At Westminster, pupils consistently achieve exceptional examination results and entrance to some of the top universities in the world.
Our pupils’ success is supported by a style of teaching designed to enrich and extend understanding, and to foster an enjoyment of academic enquiry that our pupils have in abundance. We give pupils plenty of opportunity to take initiative in their learning. Collaborative and independent research projects, presentations, seminar-style discussion and a rich variety of enthusiastically attended pupil-led societies encourage pupils to learn actively and from each other. As a result many are inspired to enter competitions and with great success, including international Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Linguistics Olympiads.
GCSE Results 2023
60% of pupils studied at least one of the arts (Art, Product Design, Drama, Music); 60% took at least one further modern language (Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Chinese); and more than half the year studied either Latin, Classical Greek, or both. History (71%), Geography (35%), Religious Studies (47%) and Computer Science (42%) all remain popular, and this year two pupils took a GCSE in Astronomy.
Headlines67 of 119 pupils achieved a full set of 9/8 (A*) grades. Of these, 28 received all 9 (high A*) grades. Every pupil sat exams in English Literature, English Language, Mathematics, French and at least two of the three sciences.
Subject | Entries | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
GCSE Art | 27 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
GCSE Art and Design | 14 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
GCSE Astronomy | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
IGCSE Biology | 111 | 81 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
IGCSE Chemistry | 108 | 89 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
GCSE Chinese | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
GCSE Classical Greek | 23 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
IGCSE Computer Science | 51 | 33 | 14 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
GCSE Drama | 14 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
GCSE Electronics | 24 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
GCSE English | 119 | 63 | 33 | 15 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
IGCSE English Literature | 119 | 80 | 23 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
IGCSE French | 119 | 92 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
GCSE Geography | 42 | 37 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
IGCSE German | 17 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
IGCSE History | 84 | 46 | 19 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
IGCSE Italian | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
GCSE Latin | 44 | 38 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
GCSE Mathematics | 119 | 103 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
GCSE Music | 16 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
IGCSE Physics | 118 | 86 | 21 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
IGCSE Religious Studies | 56 | 38 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
GCSE Russian | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
IGCSE Spanish | 26 | 21 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A Level Results 2023
A total of 763 examinations were sat in 2023, almost four per pupil, and covered a wide range of disciplines in: Art, English, humanities, Mathematics, modern and ancient languages, and the sciences. Westminster pupils are encouraged to take a combination of subjects that they are genuinely passionate about.
Headlines93 of 199 of pupils were awarded at least three A* grades (or equivalent Pre-U D1/D2 grades). Of this 93, 45 achieved four A* grades and three pupils each took five A* grades. The two tabs below provide a breakdown of A Level and Pre-U subject results for 2023.
Subject | Entries | A* | A | B | C | D | E |
Art and Design | 23 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Art History | 10 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Biology | 32 | 17 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Classical Greek | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Drama | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Economics | 66 | 29 | 25 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Electronics | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
English Literature | 51 | 39 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Further Mathematics | 93 | 45 | 28 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 1 |
Geography | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
History | 55 | 14 | 20 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Japanese | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Latin | 16 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Mathematics | 158 | 100 | 45 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
Music | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Religious Studies | 50 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Russian | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Subject | Entries | D1 | D2 | D3 | M1 | M2 | M3 | P1 | P2 | P3 |
Pre-U Chemistry | 65 | 23 | 21 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Pre-U English Literature | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pre-U French | 17 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Pre-U German | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pre-U Mandarin | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pre-U Physics | 78 | 27 | 23 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Pre-U Spanish | 16 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
University Destinations 2023
Westminster pupils apply successfully to top universities, both nationally and internationally. In 2023, 65 pupils took up places at Oxford and Cambridge; 23 pupils went on to study in the US and five in Europe. A number of pupils each year elect to apply post A Level and are statistically equally successful in gaining places at their chosen universities.
The School provides an excellent programme of mentoring and University Preparation Classes to which current pupils and those who have recently left are welcome. In working closely with Housemasters, our Higher Education UCAS and Oxbridge team, and Heads of Department, pupils are supported individually through UK and overseas university application processes.
Top Universities 2023
Top International Universities 2023
“With over 4000 universities in a wide range of academic, research, sport, and campus experiences to choose from, our pupils are increasingly choosing to apply to institutions that give students the freedom to explore various majors and even develop their own course of study one-to-two years into their university life. Undergraduate research, state-of-the-art facilities, academic flexibility, alumni networks and nice weather are some of the reasons why our students are attracted to the US.
Every year we offer the chance to Sixth Formers to visit these US universities during October half term. In 2023, we visited nine universities, stayed in four different cities and soaked up the American culture: a Broadway show, shopping, national museums in Washington DC, and various culinary delights. One of the most insightful and inspirational parts of the trip was to visit Westminster alumni currently studying at these universities. Honest and relatable, they were able to answer questions and show us parts of campus life absent from any website and admissions tour.
Upper School pupils wanting to apply to the US benefit from SAT/ACT test preparation courses, admissions officer presentations, essay workshops, Common App registration workshops, one-to-one advice on the application and connections to Old Westminsters who have recently gone through the same application process.”
– Mrs Lydia Timpson, Head of US and International Universities
University Courses 2023
Pupils go on to study an impressive breath of courses at acclaimed UK universities and beyond. Popular choices for 2023 include Engineering, English, History, Law, Mathematics, Medicine, Philosophy Politics and Economics, and an eclectic mix of Modern Language courses.
Numbers | Subject Area |
16 | Engineering (various) |
15 | Mathematics |
11 | English (and related courses) |
11 | History |
10 | Medicine |
8 | Philosophy (and related courses) |
7 | Computer Science (and related courses) |
7 | Economics (and related courses) |
6 | Classics |
6 | Physics |
5 | Law (and related courses) |
5 | Modern Languages (various) |
5 | Natural Sciences |
5 | Philosophy, Politics and Economics |
4 | Architecture |
4 | Chemistry |
4 | Theology (and related courses) |
3 | Politics (and related courses) |
2 | Biochemistry |
3 | Biomedical Sciences |
2 | Fine Art |
2 | Linguistics |
2 | Management |
1 | Biology |
1 | English Literature and History |
1 | Finance |
1 | Geography |
1 | Geology |
1 | History and History of Art |
1 | Marketing |
1 | Materials Science |
1 | Mathematics with Economics |
1 | Medical Sciences |
1 | Social Anthropology |
1 | Veterinary Medicine |