We are consistently impressed by the breadth of talent displayed by the children we help place in English boarding schools. Whether sporty, artistic, musical, or often all three, it helps us focus on the schools that have those particular strengths. While the nature of independent boarding schools in England means that most are well equipped and resourced to support a wide variety of talents, when it comes to music, for example, there are a few that immediately spring to mind.

It is always hard to pick out one British boarding school’s news and achievements over the rest, but a recent update from Strathallan School in Scotland caught the eye for the sheer breadth of achievements in the spotlight; it really was a shining example of all that is great about British independent education.

Now in its seventh year, the James Waterhouse Piano Competition, in association with Steinway and Sons, has established itself as one of the foremost piano competitions in the UK for children under 19 years of age.

Consisting of 750 of the country’s best young singers, the National Youth Choir rehearses twice a year during the summer holidays, giving members an excellent opportunity to develop their vocal techniques across a wide range of challenging music.