Harris Westminster Sixth Form

Harris Westminster Sixth Form
Motto Ambition. Perseverance. Legacy.
Established 2014
Type Sixth Form
Free school
Headteacher James Handscombe[1]
Deputy Head Nicolas Amy
Founder Harris Federation
Westminster School
Location 11 Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9LJ
England
DfE number 213/4001
DfE URN 140939 Tables
Ofsted Reports
Staff 12
Students 141
Gender Mixed
Ages 16–18
Houses Garrett; Somerville; Turing; Wilberforce
Colours Grey and Red
Website www.harriswestminstersixthform.org.uk

Harris Westminster Sixth Form (also known as Harris Westminster or HWSF) is a selective mixed Sixth Form in central London which has been described as "one of Britain's most selective state schools", with the goal of increasing the rate of entry to top universities among students from areas of socio-economic deprivation. [2] Its aim is to "combine the strengths of Westminster School in teaching academically able students with the Harris Federation’s experience in establishing and running outstanding maintained sector schools across London".

History

The school was formed from an agreement in 2013 between Harris Federation and Westminster School. It aimed to take on 125 pupils in September 2014, reaching an enrollment of 250 the following year.[1] 167 pupils were offered places in the first year, almost 30% of whom are entitled to free school meals.[2]

Location

The school is located in the former Ministry of Justice building, within walking distance of Westminster School and St Margaret's Church on Parliament Square, where its assemblies are held.

Curriculum

Harris Westminster Sixth Form offers a mixed curriculum, consisting of both A Level and Cambridge Pre-U subjects. The Cambridge Pre-U is offered in Languages, English Literature, Art and Art History. Subjects with the smallest uptakes are studied at Westminster School. Students also study Cultural Perspectives courses, which look at a range of academia and skills.

From 2015 onwards:

Extracurricular activities

Currently, the school also runs weekly compulsory societies in every subject studied at A-Level or Pre-U and societies for prospective Law and Medicine students. On a Tuesday afternoon, the school takes part in sports at Harris Academy Falconwood or other activities such as Bridge or Debating. Competitions have taken place as a result with various inter-house sport competitions and events. These include House football, netball and university challenge.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Macquarie, Rob (25 October 2013). "'Oxbridge' academy set up". Cherwell.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Hurst, Greg (26 March 2014). "Pupils queue up for a place at ‘hothouse’ state school" (pdf). The Times. Archived from the original on 2014-03-26.

External links