Westminster School London review by University of Oxford student.
The quality of teaching at Westminster is truly exceptional - teachers regularly write articles and papers on their subjects and are academics rather than people who didn't know what to do with their degree so fell into teaching. Many are Oxbridge graduates but others have spent years in the City, etc. They are, on the whole, hugely passionate about their subjects and pass on much of this enthusiasm to their pupils. Westminster teachers teach the subject for its own sake, not for the sake of passing exams, although the school's public exam results speak for themselves. Class sizes are probably comparable to other public schools (around 6-10 per class for A-level). The school facilities are outstanding given its position in the heart of London; some of the buildings are extremely old but others are brand new, with the recent acquisition of a newly-built, state-of-the-art music centre and the purchase of two further buildings for the teaching of humanities subjects. The science centre is about a 7 minute walk from the main school site, and the sports fields a 10-15 minute walk: again, it must be noted that this is exceptional given the school's location right next to Westminster Abbey (with which the school has a longstanding relationship, and where school services are held twice a week). The school excepts both day and boarding boys from age 13 and day and boarding girls from age 16. There are frequent lectures given by outside speakers in various academic fields, many of whom are greatly distinguished and some even world experts. In addition, "John Locke Society" has a whole period a week allocated to it; this is where outside speakers from the worlds of journalism, politics, sports, entertainment and many more come to give a 40 minute talk, and this is followed by the opportunity to converse further with the speaker over lunch.
Each student has a housemaster and a tutor who play the most important roles in.... Get the real inside story on college counseling at Westminster School London as experienced by former pupil and University of Oxford student — Login or Sign Up to access full review
Sample insights on college counseling
They have contacts at most of the major universities and feel perfectly comfortable picking up the phone and advocating for a student to get accepted somewhere they feel is a good fit for that student. However, these counselors are certainly not magic bullets. They cannot guarantee that a student will get into an Ivy League university...
For those wishing to move on to Oxford or Cambridge, the provision is second-to-none. In the months running up to application and interview, every subject faculty offers classes (often run by former Oxbridge tutors) exploring further areas of their subject as well as offering advice on personal statements, interview technique and more...
At 13+ boys can sit Common Entrance (the same exam being sat for all schools).... Get in-depth insights and personal advice on admissions to Westminster School London by former pupil and University of Oxford student — Login or Sign Up to access full review
Sample insights on admissions
For the interview, dress conservatively. Try to be very clean and put together. Also, I was a tour guide for two years and at the end of every tour, we were asked to evaluate the candidate so if you think the tour is not apart of the process, you are very wrong. Ask questions and be interested. Also, tip for the parents: the kids speak on the tour. Do not ask their questions for them...
Most younger siblings have an easy time in the admissions process. I can only think of one case of a younger sibling not being admitted. About half of the students who entered with me had come from public schools. The remainder came from private K-6 schools, or had transferred from other New York private schools The Elizabeth Morrow School and St. Bernard were two of the larger feeder schools...
The whole atmosphere of Westminster is phenomenal. My years there were an incredible experience. The location, literally next door to the Abbey and less than 10 minutes' walk from the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and St James' Park gives it an unrivalled position - no other public school enjoys such a central setting. The school is also within half an hour's walk from numerous theatres and concert and opera venues, and just minutes from tens of restaurants and shops. Three tube stations and Victoria rail and bus stations are within ten minutes' walk. It is one of the most.... Get the real inside story on quality of school life and extracurricular offerings at Westminster School London as experienced by former pupil and University of Oxford student — Login or Sign Up to access full review