Harris Westminster 2020 Q&A

Please note that this thread is now closed - please private message us if you have any more queries, thank you! :smile:

Hello prospective Y12s! We are the HWSF Student Senate and this forum is for you to ask any and all Qs that you may have about Harris Westminster!

Please make sure you have watched the video that has already been sent to you via email as it covers everything from clubs to uniform, the housing system, the timetable and more found here.

Another video addressing the FAQs of this forum including dress code, school trips, stationery & textbooks and details for medical/law students can be found here.
*Note that one Q wasn't answered in relation to medical applicants: 'How many people go on to study medicine at university?'
Last year we had 20 students all of which went to Russell group and medical specialist universities and this year we have 29 offers from again Russell group and medical specialist universities.

Lastly, we have also filmed a virtual tour of HWSF that you can find here.

Other Senators may answer your Qs such as:
Senator 1
PreSHolt

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 1

Leena04

10

Original post by HWSF Senate 2.0

Hello prospective Y12s! We are the HWSF Student Senate and this forum is for you to ask any and all Qs that you may have about Harris Westminster!

Please note that we will be answering the FAQs from this forum in a video that will be sent out to you all via email on Friday 10th July so make sure to get your Qs in before Wed!

what happens on the first day of school (induction day), what should you be expected to bring and what are your tips for us? thank you

Reply 2

dptl22

4

Hey, I wanted to ask a couple of questions and ill really appreciate if these can be answered:1. Can you change A level choices soon enrolment day?2. Can you use iPads and Laptops to work on in lessons?3. Is cricket and badminton options for sport?4. What time do students usually leave school?5. How many frees do you get in a week?6. Are you allowed to leave at break and lunch?AND FINALLY - what is the canteen like?Thank you for taking the time to answer these.

Reply 3

izagra.ce

1

what’s the uniform like?

Reply 4

anonymaccount

6

How do you become a part of the Senate?

Reply 5

Oak1304

7

When do you end up applying to universities?

Reply 6

Bumpyhead

9

1) what would be the ideal uniform thing to wear? 2) Is the canteen food good? 3) How can you be part of the senate? 3) Do you think the extra curricular e.g cultural perspectives take time away from your A level subjects atall?

Thankyouu

Reply 7

username5101870

5

Hey. I wanted to ask what makes Harris westminister stand out from other schools. In what way is the teaching better? Also how successful are medical applicants at the school. Thanks

Reply 8

NG8

4

What does the Student Senate do, like what do you guys do? And how can you become a member, how could a new person join?

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 9

HWSF Senate 2.0

OP

8

Original post by Leena04

what happens on the first day of school (induction day), what should you be expected to bring and what are your tips for us? thank you

Due to COVID we are really not sure how Induction Day will be run this year. The school is currently coming up with multiple plans for multiple scenarios so the best I can say here is to watch out for emails from the school at the moment!

Reply 10

LS0

1

Hello, can someone please tell us how we are expected to safely study at school, assuming no vaccine for COVID-19 is created? Advice on travel by train/bus would also be extremely helpful. Thank you in advance for your time and responses.

Reply 11

yglikesven

1

Hi, Is it possible to make a new sport club? and if so, what would I need to start it? Also, what smart shoes are acceptable, boots? Also, given the fact that enrolment day is on the 20 Aug, does that mean that HWSF are aware of the date we will be given our GCSE results?

Reply 12

NG8

4

Original post by zZgcseZz

Hey. I wanted to ask what makes Harris westminister stand out from other schools. In what way is the teaching better? Also how successful are medical applicants at the school. Thanks

Yeah, I’m very interested in how medical applicants do when leaving the school and if there is any separate preparation that the school offers for those students?

Reply 13

NG8

4

Is basketball as an extracurricular activity an option? (I didn’t see it on the presentation so I just want to check?

Reply 14

Senator 1

4

Hi There,
Please check out our intro video on the website for more info.
1) On enrolment day you can change your choices if your GCSE grade in that subject is a 7 or above. There is also a 2 week period at the start of the year where you can change a subject.
2) IPads and Laptops can be used in lessons - I use an iPad.
3) Please see the school website.
4) The school timetable varies but we usually finish between 16:10 and 16:25 depending on the day.
5) Frees vary from person to person but they average to around 6 to 8 a fortnight.
6) Year 12 students can leave school during lunch but are not permitted to do so at break. For Y13s they can leave during both break and lunch.
7) The canteen is situated on the 7th floor - so quite a way up! It consists of grouped tables and is used by people to socialise, study and eat. The food provided consists of a meat and vegetarian hot option along with a selection cold sandwiches and pastas. There are drinks, crisps and chocolate bars available too.
Hope that helps.

Original post by dptl22

Hey, I wanted to ask a couple of questions and ill really appreciate if these can be answered:1. Can you change A level choices soon enrolment day?2. Can you use iPads and Laptops to work on in lessons?3. Is cricket and badminton options for sport?4. What time do students usually leave school?5. How many frees do you get in a week?6. Are you allowed to leave at break and lunch?AND FINALLY - what is the canteen like?Thank you for taking the time to answer these.

Reply 15

Mmaaxxiimmuuss

5

Original post by HWSF Senate 2.0

Hello prospective Y12s! We are the HWSF Student Senate and this forum is for you to ask any and all Qs that you may have about Harris Westminster!

Please note that we will be answering the FAQs from this forum in a video that will be sent out to you all via email on Friday 10th July so make sure to get your Qs in before Wed!

Is there a safe space I could lock my bike if I cycle to school?

Reply 16

Senator 1

4

Original post by izagra.ce

what’s the uniform like?

Hi there,
Uniform for HWSF consists of ‘smart attire’. You can wear anything you like as long as it’s smart. Please do dress smart as it would be unfortunate to be called out by the SLT team.

Reply 17

HWSF Senate 2.0

OP

8

Original post by dptl22

Hey, I wanted to ask a couple of questions and ill really appreciate if these can be answered:1. Can you change A level choices soon enrolment day?2. Can you use iPads and Laptops to work on in lessons?3. Is cricket and badminton options for sport?4. What time do students usually leave school?5. How many frees do you get in a week?6. Are you allowed to leave at break and lunch?AND FINALLY - what is the canteen like?Thank you for taking the time to answer these.

1. Yes you can
2. Yes - you can buy a laptop from the school for a reduced price or borrow a (Lenovo?) from the library and return it at the end of the day.
3. Yes there are
4. The school timetable is different every day. On Monday and Tuesday we finish at 4:25, On Wed and Fri at 4:10 and Thursday depends on what sport you do.
5. You get roughly 4 frees a week
6. You can only leave at lunch and not break time.
7. I personally like the canteen, some don't, it depends on you. They offer halal and veggie options if that is of interest to you?

Reply 18

Senator 1

4

Original post by LS0

Hello, can someone please tell us how we are expected to safely study at school, assuming no vaccine for COVID-19 is created? Advice on travel by train/bus would also be extremely helpful. Thank you in advance for your time and responses.

Hi there,
I hope that you are safe and well. The school is spread out over 8 floors with roughly 7 to 8 classrooms per floor so there would be plenty of space for social distancing to occur. I cannot give you a definitive answer but I can tell you how it ran during the start of lockdown: Each year group worked on a fortnightly schedule, one week in school and another online. I can assure that online learning works very well at our school, so if this is the case then there is nothing to be worried about.

Due to our location travel is more difficult. We would suggest cycling in if you can, like I do, or taking public transport but getting off a few stops early and walking the final part of the journey, so to avoid mass gatherings.
Best

Reply 19