Westminster vs kings school ???

[Alexa1234]

My DS got into Westminster , St. Paul and Kings school for 7+ for those who have children in more than one school or siblings in the same schools can you please advice the pros and cons of having two boys in the same schools vs different schools? Since my elder son goes to kings. We have to choose between Westminster and Kings. Thanks

First of all - well done to your son!
Secondly, I’d say there is a parent-centric and child-centric point of view on this.

Parent-centric view would say that it’ll be a lot harder to navigate two schools for years and years - till they are 18. Teachers meetings, concerts, sports days, etc. You’ll be constantly driving around.
So - same school makes your life and kids logistic much easier.

Child-centric view would say that one should pick a school best for an individual child.
However - these are all top schools and the difference isn’t as great as people want to make it.

So - unless your kids are so severely competitive that being in one school would make it hard on them - i don’t see much benefit in splitting them.

I am also curious - i’d think St.P and Kings would be a more logical choice of two schools if you were considering splitting them - as those two are somewhat closer.
Vs Kings and Westminster being in different directions.
(Unless you life close to W, obviously. )

Good luck with your decision. And congratulations, again!

Congratulations! It’s a good dilemma to have. All three are excellent schools and your DS will do well in life whichever school you choose. Just enjoy the moment for now. Visit the schools again if you can and then go with your gut feel and where you think your child will be the happiest.

First of all - well done to your son!
Secondly, I’d say there is a parent-centric and child-centric point of view on this.

Parent-centric view would say that it’ll be a lot harder to navigate two schools for years and years - till they are 18. Teachers meetings, concerts, sports days, etc. You’ll be constantly driving around.
So - same school makes your life and kids logistic much easier.

Child-centric view would say that one should pick a school best for an individual child.
However - these are all top schools and the difference isn’t as great as people want to make it.

So - unless your kids are so severely competitive that being in one school would make it hard on them - i don’t see much benefit in splitting them.

I am also curious - i’d think St.P and Kings would be a more logical choice of two schools if you were considering splitting them - as those two are somewhat closer.
Vs Kings and Westminster being in different directions.
(Unless you life close to W, obviously. )

Good luck with your decision. And congratulations, again!

KCS & St Paul’s will take your son through to 18 whereas the Under School & Westminster are separate.

@BigGreenOlives

Most boys at Westminster will also stay on at 13.
Small number might leave for Eaton, etc.. And boys who struggle may/will leave too. And if a boy is struggling at the bottom of every set - leaving for a school where he isn’t last, and where he can build up how confidence - isn’t a bad thing. No?

Just something to think about - I know boys who left & went to Eton as they wanted a full boarding experience, same thing happened with boys leaving SPS Juniors. Other boys left SPS and went to Marlborough. My KCS knowledge is 30 years out of date .

In wouldn't be influenced by the going through argument. St. Paul's weeds boys out steadily through the juniors and I have never know more than two boys not pass through to westminster great school per year, plus CE is no longer needed. I am sure that similar management dynamics apply at Kings.
Where do you life and what year is your bigger one- how many year's of overlap would they have if at the same school?

Unless there is a v small overlap and/or you live much closer to WUS, or they have edgy competitive dynamics between them I would be very tempted to stick with Kings.

Do you feel your second is particularly aligned with the WUS type?

OP, would you share your final decision please? i know anxious mummies with boys on WL for both schools....

Thank you so much for all the advice everyone. We are still deciding. Will post my final decision. We have a few more days to decide.

Would like to ask for some help, we live abroad and are planning to apply for above mentioned schools (Westminster, St. Paul's, Kings), my question is how did you prepare your children for the assessments?
Would love to hear from you

Hi Vanisha77, I think you may find this previous discussion about Kings, St Pauls preparation helpful. It's a couple years old now, but (as a King's parent) I believe the advice on preparation still holds true: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/2767346-7-Kings-College-Junior-St-Pauls