An Aspirational Community Scholarship

Now in its 10th successful year.

In each year group up to 14 scholarship places can be awarded to Year 6 students based on their natural music aptitude. The music scholarship at St. Paul’s way is unique in London as it seeks to engage all students based on natural aptitude and love of music, rather than current ability. We welcome all musicians of any ability, and our unique selection process aims to discover potential and reward musical aspiration.

Our scholars regularly perform in the top 10% of the school at GCSE and A-level and go on to success in university or apprenticeship, whatever the subject.

If your child loves music, we want to hear from you.

Music scholars form an integral part of our successful and thriving music department and help to lead and inspire our other excellent young musicians.

Music scholars are expected to learn at least one orchestral instrument and become an ensemble member in both our Symphony Orchestra and School Choirs in addition to supporting and participating in our extensive performance calendar throughout the year.

In addition to these core expectations many scholars also take full advantage of the outstanding workshop and partnership opportunities that we provide.

In brief, music scholars access the following benefits:

• Heavily subsidised weekly tuition across a range of instruments
• Access to Drumworks, group samba drumming sessions for mental health and musicianship
• Trips to see external performances
• Priority for external workshops
• Ensemble training through attending choir & orchestra
• External performance opportunities
• Community with other year groups through attending mixed year group activities
• Joining the music scholar form

To apply, please complete the form online here by the closing date, Friday 10th October 2024.  

Key dates:

• The Music Aptitude Tests will take place on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th October at 4:00pm.

• Auditions will take place on Friday 24th October 2024 from 9:00am to1:30pm.

Please click here for answers to frequently asked questions.

Instruments taught at SPW (delivered by Tower Hamlets Arts & Music Service)
Percussion	Strings	Woodwind	Brass	Other
Drum kit	Violin	Flute	Trumpet	Popular singing
Tabla	Viola	Clarinet	Trombone	Classical singing
	Cello	Saxophone	French Horn	Asian singing
	Double bass	Oboe	Tuba	Guitar
		Bassoon		Electric Bass

(Please note this list is not exhaustive, we endeavour to accommodate students on any instrument and work closely with our partners to deliver this).

A more detailed idea of the scholarship programme can be found below, please note the scholarship programme adapts each year depending on opportunities offered.

KS3

All scholars are expected to immerse themselves in the broad spectrum of workshop and performance opportunities throughout the year. These will include specially selected workshops with professional organisations on an annual basis. Previous partnerships for music scholars have included:

• London Symphony Orchestra
• Ancient Academy of Music
• The Barbican
• Queen Mary University music scholars and lecturers
• London Chamber Orchestra
• Voces 8
• English National Opera
• Ronnie Scott’s
• Sadler’s Wells
• The Royal Opera
• Guildhall

Year 7			Year 8			Year 9
Autumn	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Spring		Summer
Instrumental lessons on two or one instruments 33 instrumental lessons per year.						Instrumental lessons on two or one instruments 33 instrumental lessons per year.
Orchestra rehearsals Monday afterschool (compulsory)
Choir rehearsals Monday during form time (compulsory)
Rock school exam series	Guildhall exam series	ABRSM exam series	Rock school exam series	Guildhall exam series		ABRSM exam series	Rock school exam series	Guildhall exam series	ABRSM exam series
Winter concert	Spring concert	School musical	Winter concert	Spring concert		School musica	Winter concert	Spring concert	School musical

KS4 & 5

All KS3 opportunities are available to KS4 & 5 music scholars but they have the opportunity to create a more bespoke programme as students prepare for further and higher education involving music and also future careers.

It is an expectation that music scholars would opt to study music at GCSE level and hopefully then move on to A-level.

A minimum of one instrument to continue to be learnt. Extension lessons for anyone requiring e.g. post grade 6 or audition prep.

Work experience placements specifically focussed on music; currently includes Decca records and Marksons pianos.

Support in application and audition for conservatoire, music college and leading towards University. Specialisms within the faculty are Classical, Jazz, Musical theatre and pop.

Jazz harmony course to support musicians opting for a compositional route rather than performance.

ABRSM exams which earn UCAS points for University admission.