Music

All children are taught by specialist staff from Nursery upwards. A broad, balanced curriculum is delivered with many opportunities for practical participation reinforced with the appropriate knowledge.

Pupils are encouraged to develop personal expertise and potential. In addition to class music, individual lessons on a variety of instruments are given by a team of twelve peripatetic teachers. From time to time, professional musicians are invited to school to lead workshops, and students are taken to concerts to experience live concert performances.

There are many opportunities for students to participate in and enjoy music making, whatever their ability.

There are three choirs, beginner orchestra, advanced instrumental group, steel band, scholarship class, and ensembles for recorder, percussion, guitar, keyboard and handbells.

The steel band, a fairly new initiative, is fast gaining a good reputation locally; the Prep Department choir is featured on the CD of Richard Blackford's work "Mirror of Perfection"; and the Handbell Ensemble has a good reputation nationally, having been invited to perform at such venues as the Royal Festival Hall, and The Albert Hall, as well as being in great demand for local functions. In Easter 2002, they undertook a concert tour abroad, visiting Paris with the Dorset Youth Choir.