Founded in 1918, the Choir Schools' Association (CSA) promotes the education and welfare of choristers and supports the schools that educate them. It represents approximately 44 schools attached to cathedrals, churches, and college chapels across the UK, most of which are independent. The association functions as a support network for members, sharing best practices in choral education and pastoral care. Additionally, the CSA operates as a charity, administering bursaries (such as the Chorister Fund) to ensure financial barriers do not prevent talented children from accessing choristerships.
CSA Member Schools (8)
Junior King's School is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 3-13. Situated on an 80-acre country estate in Sturry, Kent, two miles from Canterbury, the school is located on the banks of the River Stour. Founded in 1879 as the preparatory school to The King's School, Canterbury, it moved to its current rural site in 1929. The school claims to focus on a supportive and nurturing ethos, aiming to find the spark in every child through a broad education. Facilities include educational, boarding, music, drama, design technology, computing, and sporting provisions. An ISI inspection in 2017 recognised the quality of pupils' academic and other achievements as excellent.
King's School Rochester is a co-educational independent day and boarding school situated in Rochester, Kent. The school is nestled within the Cathedral Precinct, near Rochester Cathedral and Rochester Castle, offering views over the River Medway. Founded in 604 AD, it claims to be the second oldest continuously operating school in the world and the oldest cathedral choir school. Serving pupils aged 3 to 18, it is a Church of England foundation. The school claims to focus on a holistic education, underpinned by values of happiness, endeavour, aspiration, roundedness, and teamwork.
Reigate St Mary's Preparatory and Choir School is a co-educational day school situated on a fifteen-acre campus of parkland and sports fields in Reigate, Surrey, near the town centre and the North Downs. Established in 1949, it was originally founded to educate choristers for St Mary's Church. The school, which became a junior school of Reigate Grammar School in 2003, claims to focus on a broad education within a tradition of choral singing and Christian values, alongside fostering emotional intelligence and character development.
St Edmund's School Canterbury is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 2-18. Situated on a 62-acre semi-rural site in Canterbury, Kent, the school was established in 1749. It educates the Choristers of Canterbury Cathedral. The school claims to focus on fostering a love of learning, intellectual agility, and creativity within a supportive and inclusive environment. Its grounds include parkland, forestry, and modern facilities, supporting a broad co-curricular programme.
St Paul's Cathedral School is a co-educational, independent preparatory day school for pupils aged 4 to 13, located in the heart of the City of London. It offers boarding for its choristers. The school's ethos, rooted in its Christian and Church of England foundation, aims to instill a love of learning through a broad curriculum, promoting values such as love, justice, and respect. Music forms an integral part of school life, reflecting its historic association with St Paul's Cathedral.
Situated in Chichester, West Sussex, adjacent to the Chichester Cathedral precinct, The Prebendal School is a co-educational preparatory day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 13. Founded in 1497, it is the oldest school in Sussex and educates the Chichester Cathedral choristers. The school claims to focus on nurturing confident and kind young people through a holistic approach, fostering a love of learning and curiosity. It was awarded 'Excellent in all areas' by its ISI inspection in November 2022.
Westminster Abbey Choir School is a boarding preparatory school for boys aged 8 to 13, located in Dean's Yard, central London, adjacent to Westminster Abbey. Founded around 1560, it is the sole remaining choir school in the UK exclusively educating choristers. The school claims to focus on a balanced education within a Christian environment, integrating rigorous musical training with a broad academic curriculum. It educates approximately 30 boys, preparing them for secondary education and fostering spiritual, moral, and academic development.
Westminster Cathedral Choir School is a Roman Catholic preparatory school for boys aged 4 to 13, located in the City of Westminster, Greater London. Situated in an urban setting, it operates as both a day and boarding school, with an approximate enrolment of 270 boys. The school is academically selective and educates the choristers of Westminster Cathedral. Its ethos claims to focus on transmitting the Catholic faith with joy and fidelity, alongside offering a classical and demanding academic education.