Updated November 2023

In 2022, Westminster Under School made the significant aqcuisition of a new building, Chapter House, and was then granted permission by Westminster City Council to change the use of the building from offices into a school building.

The School now plans to submit a further planning application for renovation and improvement works to both Chapter House and the School’s central building, Adrian House.

The purchase of Chapter House, and subsequent successful planning consent, were to help meet the School’s plans to create and accommodate a new pre-prep department, adding three school years (Reception – Year 2) to the existing Years 3 – 8.

We have spent much of 2023 looking further at the unique opportunity offered by Chapter House, and how the very most can be made of this new school building. In consultation with architects and expert consultants, we have identified an approach, which with some modest changes to our previous plans, would allow for a significant improvement in the way the Under School could operate.

As well as our intention to create a light and spacious school building with modern facilities, our new plans would include a rooftop area to incorporate a library, a quiet workspace for teaching staff and a peaceful outdoor wellbeing space. These plans are sensitively designed and with our neighbours firmly in mind.

At the same time, we also propose to extensively refurbish Adrian House, with spaces designed and equipped for the need of our pupils. This will include a small podium level exploration area to the rear of Adrian House.

The result of our proposed work would be a modern school, with spaces suitable for children from age four to 13. The work in Chapter House especially will assist Westminster Under School even further in strengthening our wide range of valuable community and charitable work — not least the hugely successful and growing Platform Programme which gives academic support to many young people from a wide range of schools, as well as regular charitable fundraising and giving.

Engagement Events
Before the School submits any new planning applications to Westminster City Council, we would like to present them to our neighbours, so that we may receive feedback and answer any questions that arise.

We will be holding two public events at the end of November 2023

Monday 27 November, 4.00 – 8.00pm
In-person drop-in exhibition at the Under School, George House
No registration required

Wednesday 29 November, 6.00 – 7.00pm
Online Zoom presentation and Q&A
REGISTER HERE

Anyone who would like to ask a question or raise a point can also get in touch by calling freephone 0800 319 6185 or by emailing chapterhouse@westminster.org.uk.

Drawings of the proposed plans. Further artwork will appear on this page in the near future.