Music Specialist School Discussion

[Kutik73]

Sorry, this is rather long…

We’d never considered specialist school route for our musical DS, especially at such a tender age (he is Y6). However, we’ve recently started seeing it could be an option in possibly near future.

The state secondary school DS is supposed to start from September has good reputation with a wide range of extracurricular activities and music is one of their strengths. However, they also hand out heavy amount of academic work daily, and basically keep their pupils pretty busy. Keeping teens busy could be a good thing, especially for those who may get in trouble or glue themselves to screen otherwise. But DS loves music and he likes to immerse himself in music more, but in reality, he’ll have less time for such freedom once he starts secondary school. The additional journey time is another thing. It takes 45 mins to get there, whereas it’s only 5-10 mins currently.

A friend suggested we could see specialist school as a small private school with strong music activities rather than a place where all DCs were aiming to be professional musicians.

Her logic is, the class size is a lot smaller than the state secondary school so pupils get more attention hence learn more efficiently, all the while there is no compromise in music studies. DCs who are keen to keep up academic work on top will manage to get good enough GCSE results for decent sixth form if they decide to pursue other than music for A level/uni. Although sixth form seems the most popular (and sensible) time to join specialist school, KS3 is actually the best time because if DCs change their mind on course, it’s easier for them to return to ‘normal education’ possibly at sixth form with good enough academic record and musical ability strong enough to be a music scholarship material. But if they stay focused on music and in fact decide to take it seriously, starting early will only become beneficial. Though, it depends on circumstance of course, and instrument. DS plays violin/piano for instance - hence early start can be rather important.

However, I heard and read some scary stories about music specialist school while I was researching. Some claimed they felt like they were living in a prison, some expressed unhappiness (even though they recognised the benefit and appreciated their fortunate position), some teachers talked about very able young musicians going to specialist school as a huge mistake, etc…

DS innocently expresses strong desire to go to music specialist school. I, as a parent, wish him happiness more than anything. By accepting his desire and letting him go where he says he likes to go, am I pushing him into a harsh and scarily competitive world unnecessarily? Or, like my friend suggested, it could be a lot more flexible than I may have been thinking and in fact could be good alternative KS3 education for musical and academic DCs?

Any thoughts/knowledge/experience would be greatly appreciated…

How exciting 2nd good luck to your dd !!

Good luck to mini2nd!

good luck!

Really well done to mini 2nd!

Wonderful, mini2nd!!

I may be able to help here - I went to a Specialist Music School as a Border from 14 - 18. It was a great experience. I was fully immersed yet when I decided at 17 that I didn't want to go in to music as a career the school helped me and now I am an engineer who plays in various bands as a hobby.

There is a lot to be said for following yr dreams.

L

Aw, thanks LellyM. That's so encouraging. I have no doubt DS enjoys the school life. It's like a chocolate factory for him. My main concern is when DS decides music is not his future career how much support he could get to re-direct his path. Especially for him, I think the chance of changing future plan is great as he is still so young and has many interests (haven't found anything he dislikes doing yet as he enjoys pretty much everything). Your example makes me feel at ease with our decision...

That’s great 2nd- what year is she in at the minute and what piece did she play

That’s great- well done mini 2nd

2nd, you must be very pleased that you had courage to give her such experience. Lots people just wonder with no action. I took million years just to give them a ring! Are you thinking to go back for full audition in autumn? Or are you still thinking to send your DD to the local secondary with no much music?

I understand your DH's concerns. In our case, lack of sports is also another thing.

But there are pros and cons in anything you have to make a choice, and we've concluded that pros weigh more for DS, at least at this moment. It's a bit like choosing a degree at uni. You know the debate whether you should study something you love or a degree that will get you a job. We've decided to let DS follow his heart for maximum enjoyment of school and study life. As long as he works hard for his chosen area he'll find a way to survive somewhere somehow (I hope!).

Friendship in the small class size still concerns me and it could be an unfortunate mix for DS then he wouldn't enjoy the environment. But this could happen at any school and we won't know without trying...

2nd - also quite a few just leave after GCSEs and go to a normal school for 6th form so don't show up in leavers data. We've accepted that our son will possibly underachieve by a grade here and there and will do 8 GCSEs rather than 10-11 but I think he will still have enough to switch if he ever wishes (although that seems extremely unlikely in his case!)

our son will possibly underachieve by a grade here
Really? I thought you could get the same or possibly better grade at music specialist school as they have less subjects to cover and less juggling business between music and academic commitments. Of course some may do absolute minimum for their academic study if they put all their heart into music already and the school will let them be so unlike normal school. But I thought higher grade is more achievable as they don't need to spread themselves thinly. The main downside on the academic side at specialist school for me is narrower choice of subjects. But this is all my guess, of course!

For instance, DS joined the Y5/6 group during his 3 days stay there. They all had an hour private study time allocated in which they use for doing homework or revising. It's a lot for DS's primary school's standard!

Well I guess it depends what school you are comparing to.

If compared to a normal state then yes probably will do better at specialist music better given class sizes, time issues etc.

However, compared to a very good state school or a private school yes I think slightly lower grades. Our son was at a very good state for year 7 and 8 and switched at year 9. We have other children similar age and can see the difference. He will still do fine but there is just less emphasis on the academic side of things throughout the school. He spends less time on homework, less time revising, is less motivated to study because he thinks he will a musician etc and whenever there is a academic/music scheduling clash music will always take priority. Also although the class sizes are smaller the range is probably wider and there are only one or two sets. Very different to say being in top set for maths at a school with 150 children in a year.

That said our son is studying multiple instruments which is a massive drain on his time for lessons and practice. It would probably be a bit easier if he was committed to just one thing as is the case with many.

We have had the same experience with our daughter, currently in year 7 at specialist school, her academic work appears to be of a lower standard than what she’s capable of but because it is adequate, legible and on time she isn’t pushed. There are children in her class working at a higher standard due to unusual levels of motivation from home or personally, or who are just very clever but no one is going to demand more of dd in the same way that I think the schools my friends’ children go to do. These are extremely large city comps or occasionally grammars. She could pull the same trick at mainstream school though and not have the culture of excellence and hard work from the music side either so you never know. I hope she will transfer to one of the many excellent sixth form colleges if she stays on where she is to do her GCSEs.

I wonder why on earth choir schools produce different results from those specialist schools. I'm sure some choir schools have poorer academic results, but the one we considered and got very close to send DS to a couple years ago has excellent academic records and their schedule is as hectic as those in specialist school. I mean, perhaps busier and heavier as they have heavy duties at weekends, evenings and public holidays. Those kids in choir school usually learn musical instrument to high standard too. How it's possible at choir school and not at specialist school?? No complaining but rather pure curiosity.

DD is a chorister but at specialist music school rather than choir school. When we looked around at the other choir options (not many for a girl!) lots did mention suitability to perform choir duties as well as keep up with schoolwork as being part of the selection criteria, even if unofficially or implied. That's not the case at DD's school, I don't think anyone mentions academics during the entire selection process. You could literally have turned up on your first day illiterate and that's the first they would have known about it, is the impression I got!