Westminster School - Upper 2014 Entry

[Angelscakes42]

Does any one know, how many boys are taking the list test for Westminster School - Upper , 2014 entry ?

Have the 2014 entry results been issued???

Hi Interest,

A few years ago but my son and his friends were mainly looking at Westminster/St Pauls/Kings Wimbledon or boarding at 13+ or City/Dulwich/Latymer U and Alleyns at 11+.

My own observation was that those boys who got more than one pretest offer for an 13+ school tended to have their own views. From a parental point of view they are all good schools, and the best school is likely to be the one the boy wants to go to.

The school journey is important. These are all great schools but no boy is going to get the best from any if they are spending long hours on the tube or train.

In DS' year Kings Wimbledon seemed to be the popular choice, with both parents and boys responding to feel of the school. Westminster was a bit marmite. Boys were either enthused by the historic buildings and legacy of 1,000 years of scholarship (that may sound pretentious for those who have not visited, but the school yard is dappled by the shadows of both the Abbey and Parliament) or turned off by the prospect of Saturday school, long commutes and running around central London on the way to classes. Some parents, especially those in the financial sector, were attracted by the scope to switch to boarding should their work take them away from London. I doubt many boys thought much about girls in the sixth form, but it seemed to be a, negative, factor for some parents.

St Pauls has stunning facilities and lots of green. Because of its location, the catchment is more solidly West and South West London, whereas Wimbledon's catchment goes quite far out into Surrey and Westminsters come from all over. There was a perception that the competition between pupils was more overt at SPS, and that it was more of a hot house, which meant none of my son's friends eventually chose to go there. (In fairness the facilities at SPS are so amazing that DS' friends who were interested went to Colet Court at 7+.)

There was a distinct increase in interest in boarding between the ages of 10 and 13 which meant some turned down their day school offers in favour of boarding, whilst Westminster, with scope to spend longer with school friends and less time at home, became more attractive.

It was perfectly possible to get a place at one of the three 13+ schools and be turned down by one of the 11+ plus schools, particularly the co-eds.

As for whether the 2014 results have been issued yet, my understanding was that interviews and offers came in batches. Primary/prep school heads will have been approached for references so may know more.

I would like to know how many sat for 2014 Westminster 13+ entry. I know there were 70-80 places.
Also do you know grades needed to get a place?
I know results go to the school for maths, English, VR. Do you need all A and A* ?

They are issued in batches. I think we were one of the last and we got ours last Thursday.

I'm interested to hear from anyone whose son has sat Westminster Challenge. What sort of questions come up at interview?

Is it also worth bearing in mind that the numbers going into year 9 at Westminster will also include around 50 boys coming from the Under School who also sit Common Entrance and the Challenge, and from what I have seen on the Under School website, a large number of Westminster scholarships are given to Under School boys.

The high proportion of scholarships from Westminster Under is not that surprising and does not necessarily tell you anything about the school or teaching.

Pupils are taken into WU on the basis that they clearly have the potential to go onto the senior school, so they are going to be an impressive lot anyway. I am not sure but my understanding is that bursaries are given at the Underschool and continue through to the senior school. New bursaries are not normally available for the 13+ entry.

Ergo the exceptionally bright child who is capable of winning a scholarship but cannot afford the fees without a bursary, will start at the Under School. Some Westminster scholars are astonishingly bright.

Note that the scholarship becomes less generous when you add in the requirement that scholars board. Hence some need bursaries to continue.

"I am not sure but my understanding is that bursaries are given at the Underschool and continue through to the senior school. "

I could be wrong but I strongly don't think this is true, at least not for Y3-Y6. There may be bursaries for the incoming Y7 state students.

Looked it up. WUS FAQ

6: Are any scholarships or bursaries available?
A number of means-tested bursaries up to 100% of the fees are available for 11+ applicants. Boys who are awarded bursaries at 11+ spend two years at our Under School and then move automatically into Westminster School at the start of Year 9.

My understanding is that there are then new bursaries available for sixth form applicants but not at 13+. It can be an issue for bright boys with Prep School bursaries. We know someone who had to cross Westminster off their list because they did not realise in time that they needed to apply for 11+ rather than 13+. Boy was a potential scholar, and indeed got a scholarship elsewhere.

This is from the Westminster School website:

"13+ and 16+ Bursaries

A number of means-tested bursaries up to 100% of the day fees are available at 13+ or 16+ entry. They are awarded on the basis of academic ability and financial need."

As WUS has entrance at 7+, 8+ and 11+ they probably only have information relating to 11+ bursaries so from the above it would appear that it is possible to apply for a bursary at 13+ for Westminster. It's a shame that someone had to cross off Westminster "off their list" on the basis of inaccurate information. Are you sure they weren't just unsuccessful i getting in?

Pretty sure. And actually the boy was stunningly clever. Not one to be turned down for any school.

However it is perfectly possible that things are changed from time to time.

It could well be that he just didn't meet their criteria for the 13+ bursary or the parents didn't apply for a bursary in time. As far as I know Westminster have offered bursaries at 13+ for many years.

I know they missed some sort of deadline. I had assumed it was for the 11+ entry but maybe not. In any case they ended up putting all their eggs in another basket, though worked out fine.

Our experience of Westminster is that though some are obviously very rich there is a good proportion who are not. Certainly amongst my son's friends. I don't know whether they are on bursaries, whether the parents are prioritising school fees, or whether granny is paying. Whichever, it makes for a good diversity.

When are the pre-test results for the 11 year olds known at these public schools? DS is on a grammar school waiting list that has not moved since March 1st. My last hope is that there are 4 boys awaiting pre-test results in Essex who will take up places at a public school at 13, therefore stay at a prep school to do CE and reject a GS place!!!