Westminster Academy or Paddington Academy

[MummasBaby]

Good day everyone
DD would be starting secondary school in September 2026 and we reside in North Westminster in Bayswater to be precise (postcode W2)
Any thoughts on Westminster Academy on Harrow Road (W2 5EZ)? There’s hardly any forum discussing this academy. Westminster school is often discussed but that’s in SW (they’re 2 separate schools).
I’m referring to the one in my catchment area which is Westminster Academy W2 5EZ on Harrow Road and the only information I’ve found searching it up online is that it’s an IB school with very ethnically diverse intake (around 75% of students come from ethnic minority backgrounds, hence English as an additional language, and FSM eligibility is significantly above the national average).
Another option within our catchment area is Paddington Academy which we’re not seeking any insight for. Just the Westminster Academy please.
Please share your thoughts/ experiences about this school in terms of behaviour and teaching. I’d be wholeheartedly grateful.
Many thanks indeed

If these are state schools, then is there a reason why you are only just looking at them now for 2026 entry? The deadline for on time submission of your CAF was 3 months ago.

You can still apply now - and should do so asap - but the offer you will get on national offer day will only be one of your ranked preferences if it is undersubscribed (fewer applicants not getting a higher preference than there are places available). If all your ranked preferences are oversubscribed, you will initially be allocated the nearest undersubscribed school, but you can go on the waiting list for your preferred schools, and appeal the decision not to offer a place (at each school separately).

We have already applied, for Westminster Academy as our first preference and Paddington academy as our second preference. I’m unsure as to how over or under subscribed both these schools are but I just wanted an insight as though I’ve applied, I’ve no idea about the reputation of Westminster Academy in terms of behaviour, teaching quality, discipline. I’d appreciate if anyone could share information or experiences on Westminster Academy please.

Ah, good (out in real life, in the summer term each year I get to meet quite a lot of unhappy people, whose main source of unhappiness is not having 'pressed the big button' in time back in October...).