Introduction to Prefecting at Wellington

Wellington College believes wholeheartedly in teaching young people how to lead and how to work effectively in teams and communities. The Wellington Leadership Insitute reflects our commitment to enhancing leadership skills in all of our pupils through sustained, developmental training and leadership opportunities throughout their time in College. More details about this can be found here.

Part of our leadership training and a key element of pupil leadership at Wellington is our Prefect System.  Wellingtonians will be elected as prefects in the Lower Sixth and will serve in their final year at College. We believe passionately in Wellington that leadership is about responsibility and service, not about privilege and rights. As such, the principle job of the College Prefect is to lead by example and to live the values of Wellington College. The five core values were chosen and voted for by the entire College community (pupils and all staff) and they are: Responsibility, Kindness, Respect, Integrity and Courage. All prefects at Wellington should embody these values as best they can. They should be role models to all the pupils in the College and should also be regarded as another avenue of support for pupils, should they need it.

The Upper 10 are the College Prefects (who are led by the Heads of College and the Deputy Heads of College.) These are supported by the House Prefects, who are led by the Heads of House. The College Prefects and Heads and Deputy Heads of College are appointed by the Master following voting from pupils and Common Room, written applications, presentations and interviews.

Heads of House are appointed by Housemasters and Housemistresses (HMs) in consultation with the Second Master and Deputy Pastoral and House Prefects are appointed by HMs. College Prefects are allocated to a variety of College offices (see College Prefect Job Description). Heads of House work closely with HMs to ensure the well-being and smooth running of the Houses. They also perform many other duties as indicated in the Head of House Job Description. Further information about the role of House prefects can be found here.  

All College prefects are encouraged to take on responsibilities and develop leadership skills. College Prefects are responsible for ensuring the maintenance of high standards of behaviour in College. They may supervise prep sessions and some detentions in house. College Prefects represent the public face of the College and are expected to represent the school at public events.

All College Prefects anually draft and sign the Pupils’ Honour code which is then distributed by the prefects and Heads of Houses to all pupils for validation.

The Second Master is responsible for the conduct and management of the College Prefects and reviewing the prefect policy.

RIHBD: Reveiwed: 06/01/12