Canterbury Cathedral bosses claim a new policy no longer requiring its choristers to study at an exclusive boarding school will boost "inclusion".

Since 1971, the £12,500-a-year independent St Edmund's has educated the young male singers, who are given partial scholarships.

But Cathedral bosses say they have "committed themselves to progressing equality", as they announce members will be allowed to continue to study at any institution, with compulsory boarding no longer a requirement.

They claim the new policy, which is set to come into effect in September, will boost inclusion, but many parents say the opposite is true.

The Very Reverend Dr David Monteith, Dean of Canterbury, supports the changes the Cathedral is bringing in.

“Music is an integral part of worship here," he said.

“We have a united vision of the Cathedral that blesses and serves the people of the city and the wider community.

“We believe this announcement helps children across the area benefit from the life-changing experience that singing in a Cathedral choir offers.

“We are extremely grateful for the support and contribution St Edmund’s School has made during the past 50 years of our close partnership.”

The Canterbury Cathedral Choir consists of adult singers, boy choristers and girls, who are aged between 12 and 18.

Each week, the boys perform at five services and attend nine rehearsal sessions.

But when the changes come into place, they will sing at three services a week - the same number as the girls' choir.

The Cathedral will continue to financially support all choristers currently studying at St Edmund’s School on scholarships - which bring the fees down to £8,994 a year - until their tenure has finished.

Director of music David Newsholme added: “We want music-making here not just to survive, but to evolve and flourish.

“We share the commitment to enable children from a diverse range of backgrounds to experience the many benefits that come from being a chorister.

“We believe this is the way to secure the future of the choir and we are excited to be moving forwards into this new era building on the strengths of our two well-established and respected choirs.”

But parents and children have accused the Dean of “failing the choristers of tomorrow”, claiming the new policy is not inclusive and will in fact have the opposite effect.

Speaking on behalf of disgruntled parents, Adrian Coleman said: “It’s a box-ticking exercise, and will adversely affect opportunities for under-privileged children.

“Choristers are drawn from a range of backgrounds, and we are not all privileged families.”

Under the previous arrangement, choristers studied at the prestigious private school with the support of scholarships.

Mr Coleman, whose son is a former chorister, believes the system had huge benefits.

“Our son was given the best music education, with excellent academic education at a reduced cost,” he added.

“What is the benefit now?”

Parents fear there will be conflict between schools and the Cathedral over the importance of choir duties, unless there is an agreement in place.

Mr Coleman is also concerned for the future of the pastoral staff at Choir House, where the singers currently live.

In a letter to the Dean, he says: “After recovering from the initial shock and horror of the Cathedral letter, my first thought was for the staff.

“Your treatment of them is appalling. I was aghast they had been copied into the parent email and had not been told before the announcement.

“You have left them not knowing at what point over the next four years their posts will no longer be tenable or if they will even have a job in September.”

Each week, the boys perform at five services and attend nine rehearsal sessions.

But when the changes come into place, they will sing at three services a week - the same number as the girl choristers.

Chris Hodgkinson, whose son James was a chorister, says his boy “wouldn’t have had the opportunity to develop his voice to such a level under the new arrangements” as they hail from Ipswich.

His 15-year-old child, who is now forging a career as a professional classical singer, has written to the Dean, to voice his concerns. The youngster says the arrangements will affect the choir to such an extent it could lose its international status.

“There are many reasons why these changes are not endangering the choir today and have a profound impact on the nature of worship at the Cathedral,” he says in the missive.

“There is great disquiet among many former choristers that the changes will deprive boys of the same depth and breadth in their musical education we received.”

"It’s a box-ticking exercise, and will adversely affect opportunities for under-privileged children..."

In a message sent to parents, bosses from St Edmund’s say the changes, which will come into place in September, left them “shocked”.

Its board of governors told the Gazette: “We note with great sadness the Cathedral has decided to serve notice on our contract as its choir school.

“St Edmund’s was first made aware of this decision verbally at a meeting on February 10.

“The school, which has worked in partnership with the Cathedral to educate its choristers since 1972, will ensure the wellbeing and continuity of education for our current and incoming choristers.”

Responding to the concerns, the Very Reverend Dr David Monteith said: “We are dedicated to expanding our equality and wider-inclusion policies.

“We will invest more money in the choir to ensure its future.

“Over a longer period, any money saved will be invested in the choir’s outreach work.

“We recognise travel to the Cathedral will be an issue for some choristers and so substantial funds will be made available to support those who need it.

“We value the boarding house staff at Choir House and look forward to working further with the school to ensure the welfare of our choristers as well as their members of staff.”