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Broadcasting live on Dukebox radio, tackling an army style assault course and quizzing author Dan Freedman about his Jamie Johnson football novels were just some of the highlights enjoyed by students on the Wheeler Programme last week.
Also popular were raft-building on the lake, shooting, badminton and a visit to Reading university.
Two groups of students came to Wellington College for a four-night residential course.
The 23 Year 10s did a live broadcast on the college’s radio station, Dukebox, lessons in biology, philosophy and classics, and sessions in hockey and shooting.
The 24 Year 9s took lessons in psychology, English and Mandarin and sessions in netball, mountain-biking and raft-building.
They also heard from author Dan Freedman, who told them about his years as a football reporter and gave a signed ball to the student who asked the best question during the session.
Both groups visited the planetarium at Winston Churchill Scholl in Woking, tackled an escape room challenge and chatted with programme founder Nick Wheeler.
Student Jayden said afterwards: “I enjoyed the Dukebox radio session, where recording a show and producing live radio were very exciting and intrigued me, the visit to Reading University, which helped me to understand post-18 choices a lot better, and the workshops and talks from HSBC, The Man in the Orange Tie, and Learning Performance, which helped me to think deeply on the subjects and immerse myself in the lessons.
“I’ve also learnt this year to always seize opportunities, to never let anyone sway you off course negatively, but to collaborate with those who are positive and will make a big change to your life.”
Head of the Wheeler Programme Sue Parker said: “It was wonderful to welcome our Year 9 students for their first residential at Wellington College and get to know them better.
“Our Year 10 group came back stronger than ever. They have got to know each other better and made some strong friendships and clearly feel comfortable at Wellington College.
“We really look forward to working with them over the next few years to help them achieve their aspirations.”
Established in 2017, the Wheeler Programme is a fully-funded educational programme for around 100 selected state school pupils.
Twenty-four students are selected in Year 9 and the college helps support them until their graduation from the programme at the end of Year 13.
They start the programme with a five-day residential course at Wellington, where they experience life in a boarding school, and then take part in three or four study days a year, tailored to their age.
