The Chapter of Winchester Cathedral is adjusting boarding requirements for boy choristers at The Pilgrims' School.
The adjustments primarily concern Year 4, where most probationer choristers begin.
The Cathedral has decided that the choral demands on eight and nine-year-olds can be met without full boarding.
Parents will now have the option of boarding their Year 4 boys, except during 'choir time' at the end of the summer term when boys prepare for major festivities.
This change in policy aligns the choristers with quiristers at Winchester College who begin their choral career, and therefore boarding, in Year 5.
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The cathedral hopes this adjustment will encourage more applications for the probationer places still available.
The boarding arrangements for Years 5 and above will remain unchanged.
Boy choristers enrolled for 'full boarding' may be at home and therefore away from school overnight at weekends if not required for certain services.
Under certain circumstances, they may also be granted the dispensation to be away from school on one weekday night in particular circumstances.
Interim Dean Roland Riem said: “We intend to work closely with the Pilgrims’ School and Winchester College to widen participation and therefore maintain the Cathedral’s high standards of choral excellence. These small adjustments, addressing the needs of more local families, will help us on our way.
“Boarding for seven nights a week in term remains a possibility from Year 4.”
This flexibility is explained to parents actively asking about choristerships but may not be understood by those who simply read about the arrangements.
Winchester Cathedral wishes to endorse and clarify this approach to boarding, to give an accurate picture of what families can expect after Year 4.
The Cathedral’s decision is in line with its Music Strategy, which has been revised after a thorough process of consultation with chorister parents and the Pilgrims’ School.
The Cathedral will review this boarding pattern once a new Dean and Director of Music have been appointed next year.
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