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Secondary education

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Original poster

Music 6th forms London?

55 replies

Wiifitmama · 27/10/2018 12:07

Does such a thing exist? Not private? Something like Kings Maths School which we looked at for ds1 which is state selective and totally specialise in maths. But for talented musicians? I want ds2 to do A levels at a 6th form (including music A level of course) but he is extremely talented some am wondering about something more specialist? My googling has turned up performing arts college but this is not what I am looking for.

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minisnowballs · 28/10/2018 19:12

Are you South East London (I'm asking only because my dd is at CYM too, and a lot of the people there seem to be). If so you could look at the Sixth Form offers from the Bromley grammar schools maybe, or Grey Coat, Westminster, Prendergast or Haberdasher Hatcham (both have music aptitude places lower down the school). Kingsdale might be another possibility - it is strong for music.

evenstrangerthings · 28/10/2018 19:46

Harris Westminster Sixth Form might suit. They do Music A Level. They are academically selective and have entrance tests but they do end up taking a few extra students on/just after a GCSE results day. Might also suit based on the fact that your DS likes Politics and Philosophy too. It's a state sixth form. They seem to be good at what they do and the head master is excellent. It was DDs 2nd choice for 6th form after KCLMS.

www.harriswestminstersixthform.org.uk/165/subjects/subject/27/music-edexcel

Original poster
Wiifitmama · 28/10/2018 19:50

Thank you both. Sadly not SE. Complete opposite in fact - NW! We looked at Harris Westminster for DS1 (who discounted it immediately for having suit uniforms!). Their requirements are too high for DS2 (not grades, but numbers of GCSEs - home ed students typically do way fewer for cost reasons and he is only doing 6). Someone earlier on the thread mentioned Camden School for Girls 6th form. I might look into that as he has actually attended some music events held there (though not run by them).

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Original poster
Wiifitmama · 28/10/2018 19:53

Ah, sadly CSG admissions is distance related. We have no chance as we are not even in borough.

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Original poster
Wiifitmama · 28/10/2018 20:01

And actually, just looking again at Harris Westminster - their published A level results are shocking for Music! In 2017 0% got A or A* and only 60% got B or C. The rest were below! Not a glowing recommendation for their music programme.

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Xenia · 28/10/2018 20:12

It's difficult because the academic selective state sixth forms are going to want a good few GCSEs at high grades I suppose (and the selective private schools if they were an option with a bursary). I wonder if he might get into Watford Grammar which is not entirely selective but that might be too far out.

moredoll · 28/10/2018 20:28

CSG is distance related and very oversubscribed but also academic and music orientated. They have an Orchestral Music Programme. It might be worth phoning the Head of Music to find out if this applies to Sixth Form or going to the Open Day. Assuming you're not very very NW.

Original poster
Wiifitmama · 28/10/2018 20:31

CSG website for 6th form is clear that it is distance based so will be out for us. We are just over the boundary from Camden into Brent. Watford would be a push for distance, but I will look.

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moredoll · 28/10/2018 20:37

Some of the students studying music at CSG travel from other boroughs because they are accepted on to the music programme. Just unsure if this applies to Sixth Form.

Original poster
Wiifitmama · 28/10/2018 20:44

Interesting - it might well be worth me contacting them to find out then. If it is audition/talent based, then he might well have a chance - though there is nothing I could find on their website about it.

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Original poster
Wiifitmama · 28/10/2018 20:50

www.camdengirls.camden.sch.uk/page/?title=Sixth+Form+Orchestral+Music+Programme+%2D+2019&pid=165

Found it! Sadly, his is not one of the instruments listed :(

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moredoll · 28/10/2018 20:51

Okay so I had an intense little Google and cracked it.

From the website;

Sixth Form Orchestral Music Programme 2019
Please note, this programme is an enrichment and an application should be made in addition to the student’s A Level course options.

15 places are available on the basis of musical aptitude and ability. Successful applicants for the orchestral music programme are offered a place in the school (should they meet the academic entry requirements for their chosen A Level courses), regardless of the distance they live from the school.

this page on the website

moredoll · 28/10/2018 20:53

Ah, cross post.
That's a pity. I'd still speak to them. Just in case.

Original poster
Wiifitmama · 28/10/2018 20:57

Thank you moredoll! You went above and beyond there! Yes, I think it is worth a call too. The location is good for us, I know it is a good school and they have great music provision. It ticks all the boxes. Having home educated my kids, I am not a stranger to knocking on doors and asking for things that are not advertised to make sure they get good opportunities!

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AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 28/10/2018 21:04

How about ELAM? It's an arts and music specialist free school.

moredoll · 28/10/2018 21:07

Good Luck.
Camden's a hard nut to crack, but it can be done.

Original poster
Wiifitmama · 28/10/2018 21:09

Thanks - I looked at ELAM but it is a BTEC course. No A levels offered there. My ds is interested in doing Govt and Politics and maybe History. I don't want to close down the academic side. I just want somewhere that offers strength in both academia and music - who would have thought it was so hard!

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moredoll · 29/10/2018 09:43

Also worth considering if the journey isn't too long

Fortismere
St Marylebone
Ashmole Academy
Claremont High School Academy

Xenia · 29/10/2018 09:45

Ideally try to ensure he does two what are known as facilitating subjects at A levels. There is a list here www.clare.cam.ac.uk/subjectchoice-alevelchoice/ as that opens more choices at good universities. So he might do say History, English Lit (not lang) and Music. That would be two facilitating subjects. It is not essential but tends to be sensible. The better academic schools will usually strongly suggest you do two at least. I and my siblings did 3. My twins last year did 2 facilitating (geog and history) plus one non facilitating.

crabapplecrumble · 29/10/2018 10:14

Depending on where you are, nearest rail lines, etc, these are just outside London and have good music departments: Langley Grammar (near Slough), Parminters (near Watford), Henrietta Barnett (Barnet), Clement Danes (Chorleywood).

crabapplecrumble · 29/10/2018 10:39

I just saw you are in Brent, so might be worth looking at St Dominic's 6th Form College, Harrow. I don't know anyone there at the moment, but my niece did music A level there a couple of years ago and it had a small, but lively music department. I believe the head teacher has a music background which helps. It's Catholic, but takes a high number of non-Catholics. I think my friend's dd coasted a bit at her previous school, but was pushed academically at St Dom's and enjoyed her time there.

crabapplecrumble · 29/10/2018 10:42

Sorry, missed out a sentence there - my friend's dd also went to St Dom's but didn't do music. She and my niece both did well :)

Echobelly · 29/10/2018 15:15

Latymer's probably a bit far then (suprised no one's mentioned it), but yes, Claremont is good for music, as Brent Music Service is on site there. We've applied for our daughter to go there even though we're in Barnet, as she's got a music aptitude place offered to her.

Original poster
Wiifitmama · 29/10/2018 15:19

Oh thank you all!! So I called CSG and they were completely inflexible. IT must be an instrument on their list which it is not. However, the suggestion of St marylebone's was genius! I had no idea they had music scholarship places! I spoke with them and they were open to any instrument. It is all audition and interview based. And location is excellent for us. I did look at some of the others mentioned on here - thank you for the suggestions. Either location or other details just don't work for us. St Marylebone would be perfect though!

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