ELAM Celebrates 10 Years of Outstanding Achievement with Anniversary Event at Abbey Road Studio

09 April 2025 - Press release

 

ELAM (East London Arts & Music), the sixth form college which opened its doors 10 years ago in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, one of the most deprived areas in the UK, will celebrate its 10^th anniversary with an event at the legendary Abbey Road Studios on May 12^th. The event will bring together key supporters, industry partners, and talented alumni to highlight ELAM’s remarkable impact over the past decade. The anniversary event will feature exclusive performances from current ELAM trainees and alumni, whose success stories speak to the school’s transformative influence.

The now world-class, Ofsted outstanding ELAM was established to provide Trainees with a free, two-year specialist education in Music, Games Design or Film & Television studies.  Its principal goal was to accelerate progress towards a more diverse and equitable creative industry. Founded by Will Kennard, best known as one half of electronic music pioneers Chase & Status, who is still very actively involved and his brother Charlie Kennard, ELAM is committed to providing a pathway into the creative industry for under-represented communities.  Notable alumni include members of BRIT Award winning group FLO, Nia Smith, Tendai, Girli, Sekou and Chrissi with past students currently signed to Warner, Island, Polydor, Sony RCA, Def Jam and AWAL.  A number of alumni also work across the industry in production, marketing and manufacturing for organisations such as Universal, and Governors include Selina Webb (ex-Universal) and Obi Asika (UTA / The Malachite Group).

As one of the fastest growing sectors, the economic importance of the creative industries is undeniable, but unfortunately so is its lack of diversity. For many gifted young people, opportunities to pursue their talent or to work in the vital roles behind the scenes in the creative industries is highly restricted. ELAM was founded to tackle this inequity with the guiding vision that all children growing up in the UK see themselves reflected in UK culture. We aim to transform and diversify the creative industries by enabling access to all and to develop the most well-rounded and highly skilled workforce possible, reflecting the cultural and socioeconomic diversity of the world we live in. 

ELAM has built a reputation as an inclusive and effective incubator of British talent. The school has developed a model that works and, with more high-profile successes emerging recently, they hope will become increasingly impactful.

East London Arts & Music (ELAM) is a pioneering, industry-led 6th form academy dedicated to developing the next generation of talent in music, film & TV, and games design. Based in East London, ELAM provides a free, world-class education for 16–19-year-olds from underrepresented communities, equipping them with the skills, experience, and connections needed to thrive in the creative industries.

Since it was founded a decade ago, ELAM has built a reputation for excellence and has been awarded an Ofsted Outstanding rating. Working alongside leading industry partners such as Universal Music Group, Ridley Scott Associates, UTA and more and through an innovative, hands-on curriculum, trainees gain real-world experience, mentorship from industry professionals, and access to industry standard facilities.

ELAM is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion, actively breaking down barriers to ensure underrepresented voices have the opportunity to succeed in the creative sector. Our alumni have gone on to work with major creative organisations, launch successful creative careers and study at prestigious universities, and they are shaping the future of the industry.

As ELAM approaches this milestone 10-year anniversary, we are celebrating a decade of impact, and the achievements of our alumni, trainees, and industry partners. This event will be a testament to ELAM’s ongoing mission: empowering young creatives and transforming the future of the creative industry.