East Midlands arts and music emphasis

[MaximumLeeway]

Hiya can you recommend schools with a good focus on the performing arts - dance, acting, music?

Looking for a good anti-bullying stance with a friendly atmosphere. Academic results ideally good but not outstanding.

I am between Nottingham and Leicester on the M1 corridor, ideally looking for a school within 1h drive.

Thanks

For what age

Secondary (in y4 now but looking to y7 entry)

Nottingham high school is very highly rated (academically selective independent) and has great music and drama departments which put on amazing productions. They do music scholarships too.

The two best are Oundle and Uppingham.

Theres something in the water in the area I swear.

Oundle is more intellectual.

candidate’s for best non specialist music coed UK schools tbh. Uppingham’s Head of Music just left to
be head of singing at Oundle and the non traditional side of music Oundle is stronger.
trad side both v good - piano and strings v good at Uppingham

For Year 7 entry Oundle is much nicer and they have their partnership with the Royal College of Music of your child is of that level?

Good luck

Thanks for replies!

Oundle is way out of budget. Should have said budget in OP! Realise VAT has made schools more expensive. It has to be low cost, from what I've seen that means 15-18k per year.

Good point on the music scholarships. But they tend to be 10% or zero? Oundle says no fee remission for music.

Oundle don't automatically give money off, but you get awarded a bursary instead.

I was going to suggest Bedford Modern school. But it is just outside your 1 hour drive time.
Price fits and music, drama and dance all excellent, award winning productions etc. The 6th form attracts many who come for the drama and music before seeking HE in those areas.
Highly rated academically too.
Fees are £21k pa including VAT ( £17.5k before VAT).

I think for the amount you mention you will struggle.

A friend works at Derby High School and she often says how the school is at the lower end, fees-wise (so not anything like nearby Repton, for example – the DHS students are always amazed when they go there for a sports fixture; I infer the facilities at DHS, while fine, are not gobsmacking); I just checked and fees for KS3 this year £18,525 (more in KS4).

Nottingham High School is about £22k for senior school.

These are much lower figures than Oundle for sure, but still above your budget. No idea btw on drama offer at DHS tho ofc the website talks up the extra-curricular offer.

Given your criteria, I wouldn’t recommend the Nottingham city schools

I agree on those fees being a challenge - Lichfield Cathedral School (within your 1hr drive I think, but West Mids rather than East) is at the lower end of the spectrum, but yrs 7-9 are just over £20k p.a. inc vat. From our experience, it would meet what you're looking for really well though.

I agree that you'll struggle to get a private secondary excelling in the arts for that sort of money.