Wrekin College

• Location: Wellington, Shropshire, United Kingdom,
• Year of foundation: 1880,
• Student ages: 11–18 in Wrekin Senior and Wrekin Sixth, or 4–18 including Wrekin Prep,
• Total number of students: 450 people,
• Academic programs: middle classes (level KS3), GCSE, A-Level, BTEC, and Pre-A-Level,
• Attendance options: day and boarding, with boarding available for ages 11–18,
• Type of studying: mixed.

Independent British private school Wrekin College (Rekin College) provides effective educational programs for children from 11 to 18 years old from around the world and works in a cooperative learning scheme: both girls and boys can study here. Each child can choose priority and convenient type of studying on their own: there is a daily form (without accommodation), full board (when the child lives 7 days a week at the campus residence) and a week-long boarding school (weekdays, students spend on campus, and on weekends Leaves in the home of his or her host family). The total number of students reaches 450 people.

The Wrekin College campus is located approximately 3.5 hours from London, in Shropshire, in the small town of Wellington. Rekin College was founded in 1880 by the forces of Sir John Bailly, a well-known philanthropistt. Today, the total campus area reaches 100 acres, and thanks to the stunning green scenery surrounding Rekin College, he received the nickname "The School in the Garden".

Students from all over the world appreciate the high level of academic education that allows them to enter the most prestigious and ranked British universities, including Cambridge and Oxford. Academic preparation at school clearly demonstrates its high level during the annual GCSE and A-level exams. So, in 2013 at the GCSE level, 87% of the students received high scores from A * to C, with 31% earning the maximum A * -A scores. For the A-level exams (statistics also for 2013), 87% of graduates also received excellent high scores from A * to S.

The institution is a full member of the Headmasters 'and Headmistresses' (HMC) Directors Association and is regularly audited by a respected Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) commission. According to the latest inspection (in 2011), Wrekin College received excellent grades in all key parameters and indicators, demonstrated a modern level of equipment and an excellent, friendly, comfortable for children atmosphere. It is also important that children of any nationality, origin, or creed can study here: the official religion of the campus is traditionally Anglicanism, but it is by no means inflicted.

Victoria Eastman

Director of International Admissions at Mayfield School

What do parents prioritize when searching for a UK school?

Think about what suits your child best. Different schools excel in various areas – arts, drama, sports, or specific subjects. There are selective and more inclusive schools, each catering to different strengths. If you're new to the UK system, you might start with league tables and GCSE or A-level results. More knowledgeable parents should consider the school's location, size, EAL course availability, academic requirements, and extracurricular offerings.

Students in the school's short-term international program attend classes with British students and take part in boarding life, immersing themselves in British education and culture. At Wrekin Prep, teaching is organized around themes that help children connect different disciplines.

Students in Years 7–8 are based in Lancaster House, where they check in, store their belongings, change for PE, and spend their breaks. From Year 9, boys join Tudor, York, or Bayley, while girls join Clarkson or Roslyn. Day students and boarders belong to the same house system.

Additional subject sessions take place on Saturdays. Students receive study-skills support, tutorials, and peer mentoring. They can also become academic prefects and help others with their studies. Sixth Form students have target grades and receive regular feedback. A visiting school counselor, the director of wellbeing, and an independent listener are available to discuss personal concerns.

The Futures program helps students choose their next step: university, an apprenticeship combining education and employment, a job, or entrepreneurship. The team organizes career talks and a careers festival. The school supports university applications through UCAS, the UK application system, and helps students plan a gap year before further education. The Business School supports practical entrepreneurship and preparation for apprenticeships and future careers. Alumni return to give guest lectures and take part in careers festivals.

• Wrekin Prep: the Lower School offers Reception and Years 1–2, while the Upper School offers Years 3–6,
• Wrekin Senior: secondary education for students ages 11–16,
• Wrekin Sixth: Sixth Form, the final stage of school, with entry from age 16,
• Available programs: GCSE, A-Level, BTEC, and Pre-A-Level. Computer Science is offered at A-Level.

In one published A-Level results report, the school recorded 51% of grades at A*–B and 29% at A*–A. The proportion at A*–B was 5% higher than in 2023. The school described these results as among its most successful in a decade.

A separate GCSE report recorded almost 40% of results in the top grades, around 90% at grade 4 or above, and nearly 80% at grade 5 or above. The number of grades 9–7 exceeded the 2019 figure, while the proportion at grade 4 or above rose by more than 4% compared with 2019. The eight highest-performing students each achieved an average score of at least 8.00.

A 2021 graduate earned five A* grades at A-Level in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Drama, and Polish, as well as an A* for her EPQ research project.

• A student won the Juijitsu Compnet European title in 2024 and was also a Shropshire champion,
• Another student won both the 60-meter sprint and the long jump at the England Athletics Junior Indoor Championships at EIS Sheffield. In the sprint, she improved her personal best by almost two-tenths of a second.

• Wrekin Prep was founded in 1845 as The Old Hall School. It is the oldest prep school in Shropshire,
• In 2006, Old Hall became part of Wrekin College, leading to the formation of the Wrekin Old Hall Trust,
• In 2025, Lancaster became a mixed house, replacing the separate Lancaster Boys and Lancaster Girls,
• Every graduate becomes a lifelong member of the Old Wrekinian Association. It organizes events and helps alumni maintain professional connections and access mentoring,
• The school runs the Wrekin Business Network, which brings together entrepreneurs and professionals. The Business School hosts business breakfasts for professionals and alumni each term.

United Kingdom:

• Durham: graduates received offers of admission,
• Imperial College: graduates received offers of admission,
• King’s College London: graduates received offers of admission,
• UCL: a graduate entered the Neuroscience program.

For those children who have chosen tuition based on a boarding house (week or full), they are accommodated with beautiful comfortable residences. On the Wrekin College campus in the houses there are all conditions for a complete rest, as well as self-study, all the premises are fully furnished and equipped with the necessary equipment. Children are constantly, around the clock, supervised by experienced and qualified caregivers, who help them to solve various issues, monitor the observance of cleanliness and discipline.

Subject list: Art, biology, chemistry, drama, ecology, geography, history, maths, music, philosophy, physical education, physics, physiology, Political science, Psychology, theatre studies
Activity list: badminton, basketball, cricket, fitness, football, hockey, rugby, Squash, swimming, tennis, track-and-field athletics

During the extra-curricular hours of children, there is a wide choice of optional classes, sports and active recreation, interesting events and excursions.

The sports and physical development of children is paid close attention - here there is only the main list of sports that pupils can engage in free time (some of them are even included in the curricula of Wrekin College):

• Golf,
• Polo,
• Football,
• Athletics,
• Cricket,
• Fitness,
• Badminton,
• Swimming,
• Field and ice hockey,
• Aerobics,
• Netball,
• Tennis courts,
• Volleyball,
• Rugby,
• Squash,
• Gymnastics,
• Basketball,
• Shooting,
• Table tennis,
• Fencing,
• Eton Fives,
• Dance.

There is also a large number of circles and sections on interests, creative studios, scientific and academic communities, there are always interesting trips abroad and excursions, and a special Center for Development and Care organizes its events.

The school holds competitions between houses. Years 7–8 have a separate Lancaster activities program. All Year 9 students complete the bronze level of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, with the opportunity to pursue gold in Year 12. The Combined Cadet Force offers Army and RAF sections, field days, and competitions.

Academic activities include debating, Model United Nations, an Academic Poster Conference, and a lecture program. Students can join the History and Politics Society, the medical society Krebs Society, and the library committee. A-Level Computer Science students visited Bletchley Park.

The music department has a chapel choir, jazz, concert, and rock bands, and an orchestra. Students can take individual music lessons, perform in school concerts, and attend performances by visiting musicians. School ensembles have toured Rome and New York.

The Wrekin International Group, or TWIG, helps foreign boarders meet students from different nationalities, houses, and year groups. Events throughout the year include social gatherings, themed dining nights, and celebrations of Festa della Repubblica (Italy's Republic Day) and Chinese New Year.

The Weekend Adventures program changes each term. It may include:

• Visits to London, Shrewsbury, Chester, Birmingham, and Liverpool,
• Shopping trips to London, Birmingham, and Telford,
• Water activities and escape rooms at Alderford Lake,
• Bubble soccer,
• A visit to the Drayton Manor Park theme park.

At Wrekin Prep, the Horizons extracurricular program offers sports, academic activities, the arts, and life skills. Children have weekly swimming sessions from Reception onward. Wrekin Prep holds house swimming competitions every year, and each student has the opportunity to take part in at least one production annually.

Sixth Form students have their own evening events, including Pizza and Prep. They can also take part in exchanges with schools in South Africa, Australia, Argentina, and India.

• Students learn in small classes. Those who use English as an additional language receive specialist support, including individual lessons,
• The Square Circle program supports gifted students,
• Children with learning differences can receive additional support at Wrekin Prep,
• In Sixth Form, the school's final years, students can complete an Extended Project Qualification research project. It earns UCAS points used in admissions to UK universities,
• Sixth Form students have access to work experience.

Wrekin Prep and Wrekin Senior occupy separate buildings on a shared campus and use some of the same facilities. The nearest train station is a two-minute walk away. Birmingham Airport is one hour away, while Manchester and Liverpool airports are an hour and a half away.

Wrekin College meets all the highest world standards and provides students with everything they need for studying, recreation, living, sports and creativity. For students open access to a spacious library and music school is provided, runs its own theater and art studios. Students have access to computer rooms, a dedicated art school, a design and technology workshop, and a chapel. The school's theater seats 200. Centenary Theatre has audiovisual equipment, backstage rooms for performers, and flexible seating. The historic Memorial Hall and Cranage Hall are also on campus. The purpose-built Business School has lecture spaces and equipment for audiovisual and hybrid presentations.

The sports infrastructure is also full: studying is provided in the gymnasium and sports hall, in a spacious pool with heated water, on tennis courts or one of the numerous grounds for team competitions (many are located in the open air). Sports facilities include two sports halls, a fitness suite, a dance studio, squash and fives courts, netball courts, rugby fields, and a cricket pavilion. There are floodlit all-weather playing surfaces and indoor rowing facilities. The indoor swimming pool is 25 meters long and has six lanes. The cricket pitch on the campus is so high-quality that the school even hosts city level competitions!

Wrekin Prep's purpose-built building has a hall with spectator seating, a music and drama studio, an innovation lab, an art room, a science lab, and a separate dining hall. Students can use two artificial playing surfaces. There is a uniform shop on site.

The Sixth Form center opened in 2018 and is used for socializing and evening events. Sixth Form students also have quiet study areas for independent work. Lancaster House, in the center of campus, was fully refurbished in 2025. Registered nurses staff the health and wellbeing center. Wrekin Prep's first aid room is staffed by two first aiders.

The Wrekin Prep day starts at 8:15 a.m. Breakfast Club is available from 7:30 a.m. for an additional charge. The regular day for Reception and Years 1–2 ends at 3:30 p.m. An extracurricular activity extends the day to 4:20 p.m., while paid after-school care runs until 5:30 p.m. For Years 3–6, the regular day ends at 4:20 p.m., and Horizons activities can continue until 5:30 p.m. Many Horizons activities are included in the school fees, while those run by outside providers cost extra.

Wrekin Senior and Wrekin Sixth houses are open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. School fees include lunch, with all meals included for boarders. House subscriptions are included for Years 7–11. For Years 12–13, both house subscriptions and the Sixth Form social activities charge are included. Travel to away sports fixtures is covered.

A non-refundable registration fee is payable. Deposits:

• Wrekin Prep,
• Wrekin Senior and Wrekin Sixth for EU students,
• Wrekin Senior and Wrekin Sixth for students from outside the EU.

Additional mandatory costs may include uniforms and required trips and visits. These vary by year group, disciplines, and sports activities.

The school can arrange transportation to and from major airports.

The price of the course is not included and paid separately:

• Registration fee,
• Deposit confirming the place on the course,
• Compulsory contribution to school development,
• Examination fees,
• Tuition fee,
• Additional academic activities (optional),
• Additional excursions and entertainment (optional),
• Visa fees and services,
• Consular fee (payable at the embassy),
• Round trip airfare,
• Round trip (calculated depending on the selected airport),
• Medical insurance,
• Personal pocket expenses,
• Custody (registration fee in the agency + guardian's job).

International families can explore the school through an in-person or virtual visit.

Most Wrekin Prep students continue their education at Wrekin Senior.

Some school graduates have been accepted for degree apprenticeships with companies including PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

• Foreign applicants can take entrance assessments throughout the year. Selection includes an interview with a member of the school's senior leadership team. Assessment results, school reports, and references are taken into account,
• Applicants whose first language is not English must take an English as a Foreign Language assessment,
• For external applicants, the 11+ assessment for Year 7 entry includes adaptive online tests and a written English paper. No special preparation is required. Results must show that the applicant can cope with the curriculum, and an offer also depends on available places,
• Wrekin Prep students usually progress to Wrekin Senior without an entrance assessment, provided the school can continue to meet their needs. Academic scholarship candidates are an exception,
• Entry at 13+, for Year 9, is through the school's entrance assessment, an academic scholarship competition, or Common Entrance. The standard 13+ assessment includes adaptive online tests and a written English paper, with no special preparation required,
• Common Entrance is for children attending an independent school. These candidates do not need to take another Wrekin entrance examination,
• Sixth Form admission takes into account GCSE grades, reports from the current school, satisfactory references, interview results, and available places. Interviews include meetings with heads of subject departments,
• Reception entry is possible after the September start, and applications are also considered for Years 1–6. Reception and Years 1–2 applicants may attend one or more taster days. Applicants for Years 3–6 are invited for one or two taster days,
• All foreign boarders must have a UK-resident guardian age 25 or older, formally appointed by their parents, the school, or a recognized guardianship organization. This person acts as an emergency contact and may accommodate the student for periods of fewer than 28 consecutive days,
• Nominated guardians cannot be close relatives, private foster carers, school staff, or a parent or legal guardian holding a Parent of a Child Student visa,
• The school considers AEGIS or BSA accreditation preferable for guardianship organizations. Appointing an unaccredited guardian may delay visa processing and admission.

Scholarships are available at Wrekin Senior and Wrekin Sixth, but not at Wrekin Prep. They are awarded competitively to students with exceptional ability and may include a reduction in tuition. Selection considers ability, potential, and the capacity to inspire others and serve as a role model.

• Scholarship areas include academic achievement, art, music, sports, dance, and drama. The Pendle Award recognizes all-round ability,
• Applicants with particularly strong 11+ results are invited to complete additional written papers and an interview with the head for academic scholarship selection. Wrekin Prep students seeking an academic scholarship when they transition to the next stage must achieve a qualifying score,
• The 13+ academic scholarship competition includes an adaptive online test, a written English paper, and an academic interview with the head,
• Financial assistance is based on parents' financial circumstances.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision