Westminster Origins

Westminster School is a British independent school located in the heart of England’s capital city, London. The school’s origins can be traced back to 1179 when it was founded as a small charity school, upon request of Pope Alexander III. Following the dissolution of monasteries in 1540, King Henry VIII personally ensured the survival of the school, and Queen Elizabeth I confirmed royal patronage in 1560.

The school’s historical ties with the Royal family have continued to the present day, with Queen Elizabeth II personally unveiling Elizabeth I’s Founding Statue in 2010 and visiting the school to open its new Sports Centre in 2014. Although initially an all-boys boarding school, Westminster began admitting girls from 1973 to become members of the Sixth Form. The school now has some 1150 pupils, aged between seven and eighteen.