Westminister - HENRY

[SheHasArrived]

I would just like some validation on how much Henry’s are spending on Westminister education (% of earnings). We are applying for 4+ so it’s a matter of many years. We are comfortable with private school fees but it appears that Westminster is 1.5 times others. I’m just trying to get a sense of professional working parents who have children in WUS. Could you please anonymously share your family income?

This has crossed my mind too, as it only sunk in recently just how much more ££ Westminster is compared to other London schools (especially for a prep school).

What's a HENRY?

Westminster can charge what it likes as it is so over subscribed.

What is the current fees for WUS? Our son is at a prep which sends students to WUS and SPJS and the fees for reception are £33,000 (increased due to VAT!). I remember speaking to a friend whose son got into SPJS and it is slightly less than that. We are also professionals but not in finance and have been thinking about this

My DS is in another respirated private school (top 14) and a quick analysis tells me that Westminster costs roughly 55% more overall over the 14 year - In cash, that’s an extra £200 k – £280 k total for the full journey (age 4 → 18)

High earner but not rich yet. Presumably house hold income between 300-500K annual but no windfall.

VAT is over and above

Why not send them to SPJS or KCS then? Both very good schools and some would say pastorally better.

My son is 3 :) I’m trying to get in to avoid the 7plus assessment

Half a million a year and consider themselves not rich. Words fail. Really.

Well KCS has Squirrels under its umbrella, from 4.

Of your boy isn't expected to cut the mustard at 7, they'll suggest he leaves anyway.

My DS did state until 8, flew into KCS and then Oxford. If dc are clever they get in and if they do it without being prepped within an inch of their lives, they thrive rather than dive.

Yes and they chuck out at least 10% at the end of year 6 too.

We have decided to opt-out for the time being (local preps all at or getting on for £30k). I just can’t see how it can be worth it.

Will reassess for 7+/8+ and otherwise 11+.

Most others in our situation who are actually earning the money seem to be doing the same.

I think HENRY definition actually starts at £100k+ fyi.

We just about hit the lower end of your range and can’t afford private school for both of our children. London state primaries are excellent on the whole.

OP must regard you as complete povs.

I know! 🤣 though to be clear, I said lower end of OP’s original range - I like to consider myself a mid-HENRY. Still can’t afford WUS x 2 mind you.

Thanks all.

This is helpful

You are rich already.

You are rich already.

Missing the point entirely, but ‘Henry’s’ really confused me.
Surely it’s ‘Henries’?

Let’s say you make 300k and this is gross income - so maybe post tax is 200k. WUS will likely run at 45k a year including extras so a 25% of your take home. Mortgage would be another 30/40%
I was looking to validate if this is the norm for professional working parents (both work) to be in this bracket or is it way too high

Most private schools do this.

No they don't. Happens occasionally but it's pretty rare.

I thought that-but we must be wrong, obviously!🤣

I don’t think we are <shuffles back to Pedants’ Corner>