Considering Harris Westminster

[Boredofthe11plus]

Despite the username, we are well beyond that stage for DC1 and are looking at sixth form options.

DC is currently predicted >7 for all subjects and is capable of higher grades should everything go smoothly. They are considering some combination of sciences and maths for A-level.
I have read the reviews on Mumsnet and other online fora and generally they seem quite positive. We like the stated ethos and expectations of the school but hope it is also supportive.

The university destinations all look great but are the exam results good esp for a school that is academically selective?
I find interpretation and comparison of results between school tricky as there is manipulation and presentation of stats to make the school look good.
DC would need to get A/A* for the possible degree subjects that they are interested in.

I would love to hear some honest opinions from current/recent parents and pupils!
TIA

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Meant to add:
Four A-levels is compulsory - could this affect the overall grades if some pupils are stretched too thinly?

My impression as a former parent is they have a considerable number of highly academic kids who do very well and have great success with Oxbridge in particular, especially for humanities subjects. I don't know if students who are fairly but not highly academic are as well served by the school - there is pressure to do 4 A levels, though some possibility of escape to substituting an EPQ after year 12, and I think this works fine for the academic stars, but not so sure about the less academic end of the school's range, whose A level results may be brought down. It's a very lively and stimulating place with a positive learning ethic - I'd encourage a very able humanities student to go in any case, especially if aiming for Oxbridge.

Hello,
It sounds like you’re looking for value-added data. This is available on a website called Compare Schools. It is called Progress 8. It measures student outcomes compared with others with similar prior results - for A-levels, it looks at a child’s GCSE results and their progress over the two years of sixth form. A negative Progress 8 means that children have done less well at this sixth form than the cohort with the same GCSE results. (I think - but not sure how 4 A-levels is treated in the calculation.)

https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/140939/harris-westminster-sixth-form/16-to-18/advanced-level-qualifications?accordionstate=0

Thank you both.
That’s very interesting re: progress scores. I will have a look at other “highly” selective schools for comparison.

Bumping