Step onto Elsa Road. Behold Welling School. This isn’t just any school. It’s a place where history breathes. Welling School stands tall. Its presence speaks of years of learning and growth.
Welling School opened its doors in the year 2005. A complete redesign and rebuild transformed this educational institution. Before 2005 Welling School was a community school. It operated under the Bexley London Borough Council. This changed in 2012. It became an academy then. It joined The Kemnal Academies Trust. The school still works with Bexley Council on admissions though.
Welling School is a large school. It’s much larger than the average secondary school. The student body is diverse. The proportion of students from minority ethnic groups is below the national average. A higher percentage of students receive free school meals. The number of students with special needs is double the national average. The school also has a surprising number of students enrolling mid-year. In 2017 25% of the Year 11 students hadn’t started at Welling in Year 7. That’s a fascinating fact. The school’s academic entry standards are below average.
The buildings are modern. They date back to the 2005 rebuild. This happened when the school gained visual arts specialism. The school boasts a sports hall. It also has an all-weather pitch. There are many performance spaces. These include dance studios and drama studios. Even the food preparation rooms were renovated in 2020. Specialist classrooms abound. These include Apple Mac computer rooms. The school also has a recording studio an art gallery and a library. A dedicated sixth-form center provides ample space for older students.
Welling School follows the National Curriculum. It’s inspected by Ofsted. The school uses a three-year Key Stage 3 curriculum. It teaches all core subjects. These include English maths science geography history and modern foreign languages. Foundation subjects are also offered. These are Art Art History Computing Design & Technology Drama Ethics & Life Skills PSHE & RE French Spanish Music and PE.
Key Stage 4 begins with GCSEs in Year 10. Core courses include English Language English Literature Mathematics Science. Students take at least eight Level 2 qualifications. These include GCSEs and vocational courses. Students choose four optional subjects. The school offers an English Baccalaureate pathway. There are also visual arts performing arts and sports pathways. BTECs are available in these areas. All students take Core PE and PSRE.
The sixth form is collaborative. Some subjects are taught at Trinity School Belvedere. The school’s commitment to visual arts is strong. There are dedicated facilities. These are available to students and the local community. The m3 Gallery mostly showcases student work. The Berwick Road Gallery displays established artists’ work. Think David Hockney Francisco Goya and Walker Evans.
Welling School even hosts the alTURNERtive Prize. This exhibition encourages student engagement in art. It runs alongside the Turner Prize at the Tate. The prize was established in 2002 by Henry Ward. It’s been judged by notable critics. Some judges even judged the Turner Prize itself. Richard Wentworth Hew Locke and Ryan Gander have presented the prize.
Welling School is more than just a school. It’s a hub of creativity innovation and growth. It’s a testament to the power of education to transform lives.