WLFS Music department

[mummakes]

I'm keen on hearing more about the music department at WLFS. I have a musical kid. Am keen to know people's experience of the music scholarship programme - or just from parents who have music enthusiast kids who are at the school outside of the programme.

Also what do other people do in west/central London with their children? We are low income with an 11 year old on grade 7 viola and grade 6-7 voice - is it hard to get scholarships for the conservatories? Are they high pressure? We are very un-musical parents.

As I remember WLFS music test was not really about ability and high grades. They have a handful of places aimed at kids who are not in the catchment area but would like the school as their first choice. We went to the open day and the head advised us to apply for the music scholarship as from where we lived that would be our only chance. Ds does play an instrument. We didn't apply in the end and he went elsewhere. Does your son have any other interests or talents? is he academic? Sporty, Art or drama. If you are thinking of private sector then many schools look for children with talent and a range of interests rather than just homed in on one. Definitely look around the private and state sector - it takes time and you do need to start long before yr6 to get your head around all the different admissions processes.

Twyford has an excellent Music Scholars program. The Junior Departments are always looking for violas and scholarships and bursaries are available at Royal Academy, Royal College, and the Guildhall. Take a look at NCO, Stoneleigh Orchestra is also very good for extra music.

We are already in year 7, so would Twyford take someone in-year? My DD actually got in to WLFS - but we took another scholarship place and the music at our present school seems weak, and some of the music mums have seconded that.

We may have a chance of getting into WLFS in-year, but I was just interested to know what the department is like. I've heard wonderful things, but having got a scholarship place and now seeing that not all scholarships places are equal - I'm keen to hear from music mums.

With the conservatoires do the lower income kids get a scholarship if they get in or are the very hard to get.

At the JDs they normally try and put together a scholarship and bursary package. I would email them and ask.

My son is there and I think the music department is very good.

There biggest strength for me is the curriculum lessons which give most children the skills and option to take music at GCSE. The peri teachers my son has are also both excellent.

For me the main disappointment is that there are no opportunities for solo instrumentalists to perform to parents. You can perform to other students before taking an exam and there is a House Music Competition for KS3, but termly concerts are choir and orchestra only or bands for the cabaret evenings.

Thanks so much for the advice. Really appreciated.

@Jaxx I just PMed you for a bit more info - hope that's ok

The WLFS Music Department is strong and has good teachers, but be sure to consider all aspects of the school. WLFS has a huge emphasis on discipline which is not for the faint-hearted. Children from other schools who thought they were well behaved could find themselves sitting in one hour detention for fairly trivial reasons. The school also offers isolation days with no learning as punishment. They constantly change headteachers but the focus on extreme discipline has been a constant.

I know nothing about this school but Grade 7 viola will be very sought after.

Hi OP, all 3 of mine are/were Free Schoolers (not music scholars but still, heavily involved in music). I've been a WLFS parent for 8 years. I can only praise the music department to the high heavens. My eldest is actually uni-bound but was at the secondary and Sixth Form. My second is at the secondary and youngest is at the primary. The music department is exceptional, as is the whole school really. Feel free to message me.

Just to add, there are some stand-out musicians at the school, so your DC will not be a lone star but part of a very gifted group. Put your DC on the waiting list to transfer mid-year. I wouldn't focus too much on the music scholar aspect. Talented musicians are very much nurtured and encouraged to thrive at WLFS.

@bumpytomato

Thanks so much for advice.

thanks so much to all feedback. very useful.

Come and join the music thread. Lots of info about JD, summer courses, scholarships etc.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/extra_curricular_activities/4280028-Summer-21-music-thread