urgent decision Wells Cathedral vs King's School Canterbury

[shs69]

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!

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.

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!!!!

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.

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 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.

• 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!

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.

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.