Nurturing the next generation of musicians.

Strings

Our thriving Strings department nurtures string players as they work towards acquiring a solid technical foundation and, as well as developing their skills as soloists, become accustomed to working as part of a group. Chamber music and orchestral playing are key to the musical education of our string players. The School runs a Junior String Orchestra, a Chamber Orchestra and a Symphony Orchestra in support…

Keyboard

First study pianists comprise approximately a quarter of the School’s student body, making the Keyboard department a dynamic and inspiring place in which to study. All boarding first study Sixth Form pianists have the use of an upright piano in their study bedrooms. In addition to expert individual tuition, the department runs weekly group classes to allow pianists the opportunity to come together, share ideas and learn from…

Brass

Brass students at The Purcell School enjoy personalised one-on-one lessons with a distinguished team of instrumental teachers who focus on developing technique, musicality and performance skills while covering a broad repertoire from classical to contemporary works. Our comprehensive programme includes specialised instruction in cornet, horn, baritone horn, tenor horn, euphonium, trombone, trumpet and tuba.

Regular recitals and concerts – from solo ventures to large-scale orchestral works – combined with a diverse range of masterclasses with renowned brass players, provide invaluable stage experience and inspiration. Our brass ensembles, Chamber ensembles, Big Band, Wind and Symphony orchestras also provide platforms for collaborative music-making, allowing students to refine their performance skills through dedicated coaching and rehearsals.

The Purcell School’s Brass Department is a vibrant and enriching environment where young musicians can thrive and reach their full potential.

Percussion

Purcell’s Percussion Department offers a vibrant and comprehensive education tailored to develop versatile, skilled and expressive percussionists capable of excelling in a diverse array of musical settings. We are committed to individual attention and mentorship. Students receive one-on-one lessons from our distinguished faculty, all of whom are accomplished performers and dedicated educators. This personalised instruction…

Woodwind

The Woodwind Department is small but hugely rich in diversity, with a range of amazing teachers. Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Classical Sax and Recorder grace the school with a range of wonderful repertoire. All our teachers are performers at a top professional level, and many also work at Junior and Senior Conservatoires. They therefore understand the next level of learning that students may be looking to explore…

Harp

Our Harp faculty consists of distinguished harpists who are not only experienced solo and orchestral performers but also highly skilled educators.

Notable alumnae of The Purcell School include renowned harpists Catrin Finch and Anne Denholm-Blair, both of whom have held the prestigious position of Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales.

The Purcell School offers numerous performance opportunities. Students regularly participate in recitals, concerts, and masterclasses with renowned harpists, gaining invaluable stage experience and inspiration. The school boasts numerous orchestras and ensembles, providing additional platforms for collaborative music-making. Harp students have the opportunity to perform as soloists, in duos or as part of chamber groups, including harp ensembles. These experiences help students refine their ensemble skills through dedicated coaching and rehearsals.

Voice

We offer classical singers an exceptional and nurturing environment where they can develop their talents to the fullest.

Our voice faculty comprises top-level professional performers and educators, many of whom also teach at leading Junior and Senior Conservatoires. Our comprehensive approach covers a broad repertoire, from early music to contemporary works, allowing students to explore various styles and genres. This diverse training ensures that our vocalists are well-rounded and versatile performers.

The Purcell School offers numerous performance opportunities for our first and second study voice students. Regular recitals and concerts, chamber choirs and solo performances, provide platforms for students to showcase their talents and gain invaluable stage experience. Additionally, masterclasses with renowned singers and vocal coaches offer students the chance to learn from and be inspired by leading professionals in the field.

At The Purcell School, we are committed to providing a supportive and stimulating environment for our voice students. Whether aspiring to join a professional opera company, pursue a solo career or engage in choral and ensemble singing, we offer the education, resources and inspiration needed to achieve their goals.

Jazz

Jazz is an established and flourishing department. Renowned within and outside the School, it comprises an inspirational team of experienced teachers and performers who are uniquely placed to oversee the development of creative musicians. Ensemble provision is an important part of the Jazz programme. As well as the School’s senior and junior improvisation groups, students can participate in ad hoc ensemble-based…

Composition

The Purcell School is able to offer exceptional opportunities for young composers who will thrive in the stimulating and creative environment of the Composition Department. First study composers receive up to two hours of individual tuition in composition per week, alongside an agreed programme of instrumental study appropriate to their individual needs. Regular seminars, workshops, group discussions…

Audio Production

In addition to the Music Technology component of the Academic Music curriculum, first study Audio Production students will receive up to two hours of individual tuition per week, alongside an agreed programme of instrumental study appropriate to their individual needs (applicants must have a second study instrument to a minimum of Grade 5 standard). They will be taught techniques for developing coherent ideas…

Commercial and Popular Music

The Purcell School is very excited to have launched our Commercial and Popular Music Department in September 2022. The department delivers a program of essential skills necessary for today’s modern commercial musician, taught by a team of industry professionals. Our tutors work with internationally renowned pop and rock artists who record for film and television at all of the top London recording studios…

Performance Opportunities

Performance is a cornerstone of the music programme at The Purcell School, and in an average year our students will take part in over 200 concerts. We offer a wealth of performance opportunities from regular concerts, recitals and masterclasses to competitions and festivals. One of the life-changing experiences of attending The Purcell School is our proximity to London and the opportunity to make music with…

Academic Music

The goal of the Academic Music Department is to assist students in becoming informed, imaginative and enquiring musicians. It aims to provide a wide range of musical skills and to enable students to use these skills creatively. In addition to musicianship and composition classes, all students in Years 7 to 9 study a series of set works. These form the basis of creative and analytical projects designed to expand their general…

Art

In the words of Henry Matisse ‘creativity takes courage’. To encourage a fearless approach to Art we introduce our students to a wide range of different media early. All students study Art until Year 9, with a large number opting to continue their studies to GSCE (Fine Art) and then to A Level (Fine Art and Photography). An emphasis is placed on drawing, visual and contextual study, experimentation…

Drama

Drama is a standard part of the School curriculum from Years 7 to 9, and is also available at GCSE and A Level. The course aims to encourage students to work imaginatively and creatively in a collaborative context in order to generate, develop and communicate ideas. Students come away with an understanding of the social, historical and cultural influences on texts studied and develop a competence…

EAL

With approximately 20% of Purcell students hailing from overseas, EAL forms an integral part of the curriculum for students for whom English is not their first language, and is offered at no extra charge. The programme is personally tailored and aims to equip students with all the necessary skills, not only to engage in their musical and academic studies, but also to allow them to fully integrate into the student body…

English

English at The Purcell School provides growth, knowledge and improvement in the key areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening. English seeks to foster creative talent as well as academic success, and each year students engage in creative writing competitions. In an international school we especially seek to work with the EAL Department to further language acquisition and development for our foreign students…

Modern Foreign Languages

In our international school community where languages are at the core of our working life, we have little difficulty persuading our students of the importance of language learning. In recent years we have seen increasing numbers of students who wish to study outside the UK, especially in Germany, as such languages are seen as a valued life skill by many of our students. The department has high expectations…

History

The History department aims to develop skills and knowledge that will be used throughout a student’s life. Students will learn the causes and consequences of historical events and develop the ability to deduce the influence such events may have had on the trajectory of history. The department enriches its curriculum with trips and outings throughout the year…

Mathematics

In Mathematics we aim to develop creative reasoning together with a high level of mathematical competency so that our students can solve problems with confidence and logic. We follow the English National Curriculum for Key Stage 2, 3, and 4 with a variety of enrichment opportunities offered to students during their time with us in the form of competitions, investigations and outings. In the Sixth Form, we teach…

Music Technology

The Music Technology Department generates and fosters creativity in students using the latest recording and computer technology. With six AV links allowing the recording of our best pianos direct to the studios and all concerts in the School being captured direct to the two automated systems, music technology touches on many areas of music making. The course covers all aspects of creative studio work…

Science

Science at The Purcell Schools hopes to promote students curiosity about the world around them and develop their ability to explore their interests effectively through investigation and analysis, enabling them to deduce satisfying conclusions. At KS3 all students follow the National Curriculum and are taught by specialists in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students are then able to select to either study…

Physical Education

Our vision for PE is to deliver a curriculum that promotes participation, enjoyment and a love of physical activity and exercise. We aim for students to understand the importance of physical fitness and how this can benefit their musical performance and studies. At The Purcell School we aim to offer a balanced and varied curriculum that allows all pupils to achieve and enjoy PE. We aim to provide…