The Eight Aptitudes

Wellington’s commitment to a full, holistic and well rounded education is codified in our "eight aptitude" approach. The academic, extra-curricular and pastoral life at Welilngton is shaped by our belief, (inspired by the groundbreaking work of Harvard professor, Howard Gardner,) that everyone has eight principal aptitudes or gifts, and that an education at Wellington requires pupils to engage with all eight of their aptitudes and to reflect on these.  

The point of an eight aptitude focus in the Wellington education, is to delight in the various ways in which we experience the world around us and develop as individuals. Whilst each aptitude can be considered individually, we are more interested in the way that they meet. It is often in the surprising moments: the consideration of morality on the rugby pitch, or the awareness of beauty in a maths class, that the greatest illumination comes.

We therefore use an eight aptitude approach (underpinned by Wellington's five core values: kindness, courage, integrity, respect and responsibility), to help us to ensure that we offer a broad and wide-ranging, genuinely holistic education.

Most of the consideration of the eight aptitude approach occurs in tutorials. At the end of each term, pupils will reflect on their personal contribution to the whole life of College (their eight aptitude or holistic engagement with their education) and will arrive at a grade for their efforts - which is then talked through and agreed with the tutor. This allows pupils to reflect actively on their broader contribution. This is recorded in reports home to parents. An example of the tutorial booklet where this information is recorded, can be found here.

A powerpoint explaining our approach to be found here.  

A simple powerpoint on each aptitude can be found here. 

This commitment to a holistic education reflects the IB learner profile. Here is a link to the IB learner profile to help you see the similarities. All of these traits are reflected in one or more of the intelligences.