Do you have a child at Westminster?

[oliverreed]

What were they like at 7 please? Did they change academically by 10? Did you decide that they were 'westminster' material and put them forward or did your ds school 'advise' in that direction.

My ds is bright but not super academic (top 10% of class) but he is curious and quirky (like most 7 yrs olds I would imagine!). He is very able in reading and maths but not a good writer. He is a good all rounder but not very confident at the moment and is a follower rather than a leader. The school he goes to sends only one or two children to Westminster and I'm curious to know what attributes they are looking for. We are from a solidly working class background but I'm aiming high!!

Why don't you ask your ds's school? They should be able to tell you what attributes your ds needs to have to be considered for Westminster.

Have you been round Westminster? I would really, really go and have a look first and see what you think of the school and the Head (especially the Head) even before you talk to anyone else. You know your child better than anyone on MN and only you will know if it is the right environment for him. I knew instantly (and not in a good way) despite the fact that before we'd gone round it was our absolute top choice. I would say this was for 11+ in our case rather than 7+ but I am still cringing at the memories of the Open Day tour last September!

Whilst I would in general always say liking the head is key, I am not wild on the current Master of WUS, but am very very very happy with the school, so don't pin your whole view on the Master in this case.

Also HM's change, he might not be there by the time your dc enters. I'd go at closing time and getting chatting with a few parents

Like nokissymum I don't have sons at WUS and the current Master arrived after DSs' time. This is only her second? year, and the HM may well still be around when your son is 13. Others have already expressed views. It would matter to me if my son were 7, how the Master and HM are, when there is considerable choice of prep and senior school for boys of high academic calibre.

If your school sends only the odd boy to WUS, perhaps you should judge for yourself rather than rely too much on their views. Good luck.

thanks for all of the replies. It's difficult asking the school (a) because he's too young at the moment (thinking of 11+ entry) and (b) anecdotally I've heard that they have 'favoured' schools to send children on to and Westminster doesn't feature really (I don't think they have a lot of experience of this school hence asking for advice on what sort of child gets in).
Any more advice gratefully received!