Central Foundation Boys School, Islington

Central Foundation Boys’ School, Islington joined MiSST in 2018.

There are currently 533 students on the Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme studying violin, viola and flute. 

Central Foundation Boys’ School (CFBS) offers students access to violin, viola or flute tuition as part of the MiSST programme, throughout Years 7-9. As part of the CFBS Music School, we currently run three separate orchestras, as well as a string quartet, guitar bands, a drumming ensemble and music technology group. Although this has been a difficult year for music at CFBS (and all schools across the country) our students have produced an excellent pre-recorded Christmas Concert, which you can view on the school website. We will also have a summer performance available soon. We are really proud that the students on the MiSST programme at CFBS have continued to make excellent progress throughout this difficult time and are excited about continuing to create opportunities for all our MiSST pupils.

Quote from Head of Department Alec Haylor 

“Thanks to MiSST all the students at CFBS get to experience the joy and challenge of learning an orchestral instrument. There are some students for whom this otherwise wouldn’t be an option. So, for these pupils it creates an opportunity that they wouldn’t otherwise have. However, for all our students it creates an environment in which playing an instrument is completely normal. Playing together as a whole class ensemble, playing together in an orchestra, performing in front of their peers… these are all completely normal things happening around the school in every classroom. Creating this culture amongst our pupils is invaluable, not just in igniting a passion for music, but also in equipping them with the skills they will need in the wider world.“

Quote from CFBS student 

“I really enjoy learning the flute with MiSST. During lockdown playing flute helped me to escape too much screen time and it made my parents happy to hear me practicing. I submitted lots of videos of my progress to my music teacher on Show My Homework. The MiSST videos were really helpful when I didn’t have access to a classroom teacher. My teacher asked me to participate in the MiSST virtual concert and I worked hard to learn the piece Mambo No. 5. Since returning from lockdown the school have provided me with 1-1 lessons on flute and I now attend MiSST’s Saturday Music School. The music is much more challenging than I am used to but the 1-1 lessons are helping me. I was nervous to attend at first but it’s really helping me to become more confident. “

Quote from Head Teacher Jamie Brownhill 

"MiSST provides so much for our students here at Central Foundation Boys' School. For some, it's the opportunity to play an orchestral instrument that they wouldn't otherwise have ever had. For others, it's gaining a deep and practical understanding of the world of orchestral music. For all our students, it's an opportunity to learn how to develop new skills and to communicate with others. It's a real joy to see the pride that our students take showing their skills off in class and at school performances and a pleasure to see how it has helped them develop into young adults”.