Westminster Abbey Choir School 'Outstanding' say inspectors
Thursday, 15th February 2007
Westminster Abbey's Choir School has been described as 'outstanding' by the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
The ISI report, which follows an intensive four-day inspection of the school last November, goes on:
Choristers and staff, both teaching and non-teaching, form a vibrant and mutually supportive community. The choristers emerge from the school as accomplished and professional musicians, well and broadly educated.
They develop into confident, spiritually, morally and socially aware young people excellently equipped for the next stage of their education.
The three-strong team of inspectors said that the Choir School 'lived up to the very high goals it sets itself' and went on:
Much in the school is outstanding: the music both in the school and in the Abbey; the education provision and planning; the academic standards across the whole curriculum and especially the pupils' ability to think on their feet and independently.
The Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend John Hall, former chief education officer for the Church of England said:
The Abbey choir makes a tremendous contribution to the worshipping life of Westminster Abbey through the week and at very high profile special services. That would not be possible without the Choir School, which offers boys with remarkable musical talent, coming from a variety of backgrounds, a very special opportunity which they relish.
