Wellington College: a school where every square metre is a learning space designed with student wellbeing and success in mind
There are exciting times ahead for Wellington College International School Bangkok (WCIB) as it nears completion of the 10,000 sqm first phase of its Senior School, for 11-18-year-old students. But WCIB is not about building swanky facilities just for the sake of it; everything about this school has a rich educational philosophy at its heart.
Wellington College Bangkok was founded in 2018 and has quickly become one of Thailand’s leading international schools. Set in 70 rai of beautiful green space just 20 minutes from down-town Bangkok, the School boasts a cutting-edge, purpose-built campus and an outstanding learning environment that provides a progressive, holistic education for girls and boys from the age of two years old.
Wellington Bangkok is a member of an esteemed family of schools which includes the prestigious Wellington College in England, with 160 years of education excellence and outstanding academic achievements – regularly sending many students to world-class universities including Oxbridge and Ivy League institutions.
Parents make it clear that they choose Wellington because they want a truly progressive approach to education. And the new senior school certainly doesn’t disappoint. The buildings, interior, and outdoor spaces have been specifically designed for the delivery of innovative educational experiences tailored for each stage of learning.
Mr Chris Nicholls, Founding Master of Wellington College Bangkok, explains the thinking behind the new facility:
"Our new Senior School is a beautiful marriage of design and educational philosophy; that is because we know that the quality of a child’s environment can be fundamental to both their wellbeing and their success in life.
Whether it's outside, under the trees, or indoors, in our purpose-built learning studios, every corner of the new building and surrounding grounds is a learning space that people naturally want to spend time in.
Central to the Wellington College educational philosophy is ‘individually motivated action and activity’. For younger children, this involves lots of ‘learning through play’; as students mature, they set out on a path towards discovering the very best in themselves. We are here to help them to explore and define their own paths to adulthood, creating successful thought-leaders and global citizens forged through academic excellence.
Our stunning central library and surrounding learning studios provide an environment that recognises knowledge, understanding and skills don’t only come from the classroom – and not just from the teacher. These spaces allow students to take what they have studied with expert teachers in lessons out into individual and collaborative research projects, self-directed study, into a world of knowledge and understanding beyond the curriculum. As students are inspired to explore things by themselves, they will enjoy their discovery more and more. This is the active approach to learning instilled in Wellingtonians across the globe.
There is also great importance in details. Each floor of the building is different – not just the colour, but the entire interior design. Of course, this helps you know where you are in the building, but it is also true that different and interesting spaces, with their own characters serve to refresh the mind, aiding memory and learning.
The whole Senior building is organised around a spectacular central atrium, which allows natural light to fall and flow around the building, giving the feeling of space and calm. The Dining Hall, inspired by restaurants in some of the World’s top hotels, encourages social interaction, an appreciation of food and the joy of sharing it with friends and colleagues."
Mr Nicholls adopted a collaborative approach to the design and development of the Senior School building, involving teachers, students, external stakeholders, and the specialist designers at Space Zero, a UK-based firm specialising in the design of learning environments for educational projects worldwide.
The new Senior School Building at Wellington College International School Bangkok will be open for students by 1 November 2021 and prospective families are able to visit, subject to Covid-19 preventive protocols.
To book a tour please click here and select a date after 1 November 2021.
Please read more related news from Wellington College Bangkok:
Incoming Head of Senior School at Wellington College International School Bangkok, Dr Jim Panton