Latest Info on the new Westminster Under 4+ Assessments

[MyTwoDads]

Very little clear info has been released on the new 4+ assessment that WUS are going to be holding this autumn, so I spoke to them to find out some more info (why not go straight to the source!). I explained I am a tutor and some of my parents are going for the 4+ assessments this autumn or thinking about it, but are unclear about content, dates, number of places they have etc.

These are the main points:

It will be capped at 500 applications. This is a lot! But they said they are almost reaching this number now (so apply if you haven't already)

They have 32 places available (this was not on the website as all)

There will be 2 classes of 16 pupils starting Reception 2026. Each class will have one teacher and one TA (this is a good ratio)

There will be two rounds (they call them stages) and will be similar in format to other schools that do 2 rounds for their 4+.

Offers will be made at the end of Jan 2026 and they will take into consideration birth month, EAL and proximity to the school.

At least we have some clearer info on numbers now and what the Pre-Prep will look like once it gets going!

@QuaintLilacHelper good question! Basically, it seems very simple, too simple in fact. I don't know how they will gather enough information to rule out, or progress forward, the children. It's 500 going down to 100 - you have to be able to do that quantifiably. Unless they have their own agenda on the 32 places they will end up offering e.g. children of high profile people. I may be being a little sceptical there though lol
It sounds as if if wasn't a very nurturing or warm environment at handover either. I'd be interest to hear from others as they have their assessment. 😎

Thanks! Will drop you a message after our one

Couldn't agree more @letushaveathink! Please don't write your children off because they 'fail' a 4+ assessment. It is so much easier and more accurate to assess academic potential and aptitude from 7+ onwards. Also, do bear in mind whether the school is the right environment for your child - they may thrive in a less academically selective school but still achieve their full potential at a slightly gentler pace. It is much better for their confidence to be towards the top of a cohort, than struggling along at the bottom with hours of additional tutoring. A highly academically selective school should be getting excellent results and sending pupils to top universities - but this is not the right path for everyone! Happy for anyone to PM me if they want any guidance on this.

Overthinking parent here…. But does anyone know roughly how many kids Westminster took into the second round

Up to 500 sat assessment (I would guess around 450) and 100 got a callback for the second round

Thank you !

Fascinating to hear what WUS are planning. We chose a non selective for ours (not in London as we chose to move out) and the school we chose picks up some of the kids pushed out of the non selective schools.

Funnily enough, this year our school got better GCSE results than one of the local
schools where historically they were asking some dc to leave at age 5 or 6 because they weren’t meeting the grade (informal in year assessments and “invited” parents to consider leaving).

If anyone here’s dc fail this 4+ process then please don’t worry. There is so much time for them to develop and thrive.

Confirmed by registrar 520 whittling down to 100 then 32

Latest intel from WUS round 2 is that it is rather longer than they expected (1h 40m) and rather academic - which is what we expected really. Good luck to those that still have their round 2 to go! 👌

Intrigued to understand what academic looks like at this age - have you heard any examples?

All the second rounds have an academic focus (apart from Highgate who like to do it the other way round!). The second rounds look at phonics, numeracy, drawing skills, shapes etc. Whereas, the first rounds are usually much more practical; speaking and listening, fine motor skills, collaboration, following instructions, creativity etc.

Thank you! That’s helpful.

@MyTwoDadsis that what you’re hearing about Habs girls too?

Yes, although things seem to be a little strange there this year. I think their numbers must be down. It sounds as if a large proportion of people got through to the second round (not to take that away from the children's achievements!). Things seem a little more relaxed than normal.

We know people apply to many of the 4+ assessments, some being just for practise - perhaps because of WUS entering the arena and scooping up over 500 applicants, Habs numbers went down slightly because they are on the outskirts of London. Who knows!

@MyTwoDadsit’s an amazing school and we’re keen for our dd to attend so if numbers are down we are not complaining!

Indeed! Haha, grab it while you can, I say! Good luck, fingers crossed!

WUS assessment takes almost 2 hours??!?!? For real? how is it possible for that age

I know! It's the longest I've heard of. They are new to 4+, bless them lol They had told parents it was an hour session but obviously they underestimated it! The children are in groups of 6 with an adult working with 2 children. Some of it will be observing them playing/interacting and then there will be a story at the end. Hopefully, they'll speed up a bit in week 2!

To be fair Falkner girls assessment has always been 1.45min and Frances Holland is 2.5 hrs… but they only have one round.

Have you attended the Falkner House 4+ assessment this year? If so, how did you feel about it?

My daughter enjoyed it - probably due to the hamsters and the fact she was in a very small group (significantly less than 10). I think this year we really start to see the impact of VAT and exodus abroad.

@Londonmamma22 but I am not seeing the decline in Bute's reception application number which stood at 350, in line with previous data.

I am definitely seeing the %%% of callbacks Bute going up. Not sure about the offers yet but every single girl I know (every single one) got invited to the second round.
So who knows if it was 350 in the end - no school has to publish their data.

I thought Bute was just a ballot?

thanks @Londonmamma22 . I suspect many girls this year will sit 4+ for both Falkner/Glendower and WUS, if they receive offers from both, it makes a lot of sense that they will go WUS that seems more attractive.