Not a students instrument, I try to play a piccolo and I wanted to move to a full size flute. however due to a shoulder injury when I was younger, I am unable to hold it in the correct position for any length of time, for the piccolo I tuck my elbow into my side, can't do this with the flute as it is much longer. It has a disc which says Gold Seal London, but it also says Foreign. but nothing about where it originated. The pads look ok but I can't say for sure