Music and drama at KGS?

[Oscar2007]

Hi there,
Having survived the dreaded 11+, DS has somehow managed to secure a number of offers at Surrey indies. DH & I have been championing KGS from the start due to pastoral care, down to earth, co-ed, however DS does also enjoy his drama and music. Can any current parents advise on whether they have been happy with the music & drama offerings at KGS please?? We are currently sat on offers from Reeds/Hampton and Epsom. Epsom we have discounted but I would be interested in music/drama at KGS vs Hampton and Reeds...

Drama is great and, as the previous poster has said, very inclusive. The House drama competition this year was great. Lots of opportunities to get involved across the year.

I don't know music as well, but there are a fair few outstanding musicians in DC's year going by the 'gigs' they are getting! Go to offers day and week out the Head Of Music to ask more.

Thank you for your messages. We will most definitely go to the offers day this week and try to track down the Head of Music. Sounds like the drama is great :) To be honest DS just likes being ‘involved’ and trying new things so it is really important to find somewhere where opportunities are inclusive! We are finding this decision really hard - especially as DS likes all three schools for differing reasons. Reeds is the closest (but not by much) and I have lost count of the number of people that say we would be mad to turn down a place at Hampton, but our gut is that that KGS just feels like the place for us...so confusing!

Sorry to say but Hampton is amazing, the music is of such a high standard, the teaching is outstanding etc etc, worth visiting again if you can. The difference between the 3 is sport - no football at Reeds, no hockey at Hampton, no rugby at KGS. Also congrats to your ds on getting all 3 offers.

Poor you. Tough decision. I don't know Reeds, but both KGS and Hampton are fab schools. Teaching great at both

In addition to the sports offered there is are obviously co Ed v single sex, sports on site at Hampton, but only a bus ride (school take the children there and bring them back) for KGS (stunning grounds, btw). On the flip side, KGS in Kingston centre so transport links are great when they become older and more independent. As only c55 boys in each year, KGS easy to get into teams etc. Both heads are approachable and down to earth.

Good luck!

The new head of music at KGS is excellent.
Lots going on - different levels of orchestra, choirs, Jazz band, music tech, music clubs (informal bands) etc..

Can't comment on Hampton, lots going on there too I am sure!

Just to confirm that the new head of music at KGS is fantastic. We chose it for our DD above Putney High and Wimbledon High who have highly regarded music departments, and music is a big thing for our DD. The music department overall is excellent as are the visiting teaching staff. if your DS is a keen singer, there also are lots of opportunities as well as very inclusive music groups , orchestra, jazz, guitar groups for all standards as other posters have said.

Am liking the sound of the new Head of Music! Yes DS loves to sing so would be keen to be involved.

Poppyred - thanks for the insight on Hampton, it is indeed a fabulous school, which is what is making this all so difficult. We will get ourselves to the offers day this week for sure.

Thanks all for the wishes and intel :)
Hopefully all will become clear once we have revisited both, otherwise I am sure we will be one of the many families deliberating between these two super schools until the last minute!!

@Oscar2007 if you look at the Hampton website in the What's On section you can read the First Year blog with an insight to what the ds get up to. Plus the news stories show the music & drama with LEH.

I do agree the music and drama is great at KGS but don't think that everyone who wants to can get parts in the plays, choirs, sports teams etc! They are still very oversubscribed with entry by audition /selection and lots of (understandable) disappointments.
I know that's the case in every school but sometimes on this board it sounds like at KGS you can do whatever you like!

The drama is absolutely brilliant at KGS, there is a junior drama club, house drama, junior, middle and upper school plays every year (all of a very high standard). Not everyone who wants to gets in to every one, of course, but they do choose plays with large casts to accommodate as many as possible. If you do drama GCSE you seem to get more parts. Each year seems to have a good few stand out actors.

Music is good too, anyone can join the Junior choir and I think anyone can sing in the main school choir too, they do have smaller choirs eg close harmony etc. Everyone plays an instrument or does singing lessons in the first year as far as I recall. There are various groups and orchestras as well as the main school orchestra.

I think there is more opportunity at KGS because it is small and co-ed. DD seems to do a lot more of what she wants than some of her peers at larger single sex schools.