Combining unique tradition and glorious music immersion, cathedral schools also deliver an exceptional education for young people. We speak to four schools to find out more about the way they work and the opportunities they offer
Lichfield Cathedral School
Educating some 570 pupils aged from 21/2 to 18, this ancient school began as a ‘School of Song and Grammar’ for boy choristers. Today it is a thriving co-ed day school (a near 50/50 split) and with some 45 choristers and choral scholars.
For the gifted and potentially gifted, there’s a clear admissions process that begins with an audition with staff – they make this as relaxed and informal as possible. Often children will have already undertaken relevant exams, but those without them are also welcome to audition. There is essentially the same process for choristers and choral scholars, but children applying as choristers require more involvement from parents at audition – being a chorister is a time commitment that involves the whole family.
Most children here are not choristers and choral scholars and the admissions process is more typical – a chat with the Admissions team and a school visit, followed by a taster day (or days). The school is not academically selective, although academic assessment tests are set for Year 5 and above.
Of course, music permeates school life and many talented pupils move on to specialist music schools or go on to study music or music technology at university. Many alumni continue their association with the school – singing as adult members of the choir.
The team at Lichfield say that attending a cathedral school brings a richness and depth – those values of discipline, service and joy in singing and playing permeate school life and bring positive benefits to everyone. The close association with Lichfield Cathedral also means a focus on wider community and sharing, be that through religious services or involvement in musical enrichment.
It may have a long history, but there is nothing old fashioned about music outreach here. The pioneering MusicShare outreach programme (winner of the TES Independent-State School Partnership Award 2019) encourages participation across local primary, secondary and special schools and has reached some 25,000 pupils in more than 500 schools.
The school also offers scholarships in a wide variety of other areas, including Academic, Sport and Drama. This year, there are also generous GCSE Scholarships for Year 10 entry. Means-tested bursaries are available – and with specific bursary awards for Armed Forces, MOD, clergy and children of alumni. For parents, there’s the bonus of an almost equal boy/girl split in the school and some wonderful musical perks – including free musical instruments for Years 1-4 and free weekly music tuition in small groups.
Lichfield Cathedral School lichfieldcathedralschool.com
St Paul’s Cathedral School
London’s City cathedral has been educating children since 1123. At one time St Paul’s Cathedral School was more famous for acting – often performing for Elizabeth I in competition with Shakespeare’s players. The current 1960s New Change building is located at the edge of the Cathedral Gardens.
Alongside 30 St Paul’s Cathedral Choristers, this co-ed prep educates 270 pupils from Reception to Year 8. Visitors are often surprised that the three towers contain a well-equipped school, including three-storey inside-and-out playground, AstroTurf sports area and pirate ship. In a notable change, this academic year the first girls joined the Cathedral Choir and will start boarding in September 2025 after a refurbishment to provide 60 boarding spaces. This, say the team, will make St Paul’s the largest, busiest choral foundation for children in the world.
For children who wish to be choristers, the process starts with a Zoom Session with Cathedral Director of Music, Andrew Carwood MBE. Individual voice trials happen from Year 2 onwards and children join in Year 3 and Year 5. Trials are to assess potential, so no formal training is needed or expected. Music scholarships for day pupils are available from 11+. For remaining pupils, there is a typical process with open days and assessments. Pupils can be entered for Reception places at 4+ from birth. Places are also available at 7+ and 11+ and require a day visit to the school and assessment.
SPCS graduates head off to a wide variety of senior schools, and with an exceptionally high number of scholarships – not just in music, but across the board. While this is good news for parents, for children there are other bonuses – not least a ‘back door key’ to the Cathedral. There are lively weekly assemblies from some of the world’s great theologians. Parents, meanwhile, enjoy the very special annual nativity play in the Crypt of St Paul’s.
Children of all faiths and none are welcome at SPCS and the team say the exposure to such great beauty in music, art and architecture sits alongside an awareness of spirituality and being part of something bigger. There are theologian-led discussion groups to consider big issues, alongside confirmation groups.
Most of all, the children are encouraged to see this as not just a monument, but their Cathedral. Music underpins school life and exposes them to world-class musicians. This exposure, say the team, translates into achievement in all areas.
There’s a full outreach scheme working with schools and organisations across London. Pupils also participate in notable events, including the investiture of the Lord Mayor of London. Scholarships (100%) are given to all choristers, with a means-tested bursary for boarding fees provided by The Chorister Trust. There are a limited number of scholarships for day pupils in key areas and also some bursaries.
St Paul’s Cathedral School spcslondon.com
Salisbury Cathedral School
Located beneath the famous lofty spire, Salisbury Cathedral School was founded in 1091 by St Osmund, nephew of William the Conqueror and then Bishop of Salisbury. Its purpose was to educate the choristers of his Cathedral at Old Sarum, a mile away from the current site. The school has been located here in beautiful 13th-century buildings in the grounds of the Bishop’s Palace since 1947.
The school is fully co-ed, with some 220 pupils ranging from 3 to 13 years. One notable piece of history was made when Salisbury Cathedral became the first CofE cathedral to admit girls on parity with boys back in 1991. More recently, Salisbury Cathedral School merged with Leaden Hall School, also based in the Cathedral Close, and this gives it the benefit of even more space and full use of wonderful and extensive grounds.
This is a firmly non-selective school and – like most other cathedral schools – chorister places are the exception. A small number are offered from Year 3 on. Those who would like to become choristers attend a voice trial with the Cathedral’s Director of Music. For non-choristers, admissions are based on a typical tour and familiarisation process. Places are initially allocated to children who have joined at Nursery. Older prospective pupils undergo a taster day and assessment to ensure a good fit.
An added benefit is the access to cultural and community events, say the team at Salisbury Cathedral School. This is a place that sits of the heart of the wider community and pupils attend Cathedral at least once a week for assembly as well as getting involved in civic events. There is an active outreach programme and children get involved with other local schools. SCS choristers visit hospitals, homes, and churches across the Salisbury Diocese to perform for elderly and vulnerable members of the community, adding to the sense of contributing to the life of the wider area and being part of something bigger.
Many pupils here head on to leading West Country Schools, including Wells Cathedral School. For all pupils there is the benefit of a small-scale setting in superb surroundings and with a focus on academic development, alongside character development and cultural awareness. Salisbury Cathedral School offers means tested bursaries, as well as discounts to serving members of the Armed Forces. Sibling discounts are also available.
Salisbury Cathedral School salisburycathedralschool.com
Westminster Abbey Choir School
This is a unique prep boarding school and is the only remaining UK school that exclusively educates choristers. It welcomes entrants aged 8 to 13 from across the UK – sometimes further afield. All are boarders and children go home at weekends in the first year, after which they are full boarders.
As you’d expect of a school attached to the ‘Nation’s Church’, there is a very unusual history and place in national life. While the foundation of the school dates back to around 1560, the current school building (early 20th century) is located in Dean’s Yard, right at the heart of things. Education is highly subsidised – up to 100% bursaries – and classes are very small. There are a maximum of 30 choristers at any one time.
Given the requirement for exceptional musical talent, entry is a multi-stage process. It begins with an informal voice trial with Andrew Nethsingha, Master of the Choristers. If a child shows potential, they will be invited to attend a formal voice trial and a taster day at the school. At the taster day, pupils meet the Headteacher, Dr Emma Margrett and also take part in assessments to gauge their academic potential. The aim, she says is to make sure that they will be able to juggle the demands of a busy chorister life with the challenges of school, and preparation for Common Entrance examinations when the time comes to move on at 13.
The school is a foundation that sets pupils in good stead. The education provided in such small classes, maturity and discipline acquired as choristers and the musical grounding set pupils apart from nearly every other school. As active members of the Abbey community, pupils also benefit from wide-ranging pastoral support.
Boys here also take with them the knowledge that they have been an essential part of historic events at the ‘Nation’s Church’, from the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II to the Commonwealth Service. The school notes that the generous bursary scheme means a Westminster Cathedral School education is potentially open to all boys – as long as they have the potential and are passionate about singing.
Westminster Abbey Choir School choirschool.westminster-abbey.org
Further reading: Focus on Wycliffe College – breadth of opportunity
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