The Brit Awards sponsored by Mastercard are a highlight of the musical calendar, and this year’s ceremony takes place on 1 March at the O2 arena in south-east London.
Past winners and nominees include Adele, Katie Melua and FKA Twigs – but that’s not the only thing these illustrious artists have in common: before achieving fame, they all passed through the doors of the Brit School.
Based in Croydon, the school was founded in 1991 to help prepare young people for a career in the creative industries. Accepting students aged 14-18 in subjects including applied theatre; dance; film and media production; and music, places are free (there is an application process), and funded by the British record industry and the proceeds of the Brit Awards.
Graduates of this creative powerhouse are a talented bunch. To date they’ve collectively sold more than 280m albums and won 42 high-profile awards, including Grammys, Baftas and Oscars. Which begs the question: what’s it really like to study there?
We asked year 13 music student Milo Claes to offer us a peek behind the (sequinned) curtain and explain what makes the Brit School unique.
Students collaborate on a huge range of projects
With such a wealth of talent on tap, students are encouraged to develop their skills together – not only to hone their own performance and production skills, but to learn how to collaborate after graduation.
With an impressive range of facilities at the school, including three dance studios, two theatres and recording studios for music, TV and radio, there’s plenty of opportunity for students to showcase their talents.
“In years 10 and 11, you meet students from across the school’s creative strands in your GCSE lessons,” says Claes. “If I wanted to make a music video for one of my songs, I could easily find that talent in my classes – a film-maker to make the video, dancers to perform in it, and a visual arts and design student to make an album cover.”
Last year, Claes had an early insight into the power of collaboration on a professional level when Mastercard, which has been championing talent at the school, challenged students to use any artform to reimagine its sonic logo – the six-note jingle at the end of its adverts. Claes, a songwriter, composed a piece of music and his work was one of 14 selected to be showcased at last year’s Brit Awards, sponsored by Mastercard.
The company had the winning works professionally produced – the biggest collaboration of Claes’s life – and he was at the Brit Awards 2024 to hear his music played. “It was unreal. I remember watching some of my musical heroes bopping their heads. It was such a fulfilling, full-circle moment to see people who influence my work seemingly enjoying it themselves. With TV, it’s mind-blowing to think that 3 million people heard it.
“I’ve definitely benefited from all the feedback from a completely new mix of people, including industry professionals. Additionally, my confidence has increased and my willingness to believe in my work from an earlier point rather than overthinking. Sometimes working on something quickly – as I did with my entry – allows for the most authentic representation of your idea.”
Homework is a little less ordinary
With students harnessing their creative passions, homework looks a bit different at the Brit School.
“There’s always a coursework element, like writing up rehearsal notes, but our homework is mostly performance-led,” says Claes. “Our final project in year 13 can be whatever we want it to be, which could mean making an EP or putting on a performance – one of my friends is making a bass guitar from scratch.”
Students are also encouraged to share their talents with the wider community. “During summer term we have to work alongside someone outside the school – for example, a person in a care home or hospice,” says Claes. “One year, we picked up our musical instruments, carried them to the local primary school and played for an hour or two. They absolutely loved it.”
The school isn’t quite like Fame (although it comes close)
The 1980 musical drama film Fame, which inspired the foundation of the Brit School, sees students at a New York school of performing arts singing and high-kicking their way through classes.
Although the Brit School comes close – “You might sometimes see students dancing on the tables in the canteen,” Claes admits – each creative subject is rounded out by lessons in the practical skills future stars might need.
“The Brit School breaks down what ‘fame’ really means, so you’re not blinded by it,” says Claes. “It gives you the means to really appreciate the journey, and shows you that performance is about art, not being a celebrity. We’re taught all about the business side of performing too, which for music students includes marketing, production, contract law and how to release a record.”
The Brit School’s industry contacts are second to none
The school’s motto is “Once Brit, always Brit”, and alumni are on hand to provide practical advice and help forge relationships with industry experts.
“At the end of year 13, there’s a big event where A&Rs [artist and repertoire agents] come in,” says Claes. “They’ve seen the alumni who’ve come through the school and know the next big UK performers are here, so they want the opportunity to meet us.
“We’ve also had artists talking to us about the deals they’ve made and the times when things haven’t gone well, so we know what to expect from being signed up. If you’re good enough, you work hard enough, and you squeeze as much out of the Brit School as you can, the bridge to a creative career is going to be made as smooth as possible for you.”
One of the important ways that students build contacts is through work placements – a great opportunity to see and be seen. This year, in the run-up to the Brit Awards, Mastercard offered a range of placements at its partner companies, a chance for talented students to gain insights and hands-on skills that could help them get their break in the career of their dreams.
As well as continuing to support the Brit School, Mastercard is in its 27th year of sponsorship of the Brit Awards, one of the highlights of the British music calendar. The Brit Awards 2025 are being held, as in previous years, at the O2, in south-east London, and will be screened on TV.
Everyone is equally welcome
With creativity at its heart, the Brit School aims to be fully inclusive, and it celebrates diversity of all kinds. Students are encouraged to make art that addresses the issues they care about, while a free counselling service is available for those feeling under pressure to perform.
“There’s a lot of emphasis here on supporting each other,” says Claes. “The general vibe is: why should you have to walk into a place every single day where you’re nervous to wear the clothes or makeup you want to wear, or say the things you want to say?
“In some secondary schools you’re almost left to fend for yourself, but here, any problems get noticed and dealt with quickly. It’s genuinely inclusive, too – rather than the teachers showing a video in assembly about inclusion, students will be asked to put on a performance about it. That way, everyone’s inspired by everyone, and you get to be whoever you want to be.”
Mastercard is proud to sponsor The BRIT Awards and support The BRIT School. Discover more at mastercard.co.uk/BRITs
