- Balanced from the Beginning
At Westfield, we believe the early years of education should be as joyful as they are purposeful. From September 2025, our Junior School will welcome both boys and girls, extending our warm, ambitious and inclusive environment to more families while continuing to offer exceptional individual support and teaching. - A Distinctive Journey
This development builds on the success of our Junior Programme, and reflects a natural next step in offering the same rich educational experiences to siblings. We rewrote our Junior curriculum two years ago to focus on delivering learning at the point that our pupils are ready, teaching by stage not by age. By opening our doors to boys, we continue our mission to create confident, curious learners in a setting that reflects the collaborative nature of the wider world. - Small School, Big Horizons
Whether joining us in Nursery, Reception or later years, every child benefits from small classes, personalised attention and an environment where they are known and encouraged. Westfield Juniors provides a purposeful, positive start, without compromise. - A Fairer, More Flexible Choice for Families
This change allows us to support families more fully, particularly those with siblings, by offering the same high-quality start to both boys and girls, and easing transitions at a crucial stage in family life. - A Thoughtful Step Forward
This change isn’t about following trends, it’s about doing what’s right for children, parents and our school community. We remain proudly committed to our single-sex Senior education for girls, while offering a Junior experience that’s both inclusive and rooted in excellence.
FAQs
From September 2025, Westfield will start to welcome boys into our Junior House for the first time, marking a new chapter in our history.
The decision comes in response to parental requests for their sons to have access to the same exceptional primary education as their daughters. Building on the success of our junior programme, Westfield will now extend its values-led, high-quality learning environment to both boys and girls from Nursery to Year 6.
JUNIOR HOUSE FAQs
When will Junior House become co-ed? We will welcome boys alongside girls in Junior House from September 2025.
Which age groups will this apply to? It will apply from Nursery to Year 6, ensuring a seamless and inclusive experience for all pupils.
Will the entry requirements change? No. All prospective boys and girls will be invited to have a taster day in Junior House when they will be informally assessed by the year teacher.
Will this have an impact on class sizes? We remain fully committed to maintaining our small class sizes and, therefore, the individual attention that every student currently enjoys. The maximum number of pupils in BrightStart groups (Nursery to Year 2) will be 16 and in Prep (Year 3 to Year 6) it will be a maximum of 20 pupils.
Will this change the curriculum in Junior House? No. Our current curriculum has been carefully curated to ensure that it offers the best range of teaching experiences and content at an appropriate age point whilst focusing on the individual pupil. Each year, there are changes to the books studied, trips taken and examples used depending on the interests of the pupils in each class and this will continue to be the case when boys join us.
How will pupils be supported through the change? We will continue to talk changes through with our current pupils although they are very adaptable and largely in favour of this change. Our pupils will receive the same individual care and pastoral support they currently do.
Are changes being made to facilities to accommodate boys? Yes, we are making relevant alterations to ensure all our facilities are inclusive and appropriate for a co-educational environment across the respective age groups. These include updates to toilets and sports provisions.
What uniform will boys wear? Initially, boys will attend in Westfield sports kit as we work with our uniform suppliers to enable a reliable, value for money, source of boys’ uniforms.
When boys reach the end of Year 6, how will families be supported in selecting the right Senior School for their son? With close links to many local schools and others further afield, we are well-equipped to help families find the right Senior School for their son.
GENERAL FAQS
Do you have an entrance exam?
Our 11+ and 13+ entrance examinations take place in January of each year, for entry in the following September. For entry into other year groups, we encourage a taster day in school and, in Seniors, English and Maths papers will be given.
Are you a selective school?
We are proud to admit all pupils who we believe can benefit from a Westfield education. For that reason, we do not have a high stakes entry process or a pass/fail exam. We have girls who excel academically and go on to study at Oxbridge and read medicine, architecture, etc. but we also support and celebrate pupils whose talents lie elsewhere.
My daughter is 10 years old (current Year 6); she is shy and does not perform particularly well in interviews or test situations.
We take pride in bringing out the best in all our pupils, whatever their strengths and weaknesses and aim to make the entrance process as stress-free as possible. Please contact school to discuss the examination and interview process for your daughter.
At what age do the children start to go on Round Square exchanges, conferences and visits?
Children join in formal Round Square activities from Upper 3/Year 7 upwards and participate in these throughout their time in Senior House. There are exchange opportunities from Upper 4/Year 9. For boys and girls in Junior House there are Round Square activities, a summer residential for the whole of Key Stage 2 and the opportunity to apply for a place on a Junior Round Square conference aimed at 11-12 year olds. Throughout the school, the Round Square Discoveries are very important with Westfield being the global pilot school for the Discovery Heroes that play a key role in Junior character development.
If my child moves between key years in her education eg between GCSE and Sixth Form, does a term's notice still have to be given? Yes, a full term's notice in writing is required if your child leaves at the end of a year, whichever year group they are in.
My child is thinking of joining your school but it would be in the middle of the school year. Would that be a problem? We are happy to welcome pupils to join us at any point through the school year, and they often do! Our dedicated and welcoming staff will ensure that they are supported to settle in quickly and catch up on any missing work. If you have any questions please contact the school office for further details; our experienced and friendly admissions team will guide you carefully through the process. Call us on 0191 255 3980 or email westfield@westfield.newcastle.sch.uk.
Have you got an open day planned in the next few months? The next open day for the whole school is scheduled for Saturday 4th October 2025 from 9.30 am to 11.30 pm. If you are unable to make that date or you would like to arrange a visit before then, please telephone Mrs Jane Jokelson on 0191 255 3980.
Do you offer scholarships? We used to offer scholarships but we have decided to redirect this money towards supporting means-tested bursary applicants instead to ensure we are accessible to the widest number of pupils who would benefit from a Westfield education. If you are interested in enquiring about a bursary, please email bursar@westfield.newcastle.sch.uk
Do you offer a sibling discount? Yes, any family with two or more children at the school is eligible for a discount off fees for the second, third and any subsequent children. Full fees will be charged for the first child’s place, the second will receive 10% remission of fees and the third and subsequent children, 15% remission. As siblings leave the school, leaving one child from the family in school, the charge will revert to full fees.
What about Former Pupil’s discounts? A discount of 5% reduction off the fees is offered to the children of any former pupil who attended Westfield in the past. To be eligible for this allowance, the parent must have been a pupil at the school for a minimum of five years. The school must also be satisfied that the child meets the entry criteria and the school is able to meet their educational needs. This discount will be applied in addition to any other awards and/or discounts.
