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I'm struggling to remember whether any NAPMers have posted about a school further North that is the equivalent of the Brit school? Some friends here in Cumbria have a talented singer/songwriter daughter who wants to go to a suitable sixth form college. They haven't got the funds for anything private. She's got lots of drama and musical theatre experience as well.

Can anyone suggest a suitable college? Scotland or the North West. She would probably need to find a host family.....

Only one I know of is The Hammond in Cheshire.... But no doubt there must be more up north

JJ x

Thanks jollyjelly but the Hammond is a private school. I was thinking of a state school, like the Brit. Wasn't there talk of another Brit opening in the North or Birmingham? I've got a vague feeling I read recently of an equivalent up North . Could it have been in Salford, because of MediaCity???

I remember reading something about a school opening in Media City too but haven't seen anything recently so I think that idea may have fallen foul of Mr Gove's lack of interest in vocational colleges! The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts are planning on opening a sixth form but that won't be until 2015: http://www.lipa.ac.uk/content/TheLIPASi ... llege.aspx

The Birmingham Brit school is called the Birmingham Ormiston Academy http://www.boa-academy.co.uk/ I think they have an early January deadline for applications for September 2014 start but we warned, they only take a certain percentage from out of catchment. A few years ago I heard another school was to be opened further north but I have heard nothing about it for a while now.

Preston College is further education and have various courses for 16-18 year olds in performing arts, dance, musical theatre etc. That could be worth a look.

Thanks for that information sapphire and 2dancersmum. That's interesting about LIPA but she needs a 2014 place. Glad I'm not the only one who thought Salford was rumoured to get something. Preston looks interesting so I will pass that on. Thanks for the info about the Ormiston Academy - that is the place I was trying to think of in Birmingham. Its says it takes 10% from the wider Midlands, so I don't think she would qualify

Scotland, and Edinburgh in particular are possibilities because of family nearby - anyone know anywhere?

in scotland we have dance school of scotland but its more for ballet and musical theatre students and i dnt think they take from outside scotland. not heard of anything else x

Thanks Steffysmum, I pass that on

Chetham's (in Manchester) take singers in the 6th Form. She would get a fantastic musical education from there. It's boarding too.

Entry is by audition.

Although it is a fee-paying school there are generous means-tested grants and also some bursaries - and indeed many pupils who go there pay no or very low fees (my dd was one such). Of course a lot of the repertoire they cover is classical - but I do know a number who have gone on to MT/non classical careers.

If you/your friend would like any more information then please pm and I will pass on my email address. Chetham's site gives lots of information:
http://www.chethams.com/

Thanks for that pg. She's very much a pop singer/writer so I suspect wouldn't have enough classical background/training to get through a Chetham's audition but I will let them know