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Westminster Under School is an independent preparatory school for boys aged 7 to 13, attached to Westminster School in London.[1]

The school was founded in 1943[2][3] in the precincts of Westminster School in Little Dean’s Yard, just behind Westminster Abbey. In 1951 the Under School relocated to its own premises in Eccleston Square. Due to rising numbers of pupils in the 1960s and 1970s, the school moved again in 1981 to its present site, a former hospital, overlooking the Westminster School playing fields in Vincent Square.[3][4][5][6] There are 285 pupils attending the school. The school has a strong musical tradition and prior to COVID-19, provided choristers for St Margaret’s Church in Westminster Abbey. It also excels in sport, drama (having produced winners of the recent Shakespeare Schools Festival), chess and Latin.

The previous Master until May 2026 was Kate Jefferson. The current Master is Michael Woodside. There are 47 members of staff.[7]

History

The Under School was founded in September 1943[8] at 2 Little Dean’s Yard (now known as Grant’s House) by the former Headmaster of Westminster School, John Traill Christie.

The Under School was first established at 2 Little Dean’s Yard, known as Grant’s House (right), part of the school including College (far left) was destroyed during the Blitz – this image is a present-day view.

There were only 6 teachers when the school was established and only 31 boys. Dean’s Yard was used as a playing field for the boys and the roofless remains of the school along with the bombed school hall were used as a playground. St Faith’s Chapel in Westminster Abbey served as the school chapel. For much of the Under School’s history, the final year (Year 8) was known as the Upper Remove and the second to last year (Year 7) was known as the Remove.

After the war, the school moved to its own premises in Eccleston Square, and in 1981 moved to its present site in Vincent Square to cope with expanding numbers.

Entrance

Competitive entrance examinations for Westminster Under School can be taken at 7+, 8+ or 11+. Entry to Westminster Under School at 11+ attracts many pupils from the state sector. At this stage, the school also offers Music Scholarships and means-tested bursaries.[9]

Previous school fees

Date Per term Per year
2005–06 £3,697 £11,091[8]
2006–07 £3,900 £11,700
2007–08 £4,163 £12,489
2008–09 £4,412 £13,236
2009–10 £4,544 £13,632
2014–15 £5,460 £16 380
2020-21 £6,834 £20,502
2025 £10,350-£10,609 £31,050-£31,827

Campus

The school is housed in three buildings, listed below. As well as these buildings and the playing fields of Vincent Square, the school hires facilities at the Queen Mother Sports Centre in Victoria and at Battersea Park.

Chapter House

The school moved into new premises adjacent to Adrian House, in Chapter Street, in February 2026 while Adrian House undergoes refurbishment.[10]

Adrian House

The side gate of Adrian House.

Adrian House is situated at 27 Vincent Square, a four-storey building in the south-east corner of Vincent Square in central London. It opened in 1951 and underwent a rebuilding programme in 2001, when new classrooms, a new hall, an Art Department (which became more classrooms following the opening of George House) and an IT suite were built on the site of the old hall. In addition, all the classrooms and labs were refurbished.[11][12] The hall, which would also serve as a canteen prior to the opening of 21 Douglas Street and space for P.E. prior to the opening of Lawrence Hall as Westminster School Sports Centre (see below), is used for theatre and drama performances by the school.[citation needed]

George House

George House, opposite Adrian House on 21 Douglas Street, opened in 2011 by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall. In 2014 it was given the name “George House”. The building houses the Under School’s Dining Room, Art Department, conference room, and staff meeting rooms.

Westminster School Sports Centre

In September 2012, the Royal Horticultural Society‘s Lawrence Hall was leased by Westminster School for 999 years, and became the School’s Sports Centre. It was officially opened by HM Elizabeth II in 2015. The building is on Elverton Street. The Under School uses it for sport, including P.E. and Games, and Extras (see section below).

Customs

The School holds its annual carol service at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey

The school, being attached to Westminster School, sends the oldest year of the school (Year 8) to take part in the annual pancake greaze on Shrove Tuesday.[citation needed] This is watched by the year below in the Great Hall. The school is Anglican and has a Thursday service in St Stephen’s Church, Rochester Row.

The school’s pupils compete for the Townsend-Warner History Prize, a history competition for public schools.[13]

Curriculum

Years 3 and 4

In Years 3 and 4, pupils are taught in most subjects by the same teacher (usually their form teacher), however they have specialist teachers in French, Music, Art and Design, IT, PE and Games. There is only one Year 3 form, typically of around 22 boys, and only 2 forms in Year 4 as the school typically accepts only 22 pupils per entry point. Until 2001, there was no Year 3 form, and the school accepted 42 boys into Year 4.

Years 5 and 6

In Year 5, the following subjects are taught, all by specialist teachers: Mathematics, English, Science, French, history, Geography, Religious Studies, Music, Art, Drama, IT, PE and Games but most are in their classroom. Year 5 were also formerly taught Roman and Greek mythology to prepare for when they start Latin in Year 6, however they have temporarily stopped. In Year 7, the boys are split into sets for Maths according to their performances in their Year 6 summer exams or 11+ entrance exams, depending on whether or not they were at the school in Year 6. When the list of boys who are to enter the school aged 11 the next year is confirmed, those boys begin to attend Saturday morning school so that they may begin to catch up in terms of curriculum with the Year 6s already at the school.

Year 7

Another two forms are created for the 11+ entrance. In Year 7, the curriculum remains broadly the same as in Year 6.

Year 8

Going into Year 8, the year group is split into those who will take Common Entrance or a similar exam for their chosen future school and those who embark on what is known as the “Scholarship Course”, in which they prepare for scholarship papers to their chosen future schools. In Year 8, the boys are divided into four classes for each of humanities, science, languages and maths. Two of these forms are for those who will take Common Entrance (where required by their future senior school) or the internal final exam, the Ductio Nova, for those who already have an unconditional place at their senior school of choice. These classes typically contain 18 or 19 boys each, and two other forms containing boys on the “Scholarship Course” – typically these forms will contain about 16 students each. One scholarship form (Wesley) will contain almost exclusively those preparing for the Challenge, the scholarship exam to Westminster School, whilst the other (Benn) will also contain boys preparing for scholarship exams to other schools.[14]

Greek is added as an additional subject in Year 8.

Houses

The school is organised into 4 houses, based on the charges on the Westminster Abbey, Westminster School and Westminster Under School coat of arms: Tudors (Red), Lions (Blue), Fleuries (Green) and Martlets (Yellow).[15]

Extras

The school has many Extras (or clubs) boys can take part in. These extras include bridge, chess, swimming, fencing, judo, karate, mandarin, LAMDA, indoor and outdoor cricket, indoor football, cooking, photography, climbing, table tennis and outdoor tennis. Extras take place after school time.

Notable alumni

See also

References

  1. ^ “Westminster Under School, Westminster, London Area, Independent Schools”. Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2009.
  2. ^ “History”. Westminsterunder.org.uk. Archived from the original on 26 November 2005. Retrieved 4 January 2009.
  3. ^ a b Britannica Academic. Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Retrieved 4 January 2009.
  4. ^ “Buildings”. Westminster Under School. Archived from the original on 21 June 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2009.
  5. ^ “Westminster Under School”. Westminsterunder.org.uk. Archived from the original on 26 November 2005. Retrieved 4 January 2009.
  6. ^ “Entry Levels – Entry at 7/8+”. Westminster School. Archived from the original on 1 February 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2009.
  7. ^ “Westminster Under School”. Westminsterunder.org.uk. Archived from the original on 9 May 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2009.
  8. ^ a b schools, isbi. “Westminster Under School – Westminster – London – SW1P 2NN”. www.isbi.com.
  9. ^ “Entry Levels – Entry at 11+”. Westminster School. Archived from the original on 19 October 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2009.
  10. ^ “Westminster Under School”. Burrell Foley Fischer Architects. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  11. ^ Westminster Under School Propectus, page 1
  12. ^ “Westminster Under School”. Westminsterunder.org.uk. Archived from the original on 21 June 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2009.
  13. ^ “Past Winners of Townsend-Warner History Prize | Past Winners”.
  14. ^ “School Organisation and Curriculum”. Westminster Under School. Retrieved 4 January 2009.
  15. ^ Westminster Under School Prospectus, page 7
  16. ^ Adams, Jad (2018). Benn, Anthony Neil Wedgwood [Tony], second Viscount Stansgate (1925–2014), politician. doi:10.1093/odnb/9780198614128.013.107760. ISBN 978-0-19-861412-8. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  17. ^ Wilson, Rob (9 July 2012). “Jacob Rees-Mogg: a Boris in the making?”. Total Politics. Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2018.