Harris Westminster Entrance Exams

Original post by SpeedyGonzalez

It must be such a chore getting up Saturday morning though! Especially if there's like a party on Friday night or something. Everything else seems pretty chill to me.

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Yes, it's a chore. And my god, every Saturday is hard. But one thing I will say, is that it's worth it.

Forget me "representing" my school. Forget me needing some kind of assurance that I made the choice. I'd rather have twice as much holiday, and do an extra 4 hours a week.

Simple.

Reply 85

Original post by Wesleigh

Not sure where you got your information from but I'd like to, as a current HWSF student, point you in the right direction:

1.

The 6 day week is actually really nice. It gives you much more teaching time per week. This means that for every four hours of extra study you do on a Saturday you're given an extra 24 hours holiday. We broke up earlier that most private schools.

2.

Cultural Perspecive's aren't a waste of time. Like, seriously. They're really fun.

3.

The "hour" that is "wasted" every week is really worth it. No where else in London that we could use offers us the amount of variety that Harris Falconwood facilities offer.

4.

I'm lucky enough not to need reimbursement, but my friends who do need it, get it.

5.

The 80 minutes you get for lunch should be used to do something useful, and if that means working, then you should get a bit of work done. If you need help, teachers are ALWAYS there to help.

6.

It's congested for everyone. If you don't like one method, there is always more than one method of getting to Central London. ALWAYS.

7.

Well, there's a Tesco's, McDonalds, Morrisons, Subway. Need I go on?

In regards to the 6 day school week - It's complete rubbish.

You do NOT get more contact time (teaching)

They have 33 lessons a week (excluding cultural perspectives)
33 x 40 (40mins a lesson) = 22 hours a week.

My current school and the majority of other sixth forms around me 7 lessons for each a-level a week.
Thats 28 lessons a week. Both my school and the school I am applying to have lessons which last 50mins.

50 x 28 = 23.33 hours of contact time.

.....

That sixth day has no purpose - it's simply there as a desperate attempt to match the hours of its partner - westminster school - who actually use all of their hours PRODUCTIVELY.

Spending one a hour a week travelling to a school for sports is ridiculous. After a year, you are wasting 190 hours. Yes. Wasting.

Reply 86

Original post by YounesB

In regards to the 6 day school week - It's complete rubbish.

You do NOT get more contact time (teaching)

They have 33 lessons a week (excluding cultural perspectives)
33 x 40 (40mins a lesson) = 22 hours a week.

My current school and the majority of other sixth forms around me 7 lessons for each a-level a week.
Thats 28 lessons a week. Both my school and the school I am applying to have lessons which last 50mins.

50 x 28 = 23.33 hours of contact time.

.....

That sixth day has no purpose - it's simply there as a desperate attempt to match the hours of its partner - westminster school - who actually use all of their hours PRODUCTIVELY.

Spending one a hour a week travelling to a school for sports is ridiculous. After a year, you are wasting 190 hours. Yes. Wasting.

I'm not going to lie to you: yes, we try and mirror Westminster School as much as possible. Our lessons, timetables, etc., are identical to theirs. We try our upmost to make it work.

If you've never tried a 6-day week, don't knock it. It's just a blind judgement you're making.

I fully understand that you don't like the way Harris Westminster works, and are no longer applying. If so, why stay on this thread? It's for people going to the exam day.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 87

Original post by Wesleigh

I'm not going to lie to you: yes, we try and mirror Westminster School as much as possible. Our lessons, timetables, etc., are identical to theirs. We try our upmost to make it work.

If you've never tried a 6-day week, don't knock it. It's just a blind judgement you're making.

I fully understand that you don't like the way Harris Westminster works, and are no longer applying. If so, why stay on this thread? It's for people going to the exam day.

How do you know? I've been going to private Saturday schools since I was 5. Please don't assume.

My decision to withdraw my application happened while partaking in this thread. I have every right to put my input into this thread. Thank you.

Reply 88

Original post by YounesB

How do you know? I've been going to private Saturday schools since I was 5. Please don't assume.

My decision to withdraw my application happened while partaking in this thread. I have every right to put my input into this thread. Thank you.

I did say "if".

Reply 89

Economistician

Original post by YounesB

How do you know? I've been going to private Saturday schools since I was 5. Please don't assume.

My decision to withdraw my application happened while partaking in this thread. I have every right to put my input into this thread. Thank you.

You're only person on this thread who has sense. This wesleigh kid has been hypnotized by this stupid school. They make it sound excellent, but when you start there you realise how wasteful they are and how badly coordinated everything is.

Reply 90

Original post by Wesleigh

I did say "if".

Are all of you this immature?

Reply 91

Original post by Economistician

You're only person on this thread who has sense. This wesleigh kid has been hypnotized by this stupid school. They make it sound excellent, but when you start there you realise how wasteful they are and how badly coordinated everything is.

What do you gain by being on this thread? You're bitching about people, the school, and won't reveal who you are. You have the freedom to be here, I just fail to see what you gain by being so hateful.

Reply 92

SpeedyGonzalez

3

Yeah **** it I'm withdrawing my application aswell. Would rather be able to use my Friday nights better.

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Hitting the clubs

Original post by Wesleigh

What do you gain by being on this thread? You're bitching about people, the school, and won't reveal who you are. You have the freedom to be here, I just fail to see what you gain by being so hateful.

I think you mean Truthful. I am here to provide an inside view of how the school works. I am helping the people who are in the position that I was in 1 year ago to see through the blatant dishonesty that is presenting itself to them. I have nothing to gain from lying. So you cam be 100% sure I am giving my honest opinion. If anyone has any questions about HWSF, feel free to pm me.

Reply 95

Original post by Economistician

I think you mean Truthful. I am here to provide an inside view of how the school works. I am helping the people who are in the position that I was in 1 year ago to see through the blatant dishonesty that is presenting itself to them. I have nothing to gain from lying. So you cam be 100% sure I am giving my honest opinion. If anyone has any questions about HWSF, feel free to pm me.

I commend you.

Reply 96

Mathbomb

6

Wow, it appears a lot of misinformation is being spread about the school on here!
First of all, my experience of the school so far has been invariably positive. Not only am I being stretched and challenged in my lessons, but I, as are many others are being given guidance on preparing to apply for Oxbridge and other top tier universities and to reach our full potential in our passions and interests.

I'd also like to clarify that we are indeed being reimbursed for our travel costs, as well as those qualifying being offered free school meals. Bursaries have also been issued, that can be used in order to purchase items essential to your education.

Having school on Saturday is not nearly as bad as you might think, and the CPs (Cultural Perspectives) are fantastic and eye-opening. Last term the ones I did were History of Science, The Future of Energy and Medical Ethics.
This term I am doing Financial Trading, Human Rights and Lies & Controversies. As you can see, there is a wide variety of CPs and I have enjoyed every single one of them.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask, whether in the thread or by PM.

Reply 97

bobsta

Economistician, May I ask how long you studied at HWSF?

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 98