a treat normally reserved for the sports “Teams of the Week”!

Accompanied first by Mr Murray Fowler, Second Master, and ex-Wellington UK, then by The Master, Mr David Cook, the visit saw the Tianjin Wellingtonians attending lessons with their host students, as well as participating in the extra-curricular activities on offer, including fencing and the Combined Cadet Force. In the breaks, they were able to enjoy going back to the ‘Houses’, where the UK students live whilst at school, including the Stanley and the Wellesley, namesakes of our Houses here in China.

A particular highlight was being able to watch the House Singing Competition, in which all 17 WCUK Houses – over 1000 students – sang their versions of famous Disney songs on the Saturday evening of a ‘closed weekend’, on which all boarders stayed in, and even day pupils remained at school until past 10pm.

On the excursion to London, just before reaching Buckingham Palace, the students were able to see a grand statue of the Duke of Wellington astride his horse, Copenhagen. To see such an impressive monument, so prominently on display in the centre of London, bearing the name WELLINGTON in capital letters, was a clear reminder of the heritage of which they are now a part.