Schools & colleges

Chetham’s is the largest specialist Music School in the UK and is the only one based in the north of England.

The School is also a national and international resource for music education – welcoming teachers, professional players, composers and conductors, community groups, school children and other young musicians, both experienced and novices, to come together and make music. Our network of partnerships with professional orchestras and organisations extends across the music industry, and our alumni populate orchestras and ensembles across the world.

ACM understands how the music industry works today and has created an immersive and comprehensive learning environment, which connects directly with the industry.

Our learning by doing ethos helps simplify how the industry works and produces a clear view of career paths and options. This clear and practical approach accelerates learning. The detailed exposure to all aspects of the industry as it happens (live!) reveals options and destinations, which greatly assists our students in making clear choices and building the maps they need to guide them there.

Yehudi Menuhin founded the School to provide an environment and tuition for musically gifted children from all over the world to pursue their love of music, develop their musical potential, and achieve standards of performance on stringed instruments and piano at the highest level.

The School began in London, in 1963, with just fifteen pupils before moving in the following year to Stoke d’Abernon, a small village in Surrey, south-west of London.

There are now over fifty staff who provide the musical, academic and pastoral direction for around eighty boys and girls aged from 8 to 19.

St Mary’s Music School is Scotland’s only independent specialist music school, offering a world class standard of music and academic education to musically gifted children aged 9-19 years in an inspiring, inclusive and supportive environment.

It is also the Choir School of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh. It is co-educational, non-denominational and attracts day and boarding pupils from across Scotland and beyond – England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Europe and internationally.

Entry to the school is by audition and assessment, based on musical ability and potential, regardless of personal financial circumstances. Scottish Government funding, up to 100 percent, is available through the Aided Places Scheme to assist with the cost of tuition and boarding fees. The school is funded by fees, private and trust donations and rental income generated by the school.

The Purcell School exists to provide young musicians of exceptional promise and talent with the best possible teaching and environment in which to fulfill their potential, irrespective of their background.

They believe it is essential for all our young musicians to:

• Develop an appreciation of personal integrity and a spiritual dimension to life;
• Benefit from stimulating association with similarly gifted children, and opportunities for practicing, performing and developing musicianship in a supportive context;
• Grow in self-confidence, accept their responsibility to the world community whatever career they follow, and develop an appreciation of the obligation to reach out and share their talent with others;
• Achieve levels of musical and academic achievement, personal security, adaptability and satisfaction that will sustain them throughout their lives.

Tring Park stands at the forefront of artistic specialist education in the UK.

Tring Park School for the Performing Arts offers an exceptional opportunity to young people who show an outstanding talent for the performing arts, while recognising the benefits of a fine academic education.

Tring Park provides a unique community for talented young people, regardless of means or background, who have a passion for Acting, Dance, Musical Theatre or Commercial Music. We nurture creativity and aim for excellence at all times. Tring Park is dedicated to the provision of a challenging and diverse learning experience within a supportive environment.

Our school motto, esto quod es (be what you are), represents our core philosophy which shapes each student’s individual experience at Wells.

This emphasis is why such a wide variety of students thrive here and we are able to tailor our programmes to every sort of individual. More importantly, it is why we are able to produce well-rounded students who go onto be successful individuals in society throughout their lives. We believe this is achieved by providing an accepting community, a wide range of opportunities, and the flexibility to adapt to each individual’s needs.