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 (20)
The King's School Gloucester is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, encompassing nursery, pre-prep, prep, senior, and sixth form stages. Situated adjacent to Gloucester Cathedral in a historic setting, the school traces its origins back to the medieval Abbey of St Peter before being re-founded by King Henry VIII. It offers a comprehensive academic curriculum alongside a vibrant co-curricular programme, placing a strong emphasis on pastoral care, community values, and traditional cathedral traditions.
King’s School Rochester is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18. Founded in 604 AD, it is the world’s second oldest school and is situated within the historic Cathedral precinct, overlooking the River Medway. The school maintains a close relationship with Rochester Cathedral, which serves as its chapel. Housed in buildings ranging from the 16th-century Satis House to modern facilities, it emphasises well-rounded development through academic rigour and a diverse co-curricular programme, including a notable rowing tradition and an established choral heritage.
St George's School, Windsor Castle is an independent co-educational preparatory day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 13. Located within the historic grounds at the foot of the North Wall of Windsor Castle in Berkshire, the school retains a long-standing association with the College of St George, having originally been established to educate the choristers of St George's Chapel. The school occupies the historic Travers Building and provides an education for both choristers and non-choristers within a setting noted for its heritage and proximity to the royal residence.
St Cedd's School is an independent, co-educational day preparatory school and pre-school located in Chelmsford, Essex, catering for pupils aged 3 to 11. The school provides a nurturing environment that balances academic rigour with a broad curriculum. Specialist teaching begins in the pre-school stage across subjects such as science, music, French, and physical education. A member of the Choir Schools' Association, the school offers strong musical opportunities, including regular performances by its junior and senior chamber choirs at Chelmsford Cathedral. Additionally, an extensive co-curricular programme features over 80 clubs and activities.
Pilgrims Pre-Preparatory School is a co-educational independent day school located in Bedford, catering for children aged from three months to seven years. Part of The Harpur Trust, the school provides an enriched pre-prep and nursery setting set within its own spacious grounds featuring a substantial wooded area. The curriculum is centred on nurturing children's natural curiosity and creativity through purpose-built facilities and creative teaching models. The school offers comprehensive wrap-around care, specialist music tuition, and a wide range of extracurricular clubs designed to support young learners.
St John's College School is a co-educational independent preparatory school situated on Grange Road in Cambridge, catering for pupils aged 4 to 13. Originally established to educate the choristers of the Choir of St John's College, the school has expanded to accommodate around 460 boys and girls. It offers a broad, balanced curriculum with a notable strength in music, providing boarding and day facilities while maintaining its historic choral traditions.
King's College School Cambridge is an independent co-educational preparatory school located near the centre of Cambridge. Catering for pupils aged 4 to 13, the school offers day and boarding options, including full, weekly, and flexi-boarding. Originally established in 1441 by King Henry VI to educate the choristers of King's College Choir, it provides a traditional preparatory education focusing on academic progress and musical excellence within a caring community.
The Prebendal School is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 3 to 13, situated in the heart of Chichester, West Sussex. Recognised as the oldest school in Sussex, its history dates back to the 11th century as a song school for Chichester Cathedral, with which it maintains a close official link today. The school is housed in a collection of historic buildings, including a 13th-century school house. It provides a broad education with a strong musical tradition, serving as the choir school for the cathedral’s choristers.
Wells Cathedral School is an all-through, co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 18, situated in the historic city of Wells, Somerset. As one of the UK’s five specialist music schools, it integrates professional musical and chorister training within a standard academic framework. The campus features traditional architecture closely linked to the adjacent medieval cathedral. Catering to all educational stages from nursery to sixth form, the school offers boarding options from prep school onwards and provides a variety of extracurricular programmes alongside its core curriculum.
Christ Church Cathedral School is an independent day and boarding preparatory school in the centre of Oxford. The school offers a co-educational start in its nursery and pre-prep departments before transitioning to a boys-only education through to age 13. Originally housed within the college itself, the school now occupies historic premises on Brewer Street, including a 15th-century building once used by Cardinal Wolsey. Famously focused on its rich choral tradition, it continues to educate choristers for the internationally renowned Christ Church Cathedral Choir, alongside the chapels of Worcester and Pembroke colleges.
Situated in the heart of Oxford, Magdalen College School is a selective independent day school for boys aged 7 to 18 and girls in the sixth form. Founded by William Waynflete as a department of Magdalen College, the institution maintains strong links with the university city. The school’s Christian collegiate foundation shapes an ethos aimed at inspiring pupils to learn, flourish, and serve. Beyond its rigorous academic curriculum, the school offers an extensive range of extra-curricular pursuits, with noted strengths in sport, music, art, and drama.
St Paul's Cathedral School is a co-educational preparatory school for pupils aged 4 to 13, situated in the heart of the City of London. Tracing its origins back to 1123, the school was founded to educate cathedral choristers and maintains this link today, providing boarding for the choristers of St Paul’s Cathedral. The school offers a broad curriculum within a Christian ethos, frequently utilising the cathedral for assemblies. Housed in 1960s purpose-built facilities, the school provides a holistic education with an exceptional focus on music alongside strong academic and pastoral foundations.