Specialist Music places for out of Priority Area students

Did you know that students who are not in our priority area can apply for Specialist Music places at Winston?

Do you have a friend or family member who’s son or daughter is musical? Tell them about our opportunity for gifted musical students.

THE MUSIC CURRICULUM

During Key Stage 3 all students at Winston receive at least one hour of music teaching a week. They study a varied and engaging curriculum, rooted in practical music making, which challenges all students through the introduction and consolidation of key skills. Students experience playing and composing using a variety of instruments and also learn how to work with music technology in our iMac suite and recording studio.

At Key Stage 4 students are able to opt for either GCSE Music or VCert Music Technology. For each of these students receive 5 hours of lessons across our two week timetable. Results at KS4 are consistently high with our 2018 cohort continuing to achieve above students nationally.

In 2018

94% of our students achieved grade 9-4 – 20% higher than the national average
35% or our students achieved grade 9-7 – 4%   higher than than he national average

In the last three years

75% of students have achieved 9-4 or A*-C grades nationally – Winston’s student’s grades were 21% higher
31% of students have achieved 9-7 or A*-A grades nationally – Winston’s student’s grades were 17% Higher

EXTRACURRICULAR MUSIC

At Winston we are proud to have one of the largest extracurricular offerings in the county, with students enjoying over 20 different ensembles and clubs on a weekly basis. The vast majority of our ensembles are non-auditioned which allows students of all ability to make music together. Our groups include:

Throughout the year we give students the opportunity to perform in concerts and events at Winston and in the local area. School-based performances include our Christmas and Summer concerts, our annual school musical production, our March recital evenings, our annual Christmas Carol Service, and our Young Musician of the Year competition. We also support local events such as the Woking Crematorium Carol Service, Brookwood Christmas Lights, Brookwood School Fete and the St John’s Village Fair. In addition we also give students the opportunity to perform abroad on our annual Music Tour. In recent years we have performed in Germany, Holland and Spain. We also have visits from professional musicians including The Band of the Royal Logistic Corp who will be returning to Winston in the spring to work with our students.

MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS

If you are currently living outside of the Winston catchment area but you play an instrument or sing to a high standard you can apply for one of our 15 music scholarships. Auditions for these will take place in October. Students are required to perform one or two pieces of at least Grade 1 standard (the pieces do not have to be from a graded exam book), to complete a short aural test, and to give a short presentation about their musical experiences. Successful applicants will be informed of the decision to award a music scholarship before the secondary school application deadline.

INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS

At Winston we are pleased to be able to offer a large range of peripatetic music lessons. The lessons are delivered by a combination of private instrumental teachers, Surrey Arts tutors and from September 2018 our Music Graduate, Miss Shlackman. The lessons are of an extremely high quality with our students consistently gaining excellent results in graded exams. Many of our instrumental teachers are also able to provide instrumental lessons for primary school students. These lessons take place in the Music Department after the end of the school day. If you would like to have lessons at Winston in 2018-19 or would like to reserve a space for 2019-20 please contact the relevant teacher below who will be able to arrange lessons for you:

Information  and how to apply can be found on the school Admissions page