Specialist Music schools Options

[soccermom]

I know a very talented child who will be starting at Wells in September. The parents are not sure whether the child wants a career in music or not, They felt that, because it is also a general school, Wells would offer the best of both worlds and provide a better and broader academic education then the other specialist music schools, as well as better sporting opportunities (child is also extremely sporty).

[violincjj]

*shudder*

I think less team sport is a very good thing for many teenagers! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Not sure I agree, I think playing in an orchestra is a wonderful team sport (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[serendipity]

I know a very talented child who will be starting at Wells in September. The parents are not sure whether the child wants a career in music or not, They felt that, because it is also a general school, Wells would offer the best of both worlds and provide a better and broader academic education then the other specialist music schools, as well as better sporting opportunities (child is also extremely sporty).

I hope they find that's true. Is the child going as a music scholar or a general scholar? A lot of our specialist music scholar friends there have found their sporting opportunities and in some instances their general academic opportunities are more limited than they expected.

It's all anecdotal, but my impression from those we/my children know, is that Chethams provides the best all-round education as well as the musical education for which most parents and students are choosing it.

[soccermom]

I know a very talented child who will be starting at Wells in September. The parents are not sure whether the child wants a career in music or not, They felt that, because it is also a general school, Wells would offer the best of both worlds and provide a better and broader academic education then the other specialist music schools, as well as better sporting opportunities (child is also extremely sporty).

I hope they find that's true. Is the child going as a music scholar or a general scholar? A lot of our specialist music scholar friends there have found their sporting opportunities and in some instances their general academic opportunities are more limited than they expected.

It's all anecdotal, but my impression from those we/my children know, is that Chethams provides the best all-round education as well as the musical education for which most parents and students are choosing it.

They are going as a music scholar. The parents are keen, I think, for the child to do a sensible number of GCSEs (eg not the 12-14 that some schools seem to inflict on their pupils) and the child is very keen to keep up lots of sport. The parents are going to keep the position under review as the child develops, to see whether a specialist music school continues to be the right option. They turned down music scholarships at independent schools closer to where they live, including one that is very strong musically and at sport, as well as being very academic, and I am sure that that option would be open again in the future if they decide that Wells is not right. Whatever school they go to, I suspect they will find it hard to fit in everything.

[merrily]

I know a very talented child who will be starting at Wells in September. The parents are not sure whether the child wants a career in music or not, They felt that, because it is also a general school, Wells would offer the best of both worlds and provide a better and broader academic education then the other specialist music schools, as well as better sporting opportunities (child is also extremely sporty).

I hope they find that's true. Is the child going as a music scholar or a general scholar? A lot of our specialist music scholar friends there have found their sporting opportunities and in some instances their general academic opportunities are more limited than they expected.

It's all anecdotal, but my impression from those we/my children know, is that Chethams provides the best all-round education as well as the musical education for which most parents and students are choosing it.

We are wondering if special schools are perfect if you are sure your child will be a musician, but could be limited academically if they may not - though it does appear that academic results are very good in some.

I have no problem with limited GCSE choices.
I wonder if A level subjects may be reduced and limited in choice ? Music A level obviously is compulsory and music tech encouraged.
From parents I have spoken to , music comes first and academic subjects secondary- this of course is understandable.
I think the main aim is to turn out a fabulous musician but with a good set of a levels as a back up plan- again perfectly understandable - almost obvious.
But could this could be wrong for a child whose has not already decided music is their path in life.
I have no problem with the amount of time spent on music, as others have pointed out, with structure and organization this is easily achieved.
I am in no way being negative towards specialist music schools , merely trying to get a better feel for how a child is provided for if they eventually decide music is not for them.
It is incredibly hard to turn down what appears to be a fabulous offer, but it has to be right for the individual child.

[flobiano]

We are wondering if special schools are perfect if you are sure your child will be a musician, but could be limited academically if they may not - though it does appear that academic results are very good in some.

I have no problem with limited GCSE choices.
I wonder if A level subjects may be reduced and limited in choice ? Music A level obviously is compulsory and music tech encouraged
From parents I have spoken to , music comes first and academic subjects secondary- this of course is understandable.
I think the main aim is to turn out a fabulous musician but with a good set of a levels as a back up plan- again perfectly understandable.

So, would it not be possible to go to the school up to GCSEs, and then move somewhere else for A-levels if the child has decided, by then, they don't want to do music?

It isn't uncommon to change schools at this point, so I'm not sure why consideration of A-levels is of such, or indeed, any importance at age 11. Provided, of course, that you are happy with the provision up to GCSE.

[merrily]

We are wondering if special schools are perfect if you are sure your child will be a musician, but could be limited academically if they may not - though it does appear that academic results are very good in some.

I have no problem with limited GCSE choices.
I wonder if A level subjects may be reduced and limited in choice ? Music A level obviously is compulsory and music tech encouraged
From parents I have spoken to , music comes first and academic subjects secondary- this of course is understandable.
I think the main aim is to turn out a fabulous musician but with a good set of a levels as a back up plan- again perfectly understandable.

If you have no problem up to GCSE's then why not send them there and then decide nearer the time whether to stay for Alevels. I would think by the time the child is moving on to A Levels they should have an idea of what they want to do at University and could pick the school/ 6 form college that is most appropriate. It seems to be a common time to move schools so usually no problem settling in and making new friends. Or am I missing something?

That is something we are strongly considering. Although I have no problem with reduced GCSEs this would of course reduce the A level options in the future to GCSE's taken- another consideration.
The other option is to send the child to the specialist school only for A levels if they have decided on a musical future- this seems a very popular option with a large amount of sixth formers in many specialist schools

[flobiano]

oops I edited my point while you were posting - still says roughly the same thing though. Many A-level subjects don't require the GCSE to be taken first. So I wouldn't have thought it was a problem.

[FullofWind]

I would advocate sixth form at music school as the earlier years, in the school we know, does not provide a solid foundation in most subjects. I can't divulge on here but I think many would be horrified at the low standards at the school we have connections with. Even musically, the parents feel that their children's progress has stalled and they have to make up for that with extra practice in the holiday. Supervised practice is not supervised! There are also children at this school who shouldn't be there as they are simply not good enough or have got in because of a sibling so they feel inadequate and they tend to form the cool bullying group. Lots of parents screaming at kids after concerts too when their child hasn't performed to their liking. This makes for a group of unhappy kids who take it out on other children. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Claudia's Mum]

Lots of parents screaming at kids after concerts too when their child hasn't performed to their liking.

What?????? That is shocking!!!!!!!

[FullofWind]

Lots of parents screaming at kids after concerts too when their child hasn't performed to their liking.

What?????? That is shocking!!!!!!!

I don't know what was worse - seeing the girls petrified face as she bowed after her performance or her mother screaming at her. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[serendipity]

I would advocate sixth form at music school as the earlier years, in the school we know, does not provide a solid foundation in most subjects. I can't divulge on here but I think many would be horrified at the low standards at the school we have connections with. Even musically, the parents feel that their children's progress has stalled and they have to make up for that with extra practice in the holiday. Supervised practice is not supervised! There are also children at this school who shouldn't be there as they are simply not good enough or have got in because of a sibling so they feel inadequate and they tend to form the cool bullying group. Lots of parents screaming at kids after concerts too when their child hasn't performed to their liking. This makes for a group of unhappy kids who take it out on other children. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I hope that's more to do with a certain type of parent rather than a certain type of school, but I do wonder.
Certainly, the specialist school we know most about/have links with (not the one you mean, because I think you praised it earlier) has many issues both academically and pastorally that would trouble me as a parent. And I recognise the problem with the so-called 'supervised' practise. But again, there are undoubtedly young people there who enjoy it and are thriving so it must work for some.

I think there is a lot of the behaviour you mentioned above within the musical world. I have been shocked on many occasions to see parents yelling at or otherwise really putting pressure on their children before or after performances or auditions. Perhaps those parents are like that in all other parts of life - I have never come across it in other areas, but perhaps that's because music is the one area where my children have mixed with that sort of parent and their children.

[Halka]

Lots of parents screaming at kids after concerts too when their child hasn't performed to their liking.

What?????? That is shocking!!!!!!!

I don't know what was worse - seeing the girls petrified face as she bowed after her performance or her mother screaming at her. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

So it was just one parent then, not "lots"?

[merrily]

I would advocate sixth form at music school as the earlier years, in the school we know, does not provide a solid foundation in most subjects. I can't divulge on here but I think many would be horrified at the low standards at the school we have connections with. Even musically, the parents feel that their children's progress has stalled and they have to make up for that with extra practice in the holiday. Supervised practice is not supervised! There are also children at this school who shouldn't be there as they are simply not good enough or have got in because of a sibling so they feel inadequate and they tend to form the cool bullying group. Lots of parents screaming at kids after concerts too when their child hasn't performed to their liking. This makes for a group of unhappy kids who take it out on other children. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I have to say, now I am really worried (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[FullofWind]

. But again, there are undoubtedly young people there who enjoy it and are thriving so it must work for some.

.

Children do love the school because on the whole it is so liberal that they get away with pretty shocking behaviour, do very little academic work and are very rude to teachers and parents. Children play with mobile phones in class, eat gum, have their iPods on and back chat the teachers. Although it is supposed to be academically selective there are kids who are years behind academically and have been put back. I've been on the receiving end of rude comments twice and there are no consequences. Of course this has been within the 8-16 age range and I'm sure that with maturity the sixth formers act better!

But there are some real gems of teachers at the school but the peri's and the kids seem to be running the establishment!