The School’s standard entry points are at 7+, 8+ and 11+ for entry to the School in Years 3, 4 and 7.  Outside of these entry points we do not actively seek to recruit new pupils as we are almost always full. Occasionally, however, some families leave the Under School, usually in order to move overseas. In this case, there may be occasional places for pupils to join the School.

In the academic year starting September 2025 there are likely to be the following vacancies for pupils: 

• 1 place for a boy starting in Year 5 

• 1 place for a boy starting in Year 6 (who must take the Westminster School entrance tests in the same manner as the other Year 6 pupils do in November 2025 – January 2026) 

• 1 place for a pupil starting in Year 8, which is only available to pupils who already have a place at Westminster School to start in Year 9 – in effect this is starting at Westminster a year early. 

In order for us to consider a place, the following criteria must be met: 

• A child may only join the School in September each year – children do not join mid-year. 

• Any child joining must be of an academically equal standard to pupils who are already at the Under School, and must be at home with a stimulating, questioning and fast-paced environment. 

• As with other pupils in Years 5 and 6, any pupils joining will need to go through the usual procedures that other candidates go through in order to gain their place at their senior school of choice, usually Westminster School or Eton College (other choices of senior school continue to be supported)
  

Any families who wish their child to be considered for an occasional place, should contact the Registrar,  Alycia Lee, by email in the first instance. At this stage only basic details will be required, such as the school that your child is in now, a copy of their most recent school report and details of the most recent standardised assessments, such as CATs, where taken. Any information provided will be treated in a strictly confidential manner and we will not contact your child’s existing school at this stage. After the documents are supplied we will let you know whether it is likely that your child would be considered. 

If an occasional place becomes firmly available and we feel that your child might be able to join the School we will ask the following: 

• That you supply us again with the most recent school report. 

• That your son completes some electronic testing, which may then be followed up by some additional written tests in English and Mathematics. This work will be similar to the type of work being completed by his peers in this school at the time and must be done in person – we are unable to carry out these tests remotely.  

• Your son is given a tour of the School and is interviewed by a senior member of staff. 

• We will also require a reference for your child from their headteacher at their existing school. 

Following this process, we will contact you to let you know whether the application for an occasional place has been successful, almost always for the start of the next academic year in September. If this is the case, a deposit will be payable, as is usual when any offer is made, and all parts of the School’s  Terms and Conditions  will apply.

The following points should be carefuly considered

Children who have previously applied at 7+ or 8+
Unless there are extenuating circumstances, children who have sat for 7+ or 8+ at Westminster Under School cannot normally be considered for occasional places and must instead sit the 11+ assessment for entry in Year 7.

Proof that your child can live and study in the UK
Occasional places, as with entries at standard entry points, are conditional on showing proof that your child can live and study in the UK by uploading a copy of any relevant supporting documents such as passports, resident permit and/or visas. Unfortunately, if we do not have evidence that your child can live and study in the UK, we will be unable to make an offer.

Tier 4 Visas
For occasional places we are unable to sponsor pupils who require a Tier 4 visa.

Fees
As is standard procedure, the School can only take pupils from another independent school where it is confirmed that there are no fees owing. 

Deadlines
The deadline for applications for any occasional places for pupils to start in September 2025 is at 12.00pm midday on Friday 28 February 2025.