The Brit School

Summary

The BRIT School is a British performing and creative arts school located in Selhurst, Croydon, England, with a mandate to provide education and vocational training for the performing arts, music, music technology, theatre, musical theatre, dance, applied theatre, production arts, creative arts, film and media production, digital arts, visual arts and design. Opened on 22 October 1991 under the CTC programme, the school is funded by the British Government with support from the British Record Industry Trust and other charity partners and donations, and maintains an independent school status from the local education authority.

History

The origins of The BRIT School trace back to the vision of Mark Featherstone-Witty, who was inspired by the 1980s film “Fame” to create a secondary school dedicated to performing arts education. Recognising the need for a structured curriculum that combined creative and academic learning, Featherstone-Witty established the School for Performing Arts Trust (SPA) to begin fundraising for the project.

Seeking industry support, Featherstone-Witty approached Sir Richard Branson, who agreed to back the initiative, provided that other record companies also contributed. Around this time, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), concerned with issues like home taping, saw value in supporting the school as a way to strengthen their industry’s cultural influence. This coincided with the UK government’s efforts to revitalise its City Technology College scheme, providing an opportunity for educational innovation.

Since its founding in 1991, The BRIT School has received consistent support from the British music industry. Funding has primarily been channelled through the BRIT Trust, using proceeds from the annual BRIT Awards to sustain the school’s activities. In 2012, The BRIT School expanded by acquiring part of the former Selhurst High School site. This development enabled the introduction of new specialist courses, including Production Arts, Digital Arts, and Applied Theatre. Today, the school educates over 1,400 students across diverse disciplines.

Per the official website: ‘Based in Croydon, South London, we offer world-class training in Applied Theatre, Dance, Film & Media Production, Interactive Digital Design, Music, Music Technology, Musical Theatre, Production Arts, Theatre and Visual Arts & Design/Fashion, Styling & Textiles, alongside a strong academic foundation… Whether on stage, behind the scenes, or leading innovation in the arts, our graduates go on to make their mark in creative industries worldwide.’

“If you choose to come here, you will be given the tools to carve out your career, the space to think and the environment to be you. This is a playground with professional boundaries where the raw talent of 14–19 year olds meets the nurturing expertise of world-class teachers,” says Principal Stuart Worden. “This is a hardworking, fun, passionate school packed with dedicated individuals who love the creative and performing arts and recognise the importance of a thorough and robust education in all subjects. We believe in developing well rounded, articulate, kind and dynamic young people.”

The BRIT School recognises that most of its students intend to make a career in the arts, entertainment and communications industries. It has two professional theatres, the Obie Theatre, which can seat audiences of up to 324 and standing audiences up to 500; and the BRIT Theatre, which opened in January 2012 and seats audiences of up to 280. Additionally, there are dance studios, musical theatre studios, TV and radio studios.

A significant milestone in the school’s history was achieved in 2013, when Sir Nick Williams, the school’s former principal, was awarded a knighthood for his contributions to education. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2022, The BRIT School received the PRS Music Heritage Award, recognising its three decades of influence in shaping British art and culture.

Courses

The BRIT School currently offers full-time courses designed to nurture young people’s creative talents alongside their academic studies. At Key Stage 4 (for students aged 14–16), the school provides specialist creative strands that are delivered as vocational Level 2 diplomas, equivalent to four GCSEs. These strands include Film & Media Production, Digital Arts, Visual Arts & Design, Music, Musical Theatre, Dance, and Theatre. Students gain hands-on experience within their chosen creative field while also studying core GCSE subjects.

For students aged 16–18, the Key Stage 5 provision expands to a variety of advanced specialist courses. These include Applied Theatre, Film & Media Production, Interactive Digital Design, Production Arts, Visual Arts & Design with Fashion, Styling & Textiles, Music & Music Technology, Musical Theatre, Dance, and Theatre. In addition to these creative strands, students also work towards A-Levels and other academic qualifications, offering a balanced curriculum that combines vocational learning with traditional academic study.

Digital Arts at The BRIT School gives students hands-on experience with industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Figma, Procreate, and 3D tools, including Maya, Blender, Substance Painter and Unreal Engine 5. The BRIT school provides access to Adobe and 3D software packages for use at home as well. They will be based in dedicated studios equipped with powerful computers, including RTX PCs and Apple M2 Macs, all featuring dual monitors with drawing screen graphics tablets. The school also has DSLR cameras, green screen and lighting equipment which can be loaned out to support student workflow beyond the classroom.

As the only Level 3 course in the UK designed specifically to build skills in community arts delivery, in ‘Applied theatre’ students will train in areas such as theatre in education, teaching, facilitation, movement, singing and acting. They will also learn how to use the arts to explore a range of social topics and engage with the community. And they will develop skills as a professional, learning how to communicate with external clients and coordinate events which will equip them for a career in performance, events management, youth and community work, teaching and working in media. The alumni have progressed to study at prestigious institutions such as Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, RADA and Rose Bruford.

All courses are designed with industry relevance in mind, incorporating real-world projects, professional collaborations, and access to industry-standard equipment. For example, Film & Media Production students work on practical projects using broadcast-quality tools and often receive guidance from professionals from companies like Mercury Studios and Sky Studios. Similarly, Digital Arts students engage with real industry briefs, benefitting from partnerships with organisations such as Framestore and The Mill. Across all courses, students develop practical skills, creative thinking, and collaborative abilities essential for careers in the creative industries.

Overall, The BRIT School’s courses offer a unique combination of vocational and academic learning, with strong industry links that help students prepare for professional careers or further study in the arts. The school’s emphasis on creativity, professionalism, and personal development, combined with its specialist teaching and outstanding facilities, makes it one of the UK’s leading institutions for young people pursuing a future in the creative sector.

Job Integration Rate

‘The BRIT School revolutionises the lives of its students; just under 100% of all students who have graduated find work in a huge range of creative industries, or enrol for higher education. We are proud to be a Croydon school and equally proud to have national and international friends who support the school with professional and unique opportunities.’

References

• “BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology – Gov.uk”. Get Information 
• “Stuart Worden, The Principal of The BRIT School celebrates 30 years of dedicated teaching and leadership”. The BRIT School. 
• “Alumni”. The BRIT School. 
• “The BRIT School – UK Music”. www.ukmusic.org. 
• “11 of the most famous people who studied at Croydon’s BRIT School”. croydonadvertiser. 
• “BRIT School which tutored Adele sells star-making skills to business”. inews.co.uk. 
• The BRIT School Celebrates Twenty Years of Success
• “The BRIT School: Shaping UK arts and culture for 30 years”. PRS for Music. 
• “‘We’re passionate about the work of The BRIT School’: YouTube Music funds studios for students”. www.musicweek.com. 
• “Do Brit School graduates have an unfair advantage?”. 
• “The Brit School for Performing Arts and Technology | Year 12 – Post16 Course Information” (PDF). 
• “The BRIT School”. 
• “The Brit School for Performing Arts and Technology |”.