In an almost 500-year-old school, not much can ever be described as ‘brand-new’, but Westminster Under School’s Pre-Prep is just that, with the first Reception year beginning in September 2026. Westminster’s distinctive and broad education will be evident even from the Reception year, with the School aiming to nurture well-rounded boys and girls, who over the years will develop a passion for knowledge and diverse interests.
Designed especially for the School’s youngest children, Pre-Prep facilities — for Westminster Under School’s Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 — are modern and interactive, allowing each child to explore as they build their learning, whether it be literacy and numeracy, critical thinking and problem-solving, or just play.
Our co-educational London pre-prep is in Adrian House, directly opposite Vincent Square’s playing fields, one of the largest private green spaces in the city centre, with grass pitches, hard courts and an adventure play area, giving youngsters a great amount of freedom for outdoor fun and learning.
Please read all the information below carefully and use our registration age checker to find out when you are able to apply for your child to join the School at 4+ entry, and to view the registration timeline.
4+ Entry Steps
Registration
- The first step in the 4+ entry process is for a parent to register their child online from 1 September two years before their intended year of entry; registration for that year will close on 30 September of the following year. (For example, registration for entry in September 2027 will open on 1 September 2025 and close on 30 September 2026). Entrance assessment dates for 4+ entry in the following September are published by the end of March each year.
- As part of the application process, as outlined in School Fees, parents are asked to pay a registration fee, followed by an acceptance deposit if their child is offered a place.
- If we reach 500 applicants, we will close our registration and open a waiting list.
School Visit
To get a sense of what being a pupil at Westminster Under School is like, parents can book onto one of our 4+ Open Afternoons. We host several 4+ open afternoons each year in June and September for entry to the School the following year. These events include a tour of the School.
Stay and Play Sessions
For stage one 4+ entrance assessments, we run play-focused classroom activities in the autumn term that allow children to actively engage with members of the School team and other children. The atmosphere for assessment day is informal and welcoming, offering a relaxed setting where children are encouraged to have fun and participate to the best of their abilities.
Offer of a place
After the stage one assessment, some pupils will be invited back for stage two in January. Shortly after the second visit, the School will contact parents to let them know whether their child has been offered a place. Date of birth, EAL and proximity to the School will be factored into the decision-making process. The deadline for offer acceptance is usually the first half of the spring term; the exact date will be communicated in the offer letter.
Further Information
What are we looking for in a pupil?
At all entry age points at the Under School, we look for potential in the children, and for boys and girls who have natural ability and who will, therefore, thrive here. Our challenge is to find that potential in children whose natural ability will grow with the opportunities a Westminster education provides.
Moving up the School
Pupils joining at 4+ will continue their early years education at the School and will usually progress to 7+. They will be internally and informally assessed to ensure they are making good progress, and there will be ongoing dialogue with families to ensure each child is happy and that the Under School remains the right fit for them.
Bursaries and Scholarships
We do not offer bursaries or scholarships at the 4+ or 7+ entry points. For information about 11+ entry Music Scholarships and bursaries, please see the Bursaries and Scholarships page.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Parents are asked to inform the Admissions Department about a child’s particular needs. The School is happy to make reasonable adjustments to the admissions process to enable SEND pupils to participate fully and to the best of their abilities. The Head of Learning Development (SENCO) works closely with the Admissions Team to make decisions about any access arrangements requested for entrance assessments.
The School’s Admissions Policy sets out the ‘pre-conditions’ required for selection. All decisions relating to SEND matters are made with regard to the provision of reasonable adjustments as set out in the Equalities Act 2010. For information about SEND provision once a child joins the School, please refer to the School’s SEND Policy and Learning Development page.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The School accepts pupils whose first language is not English, and indeed many pupils speak two or three languages fluently. While English language skills will be taken into consideration, the School appreciates that pupils’ fluency will be developing at this age.
Overseas Applicants
Westminster Under School is a day school and does not offer boarding. The School can accept applications from overseas if at least one parent is resident at all times in London and the child is able to commute daily from their home to School.
