Welcome to the latest edition of Purcell’s Weekly Highlights!
Purcell Achieves Highest Possible Outcomes in Recent Inspection
We were delighted this week to be able to share the outcomes of the School’s recent inspection (May 2022) by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), in which Purcell achieved the highest possible grading in all categories.
Amongst many other things, the inspectors noted that ‘the quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent’ (the highest ISI grading), and ‘the quality of pupils’ personal development is excellent’. They further commented that the ‘pupils attitudes to learning are exemplary’ and that ‘the standards of musicianship achieved by the pupils are outstanding’.
The inspectors were deeply impressed by our students, whom they found to be ‘mature, insightful and perceptive beyond their years’. They observed that ‘Pupils of all ages and abilities demonstrate excellent levels of self-understanding, confidence and resilience’ and commented how ‘pupils show excellent respect for their own and other cultures’ noting how they ‘show kindness and consideration towards one another’.
Of the inspection results Purcell Principal Paul Bambrough said ‘The Purcell School is recognised as one of the finest music schools in the world today. The outcome of our recent inspection confirms what I have always known: that this is a truly outstanding school which is not only delivering on its mission to provide outstanding musical education to exceptional young musicians, but also achieves excellence in its academic and pastoral provision also. I want to pay tribute to all of our excellent staff and exceptional students, all of whom fully deserve to have their outstanding work recognised in this way. I could not be more proud’.
If you would like to read the full report, it is available on our website here.
Chineke! Junior Orchestra at Kenwood House
On Wednesday 22nd June, Year 11 viola player Danya attended a Chineke! Junior Orchestra event at Kenwood House for a concert organised to mark the 250th anniversary of a landmark legal slavery case.
English Heritage had commissioned new music from the orchestra to celebrate the anniversary of the landmark Somerset v Stewart ruling, which contributed to the abolition of slavery in England. The pieces were entitled Dido Belle: A Musical Voyage and The Somerset v Stewart Case: Trial & Triumph.
Chi-chi Nwanoku, the founder of Chineke!, was interviewed on BBC Radio 3 about the event and Sean Rafferty played the Dido Belle piece. The recording is available here. (The section about the anniversary starts at 11.10, the interview with Chi-chi at 14.50, and the Dido Belle piece at 19.31.)