The teaching mostly takes place between 9am and 2.30pm on Saturdays. Instruments taught on the programme are the violin, viola, cello, mini bass , harp and guitar. The String Training Programme provides a thorough training in all the musical and technical aspects of learning a string instrument for children aged between five and ten years old. It aims to make learning fun, drawing on games and exercises that stimulate the children while allowing them to learn in a structured manner. Teachers are specialists in their given area of teaching and have a working knowledge of the other disciplines being taught.
All staff are highly qualified and experienced teachers.
By the end of the String Training Programme, children will have learned a series of musical skills which they will be able to apply to their chosen instrument or if they transfer to another instrument when they go to secondary school. The children are all encouraged to work to their fullest ability on their chosen instrument and those who show particular talent and commitment to their musical studies can audition for a place on the main Music Course of the Junior School. The programme is divided into six levels as listed below. For children in reception year and year 1. Children entering Kindergarten in reception year will be expected to complete two years of the course and children entering in year 1 will only attend for one year.