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Secondary education

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Original poster

Is Westminster School the best school on Earth?

1000 replies

statesmom · 01/02/2014 17:20

Just looking at their website and they have 97 places for their students at Oxford and Cambridge this year?!

We have an 8 year old son and want to focus on getting him into this place, just next to the Palace of Westminster. It looks amazing! Any thought on parents with children at the school very welcome indeed, especially any thoughts on the application process. Thank you for someone new to London.

OP posts:
babybarrister · 07/02/2014 14:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Crowler · 07/02/2014 14:40

Me too, please. What other thread?

Crazy8 · 07/02/2014 14:42

Pm me please also!

AgaPanthers · 07/02/2014 14:48

Think it is this one: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/education/1982279-Queen-Ethelburgas-Harrogate-anyone?

grovel · 07/02/2014 15:04

Westminster has the same school motto (Deus dat incrementum) as Marlborough and Tonbridge.

Useless factoid.

CountessDracula · 07/02/2014 15:12

If I were Westminster I would be on the look-out for this poor over-tutored child in 4 years time... Grin

Crowler · 07/02/2014 15:29

I just KNOW statesmom drives a white Range Rover. I can feel it in my bones. They could use this for identification purposes

reddidi · 07/02/2014 16:12

"Westminster has the same school motto (Deus dat incrementum) as Marlborough and Tonbridge."

Useless nonfactoid - Westminster's is dat Deus incrementum.

Lilymaid · 07/02/2014 16:19

Such a pity that Xenia was banned from MN - she would have added her own madness to this thread!

TalkinPeace · 07/02/2014 16:21

She has .... you just have to know where to look ...

ballylee · 07/02/2014 16:21

she was banned ? why ? come back Xenia....

grovel · 07/02/2014 16:27

Apolgies reddidi. I suppose the order of the words gives a slightly different emphasis.

grovel · 07/02/2014 16:30

From John Rae's diaries:

1973
Tuesday, July 10
After lunch, I see the parents of a sixth-former who has received very bad reports. They blame the school because they saw their son pass the entrance exam and start at Westminster with such bright-eyed enthusiasm, only to drift away into a non-academic, guitar-playing world. I suspect the truth is rather different. They sent their son to a tutor to get him up to the standard of the entrance exam, and this private intense tuition produced an illusion of ability that soon faded once these special circumstances were withdrawn. Subsequently, the boy has been out of his depth.

Plus ca change......

MrsRuffdiamond · 07/02/2014 17:09

Talking of Latin mottos ^, many years ago, at work, I came across a college which was almost certainly bogus, as, among other anomalies, it had the motto:

'Corgito, ego sum'

which my friend and I translated as 'I think I am a corgi', much to our own prolonged amusement Grin (We were young!)

saganoren · 07/02/2014 17:40

Xenia's been on this thread, thinly disguised.

Owllady · 07/02/2014 17:42

Paul Merton went there didn't he?

Eastpoint · 07/02/2014 17:51

Paul Merton went to Wimbledon College, frighteningly close to KCS & the Ursuline Convent.

grovel · 07/02/2014 19:17

In the Borough of Merton?

Eastpoint · 07/02/2014 19:32

Yes Grin

Original poster
statesmom · 07/02/2014 20:03

Hello OK I have just been able to sign on and I will begin from the beginning where I left off.

Is 2 grand not enough to establish myself as a factor at the school? I thought more, while we are not even at the school, would be a bit ridiculous, frankly.

I fully well know that I can't buy my way in, but I think getting the attention of the American woman who runs development can't hurt.

What is the right number? We are a family of substantial means. You know, many may think this is an absurd question, but I really don't care.

OP posts:
maillotjaune · 07/02/2014 20:12

One million dollars?

saganoren · 07/02/2014 20:21

As an old Westminster, I'm in charge of donations currently. I'll dm you details of the Nigerian bank account to transfer funds to.

Original poster
statesmom · 07/02/2014 20:29

I think we should get away from the money thing. I don't want to appear as some sort of mercenary American mother.

Does anyone have any advice on what I should do with this tutor? He has the exams for the queen's scholarship, and I think that is really worthwhile.

How can I get him to work for me?

OP posts:
mateysmum · 07/02/2014 20:31

Hi Statesmom. I will be charitable and pretend to take you seriously, because quite frankly you need help to bridge the great cultural divide. I know that in your home country, alumni and charitable giving is very big in judging and having your status judged. Here it isn't, it really, really isn't. As you've seen from the reaction to your suggestion of a "donation" bribe to W it is pretty out of order. A "factor" at the school? Eh? not a term used here.
Once your DS is a star pupil I'm sure W will accept your money with glee.

I'm sure the Prime Minister, the Mayor of London, about half the cabinet and a lot of other influential people are going to be shaking in their shoes now that their alma mater is such a common and inferior establishment.

maillotjaune · 07/02/2014 20:38

You asked what was the right number. You said you didn't care if people thought it an absurd question.

2 whole posts later you're not keen to carry on talking about the money. Hmm

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