Westminster School London review by University of Cambridge student.
There is no academic weakness in Westminster school, the teachers are the best that can be found and are almost all passionate about their subject and about teaching. There is a healthy deviance from the syllabus and despite keeping a constant eye on exams and university entry people are encouraged to read around the syllabus. Class size will vary between twenty and ten depending on the popularity of the subject but the quality of teaching is not compromised with every teacher happy to take time out of their free time to answer questions and help. On the other side of the coin, the emphasis on exam results is very stressful. Everyone is strongly encouraged to take four a levels and at least ten GCSEs and anything other than As at A level and As or A*s at GSCE is considered to be failure. It is not uncommon for some one to have a minor mental breakdown (for which there are few measures in place to help), or for someone to drop a subject. All in all, those who make it through Westminster are very capable at their subjects and perhaps more importantly have a strong general knowledge base; knowing about politics, current affairs, and interesting non-curricular facts from their subjects.
The college counseling at westminster puts a strong emphasis on Oxbridge (Oxford and Cambridge) and.... Get the real inside story on college counseling at Westminster School London as experienced by former pupil and University of Cambridge 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...
Before taking Common Entrance you have to attend an interview and have a short written.... Get in-depth insights and personal advice on admissions to Westminster School London by former pupil and University of Cambridge 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 house system gives a familial feel to the school and there is a good deal of friendly rivalry to this, especially at the house singing competition and house football. There is very little crime although a few laptops and phones were stolen while i was there. During my five years at Westminster there was only one case of violent bullying which is not tolerated. Westminster is right in the centre of london but has a university campus feel to it, having a yard and a grassy area in the middle. Students at Westminster tend to be middle class because.... 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 Cambridge student — Login or Sign Up to access full review