At Trent College our boarding community reflects 15 different nationalities who fully immerse themselves in British culture and education, where they discover new passions and build upon existing skills.
One such pupil is Charles, who joined us in Year 10 as a full Boarder from Hong Kong. He was awarded a Music Scholarship in recognition of his outstanding abilities as a drummer and pianist, and he came to Trent College with the goal of seizing new opportunities to expand his musical talents.
Moving away from home
Charles’ journey to Trent College began with a mix of uncertainty and excitement. His parents were keen for him to experience an overseas education, though Charles was initially hesitant. However, his interest grew when he realised that his passion for music, which wasn’t widely supported at his previous school, could flourish abroad. Following research and working with an educational agent, Charles’ family considered numerous independent schools across the UK before selecting Trent College.
The move to Trent College was Charles’ first experience in a boarding school and he quickly settled in thanks to the support of the Boarding House staff and fellow Boarders, who soon became good friends. Boarding provided a lot of opportunities which enhanced Charles’ independence and confidence and the Boarding Activities Schedule provided new experiences such as laser tag with a large group of friends and an exclusive cinema experience.
Reflecting on his time at school, Charles said, “the whole boarding experience has been the highlight of my life, it has been very significant to me, the first time studying away from home by myself.”
The local city of Nottingham has been enjoyable to explore, Charles commented it was a stark contrast to back home in Hong Kong and has found the whole area very peaceful.
A musical journey
Already an accomplished musician, Charles found the perfect environment at Trent College to further his musical ambitions. His talent was nurtured by our Music School, who provided him with the resources and encouragement to pursue his dream of conducting. With a love for orchestral and classical music, Charles practised conducting in his own time and soon started violin lessons for the first time to enhance his composing and conducting skills by gaining a better understanding of the instrument and its capabilities. “Being a conductor is my way to interpret the music and express myself,” says Charles.
Boarding has allowed him the flexibility to visit the Music School facilities during evenings and weekends, giving him extra time to practice. Additionally, with his music teacher and tutor, Miss Robinson-Plain, also working as part of the boarding community, it has provided the opportunity to seek extra guidance beyond the classroom.
Miss Robinson-Plain praises Charles’ dedication, saying, “From day one, Charles was focused on maximising his time at Trent College to develop himself as a first-class musician. He has succeeded on so many levels, from reaching the final round of our school-wide competition, Trent Young Musician of the Year by playing the drums, to dedicating significant time and effort into learning a new instrument.”
One of Charles’ composition has been played as part of our End of Year Prizegiving Events which celebrate the success and experiences of pupils across the school.
Listen to Charles’ composition
Making school history
Charles’ dedication was quickly noticed by Mr Parrans-Smith, Director of Music, who invited him to conduct the Symphony Orchestra consisting of 35+ members at the Annual Spring Concert – the event is regularly defined as one of the highlights of the musical year for the school community and Mr Parrans-Smith was a real honour.
The first rehearsal with the full orchestra was an eye-opening experience for Charles, who had never seen a live orchestra of that scale before. A few months later, Charles then took centre stage at the prestigious venue, The Royal Albert Hall in Nottingham and conducted The Beethoven Symphony no.5, 3rd movement with great skill and passion.
Reflecting on this achievement, Charles says “after all the hours I put in listening to the piece, my brain just clicked. Afterwards I looked back at what I did and thought this is a fantasy, it is like I am living in my dream, but 15 years earlier.”
First-Class Education
Charles has found the teaching at Trent College to be exceptional. “The music knowledge of the teachers has boosted me so much because I see them as professionals playing in concerts and I want to follow in their footsteps.” His academic progress has also been strong, with significant improvements in his written English capabilities thanks to the supportive teaching staff.
Summarising his experience at Trent College, Charles shares “I have taken every opportunity I can get. There are so many opportunities at Trent, ask and show the teachers that you are wanting to do it,”
Charles’ journey at Trent College is a testament to our nurturing environment that encourages pupils to explore their passions and achieve their dreams. His story is just one of many that illustrates the unique and enriching experiences our boarding community offers. To find out more about boarding at Trent College, please visit our dedicated webpages for UK families and international families.