SupaJam to launch new music college for young people in Brighton & Hove
A new specialist music and media college is set to open its doors in Hove this September to support vulnerable and disadvantaged young people.
Run by the award-winning education provider Supajam, the post-16 specialist college will be based at 47 Cromwell Road and will open on Monday 5th September to a new cohort of neurodiverse students seeking an alternative to mainstream education.
The college is equipped with a stage, recording studio and radio and podcast suite, and students will be able to access monthly work experience opportunities and gain the skills and qualifications needed to get into further education or the music business.
Founded in 2013 by David Court and Nick Stilwell, Supajam aims to help vulnerable young people who have previously fallen out of formal education to engage, achieve and progress in a unique, inclusive learning environment.
The Brighton and Hove college is the first Supajam base to open in Sussex and the third to open in the South East, alongside colleges in Swanley and Canterbury in Kent. Students in Brighton and Hove will be offered additional modules in music journalism and photography.
David Court, joint CEO at Supajam, said: “We are so excited to be finally opening in Brighton.
“It’s been a long-time dream for both Nick and myself and we are thrilled to be bringing SupaJam to such a diverse and musical area.
“Our new base in Brighton will feature some of the best equipment from Canon who are also looking forward to mentoring our students.”
During their time at SupaJam, students are given exciting opportunities for industry work experience, personal interactions with industry professionals and are supported to prepare for life beyond college.
One of SupaJam’s key partners is the Black Deer Festival of Americana in Kent, who in 2018 gave the college its own stage, becoming the backbone of an extensive careers programme for SupaJam students both during and after their studies.
One student, Charlotte, said: “Black Deer was life-changing for me. This was where I finally realised what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
Another student, Tom, said: “SupaJam has been the best thing that ever happened to me. I’ve made friends, I enjoy learning about everything and I feel I matter. It’s made me want to go to university.”
SupaJam was awarded a rating of Good by Ofsted in 2019, with Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare rated as Outstanding. Last year, despite the pandemic, SupaJam attained a 92 per cent pass rate for the RSL qualification and an 82 per cent pass rate for the Achieve programme. All students taking GCSE English and Maths passed with a grade 4-7.
For more information please visit https://www.semmuk.com/.