Westminster

Westminster: Your choice for secondary school // Apply online at www.westminster.gov.uk/admissions 57
There are extensive playing fields at Mitcham and
Blagdons in south London which are well equipped for
football, cricket and tennis. In addition to the
gymnasium, the school uses a local sports centre with
a swimming pool and facilities for squash, badminton
and fitness training.
Focus on the classroom
In Year 7 students are taught all their lessons in the
same group determined by ability. Banding or setting
is introduced for various subjects as students
progress through the school. Students in the upper
school take GCSEs in the core subjects, including
information technology and religious studies, and
choose from a wide range of optional subjects which
include drama, music, catering and triple science.
In the sixth form Westminster City offers an extensive
range of A’ and A/S’ level subjects as well as BTEC
and GCSE courses. Around 40 students leave each
year to go to university. Westminster City School is
a member of the 6F Partnership which includes all the
secondary schools in Westminster with sixth forms.
6F has a common timetable with students able to
access courses in any of the partnership schools.
6F is regarded as a model of good practice
and provides a wide range of opportunities for
all students.
Focus on the outside world
Many students play sport regularly after school and
on Saturday mornings, as well as for district, regional
and national teams. There is provision for students
wishing to play musical instruments. Clubs cater for
a wide range of interests, including ICT, drama, music,
choir, the environment, art, reading and sports.
The school has its own Army Cadet unit that parades
every week and provides opportunities for students to
take part in outdoor pursuits, camps and related
activities. There is also a Metropolitan Police cadet group
which meets in the school once a week.
The school has close links with the local business
community, several foreign embassies and a number of
educational visits, both here and abroad, are arranged
each year. Destinations have included the Lake District,
Devon, north Wales, New York, Belgium and Japan.
Inclusion/Special needs
There are a significant number of gifted and talented
students regularly entered early for GCSE examinations
who are offered a range of extra-curricular activities
including extra classes, summer schools, attending
master classes at Imperial College, a programme of
visits, and participating in the performing arts.
The school offers a curriculum that encourages a variety
of teaching and learning styles, which are sufficiently
differentiated to cater for individual needs. The school
encourages the integration of students with Special
Educational Needs into mainstream classes while
recognising that some withdrawal for individual and/or
small group tuition may be appropriate for some
students at particular stages of their learning.
Discipline and welfare
Individual welfare is provided by a carefully structured
pastoral system. Boys entering the school are placed
into one of five form groups. We expect high standards
of behaviour at all times. Discipline at the school is
underpinned by the Behaviour Policy, which is regularly
monitored and reviewed by school governors. Parents
are welcome to see this document along with other
school policies.