As we welcome our returning and new pupils for the new Michaelmas Term, we would like to wish all our 2021 Year 8 and Year 11 leavers the very best of luck with their onward destinations.

We were delighted with the extremely high level of success enjoyed by our GCSE students this year.  Among our GCSE candidates was James, who, alongside his Common Entrance examinations at the end of Year 8, sat his GCSE Music, three years early.  James was awarded a Grade 9; the highest grade possible for GCSE, and with this outstanding success under his belt, has taken up his place at Eton College this week.

Mr Percival, Director of Music, said of James:
“As Music Director at S. Anselm’s School, one relishes the chance to accelerate and improve a pupil’s learning wherever possible. James is without doubt an exceptionally gifted musician who began life at S. Anselm’s School in the Pre-prep. His latest achievements including a grade 9 GCSE in music and ABRSM piano grade 8 distinction age 12 were a culmination of talent, consistent practice, superb one-to-one music lessons and the opportunity to regularly perform at both formal and informal concerts; in addition to being a part of the weekly ensembles available at S. Anselm’s School including Chapel Choir, Wind Band (James is also a grade 8 clarinettist), international piano workshops, piano competitions and classroom music lessons. The rewards are high and the learning life-long as James now heads to Eton a mature and gifted musician who will forever be revered by his fellow peers who have all been inspired by his achievements and of course, the music department –  especially me!”

Special congratulations James, and we may you continue to enjoy your music as you progress through your College career!

It has been fantastic to see so many smiling faces in and around school again and there is a real sense of excitement and purpose for the new academic year.  Great things await!