A school in Norwich has announced plans to launch music scholarships.

Eastern Daily Press: Jo Philpott, headteacher of City of Norwich School. Picture: Ormiston Academies Trust/Gary WilliamsJo Philpott, headteacher of City of Norwich School. Picture: Ormiston Academies Trust/Gary Williams (Image: Gary Williams photography)

City of Norwich School (CNS), part of the Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT), hopes to offer the scholarships to talented or promising music students.

While the school is state-funded, it says on its website that students would have 'enhanced access to internal and external music provision and make a commitment to music provision at CNS'.

The school says there is no monetary element to the scholarships, but there would be responsibilities - such has a commitment to music leadership, clubs and concerts - and opportunities with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, which the school is partnered with.

A consultation asking for parents' views, which runs until January 31, 2018, has been launched on the school's admissions process. Any change would take place from the 2019/20 academic year, and would see up to 10pc of places allocated to the students.

Annual pupil admission number would rise to 270 and the sixth form would have a maximum size of 450. The school says the figures take into account its current cohort size.

Jo Philpott, headteacher, said: 'At CNS, we are proud to provide our students with high-quality education provision through a varied and in-depth curriculum, and having access to a whole range of opportunities.

'The music scholarships at CNS would be a unique opportunity, and one which will place CNS at the forefront of music education locally, regionally and nationally.'

CNS has long had a focus on music and the arts, and is home to the Norfolk Centre for Young Musicians.