EJMS History
Ealing Junior Music School (EJMS) was founded in 1964 when the London Borough of Ealing established the School as its principal music scheme at the Ealing Technical College (now the Thames Valley University).
The school subsequently moved to Drayton Manor HIgh School. Initially all tuition was free, but later a nominal charge was introduced. The lessons and ensembles on offer to the children of the Borough were more limited than those currently available and were restricted to students aged 8-18.
Many talented pupils went on to the Junior Departments of the central London music colleges. Some studied music full-time and embarked on careers in music. The Borough decided to stop funding most of its music at the end of the financial year 1992/93, including EJMS. The staff, students and parents actively campaigned to save EJMS, attracting a wide range of support, including that of Sir Yehudi Menuhin.
A steering committee successfully sought charitable status for the school, and took over the running of it in April 1993. Initially the committee managed to obtain a small annual grant from the LBE, but this was soon discontinued, and EJMS became completely self-financing.
The school is now constituted as a Charitable Trust with Trustees who oversee the running of the organisation, supported by the Friends of EJMS, a separate charity.
All parents and staff involved with EJMS are automatically members of the Friends. EJMS has expanded to provide for younger students from 3 years old, and also their parents. Its current home is Twyford C of E High School.
The original vision of an accessible and welcoming Saturday music school offering a broad musical education, a high standard of instrumental and orchestral tuition, opportunities to develop group playing and individual performing skills, and access to formal exams has continued from strength to strength under various skilled Music Directors, appointed by the Trustees, and a strong team of dedicated music teachers.
There are currently nearly 400 pupils aged between 3 and 18 and over 50 members of staff.