Mark Philips (Senior Ofsted Inspector and ex-national Ofsted advisor for Music) led an inspection of William Ellis School. The report highlighted the importance of music in the school, commenting on the 'good range of extra-curricular activities' and 'outstanding' outcomes in music.  We push students to achieve their full potential and achieve excellent examination results.

Music Tech GURU

William Ellis Music Department works in collaboration with musictechguru.com to provide high quality and engaging resources for music technology students studying Music Technology A Level, GCSE Music and Music Production.

At William Ellis we encourage all students to participate in extra-curricular music to supplement curriculum lessons.

Each week, the school collaborates with the Music Departments of La Sainte Union, Parliament Hill and Acland Burghley Schools to provide students with an opportunity to partake in high-quality large-ensemble music-making as part of the LaSWAP Orchestra. Students of any standard are encouraged to participate in Concert Orchestra, and students who can perform and read music confidently at grade 5 attend Chamber Orchestra.

At William Ellis your son can learn to play one (or more) of the following instruments:

• Drum Kit,Guitar, Bass guitar, Piano, Violin, Cello, Trumpet, Trombone, Cornet, Horn, Euphonium, Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Oboe, Recorder, Voice, Music Technology , DJing, Music Theory, Composing and Score Reading.

Please see the PDF at the bottom of this page for further detail of how to apply for lessons.

If your son is new to either the school or instrumental lessons, we thoroughly recommend reading through Camden Music's terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions – Camden Music and their FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions – Camden Music.

At William Ellis, we pride ourselves on going above and beyond the expectations of most secondary schools and have a range of facilities available. In October 2018 we expanded into new, purpose-built facilities. These include a state of the art recording studio and large large mac suite for the A Level Music Technology Course. There is also a soundproofed band practice rooms and an additional two practice rooms with pianos for instrumental lessons.  We also have a world-class Steinway Model D concert grand piano in the main hall, which is available for the boys to use for both practice and performances.

Our state of the art Music Technology facilities including 25 iMac desktop computers, each equipped with Logic Pro X , Sibelius 8. We also own a 30-piece Samba kit and practice rooms fully-equipped with band instruments for students’ use. 

We have a well-established concert series which provides students of all standards and ages opportunities to perform both in and out of school.

• LaSWAP Ensembles Concerts take place twice a year, in collaboration with the Music Departments of La Sainte Union, Parliament Hill and Acland Burghley to showcase all four schools’ ensembles. This also provides an opportunity for the LaSWAP Concert Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra to perform.
• In order to build students’ confidence in solo and small ensemble performing, each term the Music Department organises Performance Platform concerts for students who learn an instrument either in or out of school.  These informal concerts give students of all abilities, from absolute beginner to grade 8, the opportunity to perform in front of their friends and peers. If you would like your son to perform at the next Performance Platform concert, please contact the Head of Music, Ms Wood: cwood@williamellis.camden.sch.uk.

We make full use of all London has to offer as a global cultural hub. The Music Department regularly takes part in workshops and masterclasses with professionals and takes students out of school to attend concerts. In the last few years we have collaborated with the following artists and organisations: Jamie Cullum & The Roundhouse, The Royal Opera House, Michael Bochmann MBE, The Tower of London, The Leeds International Piano Competition, Bigga Fish & Lady Leshurr, National Orchestra For All, Beat Goes On, Canterbury Christ Church University, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, The London Sinfonietta, The Royal Academy of Music and Teach First.

Below is an example of how we integrate these collaborations into the school curriculum to help students reach their full potential.  This video is of a Year 10 GCSE compostion, recorded in collaboration with Schools Ground Sounds: