The Purcell School, the UK’s oldest specialist music school and one of the world’s leading centres for musical education, is delighted to announce a new partnership with Langley Hall Arts Academy. Rooted in a shared belief in the transformative power of music and the arts, the partnership reflects a joint commitment to nurturing young talent and widening access to high-quality music education.
Langley Hall Arts Academy is an independent secondary school with a strong emphasis on music and the arts. Under the leadership of Principal Claudio Di Meo, the Academy places creativity at the heart of its educational philosophy, championing the role of artistic excellence in personal development and academic success.
As a leading international music school, and the holder of the UNESCO Mozart Gold Medal in recognition of its unique contribution to music, education and culture, The Purcell School is particularly pleased to be entering into this collaboration. Through the partnership, The Purcell School will work closely with Langley Hall Arts Academy to support and develop its musical activity through workshops, concerts and orchestral experiences, offering students aspirational insight into advanced musical study and professional pathways.
At the same time, the collaboration provides rich opportunities for The Purcell School’s young musicians to engage in shared projects and educational partnerships beyond the specialist school environment. By working alongside Langley Hall Arts Academy students and staff, The Purcell School’s students will deepen their understanding of music education in a broader context, developing their skills as mentors, collaborators and advocates for the arts.
The partnership has been shaped around a shared vision: to strengthen musical learning through collaboration, connection and opportunity. By creating meaningful points of exchange between students and staff, the alliance supports artistic growth at every stage while contributing positively to the future of music education and the wider cultural landscape.
Paul Bambrough, Principal of The Purcell School, said: “We are very pleased to be partnering with Langley Hall Arts Academy, an institution that clearly shares our values and our belief in the power of music to shape lives. This collaboration is about inspiration, opportunity and excellence – bringing young musicians together, broadening horizons, and strengthening the musical ecosystem as a whole. We look forward to working closely with Langley Hall Arts Academy to support their students while offering our own students meaningful and enriching collaborative experiences.”
Claudio Di Meo, Principal of Langley Hall Arts Academy, added: “This partnership with The Purcell School feels both deeply natural and genuinely exciting. We share a belief that music is not simply something young people do, but something that helps shape who they become. By working together, we are creating pathways of aspiration, excellence and generosity – where talent is nurtured, horizons are widened, and students learn not only to strive, but to listen, collaborate and lead. I am enormously optimistic about what our students and staff will create together in the years ahead.”
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The Purcell School is the UK’s oldest specialist music school. Situated on the outskirts of London in Bushey, Hertfordshire, the boarding and day school is home to around 196 musically gifted young people, all of whom are passionate about fulfilling their talent. The School delivers the very highest musical instruction and holds the UNESCO Mozart Gold Medal in recognition of its unique contribution to music, education and culture. The Purcell School’s mission is to provide young musicians of great potential with an environment in which they can flourish, irrespective of background or financial means. Entry to The Purcell School is by audition. purcell-school.org
Langley Hall Arts Academy is an independent, co-educational secondary school in Berkshire (ages 11–16) with a strong emphasis on music and the creative and performing arts, alongside a broad and balanced academic curriculum. The school is committed to placing artistic excellence at the heart of education, offering students specialist musical tuition, ensemble opportunities and performance experience integrated with rigorous academic study. Langley Hall Arts Academy’s ethos centres on creativity, confidence and individual development, providing a supportive environment in which young people are encouraged to realise their potential both artistically and academically. langleyhallarts.greenhousecms.co.uk