Westminster School is a landmark name for any family exploring the international schools in London, even though it is a British independent rather than an international school in the expatriate sense. Tracing its roots to the medieval Westminster Abbey and refounded by royal charter in 1560, it occupies historic buildings around Dean's Yard in the shadow of the Abbey and Parliament. It teaches boys from 13, with girls joining in the sixth form, and is consistently among the highest performing schools in the country. For globally mobile families who want a place in the very top tier of the British system, Westminster is one of the destinations they will weigh.
Westminster School at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | British curriculum: GCSE and A Level |
|---|---|
| Stages | Age 13 to 18; boys from 13, girls in the sixth form |
| Founded | Refounded by royal charter in 1560 |
| Accreditation | Independent school; member of HMC; inspected by ISI |
| Type | Highly selective independent day and boarding school |
| Fee band | Premium; among the highest in the country |
| Campus area | Dean's Yard, beside Westminster Abbey, central London |
Curriculum and academics
Westminster teaches the British curriculum, with pupils sitting GCSEs in the middle years and a broad range of A Levels in the sixth form. It is one of the most academically selective schools in the country, and the results bear that out, with the overwhelming majority of A Level grades at the top of the scale. Each year it places a notable number of leavers at Oxford and Cambridge and the leading universities, and a growing cohort heads to highly ranked institutions in the United States and elsewhere. Strengths run deep across the sciences, mathematics, languages and the humanities, supported by a long intellectual and debating tradition.
For internationally mobile families, the draw is a rigorous, examination based British education in a central London setting with one of the strongest university records anywhere. A Levels are recognised by universities worldwide, so the qualification travels well even if a family later relocates. The school's position in the heart of Westminster gives unusual access to national institutions, and its co-curricular life is correspondingly rich.
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Westminster School fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| 13+ day pupils | GBP 46,353 |
| 16+ day pupils | GBP 49,950 |
| Boarding (13+ and 16+) | GBP 65,976 |
Source: Westminster School (westminster.org.uk). Annual figures (termly fees x3), inclusive of VAT. Fees are the most recent published figures and exclude one-off costs such as registration, deposits and capital levies. Always confirm current fees directly with the school.
Westminster School fees sit at the premium end of the London school fees market, among the highest of any independent school in the country. The January 2025 introduction of 20 per cent VAT on private school fees pushed headline tuition at top London schools higher still, and Westminster, with both day and boarding places, is in that bracket. The school publishes its current termly and annual fees, which is the figure to plan around, as it reviews them each year.
Beyond tuition, families should budget for a non refundable registration fee when applying, an entrance fee and an acceptance deposit on offer of a place, with the boarding deposit set higher for international families. There are the usual extras for trips, examinations and activities. Means tested bursaries and academic and music scholarships are available, reflecting the school's foundation. To bring tuition and the additional costs into one annual figure, use our fee calculator and confirm the current published fees with the admissions office.
Admissions
Entry to Westminster is academically selective and runs to fixed annual points rather than rolling admissions. The principal entry points are at 13 into Year 9 and at 16 into the sixth form, the latter conditional on GCSE results. Candidates sit entrance assessments and attend interview, and the school receives far more applications than it has places, so competition is intense at both stages. Registration deadlines fall well ahead of the assessments.
International families should check the timetable early and register in good time, as places are heavily oversubscribed. The admissions office can advise on the relevant entry point for a child's age, the assessments involved and the documents required, and sixth form applicants confirm their subject choices as part of the process. Given the lead times, it is worth making contact a year or more before the intended start.
Location and who goes there
The school stands around Dean's Yard beside Westminster Abbey, between Parliament Square and the River Thames in the heart of central London. Its position could hardly be more central, with Westminster and St James's Park stations close by and the institutions of national life on the doorstep. Boarders live in houses within walking distance, while day pupils travel in from across London and the commuter belt served by the nearby termini.
Because it is a selective British school rather than an expatriate international one, its pupils are predominantly British, though it draws a steady stream of international and dual nationality families who want a place at the top of the UK independent system. For how central Westminster compares with the neighbourhoods favoured by expatriate communities, and where the IB and international schools cluster, the London city hub sets out the wider map.
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much are Westminster School fees?
Westminster sits in the premium band for London independent schools, with day and boarding tuition among the highest in the country after the January 2025 VAT change. The school publishes current termly fees, and there are registration and acceptance costs on top, with bursaries available. Use the published figures as your guide.
What does Westminster School teach?
It teaches the British curriculum, with GCSEs in the middle years and A Levels in the sixth form. It is academically selective and places a high share of leavers at the most competitive universities in the United Kingdom and abroad.
Is Westminster School a good school?
It is one of the oldest and most selective independent schools in the country with an exceptional university record. We do not assign a star rating without verified parent reviews, so we describe its curriculum and entry rather than score it.
When do Westminster School applications open?
Entry runs to fixed points, principally at 13 into Year 9 and at 16 into the sixth form. Registration and assessment deadlines fall well ahead of entry, and places are heavily oversubscribed, so register early.
Does Westminster School take girls?
Westminster has historically educated boys from 13, with girls admitted to the sixth form at 16. Families should confirm the current entry arrangements with the school, as admissions policies at historic schools can change.
