Westminster School Review: Rankings, Fees And More
Westminster School is one of the top independent boarding schools in the UK. With a storied history spanning over 700 years, the institution has perfected the art of cultivating brilliance—evident in its track record of producing future trailblazers and consistently dominating the A-Level league tables year after year. Beyond academics, Westminster offers a wealth of opportunities in art, drama, music, sport, and community volunteering, ensuring students excel in all aspects of life. Join us as we explore what makes Westminster truly exceptional.
Table of Contents
Westminster School Summary
- Type of school: Boys, Co-educational (Sixth Form only)
- Age range: 12-19
- Pupils: 761
- Boarders: 20%
- Fees: Boarding £20,995 per term (incl. VAT)
- 2024 A Level Results: 87% A*/A
- 2024 GCSE Results: 99% 9-7
Westminster School Overview
Located in the heart of London, Westminster School is one of the most prestigious and historic institutions in the UK. Situated within the precincts of Westminster Abbey, the school traces its origins back to before the Norman Conquest, with continuous records dating from the 14th century.
Westminster consistently ranks among the top-performing schools nationally, with a remarkable Oxbridge acceptance rate—approximately half of its students secure places at Oxford or Cambridge. It is regularly listed among the world’s top private schools and continues to attract some of the brightest minds from the UK and beyond.
The school’s architectural heritage is as impressive as its academic standing. Many of its buildings date back centuries, including College Hall, a medieval refectory where Elizabeth I once attended Latin plays. Its campus extends beyond the abbey precincts to Vincent Square, home to its playing fields, and the Robert Hooke Science Centre, reinforcing its commitment to both classical and modern education.
Westminster’s traditions make it unique. Every Shrove Tuesday, students take part in the Greaze, a centuries-old contest where they compete for a tossed pancake. Latin prayers are still held weekly, a tradition that dates back to the school’s exemption from religious reforms. Rowing is also a key part of school life—Westminster School Boat Club is the oldest rowing club in the world.
Westminster School Courses And Programmes
What makes Westminster Education so special? The school offers a broad and flexible curriculum, ensuring students receive a rigorous and well-rounded education. Academic excellence is at the heart of its teaching, with dedicated teachers delivering challenging and engaging courses at both GCSE and A-Level.
GCSE or IGCSE
Students follow a core curriculum while having the freedom to tailor their studies based on their interests and strengths. Compulsory subjects include:
- Mathematics
- English Language & English Literature
- French
- At least two sciences (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics)
Beyond these, students can choose additional subjects in humanities, arts, and languages, allowing them to build a strong academic foundation.
A-Level or Pre-U
At Sixth Form, students select their own subjects, giving them greater control over their academic focus. Westminster offers a wide range of A-Level and Pre-U courses, all taught by subject specialists. This flexibility enables students to deepen their expertise in chosen areas, preparing them for university and beyond.
Westminster’s academic structure encourages independent thinking, intellectual curiosity, and a high level of subject mastery, making it one of the top-performing schools in the UK.
Westminster School Rankings And Results
Westminster School consistently ranks among the top schools in the UK for academic performance. In 2024, it secured 2nd place in the UK A-Level league table, with an impressive 87% of A-Level grades at A-A*.
At GCSE, Westminster claimed the top spot in the 2024 GCSE league table, achieving an outstanding 99% of grades at 9-7 (equivalent to A*-A). These results highlight the school’s commitment to academic excellence and its ability to prepare students for top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.
Westminster School Boarding Experience
Westminster School boards about 180 students a year, and offers students an enriching and supportive environment in the heart of London. Here’s what makes the boarding experience so special:
Boarding Houses
Westminster’s 11 houses form the core of student life. Six of these houses accommodate boarders alongside day pupils:
- College, Grant’s, Rigaud’s, Busby’s, and Liddell’s – mixed boarding houses
- Purcell’s – a dedicated girls-only boarding house
All houses foster a strong sense of community, with students from different year groups living and socialising together. Most houses are centrally located around Little Dean’s Yard, making it easy for boarders to take full advantage of school life.
Life as a Boarder
Boarding provides students with:
- Access to evening activities – concerts, plays, sports, and lectures
- Cultural experiences – proximity to London’s theatres, galleries, and restaurants
- More time for study and relaxation – without the need for daily commuting
- A social and supportive atmosphere – common rooms, games, and shared experiences
Regular house events include film nights, karaoke, sports competitions, and seasonal celebrations like Chinese New Year and Guy Fawkes Night. Each term, boarders also enjoy outings such as ice skating, go-karting, or dining at local restaurants.
Who Can Board?
- Lower School (Years 9–11) – UK-based students can board during the week but go home on weekends
- Upper School (Years 12–13) – Both UK and international students can board full-time, including weekends
Academic Support
Boarders benefit from structured study sessions every evening, with dedicated tutors and access to:
- House study areas and filtered internet
- The school library, open until 9:00 pm
- The Manoukian Music Centre, available for practice sessions
Sports
See our section on extracurricular activities below.
Boarding Options and Flexibility
- Lower School boarders return home on weekends
- Sixth Form boarders can stay at school over the weekend
- Overseas students in the Sixth Form must have a UK-based guardian for exeat weekends
In short, Westminster’s boarding experience offers students independence, structure, and a vibrant school community.
Westminster School Pastoral Care
Westminster School offers a strong pastoral care system designed to support pupils academically, emotionally, and socially. The school provides comprehensive guidance through a network of housemasters, tutors, medical staff, and welfare professionals, ensuring that students thrive in a supportive environment.
House System and Daily Support
Each pupil belongs to one of 11 houses, where housemasters, resident tutors, and matrons oversee their wellbeing. These staff members:
Day-to-day guidance and support
- Monitor students’ academic progress and personal development
- Foster a close-knit, family-like environment
- Older students are also trained as Peer Supporters, offering advice and mentorship to younger pupils.
Dedicated staff— Westminster’s pastoral team includes:
- The Under Master, who oversees safeguarding and pupil welfare
- The School Counsellor, available for one-on-one support
- Visiting therapists and external counselling services
- The Chaplain, providing spiritual guidance and emotional support
- The school also offers PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic) education to equip students with resilience, emotional intelligence, and life skills.
Medical and Mental Health Services
- A School Nursing Sister and Medical Officer
- Regular GP surgeries
- Access to external mental health professionals
- Boarders receive round-the-clock care, with matrons and housemasters ensuring they have access to the right medical and emotional support whenever needed.
Support for International Students
The Head of International Pupils ensures that overseas students settle in smoothly, integrating them into the school community and supporting their academic and social adjustment.
Safe to say, through structured pastoral care, professional support, and a strong sense of community, Westminster ensures that every student feels safe, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Westminster School Application Deadline
The school must receive applications for boarding spots by September of the year before the student wants to start the academic year. Applications, for instance, must be submitted by September if they are to be considered for admissions in the next year’s intake.
Westminster School Extracurricular Activities
Students have plenty of opportunities to explore their interests, talents, and ambitions beyond the classroom. From arts and music to sports and societies, the Westminster school encourages students to engage in a wide range of activities, fostering creativity, teamwork, and personal growth.
Art
Westminster has a team of highly skilled art teachers, many of whom are practicing artists. Students develop their practical skills and techniques in various media, including:
- Painting and drawing
- Textile work and ceramics
- Digital design and film-making
- Printmaking and etching
Students are encouraged to initiate personal projects, and the Art School provides specialist studios, a darkroom, and digital photography facilities. Westminster’s proximity to top London galleries such as the Tate, National Gallery, and Courtauld Institute allows students to study masterpieces up close.
Music
Music is a central part of life at Westminster, with a strong tradition of excellence. The school fosters all musical genres, from classical and jazz to pop and choral singing.
Highlights include:
- Regular rehearsals, recitals, and concerts
- Singing in Westminster Abbey twice a week
- Performance opportunities at St John’s Smith Square and the Barbican
- Participation in national youth orchestras and choirs
- The Manoukian Music Centre offers a recital hall, recording studio, practice rooms, and classrooms, while top students progress to leading music conservatoires and universities.
Drama
Aspiring actors can follow in the footsteps of Westminster alumni such as John Gielgud, Stephen Poliakoff, and Helena Bonham-Carter. The school offers:
- Professional-level productions with industry-standard staging
- Workshops with trained actors, directors, and technical experts
- Opportunities to perform and direct
- Access to London’s theatre scene, with over 40 West End venues nearby
- Students can join the National Youth Theatre and some go on to study at top drama schools.
Sports
Westminster’s sports programme, known as Station, provides students with the freedom to choose from over 25 sports each term. Activities include:
- Traditional team sports – Football, cricket, hockey, netball, and basketball
- Individual sports – Fencing, squash, judo, shooting, and rock climbing
- Fitness and well-being – Yoga, pilates, and gym training
- Water sports – Rowing (Westminster has the oldest rowing club in the world), swimming, and sailing
The school’s 6,000m² Sports Centre includes:
- A fully equipped gym
- Rowing and fencing suites
- Climbing walls and a shooting gallery
- Courts for badminton, basketball, and volleyball
Westminster athletes regularly compete nationally and internationally, with recent successes in cricket, rowing, fencing, and judo.
Clubs and Societies
Westminster has a vibrant student-led society culture, covering everything from academic subjects to niche interests. Popular societies include:
- Debating Society
- Gaming Society
- African Caribbean Society
- Psychology Society
- Literature Society
- Cake Society
Students can also attend lectures by global experts and participate in competitions, research projects, and community outreach.
Expeditions and Trips
Westminster organises over 60 trips annually, including:
- Language immersion trips to France, Spain, Germany, Russia, and Cuba
- Art history visits to Florence and Venice
- Skiing trips to the French Alps, Jasper, and Vermont
- Rowing competitions in Boston and Henley
- Geography fieldwork in Morocco, China, and Jordan
These experiences allow students to apply their learning in real-world settings, fostering curiosity, cultural awareness, and independence.
Westminster School Reviews
When our son attended Westminster School it was an extremely positive experience, both for him and for us. It seemed that the overt academic excellence was matched by the more subtle, but also more important, authentic intellectual dimension. I wish I’d been a Westminster student myself!
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.
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.
Westminster School Contact Information
- Official Website: https://www.westminster.org.uk
- Location: Deans Yard, 17A, London SW1P 3PB, United Kingdom
- Email Address: enquiries@westminster.org.uk
- Phone number: +44 20 7963 1000
Frequently Asked Questions About Westminster School
Admission is highly competitive, with entry at 11+, 13+, and 16+. Applicants must pass challenging entrance exams and interviews, demonstrating strong academic ability, curiosity, and independent thinking. For Sixth Form, students typically need top GCSE or equivalent results. The school also offers scholarships and bursaries to support talented students.
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Apply To Westminster School Today
Speak to us today for free application assistance and education advice. Our expert consultants are more than happy to help!