Westminster school 13+ interview

[Moggy72]

DS has an interview at Westminster for 13+ entry. Anyone have any experience - what to expect ?

[Moggy72]

Anyone ?

[Kalg]

My DS has just had his interview and it was a very relaxed and a positive experience. He was asked about his 'ice breaker' item and about himself. The maths and English exams were as he expected. My son gave them 8/10 for difficulty!

This may now be too late for you to be helpful for you.

Do you know when we hear in March?

[Moggy72]

We have ours on Thursday. Can't remember but I think Westminster conducts all the interviews and then sends out letters. St. Paul's does theirs on a rolling basis.

[Kalg]

I am conscious that if successful for other schools, eg CLSB, they will require a deposit by 14 March. It would be nice to only have to pay one deposit!

Good luck for your DS for Thursday. My DS was very nervous in the morning, which is very unusual for him. When I collected him, he was very happy and commented how much he'd enjoyed the interview. Even if he doesn't succeed, at least he enjoyed his limited time there.

[Moggy72]

Kalg - that's good to know. We've applied for 4 schools, Westminster, St. Paul's, clsb, and kings. Still waiting for St. Paul's interview date though. Good luck to your DS.

[Kalg]

We've applied for the same schools, excluding Kings. We are also waiting for an interview for St Paul's. It does seem a long process. Fingers crossed that we receive an offer from one of these schools.

[MrMoM]

I thought WS and SPS were mutually exclusive, since entrance exam is typically (deliberately) held on the same day?

[AuntFidgetWonkhamStrong]

Shared exam - sat online in DC's respective schools.

[Kalg]

WS and SPs use online tests first of all. If your DS pass these, they are then interviewed with an additional exam in maths and English just before the interview. They may then be offered a place, subject to passing the CE exams with 70% plus in each exam. With Westminster, there is also the option to take the Challenge exams instead of CE.

It would be helpful to know when we are likely to hear if DC has passed the interview stage in case we have to start paying a deposit for another school.

[AuntFidgetWonkhamStrong]

I don't know about Westminster as only sat for St Paul's but understood that deposit for St Paul's is only payable the year before entry, ie next academic year for 2016 entry?

[Kalg]

Westminster - you have to put 4% of the days fees (just under £1000) if we accept a conditional place. At the CLSB open day, they said a £1000 deposit was required upon acceptance of an offer for 13+ entry. This is then offset against a terms fees deposit one year before they start.

[12344321]

Speaking to most parents whose sons sat the exam , pretty strong consensus that the experience was pleasant with the testing challenging but manageable.. Makes me think that these new pre -tests ,together w the school reports put them in a pre rank before this final piece comes in to play.

[Moggy72]

123 - do you mean the initial ISEB test was challenging but manageable ?

[12344321]

I am referring to the recent interview. Sounds like they all had good experience.

[12344321]

.

[Kalg]

Does anyone know when we hear in March from Westminster?

[Moggy72]

Kalg - supposed to be early march. First week I think.

[Kalg]

Thanks Moggy72. Not long to wait now.

[Mamala123]

Anyone get a Westminster offer letter today for 13+ - heard they had been posted?

[Moggy72]

Yes we got ours !! So proud of DS.

[Pani6161]

Moggy72 My son is going for the interview at Westminster, I wonder if you could share your experience with me as I am not familiar with the system at all.Thanks