urgent decision Wells Cathedral vs King's School Canterbury

OP, just wondering which school you decided on in the end for your dd's? It may be helpful for future posts to know if your stuck with the specialism of Millfield or went with the traditional/music offers.

Agree with what you say, KF. I also think KC is very much a ‘fit in’ traditional school of the type you describe. I always felt Millfield was much less so and indeed is the kind of school to let the kids do violin if they didn’t want to do lacrosse.
Of course always difficult to compare and give firm opinions as we only have our own kids experiences to go by, which will never be objective no matter how hard we try.

• I am not saying you have shown off in any way, you have simply stated your DDs have these interests which are important to them. I just mean these big, popular and hard to get into English boarding schools don't tend to have parents outrightly saying their child is gifted and needs to be catered for (most are just so grateful to have a place and will have chosen the school because they believe it is right for their child as it is, not with adjustments for their DC). Hope that clarifies!

I think perhaps there is a cultural issue going on here. English public schools tend to have cultures where 'everyone has a go', you 'get stuck in' and 'it will build your resilience'. It isn't always about being the best (those who excel at something then do extra practice, but on top of, not instead of, other sports and activities which are all compulsory). There is an expectation to take part in the key sports because they are tradition and exercise is important.
I've come across very few parents here (especially amongst the crowd sending their DC to big public boarding schools) decide so vocally say their DC are gifted in something so early on. Because we know interests change and children change. It is also a bit of a social faux pas to show off about a child's gifts. Parents tend to be modest and understate things through over-politeness. Perhaps we undersell our kids but the culture of stiff upper lip and not saying what you think/feel creates this.
Other cultures see things differently and do more push their children in an obvious talent or interest, not seeing the point of hours on the lacrosse pitch when they could be playing their violin to a high level. That makes sense too. It just isn't a common approach here.

As others have said, there are schools like Queenswood which offer dance, music, languages to a high level and would accommodate your DD's gifts, especially if she is a member of a renowned dance school. Unfortunately the very big name public schools are less likely to. These schools operate a more 'fit in and conform' approach.

If you are already at millfield then I struggle to see what ‘extra’ you are expecting from other schools. I have had DC at KC and it is a good school, good opportunities, and I imagine these will expand when the new foundry building (housing new studios and theatre) is opened later this year. But I am not sure any school will match millfield in terms of developing exceptional potential given that this is probably the USP of millfield whereas I would say the USP of KC is much more geared to busy, extensive and varied experiences. I also second the pressure to board sentiments - lots of local kids board and I am told there is a slight stigma to being a day pupil. Otherwise the days end around 6.30.
FWIW there is one dance school locally (st dunstans) that runs until late in the evening but I am not sure it will match your requirements

I’m a Kings parent with moderately musical DC not scholars but the arts are outstanding, everything we go to is top quality. Sport is compulsory even for music scholars but that’s right and legal requirement, need a good balance in the week. The new development theatre and performing arts centre looks amazing but if you have seen the dance company Kidaco you will know how good the dance is already, pro dancer as the department head. I don’t think there is dance gcse but it’s an option to take... don’t know about st Ed’s but it is not a competitor on the national scene.... King’s is up against wellington oundle etc. Day kids seem well looked after but mine are boarding.... new day house apparently the plushest of all.

You do seem to only be looking at “big name” schools and not those that actually fit the needs of your daughters.

For example, on your previous post several people (including myself) recommended Queenswood. No Saturday school, great academics, renowned for their dance, drama and music - they have scholarships for all three, four languages plus Latin on offer. 50% day girls, 50% boarding. Close to London and all transport connections.

It does everything you have asked for. I am sure there are other schools in the U.K. just like it. If you take the time to visit schools like these then you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Please also remember that unless you go to a specialist or vocational school, the U.K. offers a balanced curriculum. That includes sport. Some schools place more emphasis on it than others but you can expect your children to have to do some sport whether you or they like it or not!!!!

Dd only had Saturday sports occasionally at 11 then opted out. It is normal for uk independent schools to focus on team sport, am y are attracted to them for that reason. Your dc are still young enough that they may yet find one to suit them. However both the schools you have places at do a Saturday morning academic timetable which in itself would be restrictive. At a predominantly full boarding school Saturday afternoon matches would also be expected. You need to be realistic that following all their interests to a high level simultaneously may not happen. There are other opportunities to pursue music , languages etc in the holidays.

St Edmund's is a good almost non-selective school currently with outstanding leadership and I wouldn't wish to compare it unfavorably to King's since it is so different.It is however strange - and I know all three Canterbury independent secondary schools well - to suggest St Eds is "better" for music and the performing arts.KIng's Canterbury's musical reputation places it among the country's leading independent musical schools.Other performing arts are also quite outstanding.

Actually yes. I met him at the cathedral where he originally worked. You son sounds very good.

Thank you, Xenia. I have had choristers, so thought that was what you might be referring to. I think my DS could in fact have a career as a professional musician - if (big if) he could be bothered to do the necessary practice, and if (second big if) he weren't bothered about earning shedloads of money (which he is: currently has career ambitions which involve said shedloads of money). I'd feel sorry for any children he taught, as he would never "get" the fact that not everyone is born to find music easy. I am listening to him play Rach 3 on Youtube as I type!!

Yes. In fact when I met he was already looking for a full time job as head of music in a school as even the cathedral organists are very badly paid (he has a degree and PGCE anyway) We got so many really good musicians year after year who set off from the various schools so brilliant and full of promise and so many ended up knocking back on the door wanting to reach children the piano for a pittance. it's like acting and indeed professional sport - very hard indeed to make a living.

Xenia, was your DC's father involved with choristers? (No need to answer if you'd rather not). Otherwise, completely agree. It's all very well being stupidly talented, but that's very different from making a living.

(OL, my children's father is a musician and he wished his parents had directed him to better paid work I suspect all in all and I was glad I kept my music as a hobby as my career worked out well so I suppose our view was however good the children were/are at music it is not the best long term career. Now for some it's wonderful but to rent a flat or buy one and keep a family it's not so good a choice in most cases unelss you become a high paid pop star and even then it's quite a difficult life, travel, long hours; eg we had no Christmas or Easter as a family not until after those days because their father was working).

"My children will not be boarders!"
Have you ascertained what hours day pupils are expected to do? In sone mainly full boarding schools like Kings days pupils stay till 9 pm every night.
"So if at King's they have a brand new dance studio why they don't have a proper dance program? I don't understand... If we chose a private school at that price is for a good tailored education that look after the talents of my children and not to be obliged to do games where they don't excell and they often get hurts..."
I only know of one school where games/PE is not compulsory and pupils can choose something else they excel at whether that be math or music unfortunately its boys only. Most boarding schools want their pupils to do some sort of games at least three times a week and in most cases as others have said unless its a specialised school ballet etc will always be a minority activity however amazing the facilities might be. But to really get correct and up to date answers to your questions surely you need to speak to the individual schools.

Agree with Xenia. One of mine had a place at Chetham's, but was also offered a massive music scholarship to a school which offered spectacular music facilities, but everything else too. We went for the latter, on the grounds that it would keep his options open (he is also an academic high-flyer, and there's no guarantee that he would either want to or be able to have a musical career later on, however talented he is).

The irony is that Millfield where the dc currently study does have an amazing dance programme and will allow dc to specialise in their sporting talents, it is a school use to tailoring for exceptional talent and with all the parental anxiety that comes with it. OP are you sure that Millfield can't help reach your expectations or have your given notice?

King's is academically the better school. I don't think your children will necessarily want to continue their dance or music etc as they get into teenager years and that can be a really good thing so they get a broader spread of education and can make informed choices about careers,

If they are very keen just to do dance or music probably something like the royal ballet school or for the musical one Chetham's etc would be the better route or if you wanmt them as day pupils only then do the activities to a very high level out of school. 3 of my children won music scholarships (although because I'm English I would never say they are "gifted") but it was never their plan to do it professionally as careers so they had enough with what the school provided. Other children do a lot of music outside school too.

So if at King's they have a brand new dance studio why they don't have a proper dance program? I don't understand
Because they have lots of money and it looks good? I don’t know a single person, who knows both schools and who is actually being honest, who would say King’s music and performing arts is better than St Edmunds. A lot of the King’s year 10 cohort went to the latest St Ed’s performance because it’s so spectacularly good. St Ed’s probably wouldn’t stack up for your expectations on the academic side though, not that you’re looking at them of course, but my point being there’s a school in the same city that is better than King’s for music and perf arts. Also, there is immense peer pressure to board. DSD was miserable and bullied and it only changed when she boarded because until then she just wasn’t one of ‘them’. Four current close friends with DDs, all within a few miles from school (one a five minute walk) ALL have decided to board (much to their parents consternation). Sorry if that’s disappointing, just trying to offer honest information.

I would imagine it would be very hard for a school to be able to offer top notch ballet during a normal school day and agree with poster above that I can't imagine they will be able to get out of normal PE and games. Surely it would be chaos if everyone was just doing what they 'excel' at- and what about the ones who don't excel at anything?
Dance at Ibstock place in London is always being mentioned. Have no idea to what level though.
I think you may find it hard to find what you want to be honest. If they are that good at ballet should you know be looking at The Royal Ballet School etc?

I don’t know a single school that lets you opt out of games / PE lessons because you don’t excel at them. Is that your expectation?

No school can tailor their curriculum to the specifics of a child. I would guess that the additional tuition you require would be provided outside normal school hours and your children will be doing exactly the same as everyone else during the regular school day.

Unless I am missing something or not understanding what you have written?

Dc school has a new dance studio and studio theatre. Dance is very much a leisure activity though, in later years as a fitness option in games and extra curricular clubs. Technique and exam based classes are out of school.

Didn't realise you planned to move. Do both have Saturday school?