Westminster School: Admissions explained

Is this school The Best (academically) in the UK? Many say that yes, this school is the best school in the UK. In academic terms, Westminster School which is situated in central London, just 5 minutes walk from the Big Ben, a London landmark.

Like Eton College, I have had an experience with their admissions system. For the same reasons, I won’t tell you if I was successful as this would give away which school I went to. In comparison to Eton College, this school is far open to underprivileged and ‘new family’ students as Eton gives advantage to students with family history relating to Eton College.

First things first, entry to this school, in my opinion, is almost as competitive as Oxbridge universities. I say this because around 50% of their leavers go onto either Cambridge or Oxford. The rest go to Harvard, Yale and other top UK universities (LSE, KCL, Imperial etc.). Their exam results are one of the best in the country. Westminster has continuously come top 5 on the national school leagues tables. In 2008 they came third with only Magdalen College School and Wycombe Abby School in front. This made Westminster the best school that a boy could go to (Westminster becomes a co-educational school in the Sixth form but it is only male for lower years). Boarding is also possible.

The entry process is one of the most competitive and demanding system for entry into a school. There are 2 entry points into the school 13+ and 16+. The 13+ entry is only available to boys but 16+ is available to both boys and girls.

13+ Entry
The 13+ entry system is quite similar to the Eton College entry system. This involves testing whilst the boy is in year 6 or aged 10. They will be tested in mathematics, English and Reasoning. A school report/reference is requested and they are also interviewed. Successful candidates are given conditional places (conditional upon passing the common entrance exam or the scholarship exam).

Waiting lists are also made in case a candidate with a conditional offer pulls out. Westminster also recognises that some students may be disadvantaged because candidates must register 2/3 years before entry. Therefore Westminster reserves some places for any gifted students who did not register before the deadline.

The 13+ interview tests the student’s extra-curricular involvement and tests their logical ability.
16+ Entry
This entry point is perhaps the most competitive out of the two. Both girls and boys can apply and this is the only entry point for girls. Registrations open in June and close in the second Wednesday in October. Registrations are completed on the internet. You will create an account which you will access to check results and to submit details. You will need to submit a recent report, details, personal statement and exam results. You will also need to pay the registration fee through Paypal on their website. Entry exams are held in November and this is taken by both UK students and International students. Those applying abroad may take their exams at a British Council or their school having met certain criteria set by Westminster to assess if their school is suitable as a exam centre.

As you take 4 subjects at A-level, 4 subjects must be chosen for the exams. The only exception is if a candidate chooses Further Mathematics (a more challenging course of Maths), they will only need to take 3 subjects as Further Maths is worth 2 A-level grades. They will also take the same maths exam as those doing single (normal) maths. However Further Maths candidates will be expected to gain much higher marks than single maths candidates. Another exception is Art, Art candidates will be required to submit their portfolio.

The 2008 entry exams (for entry in 2009) for UK candidates were held in Central Hall which is not owned by Westminster School but it is just across the road from Westminster School. This provision was made because of the sheer volume of applicants and Westminster was physically not able to provide enough space for the entry exams. The applicant is given a timetable of exams prior to the exams. The 2008 entry ratio of applicants to places were 3 or 4 applicants to 1 place.

After the exams, successful candidates are invited to come for interviews. There are 5 interviews, 4 subject interviews and 1 general interview. Sometimes, eg. Maths, the interviewer may go through the incorrect answers with the candidate. The interview is a vital process as the exams separated exceptionally gifted candidates from the applicants and the interview is used to separate candidates who can think for themselves. This is not a skill that can be learnt, Westminster does not look for ‘spoon-fed’ students. Even at the interview stage is quite competitive, 2 applicants to 1 place.

By December applicants will be notified if they have been given a conditional place (Conditional upon achieving at least 5 A grades and 1 B grade but overseas candidates who attends a school not doing the GCSEs, will not be required to fulfill this requirement). Others will be put onto a waiting list.
So, as you can see the entry process for the top academic school is not easy. In my opinion, Westminster produces the best exam results because of the entry process. They only allow entry to the top students and Westminster simply nurtures and challenge them. Westminster School does not turn an average student into a top performing student.

Due to its location, Westminster faces major problems as a school. If sport and recreation comes high on your list of important things a school must have, Westminster School is not for you. Due to expensive land prices Westminster uses a single large field for football, cricket and hockey. Swimming is in a nearby publicly shared pool. Therefore their sports are mainly low area sports such as fencing, shooting and rock climbing. Also due to this land problem, many classrooms are located in high rise buildings and for example, in order to reach the Biology department, one must walk 3 or 4 flight of stairs and this can be quite tiring. Many classrooms are located in a large area of publicly used area therefore students need to cross many busy roads and pass offices, public buildings etc. in order to go from A to B.

I hope you can think carefully about the pros and cons of Westminster School before registering as although it may be a top performing school but there are also negative aspects of the school.