If there were a recipe for success in the entertainment industry, the BRIT School in London might deserve a standing ovation for consistently hitting the right notes.
Singers Amy Winehouse, Adele and Raye, along with actor Tom Holland, are among the alumni of the state-funded institution, which prides itself on being free.
The year 2026 has already underscored the school’s influence. Former pupils Olivia Dean and Lola Young were honoured at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Dean was named Best New Artist, while Young won Best Pop Solo Performance for her hit “Messy”. Both also triumphed at the Brit Awards.
“It’s incredibly humbling,” said Chris McInnes, deputy head of music. “We would never take credit for their success ... we want to make the best place for those students who are going to be that successful.”
Around 1,500 students aged 14 to 19 attend the school, combining standard UK exams with intensive arts training. In its corridors, teenagers greet teachers, rehearse songs or work in recording studios. In one classroom, a group practises a number from the musical Six.
Keyboardist Luke Crown, 18, and singer Naomi Simon, 19, were preparing for a May concert. “It’s a very unique place. There’s nowhere else you can study popular music to this intensity,” Crown said.
For Simon, opportunities have already been significant. She sang in the choir backing Raye on her latest album—an experience she says would not have been possible without free access. “My family doesn’t come from a place with lots of money ... so to come here where finances aren’t an issue is amazing,” she said.
The school is funded about 80 percent by the state, with the rest from supporters, including companies, said headmaster Stuart Worden. He argues access is essential. “The world needs diverse voices ... every background should be able to express themselves through the arts,” he said.
Founded in the early 1990s in Croydon, south London, the school has built a reputation for producing graduates who sustain careers. McInnes recently organised a reunion for former students who left a decade ago. “Whether they were household names or not ... they were still working in the industry,” he said.
Former students remain closely connected. Raye still shares new music with the school, while Adele once described it as “a melting pot” and “absolute heaven”. During the 2020 lockdown, Tom Holland even gave online acting classes from his bedroom.
Teachers also stress character. “Be nice to each other,” McInnes advises. “There are many talented people, but if you’re not reliable, kind and empathetic, no one will want to work with you.”
Students are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones and explore different styles. Staff still recall Adele’s end-of-year performance, when audiences left convinced they had witnessed something extraordinary.— AFP
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