Westminster Under School 7+ Essential Entrance Guide
Westminster Under School, established in 1943, is a prestigious and selective preparatory school for boys aged between 7 and 13. With around 285 students, Westminster Under School provides an excellent academic foundation, and a large number of boys progress to Westminster Senior School (the “Great School”) after completing the 13+ entrance exams. This respected school offers entry at various points, including 7+, 8+, and 11+, with each stage involving a rigorous selection process.
At 7+, Westminster Under School provides a comprehensive and well-rounded education, focusing on core academic skills, extracurricular opportunities, and character development. The school aims to nurture intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. Here, we will explore the entry requirements, process, and academic expectations for prospective students seeking a place at Westminster Under School at 7+.
Westminster Under School 7+ Admissions Process
Open Days and Events at Westminster Under School
Westminster Under School values transparency and encourages prospective families to attend their open mornings. These events are held throughout the year for different entry points and provide an invaluable opportunity to get a true sense of the school.
During the open mornings, parents and children can:
- Tour the school and see the facilities.
- Meet the staff and current students.
- Listen to a talk from the Headmaster (referred to as the Master).
- Ask questions about the school’s ethos, culture, and admissions process.
These open mornings also allow families to better understand the academic and extracurricular offerings at Westminster Under School. It is recommended that parents bring their child along to experience the atmosphere firsthand.
The Westminster Under School 7+ and 8+ Entrance Exam
Entry to Westminster Under School at 7+ is a staged process. The assessment is designed to evaluate both the academic potential and personal qualities of prospective pupils. The process begins with an application during the Autumn Term before entry, followed by:
- Stage 1 – The Assessment Day:
The assessment takes place in early January and involves papers in Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. This stage provides a comprehensive view of a child’s academic abilities, including their problem-solving skills and ability to think critically. - Stage 2 – Shortlisted Candidates:
Boys who perform well in the assessments will be shortlisted for Stage 2. This stage involves more advanced tests in Maths and English, as well as classroom activities. These activities allow the school to observe how children interact with peers and their ability to collaborate in group settings. It’s a chance for candidates to demonstrate both academic and social strengths. - Stage 3 – Parent Interview:
The final stage is an interview for parents, typically held in the same week as Stage 2. During the interview, parents can ask questions, discuss their child’s strengths and areas for improvement, and engage in a discussion with senior staff. Offers of places are sent out later that week, and parents must accept the offer promptly.
Both 7+ and 8+ entry have equal numbers of places available, so there is no preference for one entry point over the other.
Academic Expectations for the Westminster Under School 7+ Exam
Boys applying for entry at 7+ should be working at an advanced academic level, particularly in the core subjects of Maths and English. The exam is designed to assess both knowledge and potential, so it is important for applicants to have mastered key areas of the Year 2 curriculum and beyond and be familiar with higher-level concepts that will be expected at Westminster Under School.
English
At 7+, boys should demonstrate strong reading comprehension skills, as well as the ability to express themselves clearly in creative writing. Candidates will be asked to read passages and answer detailed questions about the text. Additionally, the writing section will test their ability to construct imaginative and well-structured responses. The goal is to assess fluency in both comprehension and writing, alongside creativity and critical thinking.
Mathematics
In the Maths exam, applicants will be expected to have a solid understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as well as basic problem-solving skills. Reasoning skills will be tested through multi-step problems and mathematical investigations, which require children to articulate their thought process clearly. It’s important for candidates to demonstrate both accuracy and logical thinking when solving problems.
Reasoning
The reasoning exams (both Verbal and Non-Verbal) are designed to assess a child’s ability to solve problems and identify patterns. Verbal reasoning may include word puzzles, while non-verbal reasoning may involve spatial awareness tasks, pattern recognition, and sequences. These exercises are intended to evaluate a child’s ability to think critically and solve problems independently.
Results and Offers
After completing the three-stage assessment process, the school will inform applicants about the results in February. Successful candidates will receive an offer for a place at Westminster Under School. Parents will then need to confirm the offer by March and may be required to pay a deposit to secure their child’s place.
Scholarships and Bursaries at Westminster Under School
While there are no academic scholarships available at 7+, the school does offer a music scholarship for 11+ entrants, which comes with a fixed fee remission of 10%. Bursaries are available only at 11+ entry, and the application process for bursaries is detailed on the school website.
For 7+ applicants, the admissions process is focused purely on academic performance and interview performance.
Preparing for the Westminster Under School 7+ Exam
Preparation for the 7+ entrance exam at Westminster Under School is essential to ensure your child is well-prepared for the assessments. Here are some key tips for parents:
- Develop Literacy Skills: Regular reading and practice with reading comprehension questions will help improve both understanding and writing abilities.
- Strengthen Mathematical Understanding: Focus on building a strong foundation in basic arithmetic, as well as developing problem-solving skills and logical thinking.
- Practice Reasoning Exercises: Ensure your child is comfortable with both verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Regular exercises will help them recognise patterns and solve problems more effectively.
How The Happy Scholar Can Support Your Child
The Westminster Under School 7+ entrance exam is a highly competitive and rigorous process. Westminster’s assessments focus on both academic potential and personal qualities, making it essential for applicants to have a solid understanding of Maths, English, and Reasoning – all at a stretch level. Before you start preparing for the top tier schools, we always recommend an academic assessment which will help determine your child’s suitability. It is important to recognise that your child might not be ready both emotionally and academically.
We are proud to have an outstanding track record of helping 7+ candidates secure places at the top tier schools. Westminster Under is a school we know well, with a great insight into the admissions process and what to expect in the exam.
Our 7+ tutors are experienced Key Stage 1 specialists who understand that every child learns at a different pace and will have various levels of maturity. With plenty of patience and care, they will create a supportive and encouraging environment for your child to thrive and explore topics. Our tutors will nurture a positive “can-do” attitude, helping your child feel confident and wanting to give their best. Each lesson is tailored to your child’s needs, building good learning habits, while also focusing on the specific entrance requirements of your target schools. At this age it is so important to make the 7+ journey an enlightening and stress-free experience.
You can find some 7+ school sample papers below:
Magdelen College School 7+ Paper
North London Collegiate School 7+ English Paper
North London Collegiate School 7+ Maths Paper
Westminster Cathedral Choir School 7+ Maths Paper
More 11+ Resources
11+ Scholarships
Our 11+ Results
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