Admissions

What are the entry requirements?

We consider musical ability and promise to be more significant than grade attainment – we are looking for evidence of musical skill, desire, commitment and potential.

There is no formal entry criteria – every student is different, and all students make progress at different stages.

Above all else we are looking for evidence of some achievement, a musical spark, and lots of potential. Our happiest students are the ones who are extremely motivated intrinsically: they can’t imagine doing anything other than music, and this is clear in their playing and singing.

Applications and auditions are assessed on an individual basis, and exam certificates are not essential, except in the case of Sixth Form applications, where students are required to have five or more GCSE or IGCSE passes at grade C or above (or international equivalent).

As a rough guide, with very few exceptions, students joining our school will be playing at approximately the following minimum standard on their first instrument.

Pianists
Age 11: Grade 6-8+
Age 12-15: Grade 8-Diploma+

Violinists and cellists
Age 11: Grade 5-7+
Age 12-15: Grade 7+

Wind, brass, harp, viola, double bass and percussion players often begin their instruments at an older age, and may be offered a place on potential if they have a less advanced playing level.

Composition, Jazz, Audio Production, Commercial and Popular Music, and Vocal students are advised to contact the school for more information if in doubt. We do not take singers younger than 14 unless they also play an instrument at a high level, because we are not affiliated with a cathedral, and not equipped to offer a lot of choral opportunities.

All students age 16: for Year 12 (Sixth Form) we are looking for students who will comfortably be ready to apply for top conservatoires and universities at the start of Year 13.

Do students have to play a second instrument?

It is not an entry requirement for students to play a second instrument, although most of our students do.

If you would like any further information, please email admissions@purcell-school.org or call 01923 331 100