Westminster Under School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Westminster Under School |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Address | |
|
27 Vincent Square
London
,
Greater London
,
SW1P 2NN
United Kingdom
|
|
| Coordinates | 51°29′31″N 0°08′03″W / 51.491867°N 0.134261°W, |
| Information | |
| Type | Independent preparatory school |
| Motto | Dat Deus Incrementum (Classical Latin: "God Gives Increase") |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Church of England |
| Established | 1943 |
| Founder | Westminster School |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Department for Education URN | 101165 Tables |
| The Master | Kate Jefferson |
| Staff | 47 |
| Gender | Boys |
| Age | 7 to 13 |
| Enrolment | 285 |
| Houses | 4 |
| Colour(s) | Pink |
| Publication | The Vincent |
Westminster Under School is a special school for boys aged 7 to 13 in London. It is an independent preparatory school. This means it helps boys get ready for their next big school, often Westminster School.
The school started in 1943 near Westminster Abbey. It moved to its own building in 1951. Then, in 1981, it moved again to its current spot. This new location overlooks the playing fields in Vincent Square. About 285 boys attend the school.
Westminster Under School is known for its music. Its choristers sing at St Margaret's Church in Westminster Abbey. The school also does very well in sports, drama, chess, and Latin. Many boys go on to Westminster School after finishing here. Some boys also go to other famous schools like Eton.
The current head of the school is Kate Jefferson. There are 47 staff members who work at the school. In 2025, the school fees were between £10,350 and £10,609 per term.
Contents
School History
Westminster Under School began in September 1943. It was founded by John Traill Christie, who was the headmaster of Westminster School. The first school building was at 2 Little Dean's Yard.
When it first opened, there were only 6 teachers and 31 boys. The school used Dean's Yard as a playing field. The damaged parts of the school were used as a playground. St Faith's Chapel in Westminster Abbey was the school's chapel. For many years, the final year (Year 8) was called the Upper Remove. The second to last year (Year 7) was called the Remove.
After World War II, the school moved to Eccleston Square. In 1981, it moved to its current home in Vincent Square. This move happened because more and more students wanted to join the school.
How to Join the School
Boys can try to get into Westminster Under School at ages 7, 8, or 11. The entrance exams are very competitive. Many students from state schools join at age 11.
At the 11+ entry point, the school also offers Music Scholarships. These help talented musicians. They also offer bursaries, which are financial help for families who need it.
School Buildings
The school has three main buildings. It also uses the playing fields at Vincent Square. The school rents other places for sports too. These include the Queen Mother Sports Centre in Victoria and facilities at Battersea Park.
Adrian House
Adrian House is at 27 Vincent Square. It is a four-story building. It first opened in 1951. In 2001, it was rebuilt and updated. New classrooms, a hall, and an IT room were added. All the classrooms and labs were also made new.
The main hall is now called the Performing Arts Studio. It is used for plays and drama shows. Adrian House also has two science labs. The basement is completely used for the music department.
George House
George House is across from Adrian House, at 21 Douglas Street. It opened in 2011. In 2014, it was officially named "George House."
This building has the school's dining room. It also has the Art Department. There are also rooms for meetings for the staff.
Westminster School Sports Centre
In September 2012, Westminster School started using the Royal Horticultural Society's Lawrence Hall. This building became the School's Sports Centre. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened it in 2015.
The Sports Centre is on Elverton Street, close to Vincent Square. The Under School uses it for sports like PE and Games. They also use it for other activities.
School Traditions
Westminster Under School is connected to Westminster School. The oldest boys (Year 8) take part in the yearly pancake greaze. This happens on Shrove Tuesday. The younger boys watch this event in the Great Hall. The school is Anglican (Church of England). They have a service every Thursday at St Stephen's Church.
The school also has a Music Competition each summer. All boys can enter with one piece of music. Winners and some runners-up get to play in the school's Summer Concert. This concert is held at St John's, Smith Square. The school's Senior String Orchestra and Senior Choir also perform.
There is also an annual reading competition. Boys choose a short piece of writing to read. This competition is held in the Lent term. It is a house event, meaning points are given to the different school houses.
The art department holds a photography competition and a model competition. These are optional to enter. The school's students also compete in the Townsend-Warner History Prize. This is a history competition for many schools.
What Boys Learn
Years 3 and 4
In Years 3 and 4, boys learn most subjects from their main teacher. But they have special teachers for French, Music, Art and Design, IT, PE, and Games. There is usually one Year 3 class with about 22 boys. In Year 4, there are two classes.
Years 5 and 6
In Year 5, boys learn many subjects from specialist teachers. These include Maths, English, Science, French, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Music, Art, Drama, IT, PE, and Games. In Year 6, boys start learning Latin.
In Year 7, boys are put into different groups for Maths. This depends on how well they did in their Year 6 exams. Boys who join the school at age 11 start Saturday morning classes. This helps them catch up with the curriculum.
Year 7
Two new classes are created for boys who join at age 11. The subjects taught in Year 7 are mostly the same as in Year 6.
Year 8
In Year 8, boys prepare for their next schools. Some boys take the Common Entrance exam. Others prepare for the "Scholarship Course." This course helps them get ready for scholarship exams.
The Year 8 boys are split into four classes for different subjects. Two classes are for Common Entrance. The other two are for scholarship students. One scholarship class focuses on "the Challenge," which is the scholarship exam for Westminster School. The other scholarship class prepares boys for exams to other schools. Greek is also added as a new subject in Year 8.
School Houses
The school has 4 houses. They are named after symbols on the school's coat of arms. These houses are:
- Tudors (Red)
- Lions (Blue)
- Fleuries (Green)
- Martlets (Yellow)
There are many competitions between the houses during the school year. These include music, Scrabble, and Chess. Each house has a House Captain and Vice Captain. These roles change every term. Up to 12 prefects are chosen from Year 8 boys throughout the year.
Clubs and Activities
The school offers many "Extras," which are clubs and activities. Boys can choose from things like:
- Bridge
- Chess
- Swimming
- Fencing
- Judo
- Karate
- Mandarin (Chinese language)
- LAMDA (drama)
- Indoor and outdoor cricket
- Indoor football
- Cooking
- Photography
- Climbing
- Table tennis
- Outdoor tennis
These clubs usually happen after school.
Famous Former Students
- Adam Buxton (journalist and comedian)
- Andrew Lloyd Webber (composer)
- Julian Lloyd Webber (cellist)
- Jason Kouchak (pianist and composer)
- George Benjamin (composer)
- Alfred Enoch (actor)
- Luke McShane (chess player)
- Dan McKenzie (academic)
- Ben Adams (singer)
- Hilary Benn (MP)
- Jacob Rees-Mogg (MP)
- John Jayne (judoka)
See also
