St Paul’s vs Westminster

Even if Westminster compromise on bursaries and outreach, which they wouldn't...

The fees at Westminster will always be higher than other London day schools. As a boarding school, they also have a lot of boarding features for day students, like Saturday school, evening activities and housemasters, even though they don't live on campus. A lot of day students choose to go to school for breakfast and stay for dinner, prep sessions with their peers, and they're also required to attend Saturday classes.

https://www.westminster.org.uk/school-life/the-school-day/

Each to their own obviously, but in my opinion outreach programmes and trying to maintain bursaries benefits all children at the school, not just the bursary & outreach recipients themselves. Without wanting to derail the conversation, you could draw a parallel as to whether countries should still provide foreign aid in leaner times…

@WiseGreenBee - we are seeing a difference between schools that prioritise the institution vs those that prioritise helping their own parent group with VAT by cutting costs. In this climate, I would listen carefully. I do not know the in an outs of Westminster but look at the accounts and how much in percentage terms is spent on bursaries/outreach. I would always go for a school that in this climate puts their own staff first and their own parent group/kids - rather than their “vision”.
Most of the top schools prioritising their parent group and staff are cutting their outreach to a minimum. Why put up with this onslaught from a Government? Fighting back is required.

OP St Paul’s is currently significantly cheaper? Is that really not a concern for you?
I think Westminster spends cash on bursaries and state school partnerships. So if you are feeling generous and social and more left, go Westminster. If not, go St Paul’s. The educational outcome will be the same.
The fact that St Paul’s are trying to help their own parent group with fees, is that really not a consideration for you? I do think you need to ask this question. If you are super rich, then obviously it won’t matter to you. However, most people will absolutely notice the difference in fees in this climate. I suspect if the gap in fees continues, St Paul’s will find it easier to get the clever boys.

WUS- In Years 7 and 8, the recommended homework allocation was 60 minutes (30 minutes for each of two subjects) over four nights, with an additional 90 minutes for three subjects on one weekend night.

In practice, my DS often completed his assignments in significantly less time, as there was a strong emphasis on efficiency rather than perfection in homework.

The assignments were generally intentional, meaningful, and tailored to individual needs, promoting higher-order thinking skills. This approach was notably more pronounced than what my daughter is currently experiencing at another academically rigorous school. It was evident that the boys were primed for the liberal teaching style at the Great School, which led my son to take his homework seriously, without feeling the need for additional homework or tutoring.

That said, St Paul's is undoubtedly an excellent institution, and eithrt choice would be great for your DS.

I would recommend focusing on comparing the senior schools rather than the two years of junior schools.

Considerations might include:

• Co-educational versus single-sex environments
• Emphasis on STEM and Humanities versus STEM focus (such as A-level subjects)
• The lifestyle and schedule of boarding schools compared to day
• Saturday school versus not
• University and the courses chosen
• etc

There is regular homework for sure. There is generally one or two subject homework per day (maths/science, french/geography etc). And it generally takes him 15/20 min by subject. Some homework might take a bit longer when they have to do a poster or some slide and also depends on how much time they want to spend on it. On university destination, I have not had a good look at yet, I find it is very early for my son. But I think it is generally around 20/25% going to Oxbridge, another 20% going to US or abroad, other are going to Russell Group universities. I am not sure how that compares to Westminster/Kings or even if it should be compared as those 2 schools take on a lot of the top girls of WHS, SPGS, G&L, Putney etc for sixth form..

I absolutely oppose private schools, so my advice will be objective!

Of those two I would choose Westminster all day long. So much more creative-produces better rounded people. And less pressured.

@LetItGo99 of course! Looks like our sons are very much alike in terms of personality, he has an older sister and has always been gentle and sensitive. He managed to find his crowd very easily and as I said he could not be happier. I find it hard to describe, but I would say the school really value and reward positive behaviours like kindness and solidarity. There is a system of good point in place that covers everything from academic achievemnt, effort in lesson, organisation to behaviour. Boys really learn to be humble in all circumstances and especially during and after sports fixtures. Support is provided for some who need it academically (avoiding in my view unecessary tutoring), boys that struggled will be invited to some clinic in different subject. I was a bit anxious prior to him joining as I was told it is ultra competitive and full of pushy parents but after 2 years and a half now I am so glad we made that choice as he has flourished so much there.

Thank you @Lolakath19 . Our son is currently deciding between SPJ and KCS post 11+. That said, he has two younger sisters, lots of female friends and has never in his life been in just an all-boys environment, so there is some trepidation about what that might mean in lived experience. Personally, I'm worried about overt competitiveness between boys and how that is handled by the school (son is very gentle, non aggressive). Very heartening to hear about the pastoral care and values you mention. Could you expand on that a bit please, in terms of whether the cohort is encouraged to support each other and not relentlessly compete to be the best at everything?

First congratulations to you and your son! He has done extremely well and should be very proud of his achievements.
I don t think you can go wrong with any of these school, they are both great so if commute is similar for both, I would recommend you go with your gut feeling.
Our son is at SPJ and he could not be happier. Pastoral care is really good and you can see that the teachers / staff really care for the boys. Humility, kindness, respect, integrity and resilience are the values promoted by the school. I was a bit dubious about it at first thinking that might be part of their "marketing" but those are reminded / promoted every day during assembly, sports etc. It particularly shows at sports events in the way boys are behaving and for me those are values that are important. Overall I feel it is a well rounded school which cater for boys of very different interests, some very sporty, some very musical, some very arty, some very geeky and some with no special talent that will enjoy every opportunity. Sports teams go from A to F and everyone participate in fixtures. Having so much ground/ field on site is such a great advantage in my opinion especially for a boy at that age, and they are just minutes away from Hammersmith underground.
I have no experience of Westminster but I am sure it is as well regarded.
Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

I assume you mean year 7 entry WUS vs SPJS as you have offers.

While both commutes are similar, WUS is close to Victoria and Pimlico (SPJS is quite far from the closest stations). Assuming you aren't driving or using the school bus.

I'm not convinced the St Paul's fees can stay this low for long. To absorb VAT in the way they have is easily in the millions. It has to be something short term.

St Paul's are ahead in team sport for the year you're joining except in swimming and middle distance/sprinting where some in WUS Y6 are easily top in country (this is specific to Y6 not every year).

In terms of academics you would be joining some good mathematicians with a everyone in Y6 getting PMC bonus round and a few doing the same in IMC.

WUS is a great school overall.

If you and your DS are 100% happy with both schools and the commute is perfect for both and ready to flip a coin, I'd suggest Westminster. There are loads of great schools your DS can go to, but Westminster is just that bit more special in many ways. It's a really cultured and privileged lifetime experience.