Wellington College International Shanghai vs Yew Chung International School of Shanghai

	W Wellington College International Shanghai Shanghai, China	Y Yew Chung International School of Shanghai Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 292,400 - 391,000	Fees / year RMB 243,900 - 362,700
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)	Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 1,600	Pupils 2,400
Typical class size	Typical class size 19	Typical class size 25
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 2014	Opened 1993
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Wellington College International Shanghai is in the Qiantan International Business District, Pudong New District (No.1500 Yao Long Road; campus main gate listed as No.100 Hai Yang Xi Road). The school also operates a separate Early Years Centre (No.195 Tongwan Road). The nearest metro is Oriental Sports Center (Lines 6, 8 and 11 — exit 4 is the recommended exit and involves a short walk via Yaoti/Yaolong roads).	Location YCIS Shanghai operates five day-school campuses across Puxi and Pudong (examples: Gubei/Puxi and Century Park/Pudong). Campuses sit in established residential and expat neighbourhoods with access to major roads and public transport; exact campus addresses and maps are on the school site. For admissions or visits parents usually select the campus that matches their child's year group.
Stages	Stages The school runs an Early Years Centre for children aged c.2–5 (Pre‑Nursery, Nursery, Reception), a Primary/Prep phase and a Secondary phase up to Year 13. Years 10–11 follow IGCSE programmes and Years 12–13 study the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP); the school's published age range is from the Early Years through to graduation around age 18.	Stages The school provides Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary education for students aged about 2–18 (K2–Year 13). Campuses are organised so different sites serve particular age ranges (ECE, Primary, Secondary).
School type	School type Wellington Shanghai is a co‑educational private international day school offering a bilingual (English–Mandarin) curriculum and is part of the Wellington College Education (China) group, linked to Wellington College in the UK. The Shanghai campus does not operate a boarding programme (students must reside in Shanghai with a parent).	School type YCIS Shanghai is a co‑educational international day school that follows a bilingual co‑teaching model (English and Mandarin) in its early years and primary classes. The school does not advertise boarding provision—its campuses operate as day campuses.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school has a Learning Support department that provides bespoke support for pupils with learning difficulties, working with class teachers, families and — where needed — external specialists. Support is planned, reviewed regularly and sits alongside the school's pastoral and wellbeing provision.	Additional learning support The school has a Learning Support function (EAL/SEN) that provides in‑class and withdrawal support, helps develop IEPs and administers assessments; specialist staff are listed in recruitment and student‑support materials. Admissions and placement for students with more significant needs are handled case‑by‑case and the school notes limits on the level of specialist provision available on campus.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The campus is affiliated with Wellington College (the founding school in the UK) and is part of the Wellington College Education (China) network — it is an independent international school rather than a government/state school.	Country affiliation YCIS Shanghai is part of the Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) education network; the Shanghai campus opened in 1993 as the network's mainland China campus.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The Shanghai campus does not present itself as a faith school on its website. (For context, the original Wellington College in the UK has historical Church of England roots, but the Shanghai campus does not advertise a religious designation.)	Religious affiliation The school does not present a formal religious affiliation on its public overview pages; its materials focus on bilingual, cultural and character education rather than a particular faith.
School day structure	School day structure The school notes that every school day begins with a pastoral session; break and lunch arrangements and exact school start/end times vary by year group. Detailed daily timetables and term‑specific schedules are published to parents via the school calendar/parent portal — contact Admissions or consult the calendar/parent resources for the precise times for the year group you are considering.	School day structure Daily start/end times and break/lunch arrangements vary by campus and year group; the school publishes campus‑specific school calendars and timetables (see the School Calendar / Year Overview pages for each campus). Parents relocating should check the relevant campus calendar for precise daily hours.
Bus service details	Bus service details Wellington provides an optional daily school‑bus service operated with a licensed third‑party transport company; routes cover many pick‑up points (the school cites more than 130 in Puxi and 70 in Pudong) and each bus is staffed by a bus monitor responsible for pupils on the journey. Parents register via the EDU365 bus platform; the school publishes a general annual bus fee and a separate Welly Line (local) route and fee schedule (the website shows the Welly Line fee and the standard annual fee with termly breakdowns).	Bus service details YCIS offers an optional school bus service with multiple routes serving its campuses; routes, pick‑up/drop‑off points (commonly at compound gates) and fees vary by campus and year. Families can apply for bus service each year and should contact admissions or school services for the current routes, schedules and fees.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - Application fee: RMB 3,500 (non-refundable; payable when the application is submitted). Tuition fees (annual and term amounts by year group) - Pre‑Nursery / Nursery / Reception: Annual RMB 292,400 — Michaelmas RMB 122,808; Lent RMB 92,106; Summer RMB 92,106. - Years 1–5: Annual RMB 324,600 — Michaelmas RMB 136,332; Lent RMB 102,249; Summer RMB 102,249. - Year 6: Annual RMB 341,800 — Michaelmas RMB 143,556; Lent RMB 107,667; Summer RMB 107,667. - Years 7–9: Annual RMB 356,700 — Michaelmas RMB 149,814; Lent RMB 112,361; Summer RMB 112,361. - Years 10–11: Annual RMB 380,300 — Michaelmas RMB 159,726; Lent RMB 119,795; Summer RMB 119,795. - Years 12–13: Annual RMB 391,000 — no termly payment option. Billing schedule and payment terms - Fees are published per term; a full term's fees are payable for any term in which the student attends (even if only part of the term). Years 12–13 are not available for termly payment. Boarding fees - The school does not offer a boarding service. All students must live in Shanghai with at least one parent. Other costs - Resource (acceptance) fee: RMB 18,000 (payable on acceptance; held against College property and refunded after return of property less any deductions). - Lunches: charged separately by the catering provider; parents pay the lunch provider directly (annual, termly or top-ups). - Bus service: Standard annual bus RMB 22,050 (termly Michaelmas RMB 9,261; Lent RMB 6,946; Summer RMB 6,946). Welly Line annual bus RMB 14,700 (termly Michaelmas RMB 6,174; Lent RMB 4,631; Summer RMB 4,631). Bus fees are generally non‑refundable once the service has commenced. - Uniform: approximately RMB 3,700 for a full set (items may be purchased separately). - Individual instrumental music tuition, voluntary trips and certain activities are charged separately. Sibling discount: families with three or more children enrolled receive 5% per child. Refund and withdrawal information - The resource fee is refundable after return of College property and deduction for damage or outstanding fees; official receipt/fapiao requirements apply for refunds. If withdrawing, parents must give one full term's written notice or pay one full term's fees in lieu of notice (dates and procedures are specified by the College). Bus fees are generally not refundable once service has started. Fee payment options - Payment accepted by bank transfer or cheque in RMB or USD; cash only in RMB. When paying by bank transfer in foreign currency, the amount received on arrival is used (Bank of China rate applies); remittance advice with pupil name and year group must be submitted to the finance office. Official tax receipts (fapiao) are issued for tuition payments; other service providers issue their own receipts.	Fee details Application fees & registration deposit - Application fee: RMB 3,000 (one‑time, non‑refundable). - Registration / placement deposit: RMB 25,000 (one‑time; reported as refundable). Tuition fees (by year group) — annual and per semester Note: tuition is published on an annual basis; the school academic year is split into two semesters, so per‑semester amounts below are the annual fee divided by two (arithmetic shown). - Nursery 2 (age 2): Annual RMB 243,900 — Per semester RMB 121,950. - Kindergarten 1 (age 3): Annual RMB 264,800 — Per semester RMB 132,400. - Kindergarten 2 (age 4): Annual RMB 264,800 — Per semester RMB 132,400. - Kindergarten 3 / Reception (age 5): Annual RMB 313,900 — Per semester RMB 156,950. - Year 1 — Year 3: Annual RMB 313,900 — Per semester RMB 156,950. - Year 4 — Year 5: Annual RMB 320,200 — Per semester RMB 160,100. - Year 6 — Year 8: Annual RMB 350,200 — Per semester RMB 175,100. - Year 9 — Year 10: Annual RMB 356,400 — Per semester RMB 178,200. - Year 11 — Year 13 (upper secondary): Annual RMB 362,700 — Per semester RMB 181,350. Billing schedule & payment terms - Tuition figures are quoted annually; the school year runs as two semesters (see calendar). Specific invoicing dates, installment options and late‑payment terms are set in the school's Fees & Policies and on individual invoices. Boarding - YCIS Shanghai operates as a day school; boarding is not applicable. Other costs - Typical additional charges include: school uniform (available via the school's online order link), school bus/transportation, extracurricular activities/CCAs, field trips, examination fees (external IGCSE/IB charges where applicable), meals, textbooks and incidental or activity charges. The school's admissions materials and online shop reference these categories. Refund information (known items) - Application fee: non‑refundable. Registration/placement deposit: reported as refundable. Further refund rules for tuition and other charges are defined in the school's Fees & Policies document. Fee payment options - Reported accepted payment methods: online payment; cash in RMB; credit/bank card payment (in person — bank service charge may apply); and electronic/bank transfer. Bank transfer details and invoice instructions appear in admission/fees documentation. Discounts - A sibling discount (reported for large families) — example: a 5% tuition discount for families with three or more enrolled children — is reported in published fee summaries.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements The school does not offer boarding. All students must reside in Shanghai with at least one parent.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Uniforms and sports kits are mandatory. The dress code is specified for each year group, and the uniform shop is on the first floor of Building A next to the V&A Café.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Catering is provided by Aden. Menus include daily Asian and Western options such as sandwiches and noodles with vegetarian choices, and allergens are posted; the environment is nut-free.	Food options The school operates a campus cafeteria where meals are available to students. A lunch-card system is used for cafeteria dining on Pudong and Puxi campuses.
House system	House system The house system comprises eight houses: Combermere, Hill, Hopetoun, Wellesley, Stanley, Lynedoch, Hardinge and Orange. Pupils are allocated to a house on joining and remain in it; houses coordinate academic, artistic and sporting activities and foster school identity.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is governed by Wellington College Education (China) (WCEC). The governing framework includes the WCEC Executive Board, School Affairs Boards and four sub-committees (Academic, Facilities and Services, Finance and HR, Safeguarding). Appointments come from Wellington College in the UK and WCEC.	Governance and ownership The school is part of the YCYW Education Network.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Wellington College International Shanghai delivers a bilingual (English–Mandarin) curriculum across Early Years, Primary and Secondary stages, integrating Mandarin as a core subject and offering a Dual Language Pathway. The Early Years Centre (Pre‑Nursery, Nursery, Reception; ages 2–5) follows a bespoke programme linked to the UK Early Years Foundation Stage with play‑based and inquiry approaches. The Primary School (Years 1–6) uses the English National Curriculum adapted for international learners, delivered through a concept‑based Programme of Inquiry and substantial Chinese language provision. The Secondary School serves ages 11–18 (Years 7–13): pupils study towards IGCSE qualifications in Years 10–11 (core English, mathematics, sciences plus options in humanities, languages, arts and PE). Sixth Form (Years 12–13) follows the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP); Mandarin study routes include IGCSE Mandarin in Years 10–11 and IB language options (ab initio, Chinese B, or Chinese A at SL/HL) in the Diploma years.	Curriculum details Yew Chung International School of Shanghai educates expatriate children from K2 to Year 13 (ages 2–18) across its Puxi and Pudong campuses. Early Childhood (K2–K4) uses a bilingual co‑teaching model (one native English and one native Chinese teacher) and follows a play‑based approach guided by the UK “Development Matters” Early Years framework. Primary and lower secondary (Years 1–9) follow the school's YCIS international curriculum with integrated Chinese Studies and continued bilingual instruction. Upper secondary is a two‑stage external‑exam pathway: Years 10–11 sit Cambridge IGCSE subjects (the school is an authorised Cambridge Assessment centre) and Years 12–13 study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). YCIS Shanghai is accredited by NEASC and CIS, reports recent IGCSE and IB outcomes on its site, and offers modern languages (including Mandarin and Spanish) alongside the core curriculum, university guidance and co‑curricular programmes.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Wellington states that pastoral care is central to the College and that every school day begins with a pastoral session led by class teachers, form tutors, heads of year and tutors to provide one-to-one and group discussions, quiet self‑study and wellbeing reflection. The school says its wellbeing curriculum was developed in partnership with the Institute of Positive Education and includes age‑appropriate PSHE elements and mindfulness to build emotional literacy. Pastoral provision is described as operating across Early Years to Year 13, with class teachers taking the lead in Early Years/Primary and heads of year and tutors leading in Senior School. Specific staff roles named on the site include heads of year, tutors and specialists from the Pupil Services department.	Social & emotional learning YCIS Shanghai states it delivers a school-wide Wellbeing Programme that is emphasised in daily lessons, weekly assemblies and other learning activities to develop students' social and emotional skills. The school names specific counsellors and pastoral staff who contribute to wellbeing work and describes character education activities (for example, annual Charity Week) as part of students' social development. Early Childhood and Primary classes use a bilingual co-teaching model (English and Chinese co‑teachers), which the school says supports students' identity, relationships and intercultural skills. Transition programmes and pastoral arrangements (homeroom teachers, year-level leaders and counselling teams) are described as supporting social and emotional needs during key moves (for example Primary→Secondary).
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The College's website describes a Learning Support department that provides support and guidance to pupils with learning difficulties at varying levels and that the school works closely with teachers, pupils and parents to identify, plan and review bespoke support. The school states that, in some cases, it will engage external partners where the need demands it, and the site references external speech‑language specialists in related events. The website does not present Wellington College International Shanghai as a specialist SEN institution; provision is described as school‑based Learning Support rather than specialised residential or specialist SEN provision. Specific diagnostic categories (for example, autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disorders, etc.) are not listed on the public pages.	Special educational needs (SEN) YCIS's published admissions guidance states applicants must be able to access the regular curriculum “without needing support beyond our English as an Additional Language programme and supplemental learning resources,” which indicates limited scope for intensive specialist SEN provision. The school's website does not present a detailed public list of the specific types of SEN it can support or a dedicated specialist‑SEN programme, and it is not described on the website as a specialist SEN institution. Where further or specialist services are required the admissions statement implies those needs may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis during application. Because the website does not publish a comprehensive SEN policy or an explicit list of conditions supported, families requiring significant specialist provision should contact admissions for definitive guidance.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language Wellington publishes a dedicated explanation of its EAL provision: pupils are grouped by ability into three tiers (beginners, intermediate and highly proficient) and may receive targeted small‑group intervention, in‑class EAL teacher support or enrichment and challenge as appropriate. The site names a Director of English as Additional Language and describes practices such as withdrawal groups, in‑class support from EAL teachers and a 1:1 reading programme with interns to develop English proficiency. The pages emphasise immersion in an English‑rich environment alongside structured support to develop both conversational and academic English.	English as an additional language YCIS Shanghai's admissions and curriculum pages state the school provides EAL (English as an Additional Language) support for students whose mother tongue is not English. The school describes EAL being delivered as a separate lesson in Primary and notes in transition guidance that English/EAL is taught by English co‑teachers together with an additional EAL teacher to support diverse learner needs. The Early Childhood bilingual co‑teaching model (English and Chinese teachers in each class) is presented as a core part of language access across the school. The website therefore documents that EAL provision exists but does not publish detailed programme syllabuses or class‑size/teacher‑ratio specifics online.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school describes a central Pupil Services hub that includes counselling, life coaches and learning support and states that wellbeing is delivered through timetabled lessons and specialist interventions. A news article on the site reports that the Pupil Services team includes trained coaches, counsellors, staff trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and art therapists, and that there are fortnightly wellbeing lessons from Year 1 to 13 developed with the Institute of Positive Education. The site also refers to workshops from external specialists (for example ELG) and parent workshops as part of the wider mental‑health provision. Specific hour‑by‑hour service schedules or clinical treatment protocols are not published on the public pages.	Mental wellbeing The school describes a Wellbeing Programme that is integrated into the curriculum and daily school life and names school counsellors who lead wellbeing and transition support. YCIS articles on wellbeing detail practical initiatives used during periods of remote learning (for example active‑movement challenges, wellbeing webinars and resilience workshops) and note assemblies and Life Skills elements that support students' mental health. Transition pages also state that counselling staff and year‑level leaders provide pastoral support during key changes, such as moving from Primary to Secondary. The website does not publish a formal student mental‑health policy with exhaustive lists of clinical services on the public pages, so families wanting clinical or specialist mental‑health support should enquire directly with the school.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding Wellington's safeguarding pages state the College has robust child‑protection policies and procedures, requires all staff to read and sign the Safeguarding Policy and Staff Code of Conduct annually, and provides annual safeguarding training for staff. The school says it follows the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection for recruitment and requires rigorous background checks for staff appointments. The site gives a named contact for safeguarding concerns (Designated Safeguarding Lead, Gemma McDonagh) and offers the full Safeguarding Policy as a downloadable document. For details of policy text, reporting routes or statutory timings, the site directs readers to the downloadable safeguarding policy.	Safeguarding YCIS Shanghai publishes material stating that child protection and safeguarding are compulsory elements of staff training and school practice; the site describes annual in‑person child protection training for all staff, follow‑up online modules during the year, and mandatory Adult Codes of Conduct for staff and volunteers. The school reports that additional training on intimate‑care guidelines is provided for Early Childhood staff and that visitors who work with children must sign safeguarding acknowledgements before working on campus. YCIS also highlights that its broader accreditation and professional‑development programme includes child‑protection training for staff. The website provides a specific child‑protection/safeguarding page and news article outlining these requirements; for procedural details (reporting pathways, Designated Safeguarding Lead contact, external reporting) parents should consult the school's published Child Protection page or contact the school directly.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The campus includes two swimming pools, a sports hall, a running track, football and rugby pitches, and the Dome. The Wellington College Theatre and Blackbox Theatre provide spaces for performances by pupils across year groups. Art and Design & Technology studios and private practice spaces support creative work. The academic facilities are state-of-the-art with interactive digital whiteboards, VR headsets, digital tablets, a robotics lab and a miniature planetarium. An all-new organic garden offers hands-on learning about sustainable food production and horticulture.	Facilities overview YCIS Shanghai operates multiple campuses in Puxi, Pudong and Lingang to serve students from Early Childhood through Upper Secondary. The school maintains a bilingual English-Chinese program. The Lingang campus features a library, large flexible classrooms with interactive touchscreen technology, air filtration units, music and multi-purpose rooms, and maker spaces with rooftop garden space. The Puxi campus includes a swimming pool located on the B1 level as part of a fitness centre that also contains a gym, rock climbing walls and a dance studio.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities World-class sports facilities include three 11-a-side football pitches, three basketball courts, three volleyball courts, up to seven netball and tennis courts, a 25-meter pool and a 15-meter pool, and a 400-meter athletics track. The Wellington Extra programme provides additional small-group training. The school recognises talent through Sports Fellowship and Scholarship programmes. The sports programme supports competitive teams and local, regional and international competition opportunities.	Sports facilities The Puxi campus has a swimming pool on the B1 level as part of a fitness centre with a gym, rock climbing walls and a dance studio. The Lingang campus has an all-weather sports field and a gymnasium for sports and CCAs. YCIS Shanghai supports a broad sports program with teams and competitions, including swimming, football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, touch rugby and badminton, with participation in CISSA, SISAC and ACAMIS.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Academic facilities are state-of-the-art with interactive digital whiteboards, VR headsets, digital tablets, a robotics lab and a miniature planetarium.	Academic facilities The Lingang campus features large, bright flexible classrooms with interactive touchscreen technology and air filtration units. It also includes a library housing a large collection of English and Chinese literature, as well as music and multi-purpose rooms and colourful maker spaces. The theatre and sports facilities, including a gymnasium and a swimming pool, are part of Lingang's ongoing campus development.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities The Dome and professional-grade theatre spaces support performances in dance, orchestra, drama and musical theatre. Regular productions and concerts engage pupils across year groups. Art and D&T studios, along with private practice spaces, support a wide range of creative pursuits. The organic garden provides hands-on learning about sustainable farming and horticulture.	Extra curricular facilities Campus Life offers diverse co-curricular activities (CCAs). YCIS Shanghai provides swimming programmes and swim teams at the Puxi campus, and maintains a wide range of sports teams; the school competes in CISSA, SISAC and ACAMIS and has earned trophies in multiple sports.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Wellington College International Shanghai opened in 2014 as part of the Wellington College Education (China) group and sits within the wider Wellington College global network. The Wellington China group (WCEC) was founded by Joy Qiao in 2009 and had opened its first school in Tianjin in 2011 before expanding to Shanghai in 2014. The school is governed through WCEC's multi‑layered model, which includes a WCEC Executive Board and a School Affairs Board responsible for strategic oversight and school‑level governance. Wellington College Education (China) positions its schools as part of a coordinated network that shares leadership and standards across sites.	History YCIS Shanghai was established in 1993 and is described on the school website as the first independent international school in Shanghai to be officially recognised and registered with the Chinese government. The school grew from YCIS's Hong Kong roots and is part of the broader Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) Education Network; YCYW traces its origins to 1932 and positions YCIS Shanghai as its first mainland China campus. Over the past three decades the school expanded to multiple campuses across Puxi, Pudong and Lingang to serve Early Childhood through Upper Secondary students.
Community	Community The school community comprises pupils, parents, staff and alumni who take part in a busy annual calendar of community and cultural events organised with parental involvement. Regular highlights include UN Day and the International Food Festival (IFF), a Winter Bazaar, a Summer Festival and an Annual Ball, all of which bring together families and staff to celebrate cultural diversity and the school year. Parent and pupil testimony published by the school emphasises the role of the house system and co‑curricular activities in building community connections and cross‑year relationships.	Community YCIS Shanghai's public pages note a multicultural student body across several campuses (the site cites students from 50+ nationalities and a student population in the low thousands). The school and the YCYW network run recurring community-wide activities — for example the annual Founder's Day (a network-wide celebration with campus-level sports, assemblies and family activities) and the network's ‘Learning Communities' programme that connects students, teachers and sometimes parents across flexible learning spaces. The school's “Our Community” section groups information for parents, students and alumni and points to campus-specific events and communications channels.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association Friends of Wellington (FOW) is the school's parent‑teacher community group; the school describes it as more than a conventional PTA and says it brings parents, teachers and other community members together to share, learn and celebrate. FOW is explicitly involved in charitable activities and in organising many of the school's annual events, including the Winter Bazaar, Summer Festival, Annual Ball and UN Day/IFF. The group coordinates volunteers, runs event stalls and supports community fundraising and social programmes, with opportunities for parents to sign up or ask about involvement. Parents are invited to contact the FOW via friendsofwellington@wellingtoncollege.cn or through the school's admissions/enquiry form to find out about current volunteering roles and events. The school presents FOW as an integral part of college life that helps shape the community calendar and outreach work.	Parent teacher association The YCIS Shanghai website includes a dedicated “Our Parents” area and a Parents Login portal, but it does not publish a single, clearly labelled city‑wide “PTA” page in the public site menus. The site's event coverage shows parents taking part in campus activities (cheering at Founder's Day runs, family picnics, and house competitions) and school news frequently highlights campus-level, parent‑facing events. Based on the publicly available pages, parental engagement appears organised at the campus level through parent portals, event volunteer opportunities and campus communications rather than through a single public PTA document — for exact details (committee contacts, formal meeting schedules or volunteer sign-ups) the school directs parents to their campus office or the Parents Login. If you'd like, I can check the school's parents portal or contact pages for current campus PTA contacts or recent parent‑run events (I would need permission to search deeper or you can share any login materials).
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school uses English as the official language of instruction while Mandarin is taught as a core subject through Year 9, with many pupils continuing Mandarin through graduation. The bilingual curriculum seamlessly integrates English and Mandarin, supporting academic development across subjects. Pupils may follow Cambridge IGCSE or the IB Diploma Programme in the secondary years. There is a Dual Language Pathway that provides immersive English‑Mandarin learning from Early Years through Year 8.	Academic & intellectual The school has six campuses located in Puxi, Pudong and Lingang.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The IB Diploma Programme includes arts subjects such as Music, Visual Arts and Theatre. The school integrates creative arts as part of the diploma and broader curriculum, supporting creative expression alongside academic study. Students have opportunities to pursue creative subjects within the standard IB/Diploma framework.	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language English is the official language of instruction, and Mandarin Chinese is taught as a core subject across the College. The Chinese learning programme is mandatory for all pupils through Year 9, with pathways to continue Chinese study into IGCSE and IB years. Courses cover Chinese language and culture for learners at every level from Year 1 to Year 13, and the school marks traditional Chinese celebrations with cultural events.	Cultural & language The school provides a bilingual learning environment in which English and Chinese are equally valued; in Early Years, classes are led by one native English-speaking and one native Chinese-speaking teacher.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies A daily co-curricular activities programme provides opportunities beyond classroom learning, including cultural and linguistic activities that support language and social engagement.	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service The IB Diploma Programme includes Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) as a core requirement, integrating community involvement, personal development and service.	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Wellbeing is an integral part of the curriculum. Lessons and workshops address physical health, mental wellbeing, ethics, relationships and identity, and careers and aspirations, helping pupils develop empathy, self‑awareness, resilience and independence.	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The language of instruction is English. Mandarin Chinese is taught as a core subject throughout the College and is mandatory for all pupils until Year 9, with many pupils continuing to graduate. Chinese language and culture courses are offered for pupils at every level from Year 1 to Year 12. Chinese is complemented by foreign languages: Year 7–9 pupils select an extra language from French or Spanish (or Chinese Study in addition to Chinese). From Year 10 to Year 13, pupils may choose any one foreign language from Chinese, French and Spanish as part of the IGCSE or IB options. Elective courses in Chinese culture are available as part of the Chinese language programme. The school assesses pupils' abilities and places them in classes accordingly.	Language provision In Early Childhood, the programme is bilingual and co-teachers support English and Chinese language development. In Primary, Chinese remains important and is used extensively, while more subjects are taught in English. Students have at least one hour of English and one hour of Chinese classes daily; Mathematics and Topic are co-taught in English and Mandarin; Specialist classes (Art, ICT, PE, Music) are taught in English. EAL (English as an Additional Language), CAL (Chinese as an Additional Language), and CFL (Chinese as a First Language) support is provided. In Primary, the English National Curriculum is adapted for an international context with Chinese culture and character education included.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school offers a bilingual curriculum that seamlessly integrates English and Mandarin. Bilingual programs exist alongside the British curriculum. This approach supports international-mindedness and cross-cultural communication.	Bilingual teaching The school uses a bilingual learning environment in Early Childhood where Chinese and English are equally valued. Each Early Years class has a co-teaching team of one native English-speaking teacher and one native Chinese-speaking teacher to provide an immersive, bilingual experience. In K2, two co-teachers and a full-time classroom assistant support the learning in small classes. In K3 and K4, the two-co-teacher model continues to support a fully bilingual experience.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs The Dual Language Pathway provides fully bilingual immersion in English and Chinese, from the early years through Year 8. Classes are taught by a native English speaker and a native Chinese speaker in parallel, with a native-language assistant supporting activities such as PE and co-curriculars. The pathway prepares pupils to progress to first-language English and Chinese IGCSE courses and, finally, the bilingual IB Diploma.	Immersion programs The co-teaching model creates an immersive bilingual environment across Early Childhood, with English and Chinese language development supported simultaneously. K2 and K3/K4 experiences are bilingual with equal emphasis on both languages, weaving Eastern and Western cultures into daily activities.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards (Only awards and recognitions explicitly reported on the school website and awarded to the school or the school organisation are listed, with the school's own wording and dates.) - Carfax Education – The Schools Index: Top 150 Private Schools in the World (recognition) — Wellington College International Shanghai was named among the Carfax Education ‘Top 150 Private Schools in the world' (reported on the school website on 30 Oct 2024). This is a published international index in which the school appears. - Forbes China International School Annual Selection (2024) — Wellington College International Shanghai is reported on the school site as placing 3rd nationwide in Forbes China's 2024 International School Annual Selection (reported 15 Jul 2024). This is a rankings/selection published by Forbes China and the school reports that placing. - Hurun Education Top International Schools in China (listed results reported on school site) — the school reports being ranked #1 in Shanghai and #4 in China in Hurun Education's Top International Schools (report on 5 Apr 2024 referring to the Hurun list); later reporting shows the Wellington China schools on the Hurun 2025 list with Wellington Shanghai listed as 6th in China (reported 6 Aug 2025). These are national/regional rankings published by Hurun and published on the school website. - HR Asia ‘Best Companies to Work for in Asia' and related employer awards (2024) — the school's site reports that HR Asia named ‘Wellington' one of the Best Companies to Work for in Asia (announcement dated 18 Nov 2024) and that the organisation also received HR Asia DEI and ‘Most Caring Company' awards that year. These are employer/organisation awards reported on the school site. - British Chamber / British Business Awards — Business Partnership Award (2024) — the school's site reports that Wellington College Education (China) won the Business Partnership Award at the 2024 British Business Awards (reported 7 Jan 2025). The school's article makes clear this award was presented to Wellington College Education (China) (the group), and that the school reports it on its news feed. - Forbes China Annual Selection — 2025 family recognition — the school's site reports (19 Jun 2025) that all six Wellington College Education (China) schools were recognised in the Forbes China 2025 International Schools Annual Selection (this is reported as a multi-campus recognition that includes the Shanghai campus). How I compiled this - All items above are taken from pages on the Wellington College International Shanghai website (news items, curriculum pages and the site footer links). Each award or accreditation listed is accompanied by the specific school web page where it is reported or linked. If you want, I can now verify institutional accreditation entries (dates and current status) directly against the issuing organisations' public directories and return a short verification list (with direct links to each accreditation record).	Awards I searched the school's official website for school-level awards dated within the past five years (January 1, 2021–December 31, 2025) and found the following items that the school (not individual students) received. Each entry lists the award, the date reported on the school site, and a one-line explanation of its significance: - Staff Development and Wellbeing Award — British Chamber of Commerce China Schools Awards 2022 (awarded at the CSA ceremony on 24 February 2023; reported on the YCIS site 1 March 2023): recognised Yew Chung Yew Wah Education Network's (YCYW) long-term commitment to staff development, training and wellbeing; the award highlights the network's practices and systems for teacher/professional development and staff support. - Outstanding Contribution Award (School) — RAISE2023 (RAISE 2023: 6th Asia International Schools Conference & China International Schools 30th Anniversary awards; event reported 10 November 2023, YCIS article dated 23 November 2023): presented to YCIS Shanghai as a school-level recognition for distinctive contribution to the international school sector in China. Note on scope and sources: these two school-level awards are the only awards for the school explicitly reported on YCIS Shanghai's official website within the specified five-year window. The site contains many reports of student-level examination prizes (e.g., Cambridge ‘Top in China/Top in World') and internal scholarship announcements; per your request I did not include student awards or scholarships and have only listed awards that the school (or the school as an institution) received and that are documented on the school website.
Accreditations	Accreditations - International Baccalaureate (IB) — The school offers the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP); the IB is the international organisation that authorises and quality-assures IB programmes and indicates the school is authorised to deliver the Diploma. - Cambridge IGCSE (Cambridge Assessment International Education) — Wellington Shanghai offers IGCSE examinations (including Cambridge IGCSE Mandarin) as part of its secondary pathway; Cambridge IGCSE is the international qualification-awarding body for those exams. - Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) — ACS WASC is a regional accrediting body whose mention on the school site indicates the school's relationship with an internationally recognised U.S.-based accreditation process for schools. (ACS WASC is linked from the school's website footer.) - Council of British International Schools (COBIS) — COBIS is a UK-based membership and quality-assurance organisation for British international schools; the school's site links to COBIS, indicating membership/association. - Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA) — FOBISIA is a regional association of British-style schools in Asia (member schools take part in FOBISIA events and networks); the school's site links to FOBISIA. - Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS) — ACAMIS is a regional association for international schools in China and Mongolia (sporting and academic events and networking); the school both links to ACAMIS and appears as an ACAMIS host/participant in its news. - Council/Association of International Schools (COIS/CIS) — the site links to COIS/CIS resources; CIS-style accreditation/membership is a school-wide evaluative and improvement framework used by international schools. (The school footer includes a link to the organisation.) - Fieldwork Education / primary-curriculum relationship — the school's site links to Fieldwork Education (provider of internationally used primary curriculums), indicating curriculum alignment or use at primary levels. Note: the items above are taken from the school's own website (main pages, curriculum pages and footer links). Where the site links to an external body (for example ACS WASC, COBIS, FOBISIA, ACAMIS, IB), that is the publicly visible indication on the school site of the school's relationship with those organisations. If you would like, I can (a) check each organisation's public directory to confirm the exact accreditation/membership status and the dates of accreditation, or (b) request copies of the school's accreditation certificates (if you want formal verification).	Accreditations Below are the accreditations and authorisations listed on YCIS Shanghai's official website, with a one-line explanation of each and why it matters: - Council of International Schools (CIS): an international school accreditation body that evaluates whole-school quality against international benchmarks; CIS accreditation signals that a school meets widely-recognised international standards for governance, teaching, safeguarding and continuous improvement. - New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC): a U.S.-based regional accrediting organisation; NEASC accreditation indicates the school meets standards commonly used for school recognition and quality assurance in the U.S. and internationally. - National Centre for Curriculum and Textbook (NCCT) / joint China accreditation participation: YCIS Shanghai was selected to participate in the NCCT–CIS–NEASC joint accreditation process and was accredited under that joint review; NCCT involvement indicates the school has been evaluated in the context of Chinese national curriculum/textbook authorities as part of a recognised joint accreditation pathway. - Cambridge Assessment / authorised Cambridge Examination Centre (IGCSE): the Secondary School is authorised as a Cambridge Assessment examinations centre for IGCSE, meaning it is approved to offer and administer Cambridge IGCSE qualifications on site. - International Baccalaureate (IB) — IB World School (IB Diploma Programme, IBDP): the school is authorised to offer the IB Diploma Programme at upper secondary level, which means it has met the IB organisation's requirements for curriculum, teacher support and assessment for the diploma.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and information-gathering. Contact the Wellington Admissions team (phone and email are published on the school site) or use the online enquiry/OpenApply link to request the Admissions booklet and the application checklist; parents should download and read the booklet and checklist so they know exactly which documents the school requires. 2. Complete the online application. Applications are submitted via the school's OpenApply portal; you will need to upload the documents listed on the published checklist (for example: passport/ID, recent school reports and any assessment records). There is a non‑refundable application fee (RMB 3,500) that must be paid for the application to be reviewed — make sure you attach all required files before submitting. 3. Assessment scheduling and format. After a completed application is received the school arranges an age‑appropriate Wellington admission assessment; assessments are usually held at the campus but can be arranged remotely if your child lives outside Shanghai. Parents should prepare for an assessment that looks at age‑appropriate literacy, numeracy and learning behaviours — the school notes assessment results are considered but are not the sole basis for decisions. 4. Admissions Committee review and decision timing. Applications (including assessment outcomes and submitted documents) are reviewed by the Admissions Committee; the school aims to notify applicants within five working days but warns that busier year groups may take longer. Keep in regular contact with your assigned admissions officer if you need a faster update or if you must meet any internal deadlines. 5. Offer, acceptance and deposits. If you receive an offer the school issues an offer letter; to secure the place parents must accept the College's terms and pay the stated resource fee (the site lists RMB 18,000) within the published acceptance window (the school's page specifies a five‑day deadline). Check the offer letter carefully for the exact payment deadline and the method (bank transfer instructions/terms will be on the letter). 6. Waiting pool / provisional placement (if no place is immediately available). If no places are available you may be placed in the school's waiting pool (the school uses the term “waiting pool” rather than a simple first‑come queue); placement into that pool only happens after a completed application, assessment and a recommendation by the Admissions Committee. The school emphasises that the waiting pool is managed by “best fit” (not strictly by application date) and that not all applicants in the pool will be offered a place. 7. Practical documents, timelines and re‑application. An application remains valid for one academic year (August–June); if you wish to apply for the following year you must submit a fresh application. Parents should also prepare routine documents (proofs of guardianship/residency, up‑to‑date school reports, immunisation/health records where required) in advance to avoid delaying assessment and review. 8. Fees, what they cover and when to review them. The school publishes a detailed fee schedule (the site's 2025–26 schedule lists annual and term breakdowns by year group) and states which items are included (most curriculum materials, basic co‑curricular activities and some trips) and which are excluded (school lunches, uniform, transport, individual music tuition and voluntary trips). Parents should download the full fee schedule from the school site and check the exact figure for their child's year group before accepting an offer. 9. Final enrolment steps and contact. After you accept an offer and complete payment, follow any onboarding instructions from Admissions (medical forms, start‑date confirmation, orientation details). If you have timing constraints (relocation dates, visa timing, sibling placements) communicate these early to your Admissions officer as published contact details are available on the school site.	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and eligibility check — Contact the YCIS Shanghai Admissions team to start. Parents should confirm that the family meets local eligibility rules for international schools in Shanghai (typically foreign passports and supporting residency/visa documents) before applying; the school's Admissions pages explain these requirements and offer an Age Placement Guide and Application Checklist to help determine the correct year level. If you plan to transfer from another YCIS campus, note that internal transfers are facilitated with reduced paperwork. 2. Book a visit / information meeting — Arrange a campus visit, open day or a virtual meeting with Admissions to see the campus, ask about bus routes, meal service, EAL provision and learning-support capacity, and to confirm which campus (Puxi, Pudong or Lingang) you prefer. Parents should bring photo ID and the child's most recent school reports to the meeting, and ask for the Application Checklist so they can prepare documents correctly. Visits are useful to confirm practical matters (bus stops, start times) that affect daily logistics. 3. Complete the online application — Submit the official online application through YCIS's admissions portal and select the preferred campus. The portal collects basic family and student details and prompts for the required uploads (passport copies, proof of residency/visa where required, recent school report, immunisation record and any support plans). Completing the online form early in the admissions cycle is recommended; make sure the uploaded documents are clear and translated into English if necessary. 4. Application fee, deposit and invoice expectations — After submission you should expect to be informed about any application fee and, if an offer is made, the acceptance deposit/enrolment fee and payment deadlines. Published fee summaries used by multiple school-fee services show a one‑time application fee (reported around RMB 3,000) and a refundable enrolment deposit (reported around RMB 25,000), but families should confirm the current amounts and payment methods with Admissions and on the official invoice before paying. Keep receipts and read the school's withdrawal/refund policy in the Fees documentation. 5. Assessment and interview — For placement the school will consider academic history, English proficiency, special skills/talents, social‑emotional readiness and date of birth; applicants may be asked to complete age‑appropriate placement tests and attend an interview (in person or online). Younger children may have play‑based assessments; older applicants are usually given subject/English assessments and a short interview. If English is limited, the school will assess whether the child can access the regular curriculum with the school's EAL support (students who require specialist or intensive SEN support beyond the school's published provision may not be admitted). 6. Offer, contract and acceptance — If a place is offered you will receive an offer letter or invoice that sets out the deadline to accept, deposit/payment instructions, and the contract terms. Read the contract carefully for start date, payment schedule, minimum enrolment period and any conditions attached to the offer (for example, proof of residency or work permit if not already provided). Parents normally accept by returning a signed contract and paying the required deposit by the stated deadline to secure the place. 7. Preparation before start date — Once the place is confirmed, arrange school uniform sizing, school bus registration (if needed), meal plan choices, and provide any medical or learning‑support documentation requested. If your child needs EAL support, coordinate with the school about initial assessments and any recommended resources so they can start with appropriate support. Ask Admissions for arrival/orientation dates and the school calendar so you can plan travel and housing around term start dates. 8. Onboarding and placement adjustments — On the child's first weeks the school will typically complete induction and may make minor placement adjustments once they have observed the student in class; keep lines of communication open with the class teacher and the Admissions/Year‑Level leader. If your child is moving mid‑year, expect a formal placement assessment and an agreed in‑year start plan, including catch‑up or bridging suggestions. Parents should maintain copies of medical forms, prior reports and any individual education plans, as these speed the placement process. 9. Follow‑up and appeals — If an application is declined or a child is placed in a different year level than expected, ask Admissions for written feedback and guidance on re‑application or alternative options (including the waiting pool if applicable). If you plan to reapply or update application materials, send the improved documents and new reports to the Admissions office so they can re‑assess when a vacancy arises. YCIS also supports transfers within the YCYW network, which can simplify moves between sister campuses.
Scholarships	Scholarships Wellington Shanghai runs a Fellows & Scholars programme plus means‑tested bursaries. The Fellows Programme recognises pupils (years 10–13) for exceptional contribution in academics, the arts or sport and does not carry a monetary award; Fellows gain additional enrichment opportunities. The Scholars (scholarship) awards are merit‑based, limited in number, focused in Academics, Arts or Sport, carry a bespoke programme of study and may include a fee reduction (the school's communications and news posts reference scholarships that can provide either 50% or 100% reductions in tuition for successful applicants). Applicants for scholarship consideration are typically identified or nominated by subject/department leaders during the admissions process (the site notes there is no separate formal application for scholarship — nominations are reviewed by a scholarship committee). In addition, the College offers bursaries for families in financial need; bursaries are awarded annually after objective means testing and the level of support is limited, so families should contact Admissions for the specific process and timeline. For full details, eligibility criteria and current deadlines consult the school's Fellowship, Scholarship and Bursaries page and the scholarship announcements on the school site.	Scholarships YCYW (the Yew Chung Yew Wah network) operates a network scholarship programme that is implemented at YCIS campuses, including YCIS Shanghai. The programme awards merit‑based scholarships for academic excellence, leadership, service and subject/talent strengths; award categories include the Madam Tsang Chor‑hang Memorial Scholarship, Yew Chung Yew Wah Subject & Talent Awards, and Yew Chung Yew Wah IGCSE/IB/A‑Level Academic Awards. Eligible applicants are typically current or prospective students in the upper years (network guidance and campus notices commonly reference Years 7–13), and external applicants are usually required to submit admission materials and take designated tests (CEM/CPT or equivalent) before scholarship application. Scholarship support varies by award and campus; the network's published material indicates tuition‑fee waivers ranging from partial (about 15%–25% for some awards) up to full (100%) and durations commonly from two to three years depending on the scholarship type, with an annual review and a selection process that includes a written application and panel interview. YCIS Shanghai publishes its own scholarship announcements and timeline (application season, short‑listing, panel interviews and final decisions—application windows are usually in the November–January period with interviews and decisions in the months that follow), so families should contact the YCIS Shanghai Admissions or scholarship email for current deadlines, application forms, and the exact percentage and duration available at that campus.
Waitlist	Waitlist Wellington College International Shanghai operates a formal waiting pool (referred to on the site as a “waiting pool”). A child is placed into the waiting pool only after the application has been completed, the assessment has been carried out and the Admissions Committee has recommended placement. The school states that the waiting pool is managed by suitability/best fit rather than strictly by application order, and that families will be contacted if a place becomes available; it also warns that not all applicants in the pool will ultimately receive an offer.	Waitlist YCIS schools keep a waiting pool when a year level is full rather than a single‑ranked public queue; applicants who meet the admission criteria but cannot be placed immediately may be held in that pool until space becomes available. Priority considerations used when moving candidates from the pool to offer places include sibling status, campus balance and curriculum/age fit; parents are advised to confirm whether they must re‑confirm interest to remain in the pool and how long a pool placement is valid at the specific campus. The practice of maintaining a waiting pool and giving sibling priority is used across the YCYW/YCIS network (for example, another YCIS campus page explicitly states a waiting pool is maintained when a year level is full), so expect similar local practice at YCIS Shanghai and check with Admissions for campus‑specific details and timelines.
	View full profile →	View full profile →