"Our sons, Lukasz and Jan, joined King's Ely Prep in September 2021 as the school's first Day Choristers. When we first wrote about King's, we described how apprehensive we had been about moving from a state school. Five years on, both boys are now in the Senior School.

"The Choir years taught them to manage their time and to work to a professional standard from a young age. School and Cathedral worked as one team, so early rehearsals and services fitted around lessons, and staff on both sides kept an eye on how the boys were coping. When each of them left the Choir at the end of Year 8, the connection carried on.

"Both boys moved up to the Senior School as Music Scholars. Lukasz's organ playing has grown with support from the School and the Cathedral, and he has performed regularly since his Prep years. In May 2026, he won the Kent County Organ Competition, and his prize included playing at Rochester and Canterbury Cathedrals. He began by singing in one Cathedral and has now played in two more.

"Jan plays the French horn, and it has taught him patience and nerve. A horn player has to listen closely and come in with confidence after long rests. The School has given him a place in several ensembles, where he has learned that the group depends on his part. This autumn, he is joining a chamber orchestra day as well.

"Beyond Music, the Senior School has widened their interests. Jan has applied for a Science Scholarship, drawing on an Arduino project and his growing knowledge of Computer Science. Łukasz completed his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award and is now doing a Higher Project Qualification on how cockpit automation affects pilot skill and safety, which feeds his ambition to fly. Both play Rugby for the School - a different kind of teamwork from the Choir stalls. They also play Tennis and enjoy the odd speedcubing competition.

"Pastoral care has stayed strong throughout the move from Prep School to Senior School, and life after the Choir. Both boys know who to go to if something is worrying them, and so do we.

"We wrote our first testimonial hoping to help families like ours who were new to independent schools. We can say it with more confidence now. For us, the partnership between King's and the Cathedral has been the key. It gave our boys a start few schools can offer, and the School has built on it at every stage."