Curriculum

Academic

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Curriculum Overview

Wellingtonians graduate at the age of 18 as confident, independent and resilient young adults. We create the conditions for our pupils to flourish. This means not only achieving the best examination results possible but also acquiring the skills needed to thrive in the wider world. Whether it is in the classroom, on the sports field, on the stage or while engaging in community service projects, our pupils receive holistic education designed to help them become successful global citizens.

Two Early Years students paint on opposite sides of the same board in a classroom of an international school in Pudong, Shanghai as part of their curriculum

Early Years (ages 2-5)

Our Early Years Centre will provide your child with a stimulating, nurturing and, most importantly, fun learning environment. Home to three year groups, Pre-Nursery, Nursery and Reception, our curriculum is linked to the expectations of the English Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. Each class is overseen by a certified teacher with the support of a highly qualified teaching assistant. Under their care, children spend much of their day exploring and learning through play as well as engaging in daily phonics, maths, literacy, Chinese/Mandarin activities and even swimming instruction. This builds a firm foundation that enables our pupils to advance to Primary School with confidence.

Two primary school students studying at Wellington College International Shanghai smile in a classroom, highlighting the positive learning environment

Primary School (ages 5-11)

Our rigorous Primary School curriculum provides the foundation upon which your child will build long-term academic successes. We have modelled it after the English National Curriculum, but that is only a starting point. We enhance it with key elements from the International Primary Curriculum and further supplement it with an extensive programme of co-curricular activities. It is during the Primary School years that pupils make the pivotal transition from general classroom teaching to specialised teaching. By year 5, our pupils begin to develop a sense of independence and personal responsibility as they work in different classrooms with different teachers. By the end of year 6, they will be sufficiently prepared as they advance to Secondary School.

Two international secondary school students with safety glasses on work on a science experiment

Secondary School (ages 11-18)

Our Secondary School curriculum instils in our pupils an abiding passion for our global scientific, linguistic and cultural heritage. Pupils are encouraged to pursue a diversity of courses and extend themselves beyond their comfort zone. They graduate empowered with the knowledge, skills and independence of mind that will make them effective and responsible leaders in the future. Our year 10 and 11 pupils work toward the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examination qualifications. This provides them with a comprehensive mix of core subjects, such as English, mathematics and science along with options in the humanities, arts and PE. Sixth form pupils study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). This is the world's premier university entrance qualification and incorporates academics with the arts, physical fitness and community service.

Two female secondary school students study for IB at Wellington College International Shanghai

IB Diploma Programme

We offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) not only because it is the world’s premier university entrance qualification, but also because it so closely aligns with our holistic education philosophy. In addition to six academic subjects, the IBDP includes three core requirements designed to help our pupils achieve greater academic and personal development. These are the Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and Creativity, Action and Service (CAS). But the programme goes beyond academics. It incorporates arts, physical fitness and community service components as well. When our pupils complete the IBDP, they will be more mature, capable and responsible young adults equipped with all the tools they need to excel in higher education and on their future career paths.

A group of students from Wellington College International School in Pudong, Shanghai, proudly displays a paper featuring their handwritten calligraphy, offering a glimpse into their Chinese learning program

Chinese programme

English is the official language of the Wellington curriculum, but Mandarin Chinese is taught as a core subject throughout the College. It is an essential part of our mission to make well-rounded, internationally-minded pupils. We offer courses in Chinese language and culture for pupils at every level from year 1 to year 12. To ensure our pupils get the most out of their coursework, we thoroughly assess their abilities and place them in classes accordingly. Additionally, our daily co-curricular activities programme helps to deepen our pupils' understanding and appreciation of Chinese through a wide range of cultural and linguistic activities. We also organise an annual calendar of events around traditional Chinese celebrations, such as Chinese New Year, Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival.

At Wellington College International Shanghai, two students interact with a puppet as part of the school’s Sunshine Club, part of Wellington Shanghai’s wellbeing and mental health provision

Wellbeing programme

At Wellington, ensuring the wellbeing of the young people under our care is priority number one. Wellbeing is an integral part of our curriculum, and it encompasses much more than just physical and mental health. We strive to empower our pupils with the ability to negotiate the obstacles that life will inevitably put before them. To achieve this, we take a holistic approach that incorporates critical thinking, ethics, cultural awareness, relationships & identity, physical health & mental wellbeing and careers & aspirations. Our lessons, workshops and discussions help pupils develop empathy, self-awareness, resilience and independence — essential tools for living in an increasingly complicated world.