The Curriculum

Studies at 13+

Lower School sets usually have about 20 pupils per class. All boys who arrive in Year 9 (Fifth Form) follow a common curriculum; no ill-informed choices have to be made before joining the School. At this stage, subjects studied include:

• English
• Mathematics
• French
• History
• Geography
• Art
• Music
• Religious Studies
• Classics incorporating Latin and Greek (to allow for a wide range of previous experience of these languages)
• Science (taught as three separate subjects in the Robert Hooke Science Centre)
• Electronics, Design and Information Technology (introductory courses)
• PSHE programme.

GCSE studies

For their next two years in Year 10 (Lower Shell) and Year 11 (Upper Shell), boys prepare for 10 or 11 GCSEs or IGCSEs including Mathematics, English Language, English Literature, French and at least two of the three sciences.

Otherwise the system of choice is flexible. It is possible to begin a second Modern Language (German, Spanish and Russian) at this stage. Boys are encouraged to do one or two subjects that have a practical component, choosing from Art, Drama, Electronics, Music and Design Technology. A one-year Information Technology course is also available.

Studies at 16+

A-Level and Pre-U Studies

In the Sixth Form boys and girls at Westminster normally take four A-level or Pre-U courses. In addition, there is an Options programme for pupils in Year 12, i.e. courses that do not lead to examinations but which give greater breadth to the curriculum. Sixth Form pupils also participate in sport, drama and music. Each academic department regularly invites visiting speakers and there is also the weekly John Locke Society. Recent guest speakers include John le Carre, Shami Chakrabarti and Lord Lawson.

For more detailed information about Studies at 16+ please at Sixth Form Entry - Apply Online.