Wellington College UK, Our Founding School

Wellington College is a pioneering co-educational institution, which is driven by the need to provide young people with the knowledge, skills and character to fulfil their potential and help shape and serve the ever-changing world in which they live.

History and Heritage

The Duke of Wellington was one of the leading British military and political figures of the 19th century. The Duke was most famous for defeating Napoleon at Waterloo and he served twice as the UK’s Prime Minister. Wellington College, Crowthorne was founded under Royal Charter from Queen Victoria, as a national memorial to this Great Duke following his death in 1852.

Once built, Wellington College was opened in 1859 as a boy’s boarding school for the education of orphans of the British armed forces but has now expanded to become one of the nation’s co-educational boarding schools.

The Current school

Under the direction of the 13th Master (2006-2014) and current Founding Director of Wellington College Education, Sir Anthony Seldon, the College acquired an admirable reputation for its approach to education, underpinning an academic foundation with innovative ways of developing the emotional, physical and spiritual sides of its pupils. This has continued ever since, now under the leadership of the 15th Master, James Dahl.