Westminster School Sixth Form (Exam + Queen's Scholarship)

[nebulastar]

Hi, my DD is writing the exam in a months time for maths, further maths, chemistry and physics. She wants to get a QS, and as she's quite bright (predicted all 9s + one 8, has a scholarship at a private school, in maths challenges) I think she'll be able to do it.

Can anyone who has any current knowledge, either on the exam papers for sciences, interviews or TSA please advise me on how to help DD's revision?

Also, what's the school like? Are the boys there friendly enough? Any info on the school's atmosphere and life would be appreciated!

I don’t have current knowledge of the selection process but wanted to wish your DD well. I was a sixth-form girl scholar at Westminster in my time (girls weren’t allowed to be QS then - I see that was only changed in 2017). Academically the school was a fantastic experience for me, providing outstanding teaching and a hugely stimulating peer group.

From what I can remember of the exams back then, they weren’t really revisable - it was more about ability testing. I know I didn’t have any special preparation: I was at another boarding school, my parents overseas. I just got the train to London and did the exams and, a few weeks later, the interview day.

Best of luck to your girl - I hope someone comes along with more recent knowledge.

Just one point, you may want to consider whether she should sit the Further Maths entrance exam paper. My DD was told not to sit it as it is extremely difficult. She sat a different subject but then switched to doing FM after getting a place. She went on to get 4 A*s including FM.

The boys don’t bite! I see the 6th form girls (and boys) a lot and they appear quite happy (and loud!). Your current school should be helpful in her prep.

Hi I have a DS in the 6th Form at WS and he definitely doesn’t bite! He loves the school. Its great for organised, academically interested kids who also enjoy keeping busy with lots of co-curricular activities (lots of opportunities to do sport, drama, join clubs societies etc). Very small seminar-like classes in 6th form. Nearly one third of the year group are girls so it doesn’t feel like a boys school in the 6th form. I’m afraid I don’t know about the exam process though. Good luck to your DD!

Hi - thanks for all the wishes! I asked DD about FM and switching later on, but she is quite adamant on writing for FM and thinks she can do well on the maths paper. Quick question, do Westminster run DofE?

Yup

Can anyone give information on the science papers? Style of questions, difficulty, what level they're asked at?

DD, who did this about five years ago found the science papers fun. Much more maths challenge like than seeking advanced knowledge. At interview she was asked why she had not answered an organic chemistry question, and she explained that she had yet to cover the topic at school.The interviewer accepted this and commented that it had been easier than the one she had selected.

DD had not expected a place. She enjoyed the exams, was pleased that she finished the maths paper, she then went on to enjoy the interviews. The numbers applying are huge so to some extent it is a lottery. The process taught her that there is no harm in having a go. Not getting in is not failure. It was also valuable experience for University applications a couple of years later, as she saw how her personal statement was used, and what things interested interviewers.

I doubt the exams are "first past the post". There will be girls scattered across all the double maths sets, which suggests that some girls are gaining places over some very accomplished mathematicians. I am pretty sure there is some element of "what can you do for the school". So good musicians or actors are popular. They will also want girls who settle quickly and who are not fazed by the gaucheness of a minority of boys.

DD is very dyslexic so was never likely to boost their A level percentages. However she was a natural co-ed (mixed schools throughout and an older brother), very sporty, and a natural taker-parter. She loved the school from the minute she started, and indeed I suspect her grades may have suffered because she was so busy doing so many things. She ended up taking a gap year in part because she did not want University to be an anti-climax after sixth form.

Good luck.