It was founded originally as Wellington Academy in 1837[3] as an all-boys school by Benjamin Frost (Headmaster 1837–1848).

[5][6] The Princess Royal Sports Complex was offered to competitors in the 2012 London Olympics for training.

Built between 1928 and 1931 by C. H. Biddulph-Pinchard, the Grade II listed[12] red brick building is dressed with stone and has a flat roof which is concealed behind a parapet.

The Chapel went through specialist restoration work in 2013 which involved the repainting of the ceiling among other maintenance tasks.

This restoration was funded partly by the school's Old Wellingtonians' Association The east end of the building holds choir stalls and an organ loft over the entrance vestibule.

Though some assemblies and concerts are also held in the building, there are Sunday services throughout term time for boarders and members of the public; these involve regular performances by the school's chapel choir.

The 37 members of the Wellington School Community who gave their lives are listed on the walls of the Chapel.

Confirmation and all the other occasional offices of the church are open to all members of the school community on request.

The cadets learn military based skills such as drill, weapons handling, map and compass, battlecraft, climbing, abseiling and leadership development.

[13] Wellington School is unique in having three field exercises a year, each lasting three days and two nights.

A full-time member of staff at Wellington School runs the CCF and acts as the senior officer.