Specialist Music Schools for Sixth Form

[HornHangouts]

We are actively seeking feedback and insights from parents who have experience with their children attending a specialist music school, particularly for the sixth form as a boarder. Currently, our daughter has received offers from both Chetham’s and Purcell for the sixth form, and we are awaiting a response from Wells through the specialist musician audition program. It's worth mentioning that she currently attends the Junior Department of the RCM on Saturdays.

Our daughter is deeply passionate about music, but she faces challenges in certain academic subjects such as maths and chemistry. Despite her SEN difficulties, she excels in English literature and physics. Her heart is set on studying at a specialist music school since she expressed this desire back in Year 9. For sixth form she has narrowed her A level choices to music (compulsory) and either music technology and English literature or drama or art.

We have attended all the open days, reviewed the profiles of instrument tutors, had pre-advice auditions, looked at A-level options and results, leaver destinations, comparing school policies including SEND, and engaging in conversations with current pupils. However, the plethora of conflicting information available on the internet sometimes muddies the water, and as parents we are having a bit of wobble with the changes given she will leave her safety net and have to almost start from the beginning.

We would greatly appreciate hearing from individuals with informed views and experiences regarding these schools. Any insights would be invaluable as we navigate this crucial decision in our daughter's education.

[horseymum]

Hi, congratulations on the fantastic offers. You'd be best asking on the music thread in extra curricular as there are people who have children in these schools. People are unlikely to comment publicly on individual schools as they are so small and it would be very outing for parents and the music world is very small really but you would be able to get general advice. It probably depends if your child wants to go on to a conservatoire to do music ( a level results less important) or a university course with or without practical elements. I know that St Mary's music school has the best higher results in Scotland but it's tiny so very individualised teaching and highly motivated pupils.