The BPI (British Phonographic Industry), which represents the UK’s recorded music industry, has revealed proposals to launch a specialist creative school in the North of England. The provisionally titled ‘BRIT School North’, would bring the successful model of Croydon’s BRIT School to the city of Bradford.
The BPI has submitted a bid for funding for the new school via the Department for Education’s free school funding process, Wave-15. The proposed 16-19 would offer students across West Yorkshire a vocational curriculum geared towards music, theatre, digital design and production arts. If approved, the school would be projected to open in 2026.
Saxophonist, broadcaster and BPI chair, YolanDa Brown OBE DL, said: ‘The creative industries are a powerful force for social mobility, providing opportunities based on ability and talent… We are very excited about the benefits of this partnership and how we can contribute to Bradford’s ambitions, but also how this school can continue our work to diversify our talent pipeline by ‘levelling-up’ opportunity, both geographically and socio-economically.’
Created by the BPI, the project would also include input from the BRIT School in London, the Day One Trust, East London Arts & Music and the London Screen Academy. Sony Music, Universal Music and Warner Music will also partner with the school, helping to fund the equipment needed. Recently revealed as the UK’s City of Culture 2025, Bradford was selected following an extensive research process.
Lisa Mallaghan, director of performance arts pilot project, Bradford Producing Hub (BPH), said: ‘[BPH] are delighted to hear the news that a new specialist creative school modelled on the BRIT School might be opening in Bradford. It would bring a huge boost to the local creative education offer and provide access to top quality training opportunities for our talented young performing artists and creatives.’
