Westminster School

Independent Schools as an alternative to Grammar

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T.i.p.s.y

Westminster School

Post by T.i.p.s.y »

Is there anyone on this site whose son has sat the pre-test for Westminster? I'm particularly looking for someone whose son sat the test and had no tutoring. The test for my DS age is 27th November so tutoring is not an option.

P.S. Please don't make any comments about what I'm up to now as I want to try and keep this thread as clear as possible. If anyone wants to know I'll tell you after the 27th or via a pm - thanks! : :)
T.i.p.s.y

Post by T.i.p.s.y »

DS sitting 11+ pre test on 27th November and he's had no preparation so I'm a bit worried. :( If anyone has experience of their child sitting this then I'd love to hear from you, thanks.
moved
Posts: 3826
Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:42 pm
Location: Chelmsford and pleased

Post by moved »

Nothing from Westminster, but son sat Tonbridge with no tutoring and had no problems at all. Don't worry, he's clever.
T.i.p.s.y

Post by T.i.p.s.y »

Thanks moving, but so are the vast majority of people's kids on this site. What will be will be! :?

The really annoying thing is he sits the test next week and then its an interview 8 weeks later and then you find out at the end of Feb. Now I understand what if feels like for all those who have just passed the 11+ but won't know until March. :( How do you cope with the wait?
moved
Posts: 3826
Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:42 pm
Location: Chelmsford and pleased

Post by moved »

My daughter took the 11+ today, we don't get the results until after offer day. So from now until 4th March we just have to forget it!

Next exam next week though and we will find out whether or not she is invited for scholarship in January, a few days before the scholarship exam!
T.i.p.s.y

Post by T.i.p.s.y »

DS sat assessment and decided he loves the school! 8) Not that he has a say in it! :lol: But being untutored (I know virtually every other boy was) and being so relaxed and also Dad sent him in with a pen that makes him writes 40% slower (he's left-handed and uses a special pen), I think he's not passed or they'll at least say "see he shouldn't come out of year group"! :roll: He found the Maths easy, English too but ran out of time (thanks Dad) and also has never come across VR. All in all a disaster! :cry: Oh well, at least Eton will accept him a year early, untutored and relaxed. :? :lol:
coolmum123
Posts: 271
Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2008 11:18 pm

Post by coolmum123 »

Never say never!!!!! There's always a chance!!
T.i.p.s.y

Post by T.i.p.s.y »

Typical, you always want what you can't have! :roll:
T.i.p.s.y

Post by T.i.p.s.y »

Please, please, please if anyone has gone through the interview can you let me know what happened! :?:
T.i.p.s.y

Post by T.i.p.s.y »

I went to Westminster last night and the head gave us the low down on certain qualifications. Someone asked him if they would do the IB so given that it has been brought up on this forum a couple of times I thought I would let you know his views,based on the fact that he is very pro an international education and is always meeting with universities abroad.

His argument against was although it is broad, in his opinion it is not broad enough or specialised enough. I know that sounds like a contradiction but here were his points.

Most independents and grammar schools study 4-5 AS levels (I'm not sure if they are equivalent to standard level in the IB) and then often continue with the same number into Year 13 although some gain an AS and do not continue it. If a child wishes to study Arabic, Classics, French,History and Japanese (fairly broad) they cannot do it at IB. Similarly they could not do Maths, Further Maths, Biology, Physics and Chemistry (specialised) at IB. If a school allows children to sit 5 A'levels then that is only 2 subjects less than IB but all are at higher level.

I'm sure there are still differing opinions but I thought his views were quite interesting.
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