Westminster School

Westminster is a leading academic school at the heart of London, adjacent to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. Its origins can be traced to a charity school established by the Benedictine monks of the Abbey of St Peter. This is a busy, passionate and purposeful place where independent and deep thinking is enjoyed, encouraged and respected by all, and where holistic excellence is nurtured and valued.

Around 130 boys join each year at 13+, with about half coming from Westminster Under School and the remainder from a wide range of schools, mainly in London. In the first year, all pupils follow a common yet comprehensive programme of study that includes English, Mathematics, the Sciences, Geography, History, Religious Studies, French and Classics, as well as Art, Drama, Music and Electronics, Design and Computer Science. The Westminster Sixth Form is unique in London as the only co-educational Sixth Form with day and boarding pupils, welcoming 200 new boys and girls. The study of four A Levels is common, supplemented by Cultural Perspectives and Options courses Olympiads in Mathematics, Science, Linguistics Olympiads as well as other academic competitions. Exam results are outstanding with 92% of all A Levels graded at A* to A.  70 pupils out of the 203 cohort received four A* grades and 94% of pupils achieved their first-choice university.

Approximately a quarter to a third of students are boarders, housed in 6 boys’ houses and a girls’ house. The boarding ethos of the school and numerous staff members that reside on site results in a vibrant community. An extensive array of activities such as society gatherings, lectures, drama productions and concerts takes full advantage of Westminster’s unique location in central London. Two entire afternoons each week are dedicated to sport, known as “Station” at Westminster, with cricket, football, netball and rowing being the major competitive sports. The extensive facilities include niche sports such as fencing, fives and climbing, and every student has a free choice as to which Station option they participate in.

Pupils play their part in the life of the local community through a programme of civic engagement rooted in close relationships with organisations such as The Harris Federation. The annual Westminster Phab, where 30 Sixth Formers spend a week of their summer holiday as the sole carer of people with physical and mental disabilities, is a popular, and a life-changing, experience.