Westminster School 16+

[mbell]

DD is thinking about applying for 6th Form entry. She’s currently at a super selective but is considering a change.

She’s very bright and an all rounder academically. She loves the school but there are challenges.

She’s only been in single-sex schools and was not at the correct level for music scholarships when she entered at 11+. She has now developed musically to a very high level and feels she misses out on all the opportunities presented to the scholars.

She is also finding the prevalence of eating disorders, self harm and anxiety at her current school very challenging. It seems most of the girls are affected in some way and she is called upon to support.

So my question is does anyone have experience of DDs who have applied to Westminster 16+ entry? How did they prepare and how have they found the school?

My daughter and 2 others had a go from North London Collegiate, but I don't think she and her friend tried very hard (and they didn't get in). the third girl did get in. I was glad she stayed and had enjoyed the 6th form at NLCS however - she was the one wanting to have a go at Westminster, boys there etc.

My DD has got a place for this year. She’s also at a super selective. She literally did no revision. Westminster are not looking for the finished article but they are looking for capability. The tests are not tutorable (hence DD did no revision) but it is a full-on process. You know your DD but do give some consideration as to the effect on your DD if she doesn’t succeed. Many parents don’t and get a bit hung up on the kudos of it all. This is a pretty public process if many sit the exam from the same school as they all see each other on the exam day. She’ll also need to know for sure which 4 a levels she wants to sit as she will sit exams in those subjects. FYI, the girls who didn’t make the cut after exam day were pretty upset about it all. You don’t need your DD to feel like she’s ‘failed’ just before GCSEs.

Music scholarships are fierce and sometimes it’s not the attainment that clinches the place, but the uniqueness of the instrument. DD is currently a MS but won’t be at Westminster but is happy enough that there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. She’s also relieved to have less pressure to participate in music events that she’s not really excited about and is hoping it’ll become more fun again. The 10% reduction in fees would’ve been nice though 😂

Things I wish I’d known - your DD’s school will be approached for a reference if she is successful after round 1 (exams) but before round 2 (interviews) so consider that as you are effectively telling the school she might be off but only if she gets a place, otherwise this’ll have to do Some girls in my DD’s year didn’t get a place post interview. Also, any offer made is conditional on GCSE results, so in the event she bombs, DD may not have a place in any school in September 🙈

Lastly, make sure you diarise the opening register dates and submission deadlines. Best of luck to your DD.

I’d also add, I’ve found the school’s communication to be excellent. The admissions office have been extremely efficient and helpful so any other questions you have just ask them.

My DD went to Westminster from an all girls London Independent school. Of the 10+ who applied, only 3 got offers. Some extremely able girls didn’t get offers so it was very unclear what the criteria were.

My DD sat 4 subjects for the entrance exam but when she enrolled in the September, she changed 3 of the 4 subjects. They were absolutely fine about that too.

Don’t underestimate the stress of moving schools for 6th form though. Westminster has a big party element with Saturday night parties taking place all over London as the pupils come from a large surrounding area.

My DD found it very stressful initially but did thrive in the end. Not all the girls did however, with some finishing their A levels with A and B grades, rather than the expected all A* grades.

@jeanne16 DD’s friend who wanted to change choice of A level has just had to sit exams in the new subjects. So it isn’t now possible just to switch without demonstrating the required standard in an alternative subject.

Netaporter. That is interesting. I must say I was surprised by how easily she was allowed to switch. Maybe it depends on what subjects they are switching.

I know my DD was told by someone not to sit Further Maths as the entrance exam was considered impossible. However she was allowed to do FM as one of her switches. Perhaps that has been stopped.

She did sit the Physics entrance exam which she found very difficult. During her physics interview, she sat looking at her marked paper and all she could see were red crosses everywhere. She said it was quite disturbing. She switched physics for Economics when she arrived.

@jeanne16 I think there was chatter of parents / girls trying to ‘game’ the system by applying for Art then trying to switch to Physics… I do think that the offers made are a mix of subject choice (I’m guessing the existing boys choices also influence the amount of spaces available in either Arts or Science/Maths), type of girl etc.then day or boarding it must be a hell of a task juggling that many applicants and subject combinations!

Thank you all for your replies, the insights are very helpful.

DD is really drawn by the university style of teaching and musical opportunities. Her younger brother has just been offered a place at Westminster and she picked up the prospectuses of all the schools.

It’s been her wanting to explore other schools.

@Xenia has 6th form at NLCS been better/different to upper school? So many of DD friends are in such a desperately sad situation. Crying, meltdowns, panic attacks, self harm at the back of the classroom . Don’t even get me started on the eating disorders.

It just seems these girls are under so much pressure to succeed. The hours and hours of homework and endless testing is certainly taking its toll. DD by virtue of friendship and not being so severely unwell as these girls is asked by teachers to support. She’s finding it mentally exhausting despite loving NLCS academically.

We’re just exploring options at the moment and thank you so much for those who have replied.

@mbell that is awful. I think considering the situation you are both very sensible to consider changing.

Would she be a border?

We haven’t even thought that far in advance! Just exploring options. The last thing we want to do is swap one set of problems for another.

It’s why I’m keen to get more information. She’s super bright, committed and enthusiastic. I’m just not sure if this is a teen girl issue, single sex issue or specific to her current school.

Mbell. Your DDs school sounds very difficult. I know there were a few girls with issues at my DDs all girls school, but nothing on that scale.

My DD found the jump to Westminster massive. Her previous school really was an exam factory so the change was huge. For History, they were expected to write an essay a week and told to use the library. She found the 1st term very difficult and there were many times I wished she hadn’t moved.

However she came through it and thrived but it was touch and go for a while. She did go on to Cambridge and found the transition very easy in comparison so she was well prepared.

All in all it was a good decision but go in with your eyes open. A couple of friends she made who had moved from SPGS did rather averagely in their A levels in spite of their 11 A* GCSEs.

@mbell that does sound like a lot to deal with. My DD is at another London girls school. Yes there is a lot of crying, anxiety etc but from what I understand issues of self harming/eating disorders/bullying are significantly less prevalent in her school than other schools. I can’t speak for other year groups though. She’s very happy there but I think my DD wants a change and the opportunity to mix in a co-Ed setting and leave some of the drama llamas behind. She also visited on a non-open day and thought that the school seemed more focused towards those who want to learn rather than those remaining in the sixth form because they have to and are therefore likely to be disruptive. I note carefully @jeanne16’s points about the settling in so fingers crossed!

A slight caution - some girls bring their drama llama-ing with them which is a bit of a bore for parents of boys who are suddenly caught up with “supporting my friend” etc. also, there does seem to be a bit of parents of girls reckoning they can leave problems behind because, naturally, it is just her being with the wrong crowd, and they don’t warn W of issues which then swiftly raise their heads again in the new school.

But it sounds as though your daughter is coming from a rather different situation.

@Revengeofthepangolins @jeanne16

Very important considerations and we do worry that DD seems to befriend the drama llamas.

We haven’t forgotten how tough secondary school transition was so are very keen not to create a whole new set of problems.

She goes on mixed sex music residentials and comes back buzzing every time. She often mentions that the boys are so much easier to get on with than her normal friendships. I also distinctly remember her saying that boys don’t seem to hold grudges!

Very happy to tap into the wisdom of those who have experience in this regard.

My son is lower down the school, so my comments are secondhand as it were so just tossed in as a little warning - it makes me a bit cross if parents of girls who blow up in about October mutter about the challenges of moving to W - those girls didn't turn up without problems. The befriending is tricky isn't it - one wants one's children to be empathetic but on the other hand it must be frustrating to see her emotional band width consumed in that way.

Having mentioned all that, watching the girls go about their business, they are as a group a very appealing bunch. They seem to instantly absorb the complete scruff vibe of the boys, scuffling around in clumpy shoes and outsized jumpers with nary a trace of obvious make up among them. And they definitely seize the opportunities and hit the ground running. The soloist concerto concert in January had 9 spots and 8 of them were girls. All superb, but as mother of a boy one can't help wondering if it would ever have been viewed as acceptable if the audition gender split had come out the other way. But not an issue for you!

Perhaps school could do a selection amongst boys & selection amongst girls for music sort of things?