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Harris Westminster Entrance Exams

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Yes I was actually, we talked mainly about electoral systems and the advantages and disadvantages of FPTP And proportional representation and speculated on labour and conservatives manifesto

You know your stuff. What did you end up going for? Also, any idea if the school does EPQs / the duke of ed? Thanks

Reply 741

samispector

Hey, there's an article about HWSF in the times newspaper, it's accessible on the schools website and was pretty interesting to read.

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Reply 742

danielnoruwa

That article!! Makes the sixth form seem like one in a million. However, I don't think its comparable to the actual Westminster school just yet.

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(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 743

samispector

Original post by danielnoruwa

That article!! Makes the sixth form seem like one in a million. However, I don't think its comparable to the actual Westminster school just yet.

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Totally agreed. There isn't any statistical data yet to support such a comparison, but hopefully our year and the year above us at the sixth form are the ones to create similar statistics to that of Westminster independent school. Nevertheless, the sixth form was really given a platform and was presented as a brilliant place to learn!

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Reply 744

fantasyvn

I read the article in The Times today and became interested in the school. So I stumbled upon this thread, which is very informative.

Is it true to assume that since the school is new, there was no student getting offers from Oxbridge yet?

Reply 745

BookerGirl

I was wondering, has anyone on this discussion been to an interview for Harris Westminster? I'd like to know what kind of experience it was, what questions they asked, how the teachers presented themselves (specifically for English Lit, because all my friends who got through to the interview stage didn't do English Lit ;_;...).

Reply 746

samispector

Original post by fantasyvn

Correct, the school is new and last year was the first ever year, many people in this discussion will be apart of the second year. Also offers to Oxbridge won't come to people in their first year of A level, in the coming years many offers are expected to be made.

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Reply 747

samispector

@BookerGirl I had an interview in geography so my advice may not be suitable for you, but generally their mainly meant to test you on your speed of learning and affinity for the subject and a few other things which you can find on the schools website. I'm sure someone else in this forum was interviewed in English lit.

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Reply 748

fantasyvn

At first, I thought that pupils enter the Harris Westminster at the age of 11. But it turns out that they will only spend two years at Harris after having their GCSE results.

It means that they will have spent their formative years in other schools before they enter Harris.

To those studying at Harris: May I ask in general, which type of schools did you study before you came to Harris? Were they mainly independent schools and outstanding state schools?

Or does Harris prefer to select bright pupils from poorer, struggling state schools?
Thank you

Reply 749

sxckerpxnch

Original post by staringatshadows

Am I the only one from a state school? :s-smilie:

I live in Tower Hamlets so it takes around 40 minutes to get to HWSF by train and an hour by bus. Does anyone know the requirements for travel reimbursement?

I'm from a state school too :tongue:

it takes me roughly 40 minutes by train from Limehouse, what school do you go to? If you don't mind me asking :tongue:

Reply 750

acuriousmind

Original post by BookerGirl

I did my interview for English Lit. He introduced himself and we shook hands which is standard. He asked me on the way up what I enjoyed about English literature and we talked about why I liked certain novels over others and my appreciation for Orwell etc. It didn't seem like a lot of people did do Lit for their interview actually! As for the way he presented himself, he was a calm kind of person who seemed very at ease. He asked me questions on the effect of 'Emma' being in third person and explained how the concept was put in to the book (the learning part, I'm guessing). I recommend going through their prospectus. He also asked questions that challenged my thinking, like why I felt a certain way about a novel, a theme or an idea. It ended with a handshake and an escort out. Overall, I can say I liked his teaching style. It was thoughtful. Do you have / did you have an interview?

Reply 751

themonalisa

I was just wondering - are any of you concerned about Saturday school or is it just me???
It's just really different from what I'm used to, so I was wondering how hard it would be to cope with - all things considered.

Reply 752

sxckerpxnch

Original post by themonalisa

Yeah same :3 it put me off a bit but I just try and think of the long term results- they must be beneficial right?

Reply 753

themonalisa

Original post by AtomicAJ

Yeah same :3 it put me off a bit but I just try and think of the long term results- they must be beneficial right?

That's what I'm hoping, but it would be good to have some reassurance.

Reply 754

Foodatastic

Original post by AtomicAJ

Yeah same :3 it put me off a bit but I just try and think of the long term results- they must be beneficial right?

Original post by themonalisa

In return you get longer breaks/lunches, term holidays, revision time, and sports. I think its worth it. I like the idea of having longer holidays than my current friends.

Reply 755

sxckerpxnch

Original post by Foodatastic

In return you get longer breaks/lunches, term holidays, revision time, and sports. I think its worth it. I like the idea of having longer holidays than my current friends.

Yeah that's true

Reply 756

Xctv

Original post by Foodatastic

In return you get longer breaks/lunches, term holidays, revision time, and sports. I think its worth it. I like the idea of having longer holidays than my current friends.

I think it will have some psychological benefits as it will make you get used to the all the workload you will be doing at uni and in employment. Also the biggest benefit of helping you achieve the best as and a2 results, I think it's great.

Reply 757

Foodatastic

What school should I go for?

School 1:

Strong Religious and Church of England influence
Elitist students from strong background
Great intellectual students
Amazing teachers
Strict and often unfair punishment
Fairly bad equipment/poor school
Focus on academic progress and succeed to doing so
Amazing track record
Pretty Hogwarty
However outside school achievements are not supported
Its an academy
Do not seem to be very understanding at the sight of student problems

or HWSF (Use your own experience with the school to compare with school 1).

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 758

ewin30

Original post by Foodatastic

I just went for a tour at Harris Westminster and I must say that the students and the teachers there are really nice and also, they are a lot of extra curricular activities to do there.

Based on the points that you have made about the other school, I think that you should go HWSF rather than school 1.