Westminster’s curriculum is broad and distinctive. From the point at which boys and girls enter the School from Year 9 to when they leave at the end of Year 13, they are encouraged to invest in the subjects they are good at but also ones they genuinely enjoy, resulting in exceptional exam results.
The School strives to get pupils thinking about their futures and how they can have a positive impact on society as adults. Heads of Departments, subject teachers, housemasters form part of the extensive network of staff available to help guide pupils with GCSE and A Level choices. The School’s Higher Education and Careers Teams inspire pupils to consider their futures and the subjects that will best support them in their adult lives.
At A Level the School offers 23 subjects, covering a wide range of disciplines in art, English, humanities, mathematics, languages, and the sciences. Pupils going into Year 10 have access to 28 subjects, including nine modern and classical languages. Every boy and girl has the best opportunity to discover what it is that interests them the most.
Below you will find an overview of the curriculum in the Lower School (Years 9 to 11) and Upper School (Year 12 and 13). Click on the subjects within each year group for more information.
Fifth Form (Year 9)
+This year group is divided into mixed-ability forms, and all subjects are taught in form groups except French, classics and mathematics, which are taught in sets. All pupils follow a common curriculum as detailed below; the number of periods per week (40 minutes each) is given in brackets in the list below - click on the subject to view the department profile.
Classics (3)iA combination of Latin and Greek
RSHE (1)iTaught in small groups of 11 pupils
Drama (2)iTaught in a carousel with computer science
Science (7)iTwo periods per week for each of biology, chemistry, physics; one for the fundamentals of science (extension science)
Electronics (2)iTaught in a carousel with product design
Product Design (2)iTaught in a carousel with electronics
Computer Science (2)iTaught in a carousel with drama
Lower Shell (Year 10)
+This year group is divided into new forms: English, biology, chemistry and physics are taught in these forms; RSHE classes are taught in smaller house groups; the remaining subjects are taught in sets. The curriculum comprises seven compulsory subjects (the number of periods per week are given in brackets below) and five option subjects (three periods per week for each). Click on the subject to view the department profile.
Compulsory Subjects
RSHE (1)iTaught in small groups of 8-10 pupils
Option subjects
Language: One of German, Chinese (Mandarin), Spanish or Russian may be studied. Each counts as a double choice, i.e. 6 periods per week.
Practical: It is expected that pupils will include one practical subject.
Practical: It is expected that pupils will include one practical subject.
GermanLanguage
ChineseLanguage
RussianLanguage
SpanishLanguage
DramaPractical
MusicPractical
ArtPractical
Product DesignPractical
ElectronicsPractical
Computer SciencePractical
Upper Shell (Year 11)
+This year group studies nine subjects each for four periods per week and one RSHE class each week, taught in small house groups. There are four compulsory subjects and a choice of six option subjects. Click on the subject to view the department profile.
Compulsory subjects
English Lang & LitiTwo separate GCSEs, but taught in one block
RSHEiTaught in small groups of 8-10 pupils
Option subjects
Science: Pupils must study at least two of the three sciences.
Practical: As in Year 10, it is expected that pupils will include one practical subject.
Practical: As in Year 10, it is expected that pupils will include one practical subject.
BiologyScience
ChemistryScience
PhysicsScience
ArtPractical
DramaPractical
MusicPractical
ElectronicsPractical
Product DesignPractical
Computer SciencePractical
Sixth Form and Remove (Years 12 & 13)
+All pupils are expected to study four subjects in the Sixth Form (Year 12), occupying seven periods per week each, and at least three in the Remove (Year 13), occupying eight periods per week each. The A Level subjects are arranged by blocks: in selecting their specialist subjects, pupils choose four subjects, one in each block. Click on the subject to view the department profile.
Subjects A-Z
RSHE & Wellbeing, Options and Cultural Perspectives
Pupils in the Sixth Form and Remove (Years 12 and 13) take one period per week of RSHE & Wellbeing. In the Sixth Form only, pupils also take three out of four available periods per week of different Options and Cultural Perspectives (CP). These courses run for around nine weeks at a time, after which new allocations are made. At the end of each Option or CP, pupils can complete a written response reflecting what they have studied.
- Electronics AS may be studied across the four Option periods;
- The physics and computer science departments run the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ);
- Additional modern languages may also be taken within the Options block.
