National orchestra spot for Exeter Cathedral School pupil

A pupil at Exeter Cathedral School has been awarded a place in the prestigious National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain.

Rufus Hetherington, who is in Year 7 at ECS and a Chorister at Exeter Cathedral, has earned himself a spot in the French Horn section of the elite GB orchestra. Rufus, who has been a pupil at the School since he was 8 and who studies French Horn at the School, said he was "really pleased" to have made the grade and that he was looking forward to the challenge of working alongside some "amazing players".

Headmaster of Exeter Cathedral School, James Featherstone, said: "Rufus is really proud of himself for getting into the NCO, and rightly so. He’s a talented young man who works hard at his music and he thoroughly deserves this accolade. ECS has been educating choristers since 1179 so our musical heritage really is second-to-none, and I am delighted that we are continuing to produce some of the country’s finest young musicians."

Exeter Cathedral School is Exeter’s oldest school and its only independent boarding school. It was founded in the 12th century as a choir school and now educates some 275 pupils between the ages of rising-3 and 13, including the Choristers of Exeter Cathedral. The School prides itself on its pastoral care, its small class sizes, its extra-curricular opportunities and its academic rigour. 

It has an impressive track record of securing scholarships and awards to some of the country's leading senior schools, and in 2016 100% of leavers secured a place at their first-choice destination. The School is holding Chorister Voice Trials on 31st January and an Open Morning on 7th March. All enquiries should be directed to Mrs Katy Hockings via hmsec@exetercs.org.

To read more about Exeter Cathedral School, see the school's profile on School Search, the online guide to UK independent schools.