Which grammar for a boy interested in humanities and music

[schuetzsj]

Very grateful for any thoughts on this - we are trying to order Wilson's, SGS and WCGS for our son. We were a bit worried going round about the very strong maths/science/medicine orientation in all the schools. He's more interested in history and current affairs and stuff about what people do and why. The most important extra-curricular thing is music, definitely not sport. Anyone have any idea in which of the schools boys who are interested in the humanities feel most at home and are most nurtured? And is the Wallington music as limited as it seems from the website (didn't get to the music dept on Open Day)? Would it even be better for him to go to the comprehensive in our area that is strong on music and the arts? Thank you very much for any thoughts!

[2outof3]

WCGS is great for humanities and we love the school generally but music is not it's strongest point. My son is grade 8 in his main instrument and is doing gcse music (and actually there are probably about 20 boys doing music in his year) but the extra curricular music groups are limited. There is no orchestra and the choir is very small. There is a "music group" which did provide the music for the 2017 musical production and that was very successful.

The school has bid several times for money to build a new music block but has yet to be successful. The current music facilities are very shoddy - little more than a hut to be honest.

It is strange though that there are many very talented musicians in the school but they don't seem to want to play formally for the school (i.e. in an orchestra.) You really see the talent at the school during the House music competition, which is organised by the sixth form. There are very talented string players, pianists and wind players.

To be honest, I wouldn't miss the opportunity of an education at one of the grammars just because the music might be stronger at a comprehensive. I'm sure all the grammars provide enough opportunity to play to keep people happy at school (as well as house music, WCGS has a termly concert).

[tiffinboys]

Both Wilson's and Tiffin are pretty strong in music.

[schuetzsj]

Thanks v much for helpful replies! So do people think all the Sutton boys' grammars are good for subjects like English, History and Modern Languages, alongside their obviously great maths and sciences? And are there reasonable numbers of boys who are most interested in humanities? Tiffin is too far for us.

[tiffinboys]

Tiffin music news
http://tiffinschool.co.uk/news/?p=898" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[tiffinboys]

Slightly off topic. Wallington boys would be in high demand after publication of GCSE league table, based on Progress-8, having beaten Wilson's and many others.