Welbeck College
Encyclopedia
Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College (Welbeck DSFC) is a selective sixth form
college
in Woodhouse, Leicestershire
, England, providing A-Level education for candidates to the technical branches of the British Armed Forces
, the Ministry of Defence
civil service and privately funded students.
Welbeck is located near Loughborough
and is funded by the Ministry of Defence
.
Prior to 2005 the College was known as Welbeck College and was based at Welbeck Abbey
near Worksop
in Nottinghamshire
, where it provided an education for A-Level candidates planning to join the technical branches of the British Army
.
Royal Navy
candidates are required to undergo the Admiralty Interview Board
and are selected into the Engineer branch specialising in Weapon Systems, Marine Systems or Aviation. After undergraduate studies they will enter Britannia Royal Naval College
, Dartmouth
for initial officer training.
Army
candidates make up the bulk of each Welbeck intake and are required to undergo the Army Officer Selection Board and are selected into a technical role; Royal Signals, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
, Royal Engineers
or the Royal Logistic Corps
. After undergraduate studies they will enter Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
for initial officer training.
Royal Air Force
candidates are required to undergo selection at RAF College Cranwell Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre
and enter either as Engineer Officer
s, or, more recently are now able to enter as Logistics Officer
s. After undergraduate studies they will enter RAF College Cranwell for initial officer training.
Defence Engineering and Science Group students also attend the OASC at Cranwell
, and as such go through much the same process as the RAF candidates, however there are fewer places for DESG students (12-15 per year), and so fewer boards.
in the 20000 acres (80.9 km²) estate of the family of the Duke of Portland. Until the mid 1990s, Welbeck only accepted male Army candidates. At any one time there would be 150 students in the College. There were two intakes each year: one in September (of 50 students) and the other in January (of 25 students), these were numbered sequentially: 1 Entry, 2 Entry, 3 Entry and so forth, odd numbers denoting September entries. Each entry was split into two houses, Harland and York, named after the original housemasters. Each house had a distinct character with different rules. "Harlanders" generally originated from northern England, south western England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and overseas, whilst "Yorkies" came from southern England.
Although located in a magnificent building with extensive grounds, the quality of living accommodation was lower than may be expected for sixth-form students at most other comparable establishments. The largest dormitory, Harland's "Dorm 3", held 13 students; many lessons were held in "glass corridor", an underground complex with numerous roof lights originally intended for horticultural purposes; and the lower sixth study areas (known as "the pits" or "cabins") consisted of two large underground rooms and a long corridor which were sub-divided by low partitions to provide each student with an individual work area and some degree of privacy. There was one television for each house and until 1990, a single public telephone to be shared by all students.
There was academic study six mornings a week (usually preceded by a service in the College's Chapel), CCF one afternoon, sport on four afternoons, with academic tutorials filling the remaining time. Maths and physics A Level were compulsory, with a limited choice for the third subject. Double maths was the preferred option, followed by chemistry, electronics, technology and occasionally other subjects such as history. An additional A Level exam in general studies was introduced in the 1980s.
Assessment for entry to Welbeck was by a series of interviews, exams and practical tests over a period of three days at Westbury or York.
Little changed at Welbeck between 1953 and the mid-1990s. Following the retirement of the College's military Principle (Col Silvey) and replacement with a civilian (Ken Jones), the first major change occurred and the doors were opened to girls. The overall number of students at the college increased by about 30 and they formed a separate house known as 'School Lodge', being accommodated in the former sanatorium. The number of intakes was reduced from two per year to one.
Progression into the Army varied according to ability. Whilst it was possible for students to go straight to university, typically Cambridge, most went on to Sandhurst at the recommendation of the Headmaster. For a while in the 1980s and 90s, the decision was taken by an assessment board similar to the Regular Commissions Board
. The outcome of this dictated whether students should attend the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
's Rowallan Company (now called the Sandhurst Development Course) or the commissioning course of the day. Occasionally, the headmaster would feel unable to recommend a particular student from moving on to Sandhurst. The assessment board process was dropped in the mid-1990s and the decision was made by the College Principal. As with Army Scholars (students whom the Army sponsored through their sixth-form studies at establishments other than Welbeck), the automatic entry to Sandhurst was not universally supported. As students had not attended the full Regular Commissions Board
, some people argued that it was an 'easy option' to obtain a commission.
The Welbexian magazine records some of the history of Welbeck College, including the summary above. Some of these are available on the internet, as indicated in the References section.
In 2004 the first RAF and RN applicants were admitted, and in 2005 the first DESG
applicants were admitted. In 2009 an 'East Midlands Scholarship' was offered. This does not commit the student to any military service, and study is possible on a day basis, rather than boarding with a maximum cost of £8,000 per term. This was then renamed as 'Welbeck Private Scheme' (WPS) in 2010. . The WPS intends to offer the possibility of full boarding, day boarding and 'flexi-boarding' to students.
The normal working college uniform is called "G-Kit" (General Kit). This consists of Grey Trousers (Grey skirt for girls), a Wedgwood Blue Shirt with epaulettes, a Tie (house, prefect, music or sporting), and Black Leather Shoes.
The ties for G-Kit vary depending on the individual's house, rank, and if they hold a college position. Ties are also given for sporting merit (colours and half colours) and achievements in music.
The college blazer is only worn for formal occasions. This is called "College-Kit", and is worn with the college tie.
All students wear epaulettes with their year (designated by stripes) and service written on them. The epaulets worn by all prefects bear a white stripe in between the usual parallel purple stripes of non-prefect year 13 students.
On military training days, the Royal Navy
wear No 4 dress, which is flame retardant shirt, and trousers, with the college beret. The Army
wear CS95's, which is the regular British Army working dress. The Royal Air Force
wear No 2 Dress. In periods of hot weather this consists of Peaked Hat and short sleeved shirt, while in Winter periods, this changes to Long Sleeved Shirt and Black Tie.
All members of the college are issued with Single Service Parade Dress. This is worn throughout the year at special occasions such as the Annual General Inspection, or the Remembrance Day ceremony.
First year students study four subjects with all being required to study Mathematics and Physics. Other available subjects include: History, Government and Politics, Biology, Chemistry, Business Studies, Information and Communication Technology, Electronics, Systems and control engineering. Students also follow a course in Career Skills and the European Computer Driving Licence
, which became compulsory starting in the 2009 entry.
Second-year students traditionally drop one subject and carry on three subjects through their A2 year and take up an enrichment subject ranging from Arabic and Mandarin to music. However many opt to continue with their four AS subjects into their second year or to replace one with an academic enrichment subject. Such enrichment options include: Further Mathematics AS, Business Studies, Sport & P.E. or a distance learning topic of their choice.
structure which is mandatory. Training occurs Twice per week each time for half the college
Cadets are taught everything from scratch, which allows students who have little or no military experience to pick up on the training. They are taught Drill
, Fieldcraft
, Rank
s, Leadership
and more.
At the end of Initial Training, there is an assessment of Military Knowledge, and a Drill Assessment. Successful completion of the above entitles cadets to wear the College Stable Belt in uniform.
Training for first-year students includes: hillwalking and navigation, military history, adventurous training and leadership.
Training for second-year students includes: Community service, battle PT, Officer skills and adventurous training.
Second year students undertake "Senior ex" (currently called "Ex. Welbeck Warrior"), a 3-day exercise in February, where the students themselves take command.
or table tennis
, or non-sporting activities such as ballroom dancing
or tank
restoration. Players for the First Teams of sports often use this time to complete additional training.
, Nelson
, Portland
, Stirling
, and Trenchard
.
In their first year at the college, the students are placed into three man rooms. These rooms are swapped around regularly, allowing students to bond, and gain friendship. All bedrooms have full internet access and an ensuite.
Upon returning to their second year at the college, the Upper Sixth students are given their own study bedrooms, with en-suite bathrooms.
Sixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
in Woodhouse, Leicestershire
Woodhouse, Leicestershire
Woodhouse, often known to locals as Old Woodhouse, is a small village in the heart of Charnwood, England. Located between the larger Woodhouse Eaves and Quorn villages, this picturesque village, with a mixture of small cottages and large modern houses, is one of the most expensive villages in the...
, England, providing A-Level education for candidates to the technical branches of the British Armed Forces
British Armed Forces
The British Armed Forces are the armed forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Also known as Her Majesty's Armed Forces and sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown, the British Armed Forces encompasses three professional uniformed services, the Royal Navy, the...
, the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
civil service and privately funded students.
Welbeck is located near Loughborough
Loughborough
Loughborough is a town within the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire, England. It is the seat of Charnwood Borough Council and is home to Loughborough University...
and is funded by the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
.
Prior to 2005 the College was known as Welbeck College and was based at Welbeck Abbey
Welbeck Abbey
Welbeck Abbey near Clumber Park in North Nottinghamshire was the principal abbey of the Premonstratensian order in England and later the principal residence of the Dukes of Portland.-Monastic period:...
near Worksop
Worksop
Worksop is the largest town in the Bassetlaw district of Nottinghamshire, England on the River Ryton at the northern edge of Sherwood Forest. It is about east-south-east of the City of Sheffield and its population is estimated to be 39,800...
in Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
, where it provided an education for A-Level candidates planning to join the technical branches of the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
.
Role
Welbeck DSFC provides a two-year programme of education and training leading to A-Level qualifications in preparation for University entry on the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme followed by entry to the Armed Forces or MOD. Academic work is complemented by leadership development inculcating a military ethos and an understanding of the purpose and structure of the British Armed Forces.Selection and entry
Candidates for DSFC are sponsored by the elements of the British Armed Forces or the MOD Civil Service, entry is predicated on having been selected as a potential officer candidate or technical civil servant. All candidates must be considered likely to succeed in a technical undergraduate course and will be funded through University and accepted into the sponsoring service.Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
candidates are required to undergo the Admiralty Interview Board
Admiralty Interview Board
The Admiralty Interview Board is the instrument of Officer selection for the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary...
and are selected into the Engineer branch specialising in Weapon Systems, Marine Systems or Aviation. After undergraduate studies they will enter Britannia Royal Naval College
Britannia Royal Naval College
Britannia Royal Naval College is the initial officer training establishment of the Royal Navy, located on a hill overlooking Dartmouth, Devon, England. While Royal Naval officer training has taken place in the town since 1863, the buildings which are seen today were only finished in 1905, and...
, Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Devon
Dartmouth is a town and civil parish in the English county of Devon. It is a tourist destination set on the banks of the estuary of the River Dart, which is a long narrow tidal ria that runs inland as far as Totnes...
for initial officer training.
Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
candidates make up the bulk of each Welbeck intake and are required to undergo the Army Officer Selection Board and are selected into a technical role; Royal Signals, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers is a corps of the British Army that has responsibility for the maintenance, servicing and inspection of almost every electrical and mechanical piece of equipment within the British Army from Challenger II main battle tanks and WAH64 Apache...
, Royal Engineers
Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
or the Royal Logistic Corps
Royal Logistic Corps
The Royal Logistic Corps provides logistic support functions to the British Army. It is the largest Corps in the Army, comprising around 17% of its strength...
. After undergraduate studies they will enter Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
for initial officer training.
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
candidates are required to undergo selection at RAF College Cranwell Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre
Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre
The Royal Air Force Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre, located at Adastral Hall, RAF Cranwell, is the centre through which every potential RAF officer must go to be selected for Initial Officer Training . The Selection Centre is attached to 2 large hangars, plus the Candidates Mess. The centre...
and enter either as Engineer Officer
Engineer Officer
An Engineer Officer is one type of officer in the UK Royal Navy. There are also Warfare Officers and Logistics Officers supported by additional branches such as Medical or Dental Officers, or the Chaplaincy Service....
s, or, more recently are now able to enter as Logistics Officer
Logistics Officer
A Logistics Officer is a member of an armed force responsible for overseeing the support of an army, air force, or navy both at home and abroad. Logistics Officers can be stationary on military bases or deployed as an active part of a field army, air wing, or naval force. The responsibilities of...
s. After undergraduate studies they will enter RAF College Cranwell for initial officer training.
Defence Engineering and Science Group students also attend the OASC at Cranwell
Cranwell
Cranwell is a village situated in the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire. It is part of the Civil Parish of Cranwell and Byard's Leap and is located 3.95 miles north-north-west of Sleaford and 16.3 miles south-east of the county town of Lincoln...
, and as such go through much the same process as the RAF candidates, however there are fewer places for DESG students (12-15 per year), and so fewer boards.
History
When founded in 1953, the College was housed in the grounds of Welbeck AbbeyWelbeck Abbey
Welbeck Abbey near Clumber Park in North Nottinghamshire was the principal abbey of the Premonstratensian order in England and later the principal residence of the Dukes of Portland.-Monastic period:...
in the 20000 acres (80.9 km²) estate of the family of the Duke of Portland. Until the mid 1990s, Welbeck only accepted male Army candidates. At any one time there would be 150 students in the College. There were two intakes each year: one in September (of 50 students) and the other in January (of 25 students), these were numbered sequentially: 1 Entry, 2 Entry, 3 Entry and so forth, odd numbers denoting September entries. Each entry was split into two houses, Harland and York, named after the original housemasters. Each house had a distinct character with different rules. "Harlanders" generally originated from northern England, south western England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and overseas, whilst "Yorkies" came from southern England.
Although located in a magnificent building with extensive grounds, the quality of living accommodation was lower than may be expected for sixth-form students at most other comparable establishments. The largest dormitory, Harland's "Dorm 3", held 13 students; many lessons were held in "glass corridor", an underground complex with numerous roof lights originally intended for horticultural purposes; and the lower sixth study areas (known as "the pits" or "cabins") consisted of two large underground rooms and a long corridor which were sub-divided by low partitions to provide each student with an individual work area and some degree of privacy. There was one television for each house and until 1990, a single public telephone to be shared by all students.
There was academic study six mornings a week (usually preceded by a service in the College's Chapel), CCF one afternoon, sport on four afternoons, with academic tutorials filling the remaining time. Maths and physics A Level were compulsory, with a limited choice for the third subject. Double maths was the preferred option, followed by chemistry, electronics, technology and occasionally other subjects such as history. An additional A Level exam in general studies was introduced in the 1980s.
Assessment for entry to Welbeck was by a series of interviews, exams and practical tests over a period of three days at Westbury or York.
Little changed at Welbeck between 1953 and the mid-1990s. Following the retirement of the College's military Principle (Col Silvey) and replacement with a civilian (Ken Jones), the first major change occurred and the doors were opened to girls. The overall number of students at the college increased by about 30 and they formed a separate house known as 'School Lodge', being accommodated in the former sanatorium. The number of intakes was reduced from two per year to one.
Progression into the Army varied according to ability. Whilst it was possible for students to go straight to university, typically Cambridge, most went on to Sandhurst at the recommendation of the Headmaster. For a while in the 1980s and 90s, the decision was taken by an assessment board similar to the Regular Commissions Board
Regular Commissions Board
The Army Officer Selection Board, more usually referred to as the A.O.S.B., is located at Leighton House, Westbury in Wiltshire, England, and runs selection courses which must be passed before being offered a place at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Selection boards are run for entry into the...
. The outcome of this dictated whether students should attend the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
's Rowallan Company (now called the Sandhurst Development Course) or the commissioning course of the day. Occasionally, the headmaster would feel unable to recommend a particular student from moving on to Sandhurst. The assessment board process was dropped in the mid-1990s and the decision was made by the College Principal. As with Army Scholars (students whom the Army sponsored through their sixth-form studies at establishments other than Welbeck), the automatic entry to Sandhurst was not universally supported. As students had not attended the full Regular Commissions Board
Regular Commissions Board
The Army Officer Selection Board, more usually referred to as the A.O.S.B., is located at Leighton House, Westbury in Wiltshire, England, and runs selection courses which must be passed before being offered a place at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Selection boards are run for entry into the...
, some people argued that it was an 'easy option' to obtain a commission.
The Welbexian magazine records some of the history of Welbeck College, including the summary above. Some of these are available on the internet, as indicated in the References section.
In 2004 the first RAF and RN applicants were admitted, and in 2005 the first DESG
DESG
DESG is a community of 9,000 engineers and scientists working within the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence Civil Service to equip and support the UK Armed Forces with military hardware.-Recruiting:...
applicants were admitted. In 2009 an 'East Midlands Scholarship' was offered. This does not commit the student to any military service, and study is possible on a day basis, rather than boarding with a maximum cost of £8,000 per term. This was then renamed as 'Welbeck Private Scheme' (WPS) in 2010. . The WPS intends to offer the possibility of full boarding, day boarding and 'flexi-boarding' to students.
Uniform
Students wear a variety of uniforms at the college.The normal working college uniform is called "G-Kit" (General Kit). This consists of Grey Trousers (Grey skirt for girls), a Wedgwood Blue Shirt with epaulettes, a Tie (house, prefect, music or sporting), and Black Leather Shoes.
The ties for G-Kit vary depending on the individual's house, rank, and if they hold a college position. Ties are also given for sporting merit (colours and half colours) and achievements in music.
The college blazer is only worn for formal occasions. This is called "College-Kit", and is worn with the college tie.
All students wear epaulettes with their year (designated by stripes) and service written on them. The epaulets worn by all prefects bear a white stripe in between the usual parallel purple stripes of non-prefect year 13 students.
On military training days, the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
wear No 4 dress, which is flame retardant shirt, and trousers, with the college beret. The Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
wear CS95's, which is the regular British Army working dress. The Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
wear No 2 Dress. In periods of hot weather this consists of Peaked Hat and short sleeved shirt, while in Winter periods, this changes to Long Sleeved Shirt and Black Tie.
All members of the college are issued with Single Service Parade Dress. This is worn throughout the year at special occasions such as the Annual General Inspection, or the Remembrance Day ceremony.
Curriculum
As DSFC prepares candidates for technical branches the academic syllabus emphasises science and technical subjects, recognising that Officers in the Armed Forces are first and foremost officers rather than engineers, opportunities exist to study non-technical subjects.First year students study four subjects with all being required to study Mathematics and Physics. Other available subjects include: History, Government and Politics, Biology, Chemistry, Business Studies, Information and Communication Technology, Electronics, Systems and control engineering. Students also follow a course in Career Skills and the European Computer Driving Licence
European Computer Driving Licence
The European Computer Driving Licence , also known as International Computer Driving Licence , is a computer literacy certification programme provided by ECDL Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation....
, which became compulsory starting in the 2009 entry.
Second-year students traditionally drop one subject and carry on three subjects through their A2 year and take up an enrichment subject ranging from Arabic and Mandarin to music. However many opt to continue with their four AS subjects into their second year or to replace one with an academic enrichment subject. Such enrichment options include: Further Mathematics AS, Business Studies, Sport & P.E. or a distance learning topic of their choice.
Combined Cadet Force
Four permanent military staff exists at DSFC to support military training for students. This military training is delivered through a Combined Cadet ForceCombined Cadet Force
The Combined Cadet Force is a Ministry of Defence sponsored youth organisation in the United Kingdom. Its aim is to "provide a disciplined organisation in a school so that pupils may develop powers of leadership by means of training to promote the qualities of responsibility, self reliance,...
structure which is mandatory. Training occurs Twice per week each time for half the college
Cadets are taught everything from scratch, which allows students who have little or no military experience to pick up on the training. They are taught Drill
Parade (military)
A military parade is a formation of soldiers whose movement is restricted by close-order manouevering known as drilling or marching. The American usage is "formation or military review". The military parade is now mostly ceremonial, though soldiers from time immemorial up until the late 19th...
, Fieldcraft
Fieldcraft
Fieldcraft is a term used especially in American, Canadian and British military circles to describe the basic military skills required to operate stealthily and the methods used to do so, which can differ during day or night and due to weather or terrain...
, Rank
Rank (formation)
A Rank is a line of military personnel, drawn up in line abreast .Commonly, troops called to 'On the right, fall in!' do so by forming in line abreast, determining their initial position in relation to a marker. This may be a position on the ground or a single person placed previously to the movement...
s, Leadership
Leadership
Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task". Other in-depth definitions of leadership have also emerged.-Theories:...
and more.
At the end of Initial Training, there is an assessment of Military Knowledge, and a Drill Assessment. Successful completion of the above entitles cadets to wear the College Stable Belt in uniform.
Training for first-year students includes: hillwalking and navigation, military history, adventurous training and leadership.
Training for second-year students includes: Community service, battle PT, Officer skills and adventurous training.
Adventurous training
During the autumn term students are required to undertake a 72-hour field exercise to practise fieldcraft skills learned in the CCF ("Ex. Welbeck Start"). Around Easter, students attend a 7 day course at HMS Excellent for PT, historic visits, drill and officer skills, codenamed ("Ex Welbeck Leader"). During the summer term students undertake a 7-day Military Camp ("Ex. Welbeck Challenge"). This involves military exercise, and usually involves a 48 hour exercise. This is preceded by a 7 day hillwalking exercise in Snowdonia at Capel Curig ("Ex. Welbeck Trail).Second year students undertake "Senior ex" (currently called "Ex. Welbeck Warrior"), a 3-day exercise in February, where the students themselves take command.
Sport
Teams include:- RugbyRugby footballRugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
- Field HockeyField hockeyField Hockey, or Hockey, is a team sport in which a team of players attempts to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking a ball into an opposing team's goal using sticks...
- Football
- BasketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
- NetballNetballNetball is a ball sport played between two teams of seven players. Its development, derived from early versions of basketball, began in England in the 1890s. By 1960 international playing rules had been standardised for the game, and the International Federation of Netball and Women's Basketball ...
- CricketCricketCricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
- SquashSquash (sport)Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
- Athletics
- Cross country runningCross country runningCross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
- TennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
- RowingRowing (sport)Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
- BadmintonBadmintonBadminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
- SwimmingSwimming (sport)Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
- TriathlonTriathlonA triathlon is a multi-sport event involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance events. While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances...
- Girls Rugby
General Activities
General Activities (known as GA's by students and staff) is the equivalent of a regular sixth-form enrichment programme. The activities are non-academic and are aimed at developing a student's wider interests. GA's take place on a Monday afternoon during the Autumn and Spring Terms. Students can opt for a GA for the duration of one term. GA's available to students vary with the staffing make-up but may include additional sporting activities such as rowingRowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
or table tennis
Table tennis
Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth using table tennis rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net...
, or non-sporting activities such as ballroom dancing
Ballroom dance
Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television....
or tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
restoration. Players for the First Teams of sports often use this time to complete additional training.
Accommodation
Students are accommodated in one of five boarding houses named after significant figures in British military history and the history of the college: AlanbrookeAlan Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke
Field Marshal The Rt. Hon. Alan Francis Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke, KG, GCB, OM, GCVO, DSO & Bar , was a senior commander in the British Army. He was the Chief of the Imperial General Staff during the Second World War, and was promoted to Field Marshal in 1944...
, Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB was a flag officer famous for his service in the Royal Navy, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He was noted for his inspirational leadership and superb grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics, which resulted in a number of...
, Portland
William Cavendish-Bentinck, 7th Duke of Portland
William Arthur Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 7th Duke of Portland KG , known as Marquess of Titchfield until 1943, was a British Conservative Party politician....
, Stirling
David Stirling
Colonel Sir Archibald David Stirling, DSO, DFC, OBE was a Scottish laird, mountaineer, World War II British Army officer, and the founder of the Special Air Service.-Life before the war:...
, and Trenchard
Hugh Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Hugh Montague Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard GCB OM GCVO DSO was a British officer who was instrumental in establishing the Royal Air Force...
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In their first year at the college, the students are placed into three man rooms. These rooms are swapped around regularly, allowing students to bond, and gain friendship. All bedrooms have full internet access and an ensuite.
Upon returning to their second year at the college, the Upper Sixth students are given their own study bedrooms, with en-suite bathrooms.