Westminster is an academic co-educational day and boarding school in central London, for boys and girls aged 13-18. It is defined by its rich history and unrivalled location, nestled between Parliament Square and Westminster Abbey in the heart of one of the world’s truly global cities. Pupils here embody unwavering curiosity and an enthusiasm for new ideas. To be a Westminster is to question, to care, and to invest in others.
A Westminster Education
Westminster pupils achieve exceptional exam results. Boys and girls are taught to appreciate and learn from the knowledge and experiences of those around them, and to engage with current political, cultural and academic developments in a safe and open environment. They are encouraged to make the most of opportunities. Their success stems from a love of academic enquiry and debate, and from the energy their teachers bring to their subjects; it also grows from the interests they develop beyond the timetabled curriculum.
How pupil voice shapes school life
At Westminster, pupils lead societies, plays, MUN events and cultural celebrations. They speak in weekly services in Westminster Abbey, run volunteering programmes with local primary schools and hospitals, and choose to take part in national and international competitions, from STEM Racing to the National Gallery sponsored Articulation.
Our inclusive and diverse community
A Westminster education is an accessible one. Our community is friendly and diverse, welcoming both boarders and day pupils. Boys and girls join the School at 13+ and 16+, with international pupils joining at 16+. Many pupils are successful in securing bursaries and scholarships. The School’s sociable and inclusive nature is reflected in the way pupils support one another at daily peer-led events and in the collaborative spirit of charity fundraisers and whole-school productions.
Safeguarding, pastoral care and pupil wellbeing
Underpinning everything is an excellent system of safeguarding and pastoral care centred on each child. Housemasters, tutors, matrons, school counsellors, a School Nursing Sister and a Chaplain all work together to guide pupils throughout their time here. Everyone is welcome, and all are valued and nurtured.
Co‑curricular opportunities and enrichment
Our weekly co‑curricular calendar is full of talks by leading experts, hundreds of instrumental lessons, more than 40 music rehearsals, plays, two afternoons of sport, chess tournaments and more. Expeditions run throughout the year – from US college recces to the French Exchange in Martinique, from gallery visits in Berlin to Physics exploration at CERN in Switzerland – giving pupils a wide range of experiences both in the UK and overseas.
Our distinctive history
Westminster is an ancient boarding and day school with a unique identity. It is, in fact, the only long-established school to remain on its original site in the centre of London. The School’s origins can be traced to a charity school established by the Benedictine monks of Westminster Abbey in the early fourteenth century. After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1540, Henry VIII personally ensured the School’s survival by statute. Elizabeth I confirmed royal patronage in 1560 and is celebrated as the School’s Founder.
