Academic music lessons are a core part of the curriculum up to Year 9, with all pupils being taught for an hour each week. Music is an optional subject at GCSE and A Level. Pupils are also offered the chance to join a variety of ensembles and choirs, including a junior and a senior choir, a senior ‘a cappella’ group, the school orchestra, rock bands, guitar and ukulele ensembles, a percussion group and LAMDA musical theatre.

Each school term features an extensive concert where individuals and ensembles showcase their work. In addition, an informal Performing Arts showcase complements these larger events, where pupils can build their confidence in a more intimate setting and perform pieces they are working on in their individual lessons.

There is a very popular annual senior musical performed at an external theatre venue, with past examples including ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, ‘Legally Blonde’ and ‘Made in Dagenham’, and with ‘Chicago’ currently in rehearsal for performances in 2024.

Pupils who opt to take individual instrumental lessons, for which fees are charged, are taught by inspiring professional musicians, where the children can learn for fun or be prepared for the range of music examinations that take place each term, allowing pupils to progress through their grades at their individual pace.

Each year, we enter pupils for categories including musical theatre, composition and ‘a cappella’ in national competitions organised by the Independent Schools Association, and we are proud of our track record of success. We also run an annual trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to give pupils the chance to see live performances of music and drama.