Enfield Grammar School has a successful, busy, vibrant and continuously developing music department with an engaging and challenging curriculum. We run over 20 extra-curricular clubs and ensembles a week supported by our amazing team of professional Peripatetic Instrumental Music Staff.
Students have regular opportunities to perform in regular concerts, assembly performances, and performances in the local community. Our music scholarship programme provides students with the platform in which to develop their musicianship beyond the classroom and provides exciting opportunities for them to take part in. Please see the music scholarship page for more information.
Our department is built on a strong and rich music pedigree of professional performers, composers and educators. We are incredibly proud of our past and our alumni but never rest on our laurels, providing innovative and modern facilities and practices to provide our students with the best education today for the musicians of tomorrow.
Our facilities include;
- We are excited to be gaining a brand new music technology suite using mac’s top-of-the-range Logic Pro X software complete with six-octave, touch-sensitive keyboards
- A second classroom houses four purpose-built rehearsal rooms for group work and practice during music lessons
- Four practice rooms (available for students to book for those wishing to practice, rehearse etc…)
- Three ‘silent’ rehearsal facilities using the JamHub hardware
Music Curriculum – https://www.enfieldgrammar.org/learning-support/curriculum/music/
 | Polly Green Director of Music Polly has recently joined us as Director of Music following 11 years at her previous school in West London, 5 of which were also as head of department. She jumped right in to working in secondary education following the completion of her degree in music at City University where she studied a broad range of areas in music including performance and composition. Coming from a family of musicians and educators, she always knew she wanted to become a music teacher so did all she could to gain the breadth of experience she would need to do this. Polly is primarily a flute player but has also played the steel pans for many years and enjoys experimenting on the piano, drums, guitar, and bass. Although she loves performing, her main passion lies in the classroom and seeing the development and passion of students as they continue their musical journeys, and she is very excited to continue this at EGS. |
 | Malcolm Escott Teacher of Music Technology and Electric & Acoustic Guitar Malcolm is a guitarist, composer and arranger with a degree in Performing Arts from Middlesex University. He is also our Music Technology Teacher, Guitar teacher and Music Administrator as well as overseeing some of the bands. Malcolm has over thirty years of diverse performing and composition experience having been classically trained from a young age at Newcastle Cathedral before moving to London for university. He has been a member of a range of bands (soul, swing, rock) and had tracks commercially published. In his career, Malcolm has won Guinness Battle of the Bands, recorded in New York, made several TV appearances and toured extensively through the U.K. and Europe. Throughout this time, Malcolm has also taught and mentored hundreds of young people at Enfield Grammar School and also at the North London Performing Arts Centre. He is currently guitarist with London-based band Bazooka Joe, is routinely publishing new arrangements and compositions, is the main writer and performer with electric outfit Tartouf and is composing the soundtrack to a video game. |
 | Nadine Somers Teacher of Music Nadine is a singer/songwriter and has been entertaining audiences on the stage since a child. She is an excellent self-contained act that adapts to her audience. She regularly tours Europe with her own French five-piece band performing at live open-air events and filling concert halls. When she is not performing abroad, she likes to work close to home. A twenty-mile radius of Chigwell is the preferred distance but could go a little further. |
 | Simon Tate-Lovery Teacher of Brass Simon Tate-Lovery teaches all brass instruments at Enfield Grammar School. Following the award of BBC Big Band Trombone Player of the Year, Simon chose to pursue a career in music. He has worked and toured with many jazz, big band, soul and ska ensembles over the years both in Britain and throughout Europe. His compositions and arrangements range from a comprehensive guide to trombone sight reading to over a hundred dedicated “brass heavy” originals and re-workings of rock and jazz classics. Simon is both a freelance player, teacher and rehearsal specialist with a penchant for finding the fun in music. See Simon leading our Tour Band at the Christmas Concert in 2019 |
 | Paula Thompson Teacher of Singing & Choir Paula Thompson is a session singer, vocal arranger and choral director and has been working in the music industry for over 23yrs. As a session musician, Paula has sung with various artists and bands including Bastille, Dodge, Beverly Knight and Mica Paris. She plays the piano and percussion as well as singing in a variety of genres. Paula enjoys working with the local community and runs choirs for both children and adults, as well as singing workshops and corporate team building events in and around London. Her musical influences include jazz, soul and contemporary Gospel music. Paula is passionate about music education and an advocate of the benefits singing has on a person’s life. https://adornedgospelchoir.com/ |
 | Dave Storey Teacher of Drums Dave Storey is a graduate of Middlesex University and of the Royal Academy of Music where he completed his masters degree in Jazz Drum-kit. He has been teaching at Enfield Grammar since 2016. Since completing his masters degree, Mr Storey has established himself on the London jazz scene playing regularly at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Kansas Smitty’s & The Vortex Jazz Club. Some of the bands and ensembles that Dave plays for include the Tom Barford Group, Tom Smith Septet, Tom Millar Quartet, Moostak Trio, Olli Martin Quintet & Alistair Martin Quintet. Dave is also a composer and band leader for his own trio featuring award-winning saxophonist James Allsopp and bass player Conor Chaplin. The trio have released two very successful albums ; Bosco in 2019 and Jouska in 2020 and hope to tour again very soon. |
 | Ed Sheldrake Teacher of Piano Ed Sheldrake graduated from Middlesex University with a 1st class degree in jazz in 2002. He has been teaching piano since 2003 and teaching at EGS for the past 4 years as well as at Highams Park School. As well as his teaching work following university, Ed formed his own quartet (The Ed Sheldrake Quartet) which recorded an album and performed at gigs around London. From 2005-2010 Ed played with the Will Collier Septet recording two albums and going on UK tours. Since 2010, Ed has been playing keyboards with the comedy/music ensemble The Horne Section run by comedian Alex Horne. With The Horne Section, Ed has recorded two albums and has toured extensively in both UK and Europe including a number of performances at the Edinburgh Festival. He has appeared with the band in numerous TV shows such as 8 Out of 10 Cats does Countdown, The Last Leg and Peter Crouch: Save Our Summer as well as a two-hour TV special recorded at the London Palladium in 2018. Ed will be performing with The Horne Section at various live gigs during 2021 in addition to further TV appearances – and teaching at Enfield Grammar of course! https://thehornesection.com/ |
 | Ben Harker Teacher of Piano Ben graduated with an MA in Jazz Piano at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2015. Whilst at the RWCMD Ben studied under respected jazz artists such as Huw Warren, Paula Gardiner, Iain Ballamy, Dave Cliff and Steve Waterman. He also attended masterclasses under such Jazz luminaries as Gilad Hekselman, Jacqui Dankworth, Empirical, Tim Garland, Stan Sulzmann, Polar Bear, Kit Downes and John Turville. Ben's musicianship was developed and nurtured at a young age whilst a chorister at Exeter Cathedral (2001-2005). Ben played in the Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra (2005-2010). During his time with DYJO Ben was able to attend workshops with artists such as Mark Lockheart, Mark Nightingale, Dave O’Higgins, Bruce Adams, Clark Tracey, John Etheridge and Greg Abate. Ben was also invited to attend regional masterclasses with the National Youth Jazz Collective (NYJC), whose Piano tutors included Mark Donlon and Liam Noble. Ben was awarded bursaries to attend the Jazz course with Keith Tippett at Dartington International Summer School from 2005 - 2008. In 2010 Ben attended the Tim Richards Jazz Piano summer school in London, and studied with Nikki Yeoh and Terry Seabrook. |
 | Nicholas Patrick Teacher of Piano Nick trained at the Royal Academy of Music as a Conductor, Pianist and Tuba player. He played for many years in London Orchestras, Opera Houses and Theatres. As a Music Director he was at the Royal Shakespeare Company, and was MD for their West End production of Travesties. As a composer Nick has written several Childrens’ Operas; Tempest, A Thames Odyssey and John Lyon’s Journey, and was composer of a Musical version of On The Waterfront. Nick was a pianist/keyboard player and repetiteur for many West End Musical shows such as Cats, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon. Nick now devotes his time to Piano teaching and Composition. |
 | Tom Barford Teacher of Woodwind Tom gained a scholarship place on the Undergraduate Jazz Programme at the Royal Academy of Music in 2013 earning a First Class Hons degree in 2017. During his time at the Academy, Tom has slowly become recognised as one of the most exciting players on the international jazz scene. Tom released his Kenny Wheeler Prize album BLOOMER on Edition Records back in 2018. Tom also enjoys co-leading AuB- who released their debut album in May 2020 with another album in the works. Previous performance highlights have included multiple performances at Ronnie Scott’s, The Royal Albert Hall, (BBC Proms, Guy Barker Big Band, Ronnie Scott's 60th Anniversary concert), and multiple international tours. Tom's session work has included recording woodwinds for the "LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2" and "LEGO DC Villians" game soundtracks, TV appearance with Tom Fletcher (Blue Peter), and a live performance with The Temptations. Tom has extensive experience teaching for the past 10 years to all ages and standards. Teaching highlights have included getting a pupil onto the Berklee jazz course in Boston and into the Royal Academy of Music, 9 year old student passing their grade 6 and receiving the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music teaching qualification alongside Tom's performance degree. He is currently teaching Saxophone, Clarinet and Flute. Find out more about Tom: www.tombarford.com |
 | Joshua Walker-Martin Teacher of Drums Josh first performed in Ronnie Scott’s aged 15 with a Ronnie Scott’s Big Band project. Since then, he has increasingly found inspiration in the streets of London. He has had the opportunity to work with inspirational players, such as Sam Leak, The Andrew Linham Jazz orchestra, Jakub Klimiuk, Louise Balkwill, Sam Norris, George Garford, Harry Brunt, Dan McConkey, Hugh Pascall, Huw v Williams, Will James and many more. Josh has been incredibly fortunate with a lifetime of guidance and care in regards to his musical journey. This started with Vangelis, a mentor that Josh attributes to turning himself onto jazz drums and showing the purpose of musical playing and orchestration. In terms of drumming tuition, Josh has studied under a plethora of talented musicians, such as Gregory Hutchinson, Rodney Green, Jason Brown, James Maddren, Mark Guiliana, Matt Skelton, Joshua Morrison and Will Glaser. He is a graduate of the London College of Music (2017) and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama (Sep 2023) having being awarded a performance scholarship and a concert recital honorary diploma. Josh has taught at Enfield grammar since 2024. |
| Image & Bio coming soon... | Ms Cetin Teacher of Violin & Strings |
Lessons are available on most orchestral instruments (brass, woodwind, string etc.) as well as guitar, bass guitar and double bass, drum kit, piano and voice. Individual music theory lessons are also available.
The cost of these additional instrumental lessons is £152.50 per 10 lessons (price correct as at 2023).
There is a limited stock of school instruments available for termly hire, however, instruments can also be purchased through the school.
Please contact Mr Escott in the Music Office, Lower School for further information or email: [email protected]
Music Tuition Application Form
What is a Music Scholar?
A music scholar is a student who upholds the highest standards of our musicians and serves as an inspiration to other students.
Admission Scholars – An Admission Scholar has gained entry to Enfield Grammar through musical ability prior to school application. There are 9 Admission Scholar places available each academic year. Admissions scholars are selected through two audition steps:
- Musical Aptitude Test. Students sit a thirty-minute listening test. If they reach above the required threshold, students are invited back for the second stage.
- Practical Audition. Students are invited to perform a piece of their choosing on their principal instrument.
Click for: Admissions & Scholarships
Award Scholars – Many of the department’s success stories of award-winning, world-class musicians, developed their passion for music during their studies at Enfield Grammar. To provide these students with the same, awesome provision as the Admissions Scholars, the music department has designed additional opportunities to join the scholarship system. These scholars are called ‘Awards Scholars’.
An Award Scholar is a student who is already a student at Enfield Grammar and continues to show outstanding commitment, progress, and behaviour (as set out in our scholarship admissions criteria). Potential Award Scholars are nominated by the Music Team at the end of each term and are invited to sit the Musical Aptitude Test. Upon passing the Musical Aptitude the student will be awarded their scholarship colours at the end of term celebration assembly, after which they have full access to our scholarship programme.
The Aim of the Music Scholar Programme:
- To develop our scholars’ musicianship in a range of aspects including performance, composition, and music theory.
- To encourage and support their participation in a range of ensembles to widen their knowledge and appreciation of a range of styles and genres of music and develop their ensemble performance skills.
- To provide the opportunity, knowledge and resources to complete performance and theory and to achieve highly in music GCSE and beyond if chosen in KS3 and KS4.
- To offer opportunities that will provide experience and understanding of future pathways in music such as careers in the industry and higher education opportunities.
The Scholarship Programme
All scholars (Admissions and Awards) are provided with the same exciting development programme during their time at Enfield Grammar School. This includes:
- A designated, and fully trained, Music Ambassador to help guide our scholars through grades, practice, performance and musical skills. The Music Ambassadors are senior Music Scholars who are provided with training in coaching and mentoring.
- An portfolio to document meetings with the Music Ambassador and teaching staff, keep a record of performances they’ve taken part in, grades taken and any enrichment activities relating to music. This portfolio will be review each half term with the support of the Music Ambassador.
- An accredited Music Theory course to accelerate knowledge and understanding of the building blocks of music.
- Trips to music events and venues to explore careers and opportunities in the world of Music and the Arts
- Priority place on the yearly Music Tour (within Europe)
Can My Son Apply? Your son is more than welcome to apply for a school place under the Music Scholarship criteria if you feel they meet the eligibility criteria.
Click for: Admissions & Scholarships
We look forward to welcoming your son to the music department in the next round of auditions
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