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School profile Verified 17 August 2026

Manchester Private schools

Chetham's School of Music

Long Millgate, Manchester, M3 1SB

Chetham's School of Music is a private secondary-stage school in Manchester, Manchester, with a published age range of 8-19.

Private school Co-ed Ages 8-19 Sixth form Boarding school
Application ?
Apply direct to school
Age range
8-19
ISI ?
Standards met
Boarding ?
Boarding school
Compare Official website Map

On this page

At a glance

Key facts

Sector
Private school
Gender
Mixed
Application ?
Apply direct to school
Age range
8-19
Boarding ?
Boarding school
Route check
Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
ISI ?
Standards met

Overview

Musical potential is the gateway to Chetham's School of Music. Students aged 8 to 18 combine intensive musical study, performance and academic education, with day and boarding places bringing together pupils from the UK and overseas. Admission is based on musical ability or potential rather than academic selection or ability to pay.

Students follow the UK curriculum and take GCSE and A-Level examinations. Music and Dance Scheme support means around 90 per cent of UK-national pupils receive up to full funding, while Compensatory Education supports SEND and English as an additional language. Academic work therefore sits within a specialist route designed around serious musical development.

A typical day includes individual lessons, performance classes, ensemble rehearsals, aural training, choral work, composition, music technology and community arts. Students perform throughout the year through masterclasses, orchestral and ensemble work and public opportunities, making performance part of ordinary school life.

Around two thirds of students board in Victoria House, New College House or Millgate House. Practice facilities, house staff and nurses support life at Long Millgate in Manchester. Auditions consider musical understanding, creativity and potential to develop, with families able to discuss support needs before applying.

Key points
Assessment route
Applications are made directly to the school. Check the school's own admissions pages for registration dates, entrance assessment stages, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
Places and demand
Published Year 7 place numbers and applicant-per-place data are not included in GIAS for this private-school seed profile.
Catchment
Private-school eligibility is not controlled by the local-authority grammar catchment model; check boarding, day-pupil, transport and any sibling or faith rules on the school site.
Results
0% grade 5+ in English and maths and 42.5 Attainment 8
Sixth form
Sixth form available with 14.3% AAB or better.

GCSE benchmark

Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with Manchester and England.

School Local authority England
GCSE benchmark comparison Latest GCSE benchmark measures for Chetham's School of Music, Manchester, and England. 0 50 100 Att. 8 5+ E&M EBacc APS EBacc %
Attainment 8
42.5
Grade 5+ English and maths
0%
EBacc APS
4.14
EBacc entry
0%

Attainment 8 trend

Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Manchester and England.

School Local authority England
Attainment 8 trend line Attainment 8 over time for Chetham's School of Music, Manchester, and England. 55 48.3 41.7 35 21/22 22/23 23/24 24/25

School details
Sector
Private school
School type
Other independent school
Funding
Independent fee-paying
Application
Apply direct to school
Gender
Mixed
Age range
8-19
Head
Miss Nicola Smith
Pupil roll
331 pupils
Sixth form
Yes
Boarding
Boarding school

Location and contact

Address

Address
Long Millgate, Manchester
Postcode
M3 1SB
Area
Manchester

School leadership

Head
Miss Nicola Smith

School contact

School phone
01618349644

Admissions contact

Admissions team
Admissions
Admissions phone
01618349644
Open in Map Open school website

Admissions
Application route
Apply direct to school
Age range
8-19
Gender
Mixed
Boarding
Boarding school
Day fees
Annual day fee
Boarding fees
Annual international boarding fee
Scholarships and bursaries
Bursaries available
Entrance details
Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
Admissions note
GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.

GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.

Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.

Oversubscription and eligibility

Use the official admissions policy for the current priority order and eligibility rules.

Exam and test format

Entrance route and assessment

Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.

Assessment route
Apply direct to school

Application

How to apply

  1. 1

    Apply direct to the school

    Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.

    Check school admissions

Results

Attainment snapshot

Attainment 8 ?
42.5 Attainment 8
GCSE results
0% grade 4+ in English and maths
Grade 5+ English and maths ?
0% grade 5+ in English and maths
EBacc average point score ?
4.14 EBacc APS
A-level results
14.3% AAB or better
A-level average points
38.07 A-level points per entry

Inspection
View report
Standards met

Latest inspection: 23 April 2024

Leadership, management and governance
Standards met
Quality of education, training and recreation
Standards met
Physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing
Standards met
Social and economic education and contribution to society
Standards met
Safeguarding
Standards met

Quick summary

  • Latest ISI report: Routine Inspections 2024 records an inspection beginning 23 April 2024. The report says the relevant standards were met.

Similar schools and comparisons

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Nearby schools with similar results

Closest comparable alternatives with a similar academic profile, so parents can weigh local fit and results together.

Shortlist comparisons

Compare Chetham's School of Music with Sol Christian Academy Compare Chetham's School of Music with King of Kings Compare Chetham's School of Music with St Bede's College

Explore this school in context

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Related pages and guides

Guides and related reading

Related guides are still being added.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How does Chetham's School of Music handle admissions?

Chetham's School of Music handles applications directly. Check the school website for registration dates, entrance assessments, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.

How do I apply to Chetham's School of Music?

1. Apply direct to the school: Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.

When are the key dates for Chetham's School of Music?

Use the school admissions page to confirm registration, assessment, interview and offer dates.

What does the latest inspection picture look like for Chetham's School of Music?

Chetham's School of Music is currently rated Standards met following the latest published inspection dated 23 April 2024.