Partnerships form an intrinsic part of School life and are embodied by our ethos, values and vision. Through outreach and global enagement, our our ambition is to have a transformative impact.
The School’s Enterprise programme helps to fulfil this ambition, transforming the lives of pupils and giving them the space to contribute meaningfully to society. The programme is split into four key areas: Community, Sustainability, Fundraising, and Outreach. Pupils are eager to make a positive impact across all these areas, engaging with the wider community through meaningful and hands-on activities.
To become an Enterprise rep, pupils complete an application form of interest, and the Head of Enterprise selects the team. This team remains active throughout the school year, with a second opportunity to join in January for pupils inspired to get involved later in the year. Reps lead assemblies that are fun and engaging, often including video-making challenges and competitive activities involving the whole School. They organise sales, interact with the wider community, and bring fresh ideas for new charities and initiatives. Through their leadership, the Enterprise Programme continues to foster responsibility, creativity, and a spirit of service in every pupil involved.
Community and Outreach
Each week, Enterprise reps visit a local care home to spend time with residents, participating in activities that bring joy and companionship. They also support younger learners at Millbank Primary School, reading with Year 2 pupils, including those with English as an additional language, to build relationships and encourage literacy. As part of this initiative, the books used are then donated to the class, helping to build their library and provide valuable reading materials. This initiative has the added benefit of gently introducing co-education, as our pupils read alongside girls from partner schools.
A new Enterprise initiative for the community is the WUS School Map , soon to be launched. Each pupil will place a pin on a world map to show where they are from, creating a legacy map that will continue to grow each year and highlight the rich diversity of our School community.
Fundraising
Fundraising is another core focus of the Enterprise programme. Pupils have contributed to a wide range of charitable initiatives, including Jeans for Genes, Vitality 10K, Remembrance Day, and Children in Need. A highlight of the year is the Santa in the City Run, a pupil-led initiative in which pupils and staff dress as Santa and complete laps around Vincent Square, joined by the Lord Mayor of Westminster – the event is a lot of fun, full of community spirit.
We also have the Halloween bake sale, the Christmas Fair, the carol service at St Stephen’s church, and the Winter Bonanza, supporting charities such as The Passage and Cancer Research UK. Pupils also take part in the Secret Santa initiative at the Cardinal Hume Centre, spreading joy to those in need. Recently, during our move to Chapter House, we donated books that will be sold, with all proceeds going directly to the 9th Chelsea Scout Group, further demonstrating the pupils’ commitment to community support.
Sustainability
Our annual Sustainability Week reflects the School’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility and community engagement. Led by Enterprise reps, the week is full of activities and workshops that encourage practical thinking and everyday action.
There are plant sales, with proceeds supporting Conservation International, and pupils wear green to support the charity. In science lessons pupils explore ecosystems and the importance of protecting biodiversity. The community asks questions and shares ideas about how they could make more environmentally responsible choices. Climate experts talk in whole-school assemblies, and everyone supports Zero Waste Day at lunchtime, resulting in clean plates all round.
Platform
In 2018, Westminster Under School and Westminster School launched a flagship partnerships programme, Platform. Established to fuel the ambitions of boys and girls in Year 5 from the state school sector who show academic potential, the programme was designed to develop confidence and academic ambition, with many children earning scholarships or bursaries to leading schools. Since then, the School has expanded its widening access initiative with the introduction of Platform+ in 2020, for pupils in Year 10, and the launch of Platform Pups in 2023, for pupils in Year 2.
Children are selected for Platform and Platform Pups on an annual basis from 17 inner-city primary schools and are invited to attend ten Saturday sessions at the Under School to supplement the work they are doing in school. These sessions are led by Westminster Under School teachers who volunteer to teach on site using the School’s classrooms and facilities. Parents of former Westminster Under School pupils also provide additional individual reading sessions.