SupaJam
Oct 191 min read
SupaJam is a unique group of Post-16 specialist music colleges based in Swanley, Canterbury and Brighton. We offer carefully and individually tailored placements to students who are looking for an inclusive alternative educational provision.
Our ethos is to provide a kind, supportive and non-judgemental educational experience that puts the students at the heart of everything we do, allowing them to thrive and achieve their full potential.
The learners at SupaJam are at the heart of our curriculum and our intent is to prepare them for adulthood and their next steps. Through our curriculum we teach relevant vocational and Maths and English skills for the music industry in a sequenced, supportive and accessible way so that all learners, regardless of need, can access course content and reach their full potential. We encourage our learners' personal development through building independence and skills to thrive in the community.
Students have opportunities to demonstrate these skills both inside and outside of the classroom and through industry related practical work experience. Our aim is for students to thrive, grow, and discover a love of learning that will continue long beyond their time at SupaJam.
Our students are aged 16 to 19, or up to 25 with an EHCP, and share a passion for music or learning about the music industry.
“SupaJam has been the best thing that has 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 student July 2022
SupaJam students performing with legendary US singer Frankie Perez at Black Deer
Our mission is to help young people aged between 16-25 with social, emotional or special educational needs to engage in education through an inclusive music industry curriculum to promote skills, knowledge, independence and resilience. This supports a positive and meaningful future in work, higher education or a career music.
When we first launched supajam Education with only 7 students in 2013 after successful careers in film, television and music, we could never have envisaged how much it would have grown.
Now with over 130 students, and three bases in Swanley, Canterbury and Brighton, supajam has successfully harnessed the power of music to engage young people to help them to access the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in later life.
Supajam is built on three fundamental values; kindness, support and non-judgement. This creates the foundation for an environment which is safe, inclusive and also progressive for our young adults, particularly those who are looking for an alternative provision to mainstream education.
We hope you find this website helpful but please do contact us if there is anything further you need.
David Court and Nick Stillwell
Co-Founders and Joint CEOs
We support disadvantaged and vulnerable young people, many of whom have never achieved a qualification. We aim to help them to focus on the future, rather than the past, with encouragement, positivity and a high level of support.
supajam is growing
We currently have 3 bases that feature live performance, podcast, recording facilities, and deliver courses covering all aspects of the music industry.
partners
One of SupaJam's key partners is Black Deer Festival where students have the amazing opportunity to manage our very own SupaJam stage.
rating
In 2019, SupaJam was awarded 'Good' by Ofsted, with Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare noted as having Outstanding features.
curriculum
We develop all areas of our students' lives, through a curriculum enriched with music, life and work-ready skills, guest speakers, trips and celebrations of culture.
Every SupaJam base delivers courses that cover all aspects of the music industry, including music technology, live performance, recording, marketing, social media, broadcast radio and podcasting.
Where it all began...
Swanley's speciality is live performance and recording at its state of the art recording studio and live venues as well as radio and music technology.
Canterbury tales...
Canterbury's speciality is podcasting and broadcast radio with its top of the range radio studio and radio station, as well as recording and music technology
Newly opened in 2022
Brighton's speciality is music journalism and photography as well as radio, music technology and recording.
“SupaJam and music have saved my life. For the first time I want to get out and be with people. I never did anything at school but at SupaJam I matter and that's the best feeling in the world.
- Emilia, student July 2022
“The memories I have created here will not be undone because I will not forget one line of this, not one day. I swear I will always remember when I was at SupaJam because SupaJam is a place for hope.”
- Teddy, student