The Purcell School
School summary
Founded in 1962, The Purcell School is a specialist music school in Hertfordshire, where roughly 195 pupils combine a full academic education with intensive musical training. As a small, mixed school taking pupils from age 11 through to sixth form, it offers both day and boarding places. The ISI judged it excellent in its most recent inspection, with the same top mark awarded for pupils' personal development. Remarkably, over 140 of its places are funded through the government's music and dance assisted places scheme or by the school's own bursaries and scholarships, making this rarefied training far more accessible than the headline fees suggest.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
Free month · No payment needed
Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
58%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
30%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
54%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 29 April 2025
Teaching & academics
Academic results are strong for a school whose primary focus lies elsewhere: 58% of GCSE entries reach grades 9-7, well above the national average of 23%. At A-level, 30% of grades are A*-A, just ahead of the national figure, with results otherwise broadly in line with national norms. The curriculum reflects the school's identity, with Music and Music Technology among the most popular subjects alongside Fine Art, English Literature and Mathematics. French and German are offered as modern languages.
Languages
GCSE subjects
Principal · Paul Bambrough
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 89
Popular A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Music is woven through every part of life here rather than confined to an after-school slot, which shapes the character of the whole school. Boarding extends that immersive experience for many pupils.
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1962
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 15.9%
- EHC plans
- 1.03%
Mobile phone policy
Years 7-9 may not have phones during school day. Years 10-11 may keep phones in bags but not use them. Sixth form may keep and use phones but not in lessons or communal areas except common rooms. All boarders up to Year 11 must hand in phones, tablets and laptops overnight.
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £40,864
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £52,175
Majority of places (over 140) are funded by government's music and dance assisted places scheme or by school bursary or scholarship
Schools nearby
Nisai Virtual Academy Ltd
Watford, Greater London
Edge Grove Preparatory School
Aldenham Village, East of England
St Margaret's School
Bushey, East of England
Aldenham School
Elstree, East of England
Stanborough Secondary School
Watford, East of England
Stanborough Primary School
Watford, East of England
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A small, specialist school for serious young musicians, where excellent inspection ratings meet a generous funding model that opens the doors well beyond those who can pay full fees.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
Free month · No payment needed
The Purcell School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.