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Original poster

urgent decision Wells Cathedral vs King's School Canterbury

33 replies

shs69 · 13/05/2018 00:08

Hello, I have been very pleased with all the help this community of parents has given me in the last few weeks.
I am late with the decision, children have been successful in the last minute entrance test.
Staff and registrar of the 2 schools have been absolutely helpful and so open to tailor and inform us about the special provisions for our talented children, unlike the previous school from where we are running from. I have a "penchant" for King's and if it was for me I will go to Canterbury; my heart is at Wells Cathedral for personal reasons that you can't even imagine; my only aim is to chose the right place for my all rounded multilingual musical, arty children...the one that is mlusical is not arty but the one that is arty is not musical (bit she sings); bot stunning in drama and very good at dance.
Both do dance but I can't understand which school will offer better in this field.... this is the only point still uncertain for me; anyone having info about this? Anyone experiencing dance at Wells Cathedral or King's?
And more important: very curious to hear about Music at King's vs music at Wells...
Many many thanks!

OP posts:
bookgirl1982 · 13/05/2018 16:06

The new theatre at kings will be amazing and has dance studios going in. However it is a mainly boarding school.

Have you looked at Bedes for their dance programme?

Original poster
shs69 · 13/05/2018 15:57

My children will not be boarders!

OP posts:
LIZS · 13/05/2018 13:42

I would not rely on your dd going out from boarding school to do her dance training. There will be so many conflicts of activity and restrictions on her going out unaccompanied. Better to do a day school and continue at a good local dance school, if that is your goal.

Original poster
shs69 · 13/05/2018 13:34

We are trying to understand if, moving to King's Canterbury, it will possible to continue Ballet at top level and how many hours per week we can fit in. My daughter needs a certain number of hours during the week and King's is a busy school; they dance but I will be very happy to listen if someone has a direct experience.
Are there any top ballet schools in Canterbury or nearby, but easily reachable after a full day at school?
We visited Wirehouse but having 2
pillar in the dance class is not a nice solution for doing serious training....
many thanks!

OP posts:
Sunshine5050 · 13/05/2018 12:09

Are your dc currently at Millfield? If so do the reasons you are leaving help you make your choice?

Original poster
shs69 · 13/05/2018 09:53

Thank you very much. They will be day pupils. No Wells has proved to be more tailored to the needs of our girls for their tri lingual gift and other special gift requirements than our current school. Also kings is very open to help and they allowed us for tasting day and 2 last minute visits. Very impressed about their kindness and availability to discuss despite being such a large and busy school.

OP posts:
sendsummer · 13/05/2018 08:22

shs Wells as you know has a specialist music professional performer programme for very serious musicians who wish to focus on music King's Canterbury is also a very musical school though so loads of opportunities and good instrument teachers.

Academically Wells is more similar to Millfield, King's Canterbury is much better.
I don't know enough about the dance and art to comment although I suspect King's may be better for art. You could check A level art results to see how many do it and A* /A percentages.

happygardening · 13/05/2018 08:04

Kings Canterbury is a proper full boarding school (in school all weekend) with a small number of day pupils, at Wells Catherdral School only 1/3 board, and although the ISI report says the vast majority full board this is unlikely to mean that they have to stay in all weekend because ISI definition of full boarding doesn't mean this. Assuming you're looking for boarding what sort of boarding do you want?
Lots from DS's prep went to Kings all types academic musical budding thespians sporty arty weird, all bar one were very happy there. Most of the very musical children (usually on scholarships) went in seemed a popular choice for them.