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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Boarding schools with exceptional music and drama

25 replies

elfonshelf · 07/01/2019 18:04

I'm starting to look at options for secondary for DD, and have sussed all the potentials on the day side both state and private, but want to see what is out there on the boarding side.

No real issues geographically - although Scottish Highlands might make it tricky in terms of attending things given we are London/SE based.

DD is very bright but not hugely academic (unless she is particularly taken with something) and has a dyslexia diagnosis - I wouldn't want to put her in somewhere where academic achievement is the number one goal. DH and I both went this route and while it was right for us, DD is a very different sort of person and while she should be perfectly capable of getting a good set of GCSEs/A Levels, high academic pressure would just make her miserable.

Her main abilities are on the performing arts side - particularly music (singing and piano - all genres) and drama. She's a very good dancer too but it's not a 'must have'.

We've looked at all the specialist performing arts colleges (Hammond/Tring/SYTS etc) but am more interested in schools that have a broader focus but good music/drama departments.

Co-ed is preferable, full-boarding not weekly, and decent scholarship/bursary availability.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received!

OP posts:
petrova · 07/01/2019 18:22

Uppingham school has a very strong music department , and does a lot of drama (school and house productions every term,)
It is co-ed , full boarding.
My DC went there and were very happy. One has dyspraxia and dyslexia and there was a lot of support available.

chilledteacher · 07/01/2019 18:44

Royal Hospital School

DropZoneOne · 07/01/2019 18:48

Christ's Hospital in Horsham

Zoomerang · 07/01/2019 18:56

Bryanston. Great music and drama, and not focused just on academics.

Lollicent · 07/01/2019 19:05

Hurtwood House in Surrey.

Zodlebud · 07/01/2019 19:34

Queenswood without a doubt. My acting, singing, musical daughter is hopefully heading there very soon.

Takeittotheboss · 07/01/2019 20:28

I'd second Uppingham. Very strong music and drama. Fully co-ed and lovely non-pressured environment.
Otherwise St Edward's in Oxford is strong in music plus offers a dance scholarship so dance presumably is their thing! Not great for bursaries though.

BubblesBuddy · 07/01/2019 20:37

Queenswood near Potters Bar is highly regarded for acting. Music is strong too. It’s not full boarding but few schools are these days. The new dance studio is great.

As I do know the intense training students get at Tring, a standard school cannot compare because the students spend fewer hours learning their “trade”. However Queenswood can offer everything and girls can stay in if they wish. There are lots of concerts, performance opportunities and dance exams plus Lamda for those who are interested.

elfonshelf · 07/01/2019 21:47

Lots I hadn't thought of at all - off to do some googling!

Thank you so much!

OP posts:
Ursaminor · 07/01/2019 23:48

Have you looked at Gordonstoun? It's strong on music, dance and drama.
And - it's not as inaccessible as you would think - can fly to either Inverness or Aberdeen from the SE.

knittedjest · 07/01/2019 23:55

St.Edwards school in Oxford sounds like a perfect match for your daughter. Large co-ed primarly boarding school with good but not exceptional academic focus and a terrific drama and music program.

AlexanderHamilton · 07/01/2019 23:58

I know you have discounted Hammond but they have some very good bursaries available.

ShalomJackie · 08/01/2019 14:37

King's Ely sounds a good fit.

1 hour 5 mins from Kings Cross by train.

Lara53 · 08/01/2019 15:39

Bedales in Petersfield, Hampshire or Frensham Heights, Surrey

NellyBarney · 10/01/2019 22:09

Also immediately sought of Teddies ( St Edwards) in Oxford. Stowe also has an amazing music department.

NellyBarney · 10/01/2019 22:16

If you were to consider boarding, Headington in Oxford is also fab. In addition to strong drama and music it is strong on dance, even offering dance GCSEs and possibly at Alevels/IB.

NellyBarney · 10/01/2019 22:17

*girls only boarding, sorry.

LostSoul69 · 13/01/2019 23:27

Def another vote for Uppingham! I know a lot of children at Uppingham who excel at music and drama and Uppingham has / is brilliant for them. The other one to consider is Kings Canterbury, def closer for you and also very good music/drama. Oundle is superb for music and drama but can be academically demanding. All full boarding.

Doublethecuddles · 15/01/2019 15:51

St Leonard’s in St Andrews

justkeepmoving · 17/01/2019 21:48

Tring park fits your requirements

FanDabbyFloozy · 17/01/2019 22:04

Queenswood school north of Potters Bar.
Just off the M25 so great for the trip home at weekends, and also on a decent train link into London.

ThunderInMyHeart · 17/01/2019 22:08

Millfield - dance studio, dance troupes, concert hall, full-sized theatre etc

WhitherShallIWander · 29/01/2019 16:18

Can echo Queenswood. Fab school

User111222333 · 29/01/2019 16:29

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down.

LoopyLu2019 · 29/01/2019 16:44

On the smaller side: Malvern St James. Had an amazing time there and it was good for arts/music whilst being super encouraging for dyslexic children. It is all girls but I cannot rate it enough. Really supportive environment. A lot of girls that would struggle academically went on to do well above predictions.
Claim to fame: call the midwife star Jennifer Kirby (nurse Valerie) went there.
Several West end acting alumnai, musicians in very good schools/unis. Also one 6th former just got sponsored by Elle to do a recycled fashion show for an extended project. Lots of other stuff on their website and social media pages.

I think the nicest thing is the school supports you to be yourself and go for what you want. Not the kind of school just churning out as many Oxbridge doctors and lawyers as possible.

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