Famous Edinburgh music school under threat from cuts

Instead, councillors are considering proposals to spread the specialist resources across four sites in the Scottish capital, which they say will reach more children.

Former pupils at the school – housed in Broughton High and Flora Stevenson Primary – include Shirley Manson of rock band Garbage and the late Martyn Bennett, a pioneer of modern Celtic fusion.

Mary Campbell, education spokeswoman of the Green party, said the council was “jumping the gun” in putting a Scottish government grant at risk – and might not save a planned £363,000 after all.

She said: “I want children and young people across the city to benefit from music, but the provision at Broughton and Flora’s has given an extra focus for those children with a real talent, and allowed them to flourish. It is important that there is a provision, open to all, within the public sector, rather than only for those who can afford private tuition.”