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Reviewed

Westminster Tutors

Independent school · London, SW7 3LQ
  • Sixth form
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 16-25
  • From £13,600 pa
  • 45 pupils
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

Classrooms are tiny (although class sizes are tiny, too), and there is definitely an element of the unusual in the workings of this place, but there is also academic wizardry. Some may hanker after more facilities, but the students lack for nothing when it comes to teaching or encouragement in learning how to learn. It suits a particular type, and that type flourishes at Westminster Tutors.

Why read our school review?

Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.

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Overview & data

Pupil numbers
45 ·
Sixth form numbers
30 ·
Fees
£13,600 - £34,900 pa
Local authority
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council

Headteacher

Principal

Sean Doherty BEd MA MBA

Since July 2023, Sean Doherty, previously acting head of school at North Bridge House Canonbury. He has also been assistant principal (assessment) at Harris Academy Bermondsey and head of science at Acland Burghley School. He read secondary educat


Entrance

Maximum capacity of 45 students (this can fluctuate yearly – it was 30 when we visited), of whom, in any given year, around 20 are taking A levels for the first time and the rest are doing retakes. Occasionally, they enrol people in their early 20

Open days
By request

Exit

Non-selective intake, but vast majority of students get their first choice of university – over three-quarters to Russell Group institutions. Indeed, most people choose the college because they want to successfully transition from A levels to a to


Latest results

In 2024, 43 per cent A*/A at A level (80 per cent A*-B).


Teaching & learning

‘The only 1:1 teacher/student ratio college in London that we are aware of,’ says the college, ‘which reflects the Oxford tutorial model. Being bespoke is our unique selling point.’

While most teaching is one-to-one, the college tries to en


Learning support & SEN

One of the prerequisites for acceptance to the college is that any young person with a mental health issue or an EHCP has to have external support. But WT offers support, too, with the principal acting as the SENCo, closely supported by the part-t


Arts & extracurricular

Art is everywhere (the college’s hallways and staircases look like the interior of a stately home), but this is not an ‘arty’ college – pictures come from the personal collection of David Game (of the David Game Group – a consortium of private col


Sport

Bearing in mind that the college is above a row of shops in central London with no outside space and that the 40-odd students are not all here on a daily basis, it will not come as a surprise that sports do not feature as a significant part of the


Ethos & heritage

One of the oldest tutorial establishments in the country, Westminster Tutors was founded in 1934 ‘by the doughty Miss Freeston’, who studied physics at St Hilda’s College, Oxford, and was one of the first women to graduate from Oxford University.


Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline

Second to none at Westminster Tutors, and the reason many parents chose this place over others. One parent told us that when her son was feeling very overwhelmed about his exams, the previous head spotted him and said, ‘Why don’t you come in and l


Mobile phone policy

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

Mobile phone policy

Provided by the school and not part of our review

As we are sixth form college, students may use their mobile phones on site but are asked to refrain from using them in lessons.

Updated May 2024

Pupils & parents

All are British residents, with all the cultural diversity you’d expect in the heart of London. Over half of the enrolments are by word of mouth; former teachers in other colleges have recommended a few, and a few alumni have sent their children h

45
Number of pupils

Money matters

It is inevitably not a cheap option, but compared to alternatives with larger classes, it offers value for money. The college says that, given the individualised tuition it offers, it is incomparable to its contemporaries. However, they add that p

Fee information
£13,600 - £34,900 pa

The last word

Classrooms are tiny (although class sizes are tiny, too), and there is definitely an element of the unusual in the workings of this place, but there is also academic wizardry. Some may hanker after more facilities, but the students lack for nothin

What the school says

Westminster Tutors is one of the oldest and best independent sixth form colleges in London. Established in 1934, our culture of scholastic excellence is deeply embedded. We achieve exceptional results because of our unique approach. Students are either taught one-to-one or in exactly matched groups of two to three students, and we also offer each student weekly mentoring sessions which support both academic progress and wellbeing. Students receive expert, individual university and careers guidance and our leavers' destinations are second to none. Small, welcoming and friendly, with individual attention and a central London location, we truly are an academic gem.

Contact the school

Address

86 Old Brompton Road
London
SW7 3LQ
Get directions

Have you considered?

School data & information Westminster Tutors 86 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3LQ
45 Pupil numbers
30 Sixth form numbers

Mobile phone policy

Provided by the school and not part of our review

As we are sixth form college, students may use their mobile phones on site but are asked to refrain from using them in lessons.

Updated May 2024

Entry and exit data

We do not have entry or exit data for pupils at this school. Find out more


SEN overview

Westminster Tutors is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

SEN statement

Provided by the school and not part of our review

We have a long history of being able to help students who need extra attention and they achieve remarkable results with us. Groups are very small, with the majority of teaching being provided one to-one. All students receive weekly mentoring sessions, which support academic progress through a focus on study skills, and also wellbeing.

Our approach, and the dedication and experience of our teachers, means our students make rapid and significant progress as well as successful transitions to higher education. We are also dedicated to the principles of inclusion and diversity, with each and every one of our students being welcomed and valued.

We are able to accommodate students with neurological differences (such as autism and ADHD), learning difficulties (SpLD), or mental health issues, which may mean they have found larger mainstream schools a challenge. Wherever possible we will also make adjustments for physical disabilities.

Please note that we have a maximum of 4 spaces each year for students with more complex needs (who may have an EHCP), and who will need a higher level of support.

Updated Sep 2024

SEN conditons supported

Schools report the conditions they might be able to support. Please note, this may not be a complete list. Find out more.

Conditions (Might cover/be referred to as) Provision
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Social skills Yes
HI - Hearing Impairment
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty Learning needs
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment Sensory processing
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic, Tics, Tourettes Yes
PD - Physical Disability Yes
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health Anxiety, Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health Yes
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication Selective mutism
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty Complex needs
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Auditory processing, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting Yes
VI - Visual Impairment Special facilities for Visually Impaired Yes
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