Purcell school (for young musicians)

[JoyL0804]

Hi there, I am looking into this school for my son, who is in yr 5 primary right now.
I have read some old thread on this school, which is quite worrying. So I am starting a new thread to find out if anything has changed or if it's still the same.
Has anyone got any recent negative / bad experience,
are the children goes there happy?
Is there, Any ex student or a parent who knows someone who went there? How was the overall experience on this school?

Any thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Any one?

I have good friends whose children went there. Their youngest left 3 yrs ago.
I would NOT send my DC there.

Check about their child safety record.

I would use a different school, and go to a Saturday Junior dept.

Maybe someone will come along and say it's had a real shake up in the last 3 years and is now safe, with good teaching.
sorry.

Thank you, I was hoping for some one to say that it has a turn around or a change of complete staff and administration, wishful thinking I know because the website was very impressive, I was so sold on how well they do, but I wouldn't allow my dc to be in the same ground where the child safety is not paramount. I really appreciate your input.

let's see if anyone comes along in defence of the school….

There is another thread on specialist music schools where someone said they've had protection issues in the last years. DC knows a lot of pupils there and says they have drug problems. The pupils also have a reputation for being a bit arrogant when compared with the pupils at the other 4 specialist music schools.

Was that me? Obviously I can't say what happened, but it was dealt with appallingly. Other less serious incidents were commonplace.

I know people with children there who are very happy. They’ve had a change of head in the last couple of years

@houselikeashed yes it was you on the other thread. Doesn't sound great

I know two pupils there who are extremely happy (DC of friend) and one member of staff who is very open that there have been big changes in the past few years and things and issues are dealt with far better now.

I visited the school and met with the pupils in order to deliver something completely unrelated to normal curriculum and the pupils I met seemed to love being there. I also spoke with a couple of the house-mistresses who seemed very down to earth a nice.

I have zero agenda. Just sharing what I know.

Thank you SheenMcQueen for your comments, I am waiting to hear more from others who can defend the school.

Current parent and my son has been there 5 years. Things have changed a lot in the last five years including a completely new senior leadership team, headmaster, new deputy head for pastoral, Director of Music etc. It is quite a different place with a lot more emphasis on pastoral. I would also say that a lot of the incidents I am aware of from the past have been blown out of proportion or only one side of the story been told. I have personally spoken to staff on some issues and there is always another side and unfortunately not all can revealed to students or parents. In conclusion I would make decision based on music grounds. It is not for everyone of course and much depends on the alternative option as well and indeed the instrument as better for some than others perhaps. Please message me if you would like further details.

Thank you for your comments Hertsessex
How can I message you privately as I would like to hear more about this school. I have few questions that you might be able to help me with. Thanks again.

Sent you a message Joy

Hi am wanting to hear what people know about Ark Acton Academy as a Secondary school?
Any good? I believe it was Acton High School till 2017 and was doing well when it opened and not so good by the time it shut, then became Ark Acton 2018 but no OFSTED reps etc.
Anything about this school would be much appreciated, thanks in advance

Jam you might be best to start a new thread so people that know can spot you

Oops
Thanks

Hi OP, I went to look at the Purcell School with my son and we both hated it. He ended up at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester, which was absolutely fantastic. Would you be able to consider that?
Good luck with your choice anyway.

RedRec - out of interest why did you hate it and when did you look at Purcell? Lots changed in recent years. Both seem excellent to me albeit with different strengths and weaknesses depending on your interests. For us Chets was too far for weekly boarding above anything else.

RedRec- Manchester is too far for us, boarding my son wouldn't work. I am planning on visiting Purcell when we can and go from there.

Sorry, 'hated it' was a bit too strongly worded. It felt small and dull. The presentations were lacklustre and it felt as though it was in the middle of nowhere. There was also some whiff of scandal that I can't remember the details of now, sorry. But this was over 10 years ago and I understand that things could have changed significantly.

By contrast, Chet's was warm and vibrant and suffused with the most brilliant joyful energy. And it has the most fantastic location, right in the heart of Manchester city centre. We were lucky to be in a position where my son could board, and he did, for seven very happy years. We did move much closer after his first year though (were originally in Surrey).

Chet's had its own problems with historical sexual abuse but this was long gone by the time my son went. And the pastoral care was excellent.

Good luck with your research, OP.

Oh yes 10 years is a very long time and virtually all leadership team is different plus several new and impressive buildings.

You are correct location wise that different to Chets as just out of Watford vs city centre. Some like that including the green space and some don't. I know somebody coming from Chets who found the location a bit claustrophobic so guess it depends on the individual. Purcell although Bushey/Watford is of course close to London and makes use of lots of London top venues for concerts. In last few years Southbank Centre, Cadogan Hall, Wigmore Hall, some of Barbican halls etc. So swings and roundabouts depending on preferences.