Year 3 is a traditional entry point to Westminster Under School, marking the end of Pre-Prep and the beginning of Prep. This is the start of Key Stage 2, when children are naturally enthusiastic, curious, and ready to take on greater academic challenge within Westminster’s nurturing, structured environment. Located in the heart of central London, the Under School is ideally placed for families seeking an outstanding independent prep school at the 7+ entry point.
Every year, about 60 boys and girls join our independent prep school at 7+. To accommodate the expansion of our 7+ entry point to three classes in Year 3, and eventually Year 4, as well as the opening of our Pre-Prep, the School is expanding its physical site, with refurbished Adrian House becoming home to our Lower School (Reception to Year 4), and Chapter Hosue, a light and spacious building with modern facilities designed equally for boys and girls, being home to our Upper School (Years 5 to 8). These key developments create an environment in which all members of the School can thrive, and the coming years will be a very special time to be a pupil at the Under School.
From Westminster Under School to Westminster School
For pupils joining the Under School at 7+, entry to Westminster School is not guaranteed and pupils will be assessed at the 11+ point in Year 6, for suitability of entry to Westminster School in Year 9.
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 7+ entry, and to view the registration timeline.
7+ Entry Steps
Registration
- The first step in the 7+ 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. Assessment and interview dates for 7+ entry the following September are published in the Information Booklet 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.
School Visit
To get a sense of what being a pupil at Westminster Under School is like, parents can book onto our 7+ Small-Group-Tours. These are organised on a rolling basis throughout the year prior to the year of entry.
Entrance Examination
In mid-October, all 7+ candidates sit tests in Mathematics, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Children take the tests in small groups, in classrooms with at least two members of staff present, who are there to help throughout. There are breaks in between the papers, allowing boys and girls to use the bathrooms, have a snack and take some time away from the desk. Further information regarding the tests will be made available to parents once the application deadline has passed. We aim to make the assessment day informal and friendly – the papers are designed to enable us to better understand children’s abilities and potential. Most children finish the assessment day having enjoyed the challenge.
From these applicants in the first round of testing, the School invites a group back for classroom-based activities and an informal interview with a senior member of staff.
THE ENGLISH TEST
- Writing: Candidates should be able to express themselves creatively and accurately. We require children to write in a way that should be familiar to any pupil who has followed the Key Stage 1 and 2 programme of study, or equivalent; for example continuing a story, writing a diary, and checking for spelling, punctuation and grammar.
- Reading: Candidates should be reading aloud to others as well as reading to themselves regularly. They should be able to discuss the stories, their meaning and any new vocabulary encountered.
THE MATHEMATICS TEST
It will be assumed that candidates have completed a programme of study contained within the National Curriculum. Children should have a sound understanding of place-value, a grasp of the four arithmetic operations and the ability to apply them in problem solving, which is a key focus. They should have a range of mental calculating strategies (for example, doubling and division for the 2, 4, 5 and 10 times tables, and to be able to deduce other results from these). They should also have a practical experience of measurement and shape. They should understand the concept of fractions at a basic level.
THE REASONING TEST
There will be tests in Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, which will test thinking skills. Children do not need to do any preparation for Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning, although familiarisation with these types of papers may increase confidence for those who have not had previous experience with them. There are a number of examples of reasoning books available online or from a wide number of bookshops. Excessive practice at these is not recommended, however.
Additional Assessments
- Based on the results of the written papers, in November the School invites back approximately 120 children for classroom activities and an interview. Pupils attend a session similar to a typical school morning; they are settled in with games before they start their assessment. The day includes an outside play break and a snack and drink.
- Attendees will be interviewed by the Master and another member of the Senior Management Team who will encourage them to talk about themselves, and to discuss their genuine interests and enthusiasms. We are looking for children who have a spark and a passion. Quiet or shy children are equally enthusiastic in talking about the topics that fascinate them. This is an opportunity for us to get to know the candidates. We aim to make the day as normal and as comfortable as possible with friendly teachers encouraging and supporting the children along the way.
Offer of a place
Shortly after the classroom activity and interview day, the School contacts candidates to let them know whether they have been offered a place. Later in November, offer holders are invited to revisit the school.
The deadline for offer acceptance is usually at the end of January.
Further Information
What are we looking for in a pupil?
At the Under School we look for potential in the candidates and for boys and girls who have natural ability and who will, therefore, thrive here. Our challenge is to identify that potential, and to find children whose natural ability will grow with the challenges a Westminster education provides. We recommend that parents avoid seeking outside tuition, which we feel can detract from freshness, spontaneity and eagerness to learn; some of the very qualities we are looking for.
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 of 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 Equality 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, but lessons move at a fast pace and a pupil who does not have strong English language skills could struggle, so proficiency in English will be assessed to ensure an applicant has the minimum necessary grasp of the language.
Overseas Applicants
Westminster Under School is a independent day school and does not offer boarding. The School can accept applications from overseas if at least one parent is resident in London at all times and the child is able to commute daily from their home to School.
After Westminster Under School
For Westminster Under School pupils who join the Under School at 7+ in Year 3, entry to Westminster School is not automatic and progress must be maintained.
Pupils who join at 7+ entry need to sit assessments between mid-November and mid-January of Year 6, to determine whether they have a place at Westminster School in Year 9. These assessments are the same as those which pupils hoping to enter the Under School at 11+ sit as part of their application process. Find out more about these assessments in 11+ entry.
All pupils will be given full support as they consider their senior school options, regardless of which school it is that they move to in Year 9. Find out more about Westminster Under School’s connection to Westminster School and the admissions process for the senior school. For further information about admissions, please refer to our Admissions Policy.
