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What does it offer?

Welbeck offers a science and technology-based A-level curriculum in preparation for a technical degree at a leading UK university. It gives a head start into training for a career as an officer within the Armed Services or as an engineer within the Ministry of Defence Civil Service.

Each year the college welcomes up to 175 high-calibre young men and women from a variety of backgrounds, all looking for something that exceeds the average sixthform experience. Alongside academic study, it develops team working, communications and leadership skills.

Extra-curricular activities include a heavy emphasis on sport and fitness, including outward-bound activities such as rock climbing, dinghy sailing and navigation. In addition, all Welbeck students join the Combined Cadet Force and take part in regular military training activities, including a range of adventurous training pursuits.

Study at Welbeck and you will leave the college a more confident and responsible individual, fully equipped to read for a degree that will usually be at Newcastle, Southampton, Aston, Loughborough or Northumbria, or exceptionally Cambridge or Oxford. The education at the college is financed by the MoD and parents pay a means-tested contribution towards the boarding cost. While at university the MoD pay a bursary to students, which helps with university expenses. Initial Officer/ Professional Development will be at Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst or RAF College Cranwell, while Ministry of Defence Civil Service candidates will undertake up to two years’ Initial Professional Development. This will lead to gaining a commission in one of the Armed Services, leading to a career as an Engineering or Technical Officer, or joining the Ministry of Defence Civil Service as a graduate engineer.

A way of life

Unlike most sixth-form colleges, Welbeck offers the full benefits of a boarding education where you learn and train with like-minded friends. Our students come from a wide variety of educational, social and ethnic backgrounds from all over the UK and from UK families living overseas. All are focused on their career aspirations, giving rise to a constant buzz of enthusiasm and drive. At Welbeck you will work hard, play hard and be encouraged to make the best of yourself, as would be expected of any potential officer or MoD Civil Servant.

Welbeck’s facilities have been developed to provide a fully equipped sixth-form college and are comprehensive by any standards. An IT infrastructure has been integrated throughout the college with each student being issued with their own laptop on entry into the lower sixth. Information and communications technology (ICT) will be supported by a bespoke management information system and intranet provision.

Residential

Each of Welbeck’s five houses has a capacity of 70 students accommodated in a mix of single, two-person and three-person rooms. Each room includes en-suite facilities and IT connection points to facilitate self study. High-quality levels of pastoral care are delivered by a dedicated team of both resident and non-resident teaching staff and tutors who are attached to each of the five residential houses.

Sport and leisure

All major sports are catered for within the college, and facilities include a multifunctional sports hall, squash courts, gymnasium and an indoor 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool. A full range of outdoor sporting facilities is available, including provision for athletics and for all major sports, while for the more adventurous there is a high ropes course and an assault course. There are over 12 sports pitches and in addition the college benefits from a flood-lit astroturf area.

The fully equipped sports hall is marked out for a full range of indoor sports and includes a challenging climbing wall. To assist with personal fitness training students have access to a fitness suite and a cardiovascular training room.

Boarding at Welbeck

The Defence Sixth Form College offers ideal preparation both for university and life in one of the four Services. Despite coming from a range of backgrounds, our students also share many personal interests, such as an aspiration to lead, and a passion for sports and the outdoor life.

A week in the life of a Welbexian

I’m up by 7am and eating breakfast by half past. There’s either a college or house assembly at 8.15 for 15 minutes before lessons start at 8.30. We have four or five one-hour academic lessons each day; most are mathematics and science based. We have PT twice a week (which is a bit different to PE in my last school), lessons finish for an hour’s lunch break then afternoon activities start at 2pm. Dinner’s at 6pm and ‘prep’ (compulsory private study time) is from 7– 9pm. It’s not as bad as it might sound; it helps us to get good A-levels and the career that we want.

Monday means personal development afternoon. I’m currently on a four-week rotation learning to navigate with a map and compass. Next week we will spend the afternoon putting our skills to the test out on local parkland. After tonight’s prep we have our house entertainments night – I’m performing in a comedy sketch with my roommates to the rest of the college.

Tuesdayafternoons is Combined Cadet Force time. This is when we do our military training. I’ve been given a position of command this year, so I’ve been on a course to instruct some of the lessons. We regularly parade and practise drill, improving our field craft and weapon-handling skills.

Wednesdayis games afternoon. Hockey, rugby and cross-country are all really popular this term. The ladies’ and men’s’ teams compete to a very high standard, and play challenging games home and away. The sports options change in different terms so it gives you the opportunity to try your hand at new activities.

Thursdayis general activities after the extra tutorial lesson. I’ve chosen to help with the restoration of the steam railway in the village of Quorn. It’s great to put my maths and physics into action and do some real engineering. I’m also in the college band; we have lessons and band rehearsals on Thursdays, so I normally try to get an early night following such a long day!

Fridayafternoon I have an extra tutorial – time to improve on maths and sciences. I have free time from 3pm until dinner, so I normally go to the gym. Some weeks I arrange to have a game of squash; a sport I learnt to play when I arrived at Welbeck. Some students use this free time to schedule in a driving lesson, or to prepare themselves for a leadership or sports course they’re doing later in the year.

Saturdayis another day of lessons, but its sports afternoon, like Wednesday. The evening time is free so the Quorum (student social club) is open. I’ve arranged to meet friends and play pool. Sometimes we have socials in the college on a Saturday or go on a tutor group outing. Sunday you can do whatever you like – sports, general activities, adventurous training or just relaxing with friends.

Further information

You can contact the college by phone or email.
Welbeck – The Defence Sixth Form College,
Woodhouse, Loughborough, Leicestershire
LE12 8WD
Tel: 01509 891700
Email: helpdesk@dsfc.ac.uk
Web: www.dsfc.ac.uk