Westminster Abbey Choir School A GSG School

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Choir school - substantial scholarships and bursaries usually available for choristers.

What The Good Schools Guide says

Head

Since January 2024, Emma Margrett, previously head at Radnor House Prep, Sevenoaks. Following a degree in theology and religious studies from Bristol, worked in international trade finance before studying for an MPhil in development studies at Pembroke College, Oxford. Drawn to her ‘true vocation of teaching’, she did her PGCE at King’s London, beginning her teaching career at Benenden and then Mayfield. Moved to Lingfield College Prep as deputy head and thence to St Edmund’s, Canterbury, becoming head of the junior school and head of the choristers at Canterbury Cathedral. Completed her master’s in RE in 2006 and doctorate in education in 2017 and was recognised as a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching in 2019 for her contribution to the profession. Also an ISI inspector.

From her small office in the narrow entrance hall, she overlooks an uninspiring government building at the back and the central artery of the school at the front. 'I’m honoured to be the first female head of the school,‘ she says with feeling. ‘Music has such great potential to enhance human experience – and what a privilege to be working within such historic and significant surroundings.' Parents enthusiastic from the outset. ‘She’s already done so much. One of the first things she offered was to do the face painting at the supremely popular annual fête – that must be good!’ Younger boys spoke warmly of her evening story times and all talked to her with ease and respect.

Married with two teenage children, she loves making celebration cakes: ‘I love the icing bit.’ Lives adjacent to school with Vincent, the one-eyed and one-eared cat.

Entrance

No formal entrance test. Boys, normally in year 3, come for informal voice trial with the organist and master of the choristers. Then invited to attend evensong, followed by an invitation to a day at school – morning consisting of further audition, plus ‘simple academic tests in English and maths’, then it’s lunch and a stint in the classroom. School looking for musical potential, not grade 8 musicians: ‘It’s not an exclusive school.’ Although academically non-selective, boys must be ‘quick on the uptake’ – ‘We’re looking for boys who respond well to a challenge, they need to think quickly and work well in a team, a very small team.’ Majority start in year 4, a few in year 5. Very occasionally, boys join other years, prerequisite being a suitable musical background. Most from maintained primary schools. Although self-evidently a CofE institution (a Royal Peculiar, no less), boys of all religions are welcomed.

Exit

Destination schools make impressive reading. Most leave with music award, many with other awards too. King’s Canterbury perennially popular, with a regular sprinkling (do not forget we are talking about five or six leavers a year) to Winchester, Eton, Wells Cathedral, Sherborne, St Paul’s and the like. A number to maintained schools, notably (and interestingly, being Catholic) to the London Oratory.

Our view

One of only three schools in the world catering exclusively for full-boarding choristers, the other two in New York and in Montserrat, outside Barcelona. Housed in a purpose-built building at the heart of Dean’s Yard, in the precincts of Westminster Abbey, the school caters for around 30 boys, youngest ones going home at weekends. So-called August block houses entire school community, staff and boys, plus a gap year student ‘to help channel the boys’ evening energy’. Head has been brisk to liven the place up (‘parts did look like a Victorian institution’) and it now oozes colourful and inspiring designs. She admits to be ‘a great fan of learning by stealth’ and main staircase boasts a timeline highlighting some the numerous important events connected with the Abbey (plenty of those) whilst a timeline of musicians threads its way up the narrow back staircase. ‘I can get from Purcell to Rutter in two seconds,’ affirmed one athletic pupil. Each step has a book spine, voted on by staff and boys. ‘An old boy came back the other day, just to see where his choice was.’

Boys eat all their meals in the basement dining room where conversation abounds. Staff eat with them and there is no telling where the conversation might lead. Over some excellent coconut curry, with an enticing variety of fresh vegetables and salads, we had riveting chats about the Olympics and the elections. Very well-informed they were too. These boys are growing up in the epicentre of central London. It certainly wears off. Overhearing one group discussing the relative merits of Byrd over Messi, we felt we must have missed something.

At the back a small yard, also in receipt of recent attention, allows footballs to be kicked and balls to be thrown. Now astro-turfed and be-goaled. Walls festooned with maps, of the UK and the world, together with murals depicting school scenes, painted by one of the Abbey Beadles. ‘There’s no end to the talent to be found here.’

On the ground floor, a magnificent music room accommodates assemblies and small productions, as well as a ping pong table, a tiny organ and a delicate stained glass depicting Purcell, after whom the houses are named. Upstairs more classroom and dorms. Top floor host to practice rooms with glorious views over Dean’s Yard. On a sunny day, tuneful sounds of boys practising can be heard from down below. Everywhere a constant buzz of activity.

Classrooms are dotted throughout, varying in size but all well-equipped with modern whiteboards. Youngest two years have dedicated form teachers with specialist teaching in French, art, sports, drama and music; specialists across the board from year 6. Latin from year 6 and Greek from year 7. ‘These boys are not only reading music, they very often have to read a foreign language too,’ pointed out a member of staff - even 9 year-olds sing in German. Exceptionally high standard of teaching universally acknowledged. ‘One of the reasons we were so keen for our son to come here was because of the maths,’ said one father. Indeed, we saw some engrossed boys carefully making 3D shapes out of Post-it labels. Classics also pulled out as particularly strong.

One class per year, rarely with more than six or seven, allows individual attention, and there’s a part-time SENCo on hand to help principally with dyslexia and autism, in one-to-one sessions at no extra cost ‘We’ve got to be realistic. For some boys, the rigidity just doesn’t work. Some can’t cope with sudden change – and you can’t include the Queen’s funeral in your lesson planning.’ Four boys on the SEN register when we visited.

Music is the thread that binds the place, and boys, together. Apart from singing, boys learn the piano and one other instrument. Musical guests and ensembles frequently visit and music practice is an integral part of the timetable, with boys practising in every nook and cranny. Youngest boys start as probationers and are gently inducted into singing timetable, culminating in a full eight services a week. Generally, one tour abroad every year, recently to Rome, Budapest and the USA. ‘I can’t wait to go.’ ‘We made a CD last week and we’re on the radio next week.’

Extracurricular drama popular, with annual, expert-led production at Westminster School’s theatre, with glittering roles for the top years, most recently the Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Art varied and imaginative. Work we saw, both in the art room and decorating classrooms and corridors, was a fine array of mixed media and materials, pointillism pictures being particularly eye-catching.

Masses of sport – mainly football, hockey and cricket, all zealously contested at Battersea on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. Boys play in either U11 or U13 team, with lots of fixtures. Use also made of Westminster School’s nearby sports hall. Climbing and kayaking at Shadwell also on offer. Opportunities for the less physical too – one boy proudly told us he was school’s official match photographer.

Clubs flourish, largely boy-inspired and staff-led. Hence gloriously eccentric selection: papercraft, silver-making, marquetry and magic, together with sewing, comic book creation and board games.

Masses of day trips to captivating destinations (climbing over O2, British Library etc) for all. Leavers especially spoilt with tour of Abbey’s rooftop, a trip to the bell tower and a residential trip to Kent with ‘lots of campfires, go-karting, banana boat racing and waffle-toasting’.

Westminster Abbey setting means religion seeps through the day. School chaplain is one of the Abbey’s minor canons and boys are confirmed in the Abbey, some being christened there shortly beforehand – though all faiths are welcomed. The boys’ knowledge is certainly extensive – we heard one politely correcting a teacher who had mentioned Evensong instead of Eucharist. ‘Always happy to speak their minds!’ she pointed out. History, too, percolates everywhere. ‘We’re studying Newton’s theory of gravity and went to see his memorial. We go past it every day.’

Boys we met were bright, engaged, articulate and courteous, with opinions about the world – and let’s face it, they have probably seen more world leaders, faith and political, by the age of 13 than the rest of us will ever see in our lifetimes. No wonder they are so fiercely loyal to the school. ‘It makes you stand on your own two feet,’ they told us, and ‘the friends you make are amazing as you do so much with them’. ‘It’s just such fun – there’s always something happening,’ they said. ‘The King came once!’ pointed out one, referring, presumably, to his coronation.

Parents – many, but not all, with musical connections – brim with pride too, saying they feel ‘part of something very special’. Another commented that it’s ‘one, big family’. But it’s not for everyone, they point out – ‘You have to be inspired by it, not shackled to it.’

There aren’t too many schools we visit where pupils spend Christmas and Easter there with teachers and friends. ‘But we get great presents,’ one boy was quick to mention. ‘And you get two Christmases because you go home and start again!’ Certainly exudes a close-knit family feel.

Boarders

Mixed among the upstairs classrooms are airy dormitories with cubicles of bunks – four in a cubicle, three cubicles to a dorm, each with fitted cupboards. Nothing too luxurious, but all perfectly adequate, with colourful bedding and newly decorated thematic (countryside, planets, under the sea etc) walls to cheer the place up. Lots of teddies on the beds, along with plentiful music stands and the usual discarded socks. Pianos everywhere. Pristine bathrooms nearby, plus access to a computer room, pleasant sitting room, library and a train room – with its very own ‘station’ depicted on the walls. Parents told us that ‘although it’s boarding, we feel very involved’, and especially appreciate the newsletters. ‘Of course, it can be exhausting but they’re so resilient at that age, and think what it gives them,’ said one. Full boarding only, but with frequent opportunities to go out every week-end after services. Pastoral care meaningfully designed to provide balance and boys spoke very enthusiastically about boarding. ‘There’s so much more time and you don’t have to take the tube every day.’ ‘I love the fact that you’re with your friends all the time,’ chirped one. Boys mostly from London but also from (much) further afield – Cornwall, Yorkshire and abroad. More local parents rally to take friends out if parents cannot get there.

Money matters

Fees significantly cheaper than comparable schools (except for choristers at St Paul’s Choir School). Tuition fees covered by the Abbey, leaving only boarding costs, with bursaries available up to 100 per cent. Currently, about half the boys receive one. Strikingly few extras: no additional charges for music lessons, concerts, theatre trips, etc. Even uniform is more reasonable than most.

The last word

Music is the touchstone but not the defining outcome, with the school offering an exceptional education on all fronts. Produces fascinating and fascinated boys. Attend a service and see them in musical action!

Special Education Needs

In a specialist choir school such as this, boys need to be able to cope with the busy and demanding life of a chorister. Where a boy has special education needs, these can often be met on an individual basis. Parents should discuss boys' individual needs with the headmaster who will always seek to accommodate them wherever it is possible to do so. 09-09