Harris Westminster Opinions ?

Do you mind giving an example of what you and your friends do? Also, are the students able to like have a bit of banter while working? (Like do they take it seriously but not too seriously....) Many thanks in advance!

What is the SSA?

i have my interview for biology on saturday , how did it go for those who have done it?

What do you enjoy about Biology? What’s your favourite topic in lessons? Don’t worry - I’m also terrible at keeping eye contact, but I just force myself to stare into someone’s eyes and act like it’s not a problem! So I’m sure you can too...

FFFFUUUU... I hardly even looked the guy in the face.

for the people that aren’t afraid to share, could you explain how the whole day went? i have my interview on sat at 10 in philosophy :/ not stressing at all but still feel like i’m going in blindly a bit

Was he that intimidating?

So everyone comes into the building in a queue and then everyone's id is checked and ticked off of the register and then told where their waiting location is. Everyone then just sits down in the hall and just starts talking(unless you were like me and dying on the inside). Sixth formers just go around the hall talking to everyone, giving advice, answering questions etc... Then you listen to the principal's speech which isn't that long.Then some people are whisked away to the SSA by some sixth formers and the rest stay in the hall. Sixth formers will call out the names, whilst having the name on a whiteboard, of the people who have their interviews. During the waiting period you just sit and talk with other interviewees, actual students at the sixth form or read or whatever you want really. When your name is called, a sixth former will escort you to the room which your interview is in. After your interview you are free to leave. At least that was how the process was for me. If there are any things I have missed out please do correct me.

cheers

Nah, he was really nice. I was just unbelievably nervous.

I am in year 12 at harris westminster and can say I wish I had gone to another sixth form. the quality of teaching is quite good but not amazing (depends on the teacher, like everywhere I guess) and if you're a person who is easily overwhelmed by (unnecessary) pressure to do well and a huge workload, it is not the school for you. my whole further maths class is constantly making comments about wanting to drop out and a lot of people i know share these views. However there are upsides to it ie great selection of books in the library, lab talks - though most aren't interesting, teachers who are passionate about their subjects, lots of societies and clubs which my secondary school had none of, and i'd assume there is lots of support for getting into good unis but I can't speak from experience. I feel like I expected a lot more freedom but am basically still in secondary school whereas I have friends who have much more free time which I envy a lot aha (if you're someone who is planning to work during sixth form its virtually impossible to find the time), that only cares about getting good grades from its students. The workload is huge and we have been given questions on our assessments which teachers have admitted they didn't expect any of us to be able to answer (ie in further maths and maths) which i think is a ridiculous way to test students. Though there is support available if you seek it out. Plus we have assessments every half term (my last assessment week was 2 weeks after we got back from the christmas holiday, which may be an upside to some people?). If youre good at handling stress and time management then you'll probably do well. I know I complained a lot but I've just come to realise there is truth to not every student being right for a school. Oh and everyone at the school holds themselves in way too high esteem, it gets a bit irritating sometimes.

Oh, right. Well, I pray you did well enough to get in and I hope I see you as a classmate if I do equally as well as you

Thank you sooo much. I hope that we're classmates too, you seem like such a nice person. Make sure you don't repeat my mistake though. Whatever you do, DON'T GET NERVOUS.

Thank you for this info!

It seems that there is a similar theme going around from all the past students... that the workload is massive. But I guess if I do go, I will most definitely seek support.

Do you know anything about the mental health support that is offered in the school (e.g school psychologists, support sessions for mental health etc.?)

I am in year 12 at harris westminster and can say I wish I had gone to another sixth form. the quality of teaching is quite good but not amazing (depends on the teacher, like everywhere I guess) and if you're a person who is easily overwhelmed by (unnecessary) pressure to do well and a huge workload, it is not the school for you. my whole further maths class is constantly making comments about wanting to drop out and a lot of people i know share these views. However there are upsides to it ie great selection of books in the library, lab talks - though most aren't interesting, teachers who are passionate about their subjects, lots of societies and clubs which my secondary school had none of, and i'd assume there is lots of support for getting into good unis but I can't speak from experience. I feel like I expected a lot more freedom but am basically still in secondary school whereas I have friends who have much more free time which I envy a lot aha (if you're someone who is planning to work during sixth form its virtually impossible to find the time), that only cares about getting good grades from its students. The workload is huge and we have been given questions on our assessments which teachers have admitted they didn't expect any of us to be able to answer (ie in further maths and maths) which i think is a ridiculous way to test students. Though there is support available if you seek it out. Plus we have assessments every half term (my last assessment week was 2 weeks after we got back from the christmas holiday, which may be an upside to some people?). If youre good at handling stress and time management then you'll probably do well. I know I complained a lot but I've just come to realise there is truth to not every student being right for a school. Oh and everyone at the school holds themselves in way too high esteem, it gets a bit irritating sometimes.

Anytime!As far as I am aware there aren't any professionals at school that work with mental health issues and I don't feel like there is much support? I got unlucky in the sense that my form tutor doesnt really like us and is not someone I can see myself going to with any issues even though she's supposed to be. But I haven't tried reaching out for any. We did have a group come and do a workshop on handling stress and one of the vice principals brings her dog in sometimes (referred to as the therapy dog) and students can have sessions taking care of her / taking her for walks etc (if you're a dog person that is)