After the change in organisation, Chetham's could no longer afford to provide education based on scholarships and other allowances, and began charging fees.
In 1952, the school buildings were considered insufficient so a new block was built, opening in 1955.
By 1960 the numbers of boys admitted had increased significantly, particularly among day pupils; 230 non-boarding students attended that year, alongside 64 boarders.

Before becoming a specialist school, Chetham's had a good reputation for music, and on this basis the decision was made to become a co-educational music school in 1969.
The former Palatine Hotel, which housed offices and shops, was converted into extra teaching space and practice rooms.
In 1969, 50 students were admitted based on musical potential and by 1972 this had risen to 150, more than half of the entire school.
In 1977 the school changed to its present name.
In 1978 the Long Millgate building, the original home of Manchester Grammar School, was purchased to provide additional space.

A new boarding house for girls was opened by Her Majesty the Queen in 2010, and in 2012, a new school building adjacent to the existing site, purpose-designed for music teaching, was opened by the Earl of Wessex (Patron of the school).
This included a 100-seat recital hall and space for a 400-seat concert hall, which opened in 2017 as The Stoller Hall.
The Long Millgate building continues to be used as a boys' boarding house, rehearsal and dining space, whilst the Palatine building was demolished in 2016 to reveal the previously hidden medieval buildings and allow easier access to the library.
After the change in organisation, Chetham's could no longer afford to provide education based on scholarships and other allowances, and began charging fees. In 1952, the school buildings were considered insufficient so a new block was built, opening in 1955. By 1960 the numbers of boys admitted had increased significantly, particularly among day pupils; 230 non-boarding students attended that year, alongside 64 boarders.
Before becoming a specialist school, Chetham's had a good reputation for music, and on this basis the decision was made to become a co-educational music school in 1969. The former Palatine Hotel, which housed offices and shops, was converted into extra teaching space and practice rooms. In 1969, 50 students were admitted based on musical potential and by 1972 this had risen to 150, more than half of the entire school. In 1977 the school changed to its present name. In 1978 the Long Millgate building, the original home of Manchester Grammar School, was purchased to provide additional space.
A new boarding house for girls was opened by Her Majesty the Queen in 2010, and in 2012, a new school building adjacent to the existing site, purpose-designed for music teaching, was opened by the Earl of Wessex (Patron of the school). This included a 100-seat recital hall and space for a 400-seat concert hall, which opened in 2017 as The Stoller Hall. The Long Millgate building continues to be used as a boys' boarding house, rehearsal and dining space, whilst the Palatine building was demolished in 2016 to reveal the previously hidden medieval buildings and allow easier access to the library.
Chetham's School of Music