Wellington College Prep, as Eagle House, was founded in 1820 and is one of the oldest Prep schools in the country.  For more about the history of the school visit Our History page.

Wellington College Prep is situated in the county of Berkshire between Crowthorne and Sandhurst with 32 acres of woodland and open fields adjoining Wellington College.

We are located within easy reach of London, Heathrow and Gatwick Airports. 

Our Site and Facilities

It is never too early to think about your child’s education. We are happy to hear from you at any stage of your child’s development.

Make an Enquiry

Please contact Sara Baldwin on 01344 772134 or email [email protected] or complete our online Enquiry form 

Our Junior School comprises Early Years (Nursery and Reception ages 3 - 4), Year 1 and Year 2 (ages 5 - 7) and our Year 3 and Year 4 (ages 7 - 9). Our Upper School is from Years 5 - 8 (ages 9 - 13).

We have two forms in each year group from Reception to Year 4, three forms in Years 5 and 6 and four forms in Years 7 and 8.

The majority of our children join our Nursery (aged 3) or our Reception classes (aged 4) but children can join other year groups, provided spaces are available.

We have a number of additional places at Year 5 and at 7. These are popular entry points, especially at Year 7 for those whose current schools come to an end at Year 6. It may also be ideal for those who feel they are not quite ready to experience the larger environment of a senior school at Year 7 and wish for a more nurturing setting before making the transition in Year 9. 

Year 7 is a transition year in the state school sector in the UK and also for many London based prep schools that end in Year 6, so it is a natural time for a move in schools. At many London prep schools, parents need to consider what to do for Years 7 and 8 before moving on to an Independent Senior School which start in Year 9.

Years 7 and 8 are a crucial stage of a child’s development, not only personally and socially but also academically. Pupils need a challenging and creative curriculum with a clear goal at the end to give them focus and motivation to work to the best of their ability.

• At Wellington College Prep our Curriculum 200 is written by our staff promoting meaningful links between subjects and topics.  It incorporates the teaching of Learning Skills as well as being a rigorous knowledge-based curriculum.  It prepares children to be independent and effective learners for their senior schools. 
• For those interested in boarding, there is a smaller and more nurturing environment and excellent pastoral care. This provides very good preparation for Senior School boarding at 13.
• Our Year 8 pupils experience leadership opportunities at the ‘top of the school’. This is hugely beneficial as it allows pupils to develop an understanding of Rights and Responsibilities at an early age, making them more sympathetic, caring and kind individuals in their teenage years.
• Time devoted within school PSHE programme to wellbeing and metal health during adolescence. Topics such as heathy eating, coping with anxiety, social media and self-esteem can be discussed with tutors and teachers who know the pupils well, within a small school setting. 
• There is a vast array of incredible enrichment activities for Years 7 and 8 pupils, such as our Leadership and Service Programme, enhanced drama opportunities including performing at the Edinburgh Fringe, a wonderful selection of guest speakers through our Golden Eagle programme and the Edleston Project, our summer holiday project ending in a showcase evening in September when children get to present their work.

Pupils leave after Year 8 to go on to their chosen senior school.

Around 60% of our children go on to Wellington College, with the others going to a range of top senior schools.

Destination Schools

Everything during the core hours of the school day is included in the fees with the exception of the Surface Pro for Year 5 and above and school uniform. Optional extras may include individual Learning Support, music, singing or LAMDA lessons and some school trips.  There is occasionally a small charge for an activity, usually when an external professional is taking the club. 

The School provides financial assistance to parents who would not otherwise have been able to send their children to the school, in the form of bursaries.  It is the policy of the School that all new applicants for financial assistance are means-tested. The School welcomes pupils from all backgrounds and provides financial assistance to gifted children from poorer economic backgrounds to allow them access to this excellent education.

Every school day there are minibus runs that operate in the local area in conjunction with Wellington College. Please note that the minibuses are not staffed so children need to be Year 3 and above; unfortunately we cannot provide booster seats. 

We run a minibus to West London every weekend Friday at 5.30pm.  Please contact Wellington College Prep Reception for more information.

Wellington College Prep is proud to be a member of the Wellington College Family of Schools. We have a close relationship with the College and many of our pupils leave Wellington College Prep to attend Wellington. We benefit hugely from this relationship through the sharing of knowledge and best practice as well as the use of facilities. The relationship between us is an advantage to every Wellington College Prep pupil, regardless of whether or not they go on to Wellington College as their senior school.

The school day begins from 8.00am for the Prep School, with children expected to attend registration at 8.20am.  By prior arrangement children may join the boarders for breakfast at 7.30am.

Nursery and Junior School children begin the day from 8.00am to 8.45am.

Nursery children finish their day at 12.30pm or 3.30pm depending on whether they are doing half or full days. Reception finish at 3.15pm, Years 1 and 2 at 3.20pm.

In the Upper School Years 3 and 4 finish at 4.20pm.  Years 5 and 6 at 5.20pm and Years 7 and 8 at 6.00pm

There is out of school care for those from Nursery to Year 4 known as Hideout.

On Fridays, Years 5 and 6 finish at 5pm and Years 7 and 8 finish at 5.30pm.

There is Saturday school every other weekend during term time for Years 5 to 8.  This involves two lessons and then our Golden Eagle service and leadership programme.  There are sporting fixtures in the afternoon on certain ‘in’ Saturdays.  Years 3 and 4 are invited in for Saturday morning activity mornings on an optional basis.

From Nursery through to Year 8, all children are encouraged to read every day. Other homework varies according to the age of the pupils. Year 1 and 2 have weekly tasks in literacy or numeracy. The children in Years 3 to 6 have spellings to learn each week and additional tasks in literacy or numeracy (doodle Maths & English). In Years 5 and 6 pupils will be set a short written or learning prep in the core subjects. 

In Year 7 preps for core subjects, i.e. Maths, English and Science should take approximately 30 minutes. These preps are completed at school under supervision.

In Year 8 pupils have a 30 minute prep (completed at school under supervision) and a 25 minute home prep in the core subjects. 

We offer weekly and flexi boarding. More details can be found by visiting our Boarding page. 

We have 35 weekly boarders and over 40 flexi-boarders.

Our out of school care programme is called Hideout and operates both at the end of the school day and in the school holidays. Full details can be found by visiting our Out of School Care page.

We are approximately half and half.

The number of children in each class is between 16 and 18 pupils.  These classes are small enough for teachers to give pupils expert tuition and cater for the needs of every individual.

We have an excellent Learning Support department.  You can find out more by visiting our Learning Support page.

We have an incredible co-curricular programme that offers up to 60 different clubs in the Upper School and up to 20 in the Junior School.  We encourage children to experience as many clubs as they can. Please see our Co-Curricular page.

For families moving the UK we consider applications for any year group. We offer boarding to international pupils with English skills that allow them to access the curriculum. We offer EAL classes to those who need to improve their English.

Wellington College Prep has children from many nationalities and they make up 12% of our pupil numbers.