Private School News

Bristol Cathedral School enters a new era as an Academy

Bristol Cathedral School is now set to begin a new chapter in its 800-year history, following the signing of the formal agreement under which it will become an Academy.

The signing confirms that in September this year the school will re-open with the new name of Bristol Cathedral Choir School. The change of name celebrates its prized status as the first choir school in the country to become an Academy.

Head Hugh Monro, who will become the Academy’s first Principal, said: “This is both an historic moment for our school and a move of national political significance. In the past few weeks, our Chairman of Governors, Stephen Parsons, and I have been invited to Number Ten and have met Gordon Brown, the Schools Secretary Ed Balls and the influential education Minister Lord Adonis: they are all hugely committed to our success as the first cathedral school Academy in the country. The fact that the Prime Minister of the country is so personally committed is a very strong indication of the political importance being attached to this at a national level.”

It is only seven months since the school revealed that it was applying to become an Academy: the application has been fast-tracked in record time by the Government to ensure the agreement was signed before letters were sent out today (Monday 3 March) offering school places to parents.

The school’s Chairman of Governors Stephen Parsons said: “In many ways, the move from a fee-paying school to an Academy marks a return to our roots. Just as in the 1960s and 1970s before the abolition of direct-grant schools, all the people of Bristol will now have the opportunity to apply for an education at the city’s oldest school, regardless of their ability to pay.

“The tremendous ethos of the school will be unchanged, but with the school roll expected to grow by at least 50 per cent over the coming years, many more children will be able to take up the unique opportunities offered by the school.”

The Academy will offer a full curriculum, but will specialise in music and mathematics. Its facilities will include a purpose-built music school within its new £3 million building currently nearing completion in College Square. The school, which is heavily involved in promoting singing among primary school children in the city through the Bristol Voices programme, will also continue to provide boy and girl choristers for the cathedral.

“We are receiving huge interest in music and singing from parents and prospective pupils,” said Mr Parsons. “This year, 80 boys and girls took our music aptitude test, whereas last year there was only a handful.”

In preparing to become an Academy, the school has collaborated with the cathedral’s ruling body, the Chapter. The Precentor, who is in charge of music at the cathedral, the Reverend Canon Wendy Wilby, welcomed news that the agreement had been signed. “”The Chapter of Bristol Cathedral are delighted at the new developments for our immediate neighbour, Bristol Cathedral Choir School!

“Over the years we have always worked closely with the school where our choristers are educated, but now, with Academy status, the unique and excellent cathedral choral tradition becomes an opportunity open to all. The school will continue to provide a choir for the cathedral, but our partnership will deepen and expand to provide a centre of musical excellence for the people of Bristol and the surrounding area.”