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Original poster

Advice on secondary school QE barnet vs Westminster school

45 replies

toguptasarika · 31/03/2021 19:02

We have offers from both. Can you please let us know which is a better option for my son? Specifically in terms of maths, science, computer science, music, debate, personality shape up - which school can give him even the huge advantage over the other. Please assume for this discussions sake, our Affordability and Distance to school not be considered.

OP posts:
Original poster
toguptasarika · 01/04/2021 13:19

Commute is an hour for Westminster and 45 min for QE. What worries me that we do are not overdoing than what is needed. To be honest i am comfortable with DS academics as his work ethos are impeccable. I am concerned if this kind of money worth paying for personality , character, contact development or these are just attributes which you can never see tangibly.
We can pay fees with some stretch and not anle to decide if that stretch is worthy? Anybody who has been in similar situations.

OP posts:
BettertoChange · 01/04/2021 12:35

Westminster. Similar position a few years back but some worry about the fee. never regret.

LondonMummer · 01/04/2021 12:14

@Abitofaproblem

Are posters not concerned about the current news about top private schools including Westminster?
No

If you think it only applies to private schools you are utterly deluded.

Abitofaproblem · 01/04/2021 12:05

Are posters not concerned about the current news about top private schools including Westminster?

mammmamia · 01/04/2021 12:02

Distance is also a factor - how long will his commute be?

mammmamia · 01/04/2021 12:01

If money is no object I’d go for Westminster for the breadth and variety of pupils and subjects

orangeblosssom · 01/04/2021 10:53

Westminister.

init123 · 01/04/2021 10:49

For QE selection, there are close to 30 dc on every marks (towards the cut-off) which is unusual to any school I know of.
There are few factors which contribute to Westminster sending so many students to Oxbridge. It gets a large number of such candidates in sixth form. The students at Westminster take varied subjects for University unlike QE, which is heavily STEM oriented due to subject selection by it's students (which is not a good thing). Oxbridge Univ. do a relative evaluation of how a particular student performed compared to other students in that particular subject in that school. This causes some excellent students to not qualify for Oxbridge. It's sad to see hardly 1/2 students opting for competitive courses like Computer science/Law in Westminster.
Though the kind of exposure one can get in Westminster can't be matched in QE. Diversity is of concern. It works fine for south east asian families but not for all.

Abitofaproblem · 01/04/2021 10:09

@Moominmammacat 2900+ for 192 places I heard

Moominmammacat · 01/04/2021 09:34

How many apply to QE per place nowadays? I didn't think it was that bad ...

Elij00 · 01/04/2021 00:55

@Abitofaproblem

Is QE a lot more high pressured than Westminster and why would that be? Surely workload at both schools would be comparable if both have their pick of brights boys at entry?
Grammar schools on Mumsnet have a reputation of being hothouses and QEboys being a Top2-3 Grammar in the country fits perfectly into that description. Westminster sends twice the number of students QEboys sends to Oxbridge yearly whilst also sending a chunk to the ivy league so I certainly will not describe them as being less Academic.

I agree though, Westminster's extracurricular activities and facilities are superior to QEboy's. That's hardly surprising however considering one will cost you 40,000 a year whilst the other is free.

Abitofaproblem · 31/03/2021 23:12

Is QE a lot more high pressured than Westminster and why would that be? Surely workload at both schools would be comparable if both have their pick of brights boys at entry?

init123 · 31/03/2021 23:03

If money is not a consideration then I think Westminster. Though facilities are excellent at QE, it can't match top indies.
QE will be more academic and high pressure environment. It's getting insanely competitive to get in.
Well done to your DS for securing place at both schools as their exam pattern are so different.

Nowfeeltheneedtopost · 31/03/2021 22:21

@toguptasarika , you decide. Like all of the rest of us who have to make choices (state and private) as to which secondary we think might best suit our DC. Academics are a consideration, as are sports provision, distance, your gut feel about the school/fit for your DC etc etc...

Original poster
toguptasarika · 31/03/2021 22:02

How does way of thinking changes with school if both are very academically focussed and high on league tables?

OP posts:
Elij00 · 31/03/2021 21:41

QE Boys is an unashamedly STEM focused grammar school as opposed to Westminster where there is a lot more variety so it strictly depends on what you as a parent value more or should I say which environment you think will benefit your DC more.

Abitofaproblem · 31/03/2021 20:41

Both are top boy schools but different in a lot of ways. Is it fair to say that the two schools will both get their boys to achieve top grades, but their world views and way of thinking would not be the same?

LondonMummer · 31/03/2021 19:22

Also "huge advantage" is a strange ask. Presumably you have checked out both schools before getting to this point. Both offer exceptional teaching to exceptionally bright boys. QE has a reputation for being intensely pressured whereas Westminster is more about "loyal dissent" and teaching around the subject. Which educational environment appeals to your son the most?

Conundrum2020 · 31/03/2021 19:20

@LondonMummer Why are you shocked? Could easily be an offer from one during the first round that was accepted and now, later, a waiting list place for the other has come up - voilà 2 places to consider now and with no malice behind mind whatsoever.

LondonMummer · 31/03/2021 19:15

Almost impossible for anyone to have had direct experience of both to offer you a comparison. As you know they are two of the top schools in country. Slightly shocked that you are holding places at both this late in the day though!!

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