With a brand new campus opening in BSD, Wellington College Independent School Jakarta will welcome its first ‘Founding Families’ this August 2026. NOW! Jakarta speaks to the Founding Head of School, Ms Melissa Meyers, on what this historic UK institution will bring to education in Jakarta.
Congratulations on opening the first Wellington College school here in Indonesia. Though the Jakarta campus will be new, Wellington College has a long history. Could you share some background with us?
It’s my absolute pleasure to be part of the founding team that will bring Wellington College to Jakarta. Built over one hundred and sixty-five years of tradition, Wellington College was founded in the UK by Queen Victoria as a national memorial to the 1st Duke of Wellington. So, we have a royal legacy, but our educational excellence has been developed over time through our very connected ‘Wellington Global Network.’
Here in Jakarta, we will be part of this family of very prestigious schools which focuses on strong academic, holistic growth, wellbeing and character education – everything that embodies a ‘Wellingtonian.’ Of course, Wellington adapts to the local and cultural context, weaving local culture into the curriculum. I believe this to be a winning combination for families here in Jakarta.
This August the school welcomes its first cohorts, from Pre-Nursery to Year 4. What curriculum foundational years?
We follow the curiosity approach, which blends very prestigious early years global curriculums together, benchmarked against the UK’s Early Years Foundations, and then we transition into the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.
Language is also really important to us, and we’ve developed a curriculum that ensures children are well-versed in English, Bahasa Indonesia as well as Mandarin. Depending on the feedback from our founding parents, in this first phase we may be opening from Pre-Nursery, and expand beyond Year 4 as well.
A new school means new teachers – what calibre of educators are being brought into WCIJ?
We have very high expectations of our teachers. They must be trained in the UK curriculum, and preferably have international experience as well. Before joining, teachers go through a rigorous induction where they are connected to Wellington colleagues and build an understanding of our Wellington pedagogical philosophy.
And how about the campus, it’s a brand new compound in BSD, tell us about the grounds and facilities.
The campus is stunning. It’s been carefully designed for early years and primary school learning. We have a wonderful outdoor and indoor flow, which gives children a connection to nature, and features light, bright, flexible classrooms.
The school will also host a Family Day on 29 March at the new campus. Families who would like to attend are warmly invited to register via this form.
Taking from the Reggio Emilia approach, we see the environment as the third teacher, and so the learning spaces encourage creativity and curiosity. The campus features two purpose-built playgrounds: a beautiful early years playground that prioritises sensory exploration, whilst our primary school playground promotes teamwork, strengthening and active movement. Shaded spaces, with the existing trees and vegetation, tie all of these spaces together. We’ve made a lot of considerations about our footprint, making sustainable choices and creating calming environments.
As the Founding Head of School, what kind of school do you envision when those doors open this August?
It’s been like a lifelong dream to be able to create something from the beginning. We will utilise Wellington’s full history and network to create a learning environment where every child feels welcomed, seen, nurtured, inspired, and feels very much that sense of belonging.
Through this environment that we will create, students will learn more about themselves, their interests, and to develop the confidence to be able to follow their dreams.
To become one of the Founding Families of Wellington College Independent School Jakarta: visit: wellingtoncollege.sch.id
