Specialist music in independent boarding schools Options

[BitterSweet]

St George's School in Harpenden is V.A. mixed day and boarding. It's not private, but it functions much like an independent school so comparatively less expensive boarding fees (as you're not paying for the education part) v. the quality of education.

It's not a music school per se, I just know they have a lot of emphasis on music and a great reputation all round for results and behaviour thanks to the fantastic Harry Potter-esque house system. I don't know what the music department is like now in terms of teaching, but the extra-curricular music is excellent and includes a wide range of bands and orchestras, inter-house competitions run by sixth-form, composition prizes etc. Lots of students have gone on to music degrees and successful careers in music. It has Harpenden Musicale on the same site, which has an excellent reputation, and I am sure your children would be able to study there of you spoke to the school. Central London is a 25 minute train ride away (station is very short walk from school) and if the school was happy, that would allow access to a number of JDs.

It is a Christian foundation school, so you'd need to be ok with your children attending the school chapel on Sunday at least three times a term and twice a week in the afternoons. Of course, the musical up-side to the chapel is also that there are two school choirs, and an organ on site, which also contribute to the musical life of the school.

http://www.stgeorges.herts.sch.uk/

PM me if you want more info, it's my old school, and I had a wonderful seven years there.

[soccermom]

Wells is a normal boarding school as well as being a specialist music school - no idea what access the non music specialists have to the top notch music though.

[Rosamundi]

Thanks very much for your replies - they are all really helpful. Offspring is a boy and 11 btw going for gr 6 violin.