Wheeler Programme newsletter

Dear Wheeler families,

Welcome to the first Wheeler Programme newsletter. Through this bulletin, we aim to keep you updated with news about the programme, give you the dates of forthcoming events and celebrate the successes of our students.

We now have 70 students on the programme - 24 in year 13, 23 in year 11 and 24 in Year 10 - and we have just recruited another 24 students in Year 9. When they join us in the new year we will have 94 students - enough to keep the Wheeler team pretty busy!

So far this academic year we have hosted study days for all three year groups. Activities included a session on whether wolves should be reintroduced to the UK (the students summed this up as ‘tourist money versus lots of small animals being killed’), a lesson on the maths behind credit card rates, and how to write a personal statement. The whiteboard walls in one of our maths classrooms were a particular hit as students enjoyed problem solving together (see pictures below).

We also held an assessment day on December 5 to choose the next cohort of students from Year 9. The process was longer than usual this year as we used an initial screening survey to identify potential candidates. 143 pupils undertook this survey and we selected 89 of them to apply using the usual form. 83 applied and we invited 58 to the assessment day, where the youngsters took part in lessons, a session on the Wellington College ropes course and two interviews. Choosing the final 24 was as difficult as ever but we hope we have chosen students who will benefit the most from the programme.

This summer we held a very successful graduation ceremony attended by founder Nick Wheeler and some of the Class of 2023 students (see picture below). They have since gone on to take up university places or jobs, along with others who have graduated in 2022 and 2021, and like them were grateful for the opportunities the programme has afforded them and the friends they have made.

On that note, we encourage all former Wheeler students to stay in touch with us after graduating. So we were delighted when we received an email recently from one of our Class of 2021. Maddie wrote: "I just wanted to say thank you again for putting me in touch with Broadmoor Hospital. I’m still working there and I have been accepted into the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship and I am half way through my first year as a mental health nurse. I honestly can’t thank you enough for this and wanted to give you an update. You have truly helped me find my career and calling in life."

That just leaves us to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year. As always, we are grateful for your support in getting your children to the study days and residential courses (in the right clothes and on the right day!) and we are here to answer any queries you may have. Please call us or go to wcla.wellingtoncollege.org.uk, where you can check dates and see news about Wheeler events.

Best wishes,

Sue Parker, head of the Wheeler Programme
Lucy Allen - Year 9 and 10 Wheeler students
Vicki Scholefield - Year 11 and 13 Wheeler students

AWARD SUCCESS We were delighted that Wellington College was chosen as a finalist in the Contribution to Social Mobility category at the Independent Schools Awards 2023. The entry focused on the work of the Wheeler Programme and the Prince Albert Foundation scholarship scheme and although we didn’t win, Sue and Vicki were able to go to London to represent the Wheeler Programme at the awards ceremony. See Wheeler Programme contributes to success in Social Mobility award – Wellington College Learning Alliance if you'd like to read more about this.

Year 13
February 7: Study Day
April 6-11: Easter revision course
June 19: Graduation Day and ceremony

Year 11
February 20: Study Day
April 6-11: Easter revision course

Year 10
March 13: Study Day
May 22: Study Day
June 23-27: Residential Stay

Year 9
March 6: Induction Day
May 14: Study Day
May 16: Parents meeting
June 23-27: Residential Stay

Email: wcsa@wellingtoncollege.org.uk
Twitter: @WCLA_UK
Website: wcla.wellingtoncollege.org.uk

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Wellington College · Crowthorne · Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 7PU · United Kingdom