Westminster Under School is a co-educational, independent day school for pupils aged 4–13
Every pupil’s curiosity is established early and developed with care and ambition over time. From the Pre-Prep to Year 8, children are encouraged to think independently, to explore ideas in depth and to enjoy the process of learning, all whilst remembering the importance of play. Teaching is broad, challenging and flexible, allowing pupils to move beyond the constraints of a narrow syllabus.
School life is busy and varied: pupils play sport, make music, perform, compete and lead initiatives of their own, growing in confidence as they discover new interests and strengths. As a central London prep school, we make full use of the city’s museums, galleries, libraries, theatres and churches through our extensive expeditions programme.
Within a warm and well-structured pastoral environment, pupils are supported to become resilient, considerate and self-assured — ready to move on as capable learners and thoughtful individuals.
Mr Michael Woodside
“Westminster Under School is a distinctive and happy place, with an unwavering focus on encouraging children to be curious, sparky and ready to embrace their potential. Everyone here loves learning. We want our pupils to enjoy being challenged, to approach new ideas with energy and to develop the confidence to think for themselves.
The academic standard is high, alongside which there are almost unlimited opportunities in sport, art, drama, music and community service that go far beyond academic results – our last ISI inspection referenced this as a significant strength. Just as importantly, there is a particular focus on the way we treat one another, with kindness, friendliness and care, and on setting a good example to others. As a small school, our staff get to know the children very well, ensuring that every pupil feels supported, valued and proud of their achievements.
My favourite moments are seeing children arrive excited and leave still with a smile on their face, discussing all of the things they’ve learned – from Fermat’s Theorem to the French Revolution and everything in between.“
