The Brit School is Britain’s only free Performing Arts and Technology School. It is an independent, state-funded City College for the Technology of the Arts – the only one of its kind.

As a school for 14-19 year olds it is unique and pioneering in its approach to education, but it is not a stage or a fame school. It recognises that most of its students intend to make a career in the arts, entertainment and communications industries. But the school expects all students to follow full-time courses to completion.

It is a vocational school but also enjoys high academic standards at GCSE level and beyond. The school has a unique atmosphere – passionate, committed, inspiring and energised. This creates an open and friendly yet rigorous approach, which helps cultivate the ability and talent of young people.

My wife is a Governor of the BRIT School, and I endow a prize for song-writing each year at the BRIT School, in memory of my father, Paul Rich. My father was a professional crooner in the 1940’s and 1950’s. He had a number 1 in 1946 entitled “Cruising Down the River, which was number 1 for 6 months (!). You can check it out on the soundtrack to “the Singing Detective”. He would have loved the spirit and energy of the BRIT School and the annual song-writing award is a fitting memorial to him.

Each year the award showcases exciting new talent at the BRIT school. The winner in the first year was Katie Melua and subsequent winners have proved just as talented. Other famous music alumni of the School include Adelle, Amy Winehouse, the Feeling, the Kooks, Imogen Heap and Leona Lewis.

Learn more about the BRIT School at www.brit.croydon.sch.uk. If you would like to talk to me about the BRIT School or help make an introduction, please let me know through the contact us form.